Resetting Asscher Solitaire- WF custom or James Allen

[Just Looking2]

I am planning on having my 1.06 carat Asscher cut stone reset and purchasing a matching wedding band at the same time. The ring was purchased from WF, and the stone is currently set in their 4 prong Tiffany style setting which has a 2.7 mm shank. I am looking for a new setting that is also plain platinum, but with a thinner, 2mm shank.

I contacted WF first because we were happy with their service, and because they seem to have an excellent reputation in the Pricescope community. The prices I was quoted were $1,450 for the engagement ring setting and $975 for a matching wedding band which would fit flush with the engagement ring. With all of the other wedding expenses we are incurring right now, the WF quote is a bit more than we would like to spend, so I have been looking into purchasing an open setting, which seems to be a less expensive alternative.

The only jeweler I have found who sells empty settings thus far is James Allen, and I am most interested in either the 2mm comfort fit set, or the 2mm knife edge set:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/classic-solitaire-settings/ring/item_57-2637_design.asp?module=setting

http://www.jamesallen.com/wedding-and-anniversary/womens-wedding-rings/ring/item_63-1923.asp

or

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/classic-solitaire-settings/ring/item_57-1940_design.asp?module=setting

http://www.jamesallen.com/wedding-and-anniversary/womens-wedding-rings/ring/item_63-2079.asp

My concerns about purchasing the empty James Allen setting and wedding band are as follows:
1. Is the quality of the James Allen pieces on the same level as WF?
2. Would a local jeweler be willing to set the stone in the James Allen setting?
3. Would I be protected against any damage to the stone that might occur while it is being reset in the James Allen setting? (I do have insurance through Chubb, but I have not yet looked to see whether it would cover such a situation)

If anyone out there has any answers to the above questions or has had a similar experience I would greatly appreciate any advice you could offer.

 

[Skippy123]

The only jeweler I have found who sells empty settings thus far is James Allen, and I am most interested in either the 2mm comfort fit set, or the 2mm knife edge set:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/classic-solitaire-settings/ring/item_57-2637_design.asp?module=setting

http://www.jamesallen.com/wedding-and-anniversary/womens-wedding-rings/ring/item_63-1923.asp

or

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/classic-solitaire-settings/ring/item_57-1940_design.asp?module=setting

http://www.jamesallen.com/wedding-and-anniversary/womens-wedding-rings/ring/item_63-2079.asp

note: copied links to get them to work

 

[pixley]

Your asscher solitaire sounds beautiful. I would love to see pics!

OK, so I know this isn't one of the options you listed, but what about saving up for the setting you really want? WF's settings stand out as exceptional in my mind and it might be worth it to wait to get something special in the long run. The James Allen settings from the links look a little more standard to me, and I don't know if it would be worth the headache to try to pull all those components together and risk things not fitting...

 

[LGK]

Date: 9/14/2008 9:34:36 AM
Author:Just Looking2

1. Is the quality of the James Allen pieces on the same level as WF?

2. Would a local jeweler be willing to set the stone in the James Allen setting?

3. Would I be protected against any damage to the stone that might occur while it is being reset in the James Allen setting? (I do have insurance through Chubb, but I have not yet looked to see whether it would cover such a situation)


If anyone out there has any answers to the above questions or has had a similar experience I would greatly appreciate any advice you could offer.

Can''t compare the quality of the settings personally. A local jeweler would be able to set your stone into whatever setting you provide. Definitely try to see some of the work that the jeweler has done, though, because not all are created equal. As for the insurance question, I don''t have Chubb (I have Jewelers Mutual) but I''m thinking I''ve heard people say Chubb doesn''t insure for setting. Some jewelers will cover the stone while setting but usually only when you purchased both the stone and the setting from them. Definitely call and ask Chubb though, I''m not 100% sure I''m remembering right.

I do know that WF''s bench work is amazing; it might be worth saving for indeed. And, if your stone is a WF one, maybe they''d cover it during setting?

 

[Jelly]

What''s your original setting? I would wait till after the wedding when you have time to save up more money to get exactly what you want. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Just Looking2]

Thank you for all of your responses. My main objective in having the stone reset is to have a thinner shank on a simple plain platinum setting. I actually asked WF whether they would be able to thin down my current Tiffany style setting instead of having a new setting made to my 2mm shank width specification, but they said that it would not be possible. In light of this, it seems to make more sense to purchase the setting and wedding band from a jeweler who stocks what I am looking for at a better price than having WF make the same thing custom (because they do not have any plain setting that are 2mm) at a far greater price.

 

[Just Looking2]

Here is a picture of the stone just for fun

 

[bgray]

at the risk of sounding repetitive or as if i am ignoring your issues I must say that:

Whiteflash does phenomenal work. I would hate to see you get a stock setting that most likely is not of the same quality and waste money. i really would wait til you can have WF or someone else make what you want. One alternative option is Quest Jewelers in Northern VA ...........dont know how much they would charge but they do great work and have very reasonable prices

 

[cara]

I didn''t reply earlier but I thought I''d just chime in - there is a wide variety in quality of Tiffany-style rings. In particular, the stock settings (even from reputable places) sometimes have larger heads that don''t fit the center stone as well, bulky prongs, or are just not as seemlessly integrated into the band - the head just looks stuck on top. Which it is, oftentimes.

I really like the seemless, well-fitting heads of the custom-made Tiffany replicas, but these do cost more than the stock settings.

If you don''t care to spend money on the side view or the fancier head, then by all means find a stock setting with your desired narrow band and save your pennies. But if you want the nicer, custom made setting it should be lovely and definitely a step up aesthetically from your average stock setting.