Resetting my diamond, jeweler advice needed!!

[Jean]

Ok, so as some of you may know, I am thinking about resetting my stone. I have my heart set on a halo setting to make my diamond appear larger. (I am having severe shrinkage

) So, I am working with a jeweler and I brought him so ideas of what I was thinking and he does not want to set my stone is anything like that. He says that the small diamonds fall out to much and those settings are for really small stones. (My stone is a 1.20 radiant) Also, I was considering some sort of bezel setting and he is hesitant to do that as well because he says that it looks old ladyi-ish! He keeps trying to lean me into something with prongs like I have now but with a thicker band. That is not what I want......
So my question is, does this jeweler make valid points or does he seem to not be listening to what I want. Shoud I go elsewhere. He has a great reputation and seems nice..... I am confused!

 

[allycat0303]

Well mine is a 1.27 RB and it''s in a halo setting. I don''t know if it qualifies as a "small stone". As for the setting, yes, the stones did fall out and it was a lot of trouble. It depends on if you want to baby your ring a lot or wear it without having to worry about it. I can tell you that my ring isn''t really practical for everyday wear.

Good luck on your search!

 

[princessv]

Psssh...sounds like your jeweler doesn''t have the expertise to make something like you want. Shana I completely understand what you are going through as I have my heart set on resetting my stone in a halo setting as well. I''ve called and visited a whole slew of places, local and PS wise and some places were not willing to go as thin as I wanted (main problem) or the prices were too expensive.

I finally found a place that I am willing to get it done at and they are willing to listen to all my ideas and make what I want at a competitive price as well

I''m going to be using Quest Jewelers near the DC area I love that they are somewhat local to me and I don''t have to ship my stone...where are you located?

 

[princessv]

Ooh I forgot to add that the PSers that do have halo setting by Quest haven''t had any problems...besides they replace stones that fall out for free and free resizing for life.

 

[devientdrow]

The halo advice doesn''t sound THAT bad.......People have had problems with diamonds falling out BUT I wouldn''t think that style is ONLY for small diamonds! The comment of the bezel looking old ladyish is just rude! In my opinion he is there to provide a service to you. Yes, if you want something that could give you grief somewhere down the road or be bad for the diamond ect...then yes he should step in and tell you it might not be a good idea and then offer maybe some alternatives. HOWEVER thyis is YOUR ring. If you love a bezel setting then he should do it and keep his style opinions to himself. He''s not making this ring for him....he''s making it for you. Blah!

 

[valeria101]

Date: 12/30/2005 11:26:33 AM
Author:Shana Jean

He says that the small diamonds fall out to much and those settings are for really small stones. (My stone is a 1.20 radiant) Also, I was considering some sort of bezel setting and he is hesitant to do that as well because he says that it looks old ladyi-ish! He keeps trying to lean me into something with prongs like I have now but with a thicker band. That is not what I want......

'Guess that advice matches what he has in stock. It happens

No problem if the guy things bezels are lady-like (good thing?) - there are dozens of bezel styles - it can't be that all fall into the same pool. AT best, this is his taste against yours - nothing objective about it.

About pave - well, ok.... some may be more delicate than others and things happen. IMO, the worst would still get obvious during the first weeks of wear (a as it happened with Allycat's ring ) and most jewelers cover such repairs. I would think accidents are not common.

All in all - it can't be that hard to find exactly what you want. The key is to locate a jeweler that has done it before.

My 2c

 

[gailrmv]

I don''t think the jeweler is wrong or pushy to offer his opinions. He is probably basing these opinions on years of experience. I do think he would be remiss if he refuses to hear your point of view or to help you get what you want, when you do decide.

 

[rosy]

Gosh totally understand about shrinkage, it sets in so quickly doesn''t it? I had shrinkage the week I brought my ring home, & it''s not small by anyone''s standards at 1.85 carats. Anyway I think you should find a different jeweler. It could be that the jeweler doesn''t have a whole lot of experience with what you''re looking for or he sounds pushy. Get a second opinion, or third & compare what each jeweler says. I know shrinkage hurts but don''t rush into anything!

 

[Jean]

princessv,
Thanks for the advice. I am in Massachusetts.... I am going to try my husbands parents jewelers today and see what they say. You all have been very helpful.

 

[Jean]

Alleycat,

That is not a small stone by any means!! I bet it looks great in the halo setting. Thanks for the tip though. I do like to weat my rings everyday so perhaps the halo is not a great idea!

 

[devientdrow]

Gailrmv,
I just can''t imagine going into a jeweler and saying "Well how about a bezel style, I like those." and then having him/her say "Thats old ladyish." Thats pretty much insulting what you like!

 

[diamondlil]

I''d take a little more time and get a few more professional opinions before deciding. Half the battle can be finding the right personality to work with. If your jeweler is not open to your ideas, I suspect you won''t be happy with the results.

ETA: I have not had a single stone pop out of my pave rings. I wear them daily (not to do houseowork of course), and I ultrasonic them a couple times a week.

 

[devientdrow]

Personally I love the halo''s....soemthing else I thought of since you are dealing with shrinkage Shana doesn''t a bezel setting sort of make a diamond look smaller? I thought I read that somewhere?? I could be wrong.....

 

[princessv]

I think she means a bezel setting like this (my dream setting

)

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 12/30/2005 11:26:33 AM
Author:Shana Jean
Ok, so as some of you may know, I am thinking about resetting my stone. I have my heart set on a halo setting to make my diamond appear larger. (I am having severe shrinkage

) So, I am working with a jeweler and I brought him so ideas of what I was thinking and he does not want to set my stone is anything like that. He says that the small diamonds fall out to much and those settings are for really small stones. (My stone is a 1.20 radiant) Also, I was considering some sort of bezel setting and he is hesitant to do that as well because he says that it looks old ladyi-ish! He keeps trying to lean me into something with prongs like I have now but with a thicker band. That is not what I want......
So my question is, does this jeweler make valid points or does he seem to not be listening to what I want. Shoud I go elsewhere. He has a great reputation and seems nice..... I am confused!

he is not listening to what you want and/or he doesnt want to or cant do the work you want................

 

[devientdrow]

OooOoOoOoO that is SOOOO not old ladyish That is awesome!!!

 

[TheDoctor]

He''s not interested. He''s not listeneing. He doesn''t possess the skill or doesn''t know anyone who does.

Pave'' work, done well, will last decades. A halo style for your diamond will look lovely. If it is well-made, you can wear it as much as you like.

So, he wants to sell you a cookie-cutter style that he can easily put together. How typical.

Don''t reward him with a single dollar. He doesn''t deserve your business.

 

[princessv]

Date: 12/30/2005 2:44:19 PM
Author: devientdrow
OooOoOoOoO that is SOOOO not old ladyish That is awesome!!!

Hehe I think its awesome too...I''d be really offended if someone called it old ladyish

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 12/30/2005 3:59:29 PM
Author: princessv

Date: 12/30/2005 2:44:19 PM
Author: devientdrow
OooOoOoOoO that is SOOOO not old ladyish That is awesome!!!

Hehe I think its awesome too...I''d be really offended if someone called it old ladyish

Haha me too!!!

 

[valeria101]

'Guess the question is 'can you do it' not 'should I like it'.


Besides, what's not to like about a framed radiant like THIS ?


I've seen quite a few settings almost like This halo with a 2ct radiant recently, some with colored stones - someone must be making them on order. Chances are a local jeweler could also source one.

And some look very much like your Legacy model - this one happens to be square. There are oval ones out there too. There should be multiple sources - every Tiffany design gets that sort of 'attention' or 'follow up' - however you want to call it in absence of enforceable copyright. And handmade would probably be at least as nice as the original - no reason why it shouldn't.

PS - since these settings involve lots of pave:

There are subtle differences between cast and raised pave... When each is great, they look nice to me. No question which I prefer though. I do not know if there are objective differences - if one of the experts doesn't pic this up, you may want to ask.

 

[princessv]

What is cast and raised pave?

Never heard these two terms before hehe.

 

[Jean]

valeria101
That is just what I am looking for... Luv it!

 

[Jean]

devientdrow, It may, I am not sure.... I am ust kind off thinking of some ideas. I do have my heart set on a halo though. I went to my husbands parents jewelers today and they were way better to deal with and are willing to work with me and make it happen!!!

 

[Jean]

Princessv, that is the one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SeaOats]

That ring is gorgeous and definitely not "old ladyish."

 

[rosy]

You should definitely bring the picture posted by PrincessV of the one! It is absolutely stunning. Makes me want to have something like that for my right hand..........................................

 

[gailrmv]

Quoting devientdrow
"Gailrmv,
I just can't imagine going into a jeweler and saying "Well how about a bezel style, I like those." and then having him/her say "Thats old ladyish." Thats pretty much insulting what you like!"



Devientdrow,
I agree, yeah, that would be pretty insulting. Without being there myself I can't obviously comment on the tone or exact words that were said. I agree with everyone that if she feels insulted or condescended upon, it's time to switch jewelers! The point I was trying to get across is that that jewelers see more jewelry than most of us, and work in the field, even though some are not as highly skilled as others. So I do respect that they have some expetise and valid opinions even if I do not agree with those opinions! The customer always has the option to ignore advice or opinions or switch jewelers or stores.

I sort of doubt that the jeweler was pushing her away from the bezel due to lack of skill, because a simple bezel can be ordered from Stuller and is pretty standard. A pave bezel, well that's another story.... but I doubt his comment about the bezel itself had to do with his inventory or skill.

Anyway, I really like "the one" that was posted! That is a beautiful setting! My understanding is that halos make the diamond look bigger and although the style is old fashioned, nothing about it is old ladylike in the least - at least in my book!

 

[Shay37]

If you love it, get it. I have a pave halo that I wear every day all day. I do not worry about it at all. WF did a beautiful job.

shay

 

[Jean]

Thanks for everyone''e help!! This is the one I think that I am going to go with!! It is from the same place that we got my e-ring from in its first setting.

 

[princessv]

I''d love to see a side view!