Send away diamond for halo?

[Shaylene1080]

Hi everyone,
I am debating resetting my diamond in a halo setting. However, the couple of online vendors I've contacted have said I'd need to send them the stone to work with. Is that always true? I do want the halo to sit flush with the diamond - really do not want any gap. But I don't feel comfortable sending the stone away. Help!

 

[tyty333]

Yes, this is normal. Who are the vendors? PSers send their stones off all the time to have them set. Make sure you do a search on how to send
your stone so that it is insured.

Were you planning on having the setting created with the measurements then having it set locally? I think if you want a nice custom fit that this is
not the way to go.

 

[Winks_Elf]

As a consumer, it is a frightening prospect to send your diamond away to have a setting done, but as a vendor I can tell you that it is a necessity. There are many subtle variations in pear cuts (some are more skinny, some are chubby, some are angular, etc.), and if you want a halo design that is going to be a flawless fit, the cad artist needs to have the diamond in hand from the beginning of the cad creation to the final setwork.

If you ask the vendor who is doing your setting, they may be willing to send a label for you to ship the diamond under their insurance, which is typically done FedEx overnight priority, so that the diamond is there the next morning. It will probably cost you anywhere from $50 to $100 to do this (depending on the value of the diamond), but it's worth the peace of mind.

 

[WillyDiamond]

Many of the PS vendors who do halo work sit the stone flush so their is no "air line".
Some of the vendors who PSers have used include VC, SK, and BE.
Personally I worked with Chris at BE. You can see my avatar, a bit blurry, but well done in person.

Edit: As far as shipping diamonds or watches, USPS Registered/Insured is the safest way, given you do not have a special account like vendors do with Parcel Pro.

 

[Shaylene1080]

Thanks for all the replies! I guess I will just have to take a deep breath, get over my nervousness, and make a decision on who I'd like to have do the halo

 

[tyty333]

Yes, it is quite nerve wracking until it is received but I would say the majority of old timers on PS have sent diamonds to have set.
Some folks even have to send them to foreign countries...that would make me really nervous . Ditto what Winks_Elf said...see
if you can get a label from the jeweler who is doing the work...they charge you for sending it but it is covered under their insurance.

BTW...I've sent 3 different stones with no problem.