Settting the diamond-overseas or locally in Australia?

[Portwood]

Hi,
I have another post about the diamond I am looking for (down to two cushion cut diamonds from ERD) but I had another question regarding setting the diamond in/on a ring.
Since I live in Australia, my options are to buy the diamond AND get it set in NY then get it shipped over, or to buy the diamond, ship it over, then get it set here with a local jeweller.
The setting that I want is basically the Tiffany Novo setting (which ERD look to have a similar setting).

But I don't know how settings work exactly. What happens if the ring is too small/large on her finger? If the setting was done in NY, can a local jeweller change that? Or if there were any modifications that had to be made, is it easy for a local jeweller to do any modifications?

I feel that it would be safer to get the diamond set here but it would be cheaper to have it set overseas then have it shipped over.

 

[chrono]

You can do it either way and there are pros and cons to that, being that you are across the pond from ERD.

ERD
They will be responsible for setting the stone and any damages since it is their stone and setting.
They already have a similar setting so you know what you are getting.
The disadvantage is the distance so if you want any work done in the future, it is too far and expensive to send it back to ERD.

Local jeweller
They can set your stone but the risk of damage is your burden to bear
I don't know the quality of their settings but at least you can see it first hand, try it on, etc.
They are local to you for future work, be it repolishing, a deep cleaning, resizing, prong tightening, etc.

As for sizing, if you know her finger size, it should fit well. It can be resized but somewhat limited, probably half size to a full size since the melees do not go all the way around.

 

[Supers]

Hello there,

Fellow Aussie here - I got my diamond from GOG and had them ship it to BGD to set. BGD then sent the finished ring to me.
I did it that way as the diamond and setting I wanted was overseas and it was cheaper than buying here. BGD had the style / setting I wanted and I was confident they would do a great job of setting the stone. I could have got a local jeweller to make the ring (as the style I ended up with is simple) but didn't want to muck around with getting quotes etc.

I do have a jeweller I use now, who does complimentary inspections of the ring (checking the prongs that sort of thing), and that has actual done some minor repairs on the ring. I suspect though, this jeweller would have cost a lot more for the ring.

Is it a surprise proposal? Otherwise, you could both go into a store and try rings on for size. Or if she has a ring she wears, you could take that in to be measured. I believe resizing is not too difficult, but may be limited as to how much you can go up / down in size.

 

[arkieb1]

Also an Aussie. Depends on where the stone is. If you are buying a stone in the US then it is far cheaper and easier to get it set there. If you need to work out sizing use a size conversion chart or take one of her existing rings if she has them into a store and ask them what the US size equals, or take her trying on other types of rings to find out the correct size.

Any good jeweller can resize up or down here for a small amount.

If the stone is already in Australia then it is a major pain the butt to send it overseas to have a setting made. If you need a specific custom setting made for the stone then frequently many providers will only make settings this way.

Most of the settings high end custom made in Australia are very expensive. Many settings we see here are stock items made in Asia or India and are of a much lower quality (but still expensive) compare to what you can buy in the US.

 

[bibs]

Aussie here too. I am in the process of doing this also. I think I have decided to get JbEG to set my stone as that is where I am buying it. Hope you don't mind Portwood if I ask others how they went with the important taxes when their ring hit Australian customs? I have read a few threads on here about and how if the ring is set it adds another 5% to the import duty?

Cheers, Bibs

 

[misskittycat]

Another Aussie. I usually get all my jewellery made by a manufacturing jeweller here in Sydney who is the absolute business. I've been very happy with all of their work to date. I have had my jewellery for years (e.g. engagement ring for 6 1/2, no missing pave, no chips, no loose stones, still 100% perfect.) with no issues whatsoever.

Having said that, I am having JbEG set my Gladys/Dixie because I bought it from them and I want the experience of using someone different for a change.

 

[misskittycat]

Aussie here too. I am in the process of doing this also. I think I have decided to get JbEG to set my stone as that is where I am buying it. Hope you don't mind Portwood if I ask others how they went with the important taxes when their ring hit Australian customs? I have read a few threads on here about and how if the ring is set it adds another 5% to the import duty?

Cheers, Bibs

Talk to Erica about this Bibs. She can include all the USFTA documentation so you shouldn't have to pay the 5% customs duty.

 

[Portwood]

Good question Bibs! Missykittycat, who's Erica? I'll have to find out about the duty as well, haven't gotten that far yet!

Also, would you be able to PM me the jeweller you use (can't remember if you said you're in Sydney).

 

[evil_unicorn]

Another Aussie. I usually get all my jewellery made by a manufacturing jeweller here in Sydney who is the absolute business. I've been very happy with all of their work to date. I have had my jewellery for years (e.g. engagement ring for 6 1/2, no missing pave, no chips, no loose stones, still 100% perfect.) with no issues whatsoever.

Having said that, I am having JbEG set my Gladys/Dixie because I bought it from them and I want the experience of using someone different for a change.

Hi misskittycat! I'm from Sydney too, mind if you share which manufacturing jeweller you use here?

 

[kenny]

First find a cheap silver ring (of the same width as your ering) that know fits perfectly.
I'd also try to copy the roundness or squareness of the edges.

Mail it to ERD and tell them to copy the size exactly.