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Shoulder Tiffany custom make expensive? Please resond tonight of possible!

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WorkingHardforSmallRewards

WorkingHardforSmallRewards

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jun 5, 2007
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1,236
Hey, I was looking at the Brian Knox ring site and I found this ring.

Shoulder Tiffany

I felt that it really maintained the "simple" look that my girlfriend wants while adding a little bit of understated elegance--all while still showcasing the diamond as well as any other four prong--in particular the James Allen setting I was looking at found below:
JA setting


You think that a ring that is so cheap as that originally would be custom made for a reasonably similar price (I would have it in palladium though) or you think any custom job will inherently cause for a major price hike in a design already so low as 200 bucks?

Also, how do you feel about this one. I am thinkign that it is the one, really containing the best of both worlds as I said above. But I am not a woman, and she said she wants a simple one.

Geez I am making alot of typos today, that is supposed to be RESPOND and IF!
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I am a bit sleepy...
 
And if anybody has any thoughts for me, help me out with what information to get in order to give them. I REALLY like this setting--up until now I haven''t seen any that really spoke to me. But this one is just screaming out for me.
 
I really don''t care for the JA one at all. The Knox one is ok. But I strongly prefer the Whiteflash Legato setting. It''s a tad more expensive, but sooooo much nicer and more elegant IMO.

You won''t get something custom for less than that Knox ring.
 
Custom will be expensive. Nowhere near 200 bucks. The quotes i have had for a simple 4 prong custom solitaire range from 1500 -2000.

I'm actually not sure what you're asking. I like the knox jewelers a whole lot more than the JA one. I don't like the 'cutout' bit near the head on the JA ring.

Have you seen this? It's similar, 4-prong, shoulders, and would be very good quality. The link is: Cross' Cambridge

a
 
I''m confused what your question is ... why would you need either design custom made if you like the ring as is? Just buy it ...

Is it because you prefer palladium to 14K w-gold?

"Custom made" requires a lot more work and there is NO WAY it will be $200 -- even in a "cheaper" metal like palladium ... because it''s the labor you''re paying for. I would guess that the cost to custom make a version of this ring in palladium will top the price of the platinum version ($650??)

Personally I''d rather just have the perfect already made platinum one and not have the worries that come from faulty custom work. Especially since so many jewelers aren''t skilled in palladium ... servicing the ring could be a problem in the future if you move away from the original jeweler.
 
forgot to attach, I''m sleepy too
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CrossCambridge05.png
 
Well, I am sure it won't be less, but I was thinking maybe in the 300-350 range.

Also, I agree on the legato sleek--allthough I think she might like this one more--when I first saw the legato sleek I thought "that is OrXXXmic" (edited to be polite).

But then I saw the price...about 700 bucks for a setting on a 2k diamond. And I have decided to go with palladium because on working out myprices I realized that If I spend an extra 200 bucks on the setting after having totally maxed myself out on the diamond purchase right now--well, lets just say that financially that 200 dollars is actually a critical point around early October of having enough money for rent, food gas, etc or not, and having everything paid off before I start accruing interest. (except student loans of coruse). So I don't thing there is anyway it is happening.

I would also be really scared to have it set somewhere else without having insurance on the loose diamond--plus that would add the cost of an appraisal later. Any ideas what to do? because after seeing this one and the one's you ladies are suggesting I simply am not satisfied with my limited options at JA within my budget.

Also, I have been doing some reading and it seems that JA is pretty well known for palladium work, and they are saying it will cost the same as the WG for the basic solitaire, so I assume that it should be similarly priced here for WG or palladium.
 
Date: 6/20/2007 12:12:43 AM
Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards
Well, I am sure it won't be less, but I was thinking maybe in the 300-350 range.


Also, I agree on the legato sleek--allthough I think she might like this one more--when I first saw the legato sleek I thought 'that is OrXXXmic' (edited to be polite).


But then I saw the price...about 700 bucks for a setting on a 2k diamond. And I have decided to go with palladium because on working out myprices I realized that If I spend an extra 200 bucks on the setting after having totally maxed myself out on the diamond purchase right now--well, lets just say that financially that 200 dollars is actually a critical point around early October of having enough money for rent, food gas, etc or not, and having everything paid off before I start accruing interest. (except student loans of coruse). So WF is out of the question, also, I would like to stick with JA but the JA setting I am looking at is just that...a setting. Not exciting like the other two.


So WF aside, I agree, but there is no chance in hell, how should I approach this and what should I expect/be armed with when i speak with them? I never imagined a custom job being anywhere near my price range, and I imagine it still probably won't be. Maybe you know more, someone?
Click to expand...

I'm still not following why you want to go custom when it will be more expensive and a PITA? I really don't think it will be anywhere close to $300 because it's a PITA for someone to make something custom. These cheap settings are cast in molds, so it's easy to make hundreds at once. Since the Knox setting is in your pricerange, just buy the stone from JA, call Knox, send them the stone, and they will set it for you no problem. They are super nice.
 
Date: 6/20/2007 12:12:43 AM
Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards
Well, I am sure it won''t be less, but I was thinking maybe in the 300-350 range.


Also, I agree on the legato sleek--allthough I think she might like this one more--when I first saw the legato sleek I thought ''that is OrXXXmic'' (edited to be polite).


But then I saw the price...about 700 bucks for a setting on a 2k diamond. And I have decided to go with palladium because on working out myprices I realized that If I spend an extra 200 bucks on the setting after having totally maxed myself out on the diamond purchase right now--well, lets just say that financially that 200 dollars is actually a critical point around early October of having enough money for rent, food gas, etc or not, and having everything paid off before I start accruing interest. (except student loans of coruse). So I don''t thing there is anyway it is happening.


I would also be really scared to have it set somewhere else without having insurance on the loose diamond--plus that would add the cost of an appraisal later. Any ideas what to do? because after seeing this one and the one''s you ladies are suggesting I simply am not satisfied with my limited options at JA within my budget.
Click to expand...

Sorry if you''ve addressed this in your other threads - but what about just going with a cheaper setting then in a couple of years changing it for one you feel is more special?

a
 
Well, bassically I don''t want to go smaller than 5.4 mm, I don''t want it to be yellow and I don''t want any visible eye inclusions and I refuse to compromise on any cut qualities.

thus 2,040 bucks for a .61 HandA ideal cut E VS2 totally eye clean diamond is I think an incredible deal. I have done a bit of searching, but I would rather have a weaker setting and just showcase a truly beautiful stone. Also, I know I can come down in color some, but that doesn''t help price much unless I move back to an H--which I just returned from being unhappy with. Also, you wouldn''t believe the amount of work they have done for me on this stone so far, it would have to be a REALLY good deal. Also, as I discussed in other threads my girlfriend is Japanese where I expect a high quality is stone will be a must for those who know her at least.
 
You guys really think it is worth the risk to send to someone else to have it set? I mean, if anything happened to it there is NOTHING i could do about it. I simply would not be able to propose with an engagement ring.

I will find out tommorow but I might not be able to sleep tonight. You think if i buy a ring elsewhere then I can send it to JA and they will take responsibility for the setting?
 
Oh, and that cross cambridge one is very nice as well, but I decided a while back that for a diamond this size I didn't want any baskets or anything at all obstructing the side view of the stone. otherwise It is an incredible selection as well, and one I would probably look for with 1.5 more mm or so on the diamond.
 
I see you guys viewing:) lets get come more comments!
 
I still don''t "get it".

Where are you buying the diamond from?
Why can''t you buy a simple, inexpensive setting from them?

Listen -- a $200 budget is what it is ... i wouldn''t count on getting something that "speaks to you". And I doubt any jeweler is gonna accept the responsibility of setting the stone (risk-wise) for a $200-$500 setting sale. You''re going to have to either have the place you''re buying the diamond set it or get insurence on the stone yourself before you have a local jeweler set it in whatever setting you choose.
 
I googled "palladium solitare setting" and found some for $250 & up.
 
I like that setting from Knox...not as much as the Legato Sleek Line, but you gotta go with what you can afford. It''s a little more elegant than the classic Tiffany, and I like how the shank becomes knife-edgy toward the diamond. I agree that you should stick with that setting rather than customize - just make sure you have insurance on the diamond before you send it to Knox, although I''ve never heard of a diamond actually being lost in the mail. Custom work is fine if you can''t find what you want in a stock setting, but it''s expensive, and since you''re working really hard to minimize cost while still getting a beautiful diamond, this looks like a good option.
 
where is the diamond from? have you insured it already? if youre worried about losing the stone when having it set, insure it first. in the meantime maybe you''ll be able to save the money for the setting that "spoke to you" if you are set on a budget and thats it, why not the tiffany style from WF or the sleeklines? im not exactly sure what it is you want, wish i could help. explain a bit more, i know you have a diamond that is an E. is she a color sensitive girl? does she want a solitare setting? like you said, since you are finally happy with the diamond you have and arent willing to compromise on that why dont you just go with your thought of a "weaker" setting?
 
I guess I didn't explain it too well.

First is that she really wants a simple setting, nothing flashy, no paves nothing big. But the classic solitaire is just a little to boring, I don't really like the lines and it just doesn't speak to me.

But the one from knox that I linked to Knox shoulder tiffany does.

It just has that little hint of elegance and really speaks to me as the perfect ring for what she wants at this stage in her life--and within my budget.

So two things--I am purchasing my diamond from James Allen. I will ask them tommorow if I can have the ring mailed to them and then have them set it. Though I will still get it in the Palladium and if I decided it wasn't white enough just have it rhodium coated.

Second, is how do I go about getting a loose diamond insured? I don't have much experience with insurance, and I imagine it would take alot of time to get my diamond, get it appraised, get it insured, send it off and get it mounted--plus alot of money.


Anyway, any other ideas aside from Whitflash settings let me know, but I guess the only way I am going to get it is to hope James Allen will do it for me! I hope they will! I was really just hoping someone would have experience with one of these options and let me know it should be easily done I guess, along with other advice, but no more white flash! its too expensive for me to get a nice one of theirs!
 
I rang around a lot to get my loose stone insured and I couldn''t find anyone to do it as a loose stone. Chubb will insure once it''s set.

However Jewelers Mutual will insure it before it''s set and cover it while it''s being set if you give them the certs, a copy of your paid invoice and a quote for the setting with a description. (Obviously you pay the premium for these amounts before sending it off to be set) It is also then covered while in transit to wherever and while it is being set, which gave me a lot of peace of mind. To mail it though I would only use USPS registered mail. My agent at JM is Mary Witczak.

Once it is set you then need an appraisal of the finished ring to be sent to JM and pay for any difference in the appraised value and the amounts you paid.

Hope this helps.

a
 
I apologize if you''ve already thought through something like this, but I found a way for you to have a stone that meets your expectations and get the Legato setting, all for about $2500. And it''s all from WF, so you wouldn''t have to worry about sending anything in the mail.

This stone from WF is almost exactly 5.4mm, and it''s G/VS2. With the PS/bank wire discount (5% on ACA stones), it would be about $1800. Add $700 for the setting and you''ve got an awesome ring for $2500, and you can''t go wrong with an ACA stone!

The problem here is that the extra $300 might break the bank given what you''ve been saying in this thread...do you have a family member or close friend who would be willing to lend you $300 for a while? That''s not a huge amount to have to pay someone back eventually...

Anyway, just a suggestion, since you liked the Legato so much. I do think that you found a pretty sweet deal on the stone you''re planning on getting, for that matter.
 
just wanted to chime in that i MUCH MUCH prefer the knox setting. just as it did for you, something about it speaks to me. very elegant and seems like they just hit all the right notes. very attractive. not so with the JA one. sounds like you have already decided to go with the Knox one, and i''m sure the logistics will all work out once you get it figured out. sorry i can''t help with that, haven''t been down that road myself. best of luck!
 
hey, well thank you everyone for your input. I have confirmed that I can have the setting sent to JA and have them do it at their own risk, so that's what I will do.

I am sorry for those whose advice I didn't take but I appreciate it nontheless. I will admit the WF alternative is an enticing one, but in the end I believe it is much more likely I would stick with this stone forever and upgrade with more stones and different setting (though She might want to just upgrade the stone in the future, in the end she will decide which one) and so I think my best bet is to get the cheaper setting. It isn't perfect, but I think it is more than good enough, whereas the classic solitaire was just barely good enough in my mind.

Now my only real problem is that I have never left so late as July21 to go to japan, and the tickets are 1300 and up! i normally get itunder 1k...bit of a problem...lol..shoot.

Also, JA recommends me having the diamond sent out and looking at it, then sending it back with the setting to have it mounted. However, I only have 5 weeks, including this week. What do you suggest? (I may just talk with my JA rep and trust her and the numbers as I do not want to find myself running out of time and having to leave the stone uninsured to get it overnighted or something like that)
 
HI WHfSR-

First, thanks for all the advice you gave me in my post about my new ring- it really helped me. I hope it''s OK that I chimed in here.....

I agree with the other posters - custom will cost more. I also like the Knox much better than the JA. You mentioned (in one of your responses to my post) that somewhere down the line, you might want to turn your GF''s engagement ring into a 3 stone ring. I completely understand your budget considerations and sticking to a budget is important, so why not go with the Knox setting if you love it and when it''s time to create that 3 stone ring years from now, splurge on a platinum setting then?

One question- have you purchased the diamond from JA already? If not, why not look at another vendor that offers a lifetime trade up)? I checked out the Whiteflash site and they seem to have a lifetime trade up program and also have some nice 14 kt white gold solitaire settings that are reasonably priced (and have platinum prongs).

If however you are all set on the JA the diamond , my vote then would be for the Knox setting. Hope that helps!

PS: Not too complicate matters but I also googled "palladium engagement rings" and found some nice solitare settings for around $250 as well.
 
I think either ring is quite pretty (I like the first one better, though; seems more *delicate*). But personally, I don''t care for those stock, dime-a-dozen, square-ish, blocky-looking prong shafts on either ring. I know that those prongs can be reshaped and thinned down significantly when the diamond is set, though. Can make a HUGE difference. Just my humble 2 cents!
 
Date: 6/20/2007 6:09:25 PM
Author: Lynn B
I think either ring is quite pretty (I like the first one better, though; seems more *delicate*). But personally, I don''t care for those stock, dime-a-dozen, square-ish, blocky-looking prong shafts on either ring. I know that those prongs can be reshaped and thinned down significantly when the diamond is set, though. Can make a HUGE difference. Just my humble 2 cents!
Click to expand...
i totally agree about the prongs, but i must admit in the knox setting i find i don''t dislike them the way i usually do. something about that setting, if you''re going for the simple solitaire the elements are all done quite nicely. as a whole it comes together as an elegant ring.

i think your final plan is a good one and i hope all goes well!
 
Hi again:)

And of course I don''t mind you chiming in Kajime! I check this thing from my cell phone throughout the day to see if anybody has said anything, and it is always great to get some new thoughts! And again, you have a fantastic ring, but as long as you are doing research on LGF and star numbers post your findings here, as I have been doing a little research on them myself when I get a chance.

I have two more questions though.

One is about the idea of thinning out the prongs. That was actually one of my biggest concerns when I purchased my first now returned diamond ring from BN. In the Blue nile pictures the solitaire four prongs look HUMONGOUS. but when they got here they were really quite petite and attractive. I assumed that was because they adjust it per the size of the diamond. Thus when I purchase my ring from Knox I will tell them (as I did in my questions today) about the dimensions of my diamond.

Do you think it would also be advisable to request that James Allen thin out the prongs to the point at which they are as thin and unobtrusive as possible while still offering excellent security?


My second question is similar to this in that while my shank will be palladium they said that the only head that they offer for this setting is 14k WG/palladium mix.

I am sure it will be strong enough, but I am not sure about the risk involved after having them thin it out when I am having it set. Anyone know if I should trust JA on this or just leave it as is?

Here the guy down at Knock disturbed me a little as he said that "it will be equal and maybe even superior to platinum protection because platinum can bend" where all of my research told me that platinum bending was one of the qualities that made it superior as a head...

Also, they said that there will be a bit of a two tone affect but "after rhodium plating this will be a non-issue." I was planning to decide after getting it if I needed rhodium plating because of the supposed grayness of palladium, but I guess I don''t get to decide now!
 
Regarding the prongs... I don''t think it would take much (or compromise the integrity of the head) to have the prongs thinned/rounded out/shaped a little, but the visual difference (IMVHO) would be HUGE.
But we can all speculate ''til the second Tuesday of next week, but the vendor, of course, is the expert and the "final word"!
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Thanks, yea I will take them on their final word, my only real concern is that I might get some different viewpoints from the Knox and from JA, in which case I want to come armed with some knowledge of my own so I can ask appropriate questions.

I will tell you what I wish though, I wish that soddering under the prongs could be inlayed with tiny tiny tiny diamonds. Then it would be really great.
 
The people at JA can probably arrange sufficient documentation for you to get insurance even before you receive the diamond in the first place. Ask your agent what they require and then ask JA what they can provide.

Both JA and Knox surely have insurance and take full responsibility for things in their possession so you can safely use either one as the setter. Ship the diamond to Knox or the ring to JA. They may even be willing to do the shipping directly from one to the other if time is of the essence. Ask.

Either one of these will be able to ship the finished piece directly to your chosen appraiser for final documentation and the appraiser can submit their report to you via email which you can submit by email to your insurer as an ‘update’. This too can be done before you take physical possession of the piece and many appraisers have insurance that cover your property while in their care. As with the above, ask.

This is not a difficult job. It shouldn’t take long. I would guess you can put together this whole deal in a week or two, start to finish. Start by talking to JA and Knox about what you want and asking how they can help get you from point A to point B.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
 
Awesome, that is some really good information. I will have to talk with knox and JA about some of t his. Thanks for the input!
 
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