So where would I go...

[sharonzhere]

...to have my old diamond set into a pendant? I know what I want, I just don''t know the best place to go to have it done.

I want a bezel setting, 18 or 20 inches (not sure, have to try it on), with a chain in white gold or platinum (again, not sure). The stone is in my old engagement ring, and is just about half a carat.

I''m not too comfortable with the idea of mailing my old ring out to have the diamond removed and reset, so I''d like a brick and mortar in my area. I''m in southern california, Orange County to be exact.

I am open to buying the setting elsewhere and having it shipped here should that be my only choice, and taking the empty pendant and the old ring to a jeweler to have it done nearby, but would prefer not to buy it sight unseen.

Any recommendations?

Sharon

 

[valeria101]

Hm... buying an empty setting for a pendant is not at all usual and such pieces are not widely available. Also, empty pendant settings are usually sold for (really) run of the mill, inexpensive pendants, not sophisticated design and/or high quality makes. Very different from the e-ring story... The straight way is to have a jeweler make it or source it for you. A bezel will have to be made for the stone for the best results, especially if it is a thin bezel.

Also, if you want a longer (as opposed to near-choker length) chain, you may want to check if the "flipping" of the pendant bothers you - this is almost unavoidable for a long chain.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

----------------
The straight way is to have a jeweler make it or source it for you. A bezel will have to be made for the stone for the best results, especially if it is a thin bezel.
----------------

My pendant is a thin bezel similar to the Tiffany by the Yards bezel and I had a local jeweler custom make it to my exact specifications (and I provided pictures). This plan worked out great, but it was a bit more pricey than I expected. You can hunt around for jewelers that specialized in hand crafted gold/platinum and check out their work beforehand rather than just picking someone based on price and this way you'll know they're experienced and talented with bezel settings, which can be a bit tricky.

Michelle

 

[mike04456]

It sounds like a very simple job. Any jeweler should be able to do it for you.

 

[sharonzhere]

Well, I've totally changed what I want on this. (I went shopping yesterday). I want (need) a 24 inch chain for it to land on my chest where I want it to land. (midway in between my neck and my ahem...) I also don't want a bezel setting anymore - I want a basket setting but not the kind with the chain through the pendant - I want the pendant to have the 2 loops up top so that if it does flip, it goes right back to the way it's supposed to be.

One jeweler in the mall yesterday had EXACTLY what I wanted but it was a setting that was made by IGI ? IGA? and could only be sold w/ the diamond. I asked him to find out if he could get just the setting and put my diamond in it an he took my name but said that he doubted it. They did have another setting that they could order alone but I didn't like it. So I'm at a loss.

Maybe I should try the jewlery mart in LA? I hate that place...

Sharon

 

[hoorray]

I had an LA Jewelry Mart jeweler set my new stone and put my old stone into a pendant. He had a catalog of pendant settings that were not very expensive, and had all the standards: bezel, basket and a few more unique ones. It worked out great for me. His name was Dan at Navalty (sp?) jewelers, on the 5th (?) floor of the 550 South Hill Street building, I think. (I can't find his card, so am guessing.) I assume many others can do the same thing for you, but Dan did a great job for me.

 

[andyp77]

Hi Lop,

So you used Dan with Navalty to set your stone? I was there this past weekend to check out some engagement rings. I showed him a picture of the type of ring I''d like and he said he could make it. What do you think? Would you trust him to custom make a ring for you? They both seem like honest people. I''m just a bit hesitant about having a ring custom made that I can buy from Robbins Bros. So, I''m not sure what to do.