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Timeline Feedback for Setting a Stone

GCGDanielle

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Feb 21, 2014
Messages
115
I purchased a loose OEC diamond almost a year ago, and at the end of the November, I finally found the perfect setting and contacted the vendor to inquire about pricing. 2 days later, I was met with a reply and happily decided to move forward with the setting. It's a "standard" setting that will only be changed to accommodate a round instead of a cushion, and will be CAD cast. I was told the timeline would be 3 weeks for completion upon receipt of my stone, and that some drawings would be prepared beforehand.

In mid-December, I contacted the vendor to see how things were progressing and didn't receive a response. I forwarded my email about a week later, and received a response that the holidays were affecting timelines. The vendor asked me to send over exact stone measurements and that drawings would be prepared. I quickly responded with the measurements, and advised that I completely understood the delay considering the holidays, and that I was excited to see the drawings.

On Monday, 1/12, I forwarded the email exchanges to the vendor and asked for an update. I received a quick response apologizing for the delay, and was told that my drawings would be sent by yesterday, 1/14. Well, despite my frantic email refreshing, I never received any drawings.

I'm looking for feedback at this point. Have I waited too long? Not long enough? I don't want to babysit, and I don't want to force my project down the vendor's throat. If I would've just received an email yesterday saying things are delayed, and to expect drawings by x date, I would've been happy. Instead, it's just the same old tumbleweeds. Since I've never actually gone through the process of buying a stone and having it set later, I don't know if my expectations are out of whack. I do completely understand how the holidays impacted the timeline, but now I've been involved in the process for almost 2 months and I have nothing to show for it. :((
 
So, at this point, you are still in possession of your diamond, you haven't paid any money, and you're still waiting on drawings from the vendor promised to you in early December? If this is the case, I'd start considering other vendors. And, if the vendor has your diamond and/or you've paid a deposit, my answer would be - have the stone and $$$ returned to you forthwith, and start considering other vendors.
 
Thanks for your response.

Sorry for being unclear. I haven't sent my stone or paid any money at this point. The vendor asked me to wait for drawings prior to sending the stone, and didn't want to be paid until the ring was completed.

I'll probably start sending out emails to other vendors today. Thanks for the feedback.
 
You have shown patience beyond what I would tolerate. I would move on, they don't deserve your business.
 
I would not move forward with the vendor considering the lack of communication and ability to fulfill timelines they have set themselves.
 
GCGDanielle|1421350953|3816950 said:
* * * Sorry for being unclear. I haven't sent my stone or paid any money at this point. The vendor asked me to wait for drawings prior to sending the stone, and didn't want to be paid until the ring was completed.
What an odd way of doing business. I mean, I'm happy for you that you don't have any kind of financial stake in the process & need not worry about getting your stone back, but not charging a design fee or even a deposit before beginning to craft the ring is unlike any jeweler/metalsmith within my ken. :?:

Best wishes going forward!
 
Thanks for all your replies.

MollyMalone: I thought the arrangement was strange as well, but apparently it's how this vendor operates. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my setting wasn't custom, but just a regular setting option offered (except for the stone shape).

I'm just disappointed that I found the exact setting I want, and now I have to start the search all over again.

Should I send the vendor a short email to let him know I'm no longer interested in working with him, or just let it go? I'd hate to start the process with a new vendor, and then have this vendor pop back up having done work for nothing. Opinions?
 
If you decide to move on to a different vendor, which I would if I were in your shoes, I would inform the vendor of this decision so that he will remove this job from his schedule.
 
UPDATE

I sent the vendor an email about the situation, and he responded 12 minutes later with some CADs. Apparently, he received the drawings yesterday, but requested revisions because the diamond was sitting too high. He offered a discount to make things right. I have not yet decided how I want to proceed, but I am the type that hates the thought of him having done the work for no reason. And I really do like the setting.

So, as I choose how to proceed, I'd like some assistance with the attached CADs. I am a first timer, so I'm not quite sure how to critique them. Could anyone give me some pointers/insights? The ring is going to be rose gold, and is supposed to have diamonds on 3/4 of the shank.

For context, this is the ring from a fellow PS'er, but for a cushion:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-1-86ct-antique-cushion-in-dk-solitaire.208578/

I really appreciate all the help. =)

cad_20.jpg
 
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