Trust local jeweler or set with a PS vendor?

[Laila619]

Hi...

I am in the middle of working on a 3 stone engagement ring reset. Well yesterday I received my setting finally! Now I just have to get the 3 loose stones set into said setting. My question is, should I trust a local jeweler to do the job (so I don't have to put all of it in the mail), or should I use a PS vendor? Any of the PS vendors will probably do a much better job with the prongs than a local jeweler would. But it's tempting to get it done locally since it's much faster and I won't have to put valuables in the mail and worry about them getting lost. What would you personally do? Thanks in advance!

 

[Circe]

I think I'd go into the jewelers and ask them to show me some examples of stones that their bench had set, personally. If they met my standards, I'd prefer to do it locally. If not, shipping ....

 

[bcavitt]

Any of the PS vendors will probably do a much better job with the prongs than a local jeweler would.

Sounds like you answered your own question. Are your local jewelers really that bad (have they done work for you before or for someone you know)?

Bryan Cavitt

 

[ChrisES]

I've seen on the forum bad work from PS vendors and gotten good work from a local jeweler (who did ultimately put the ring I'd ordered in the mail, for what that's worth).

My questions would be just how much do you trust the local jeweler, and how do costs and willingness to fix mistakes compare between the two?

 

[Laila619]

Thanks everyone.

I've seen on the forum bad work from PS vendors and gotten good work from a local jeweler (who did ultimately put the ring I'd ordered in the mail, for what that's worth).

My questions would be just how much do you trust the local jeweler, and how do costs and willingness to fix mistakes compare between the two?

Yeah, that's the big issue...I don't really know any of them so I can't 100% trust that they will do a good job. The other *big* issue is that I would think if a PS vendor damaged the setting (even though that's unlikely), they would own up to it and do what it takes to make the situation right. There is accountability from being on PS and they are all honest. If a local place damaged the setting...well, I've heard horror stories so I'd probably be out of luck.

 

[Laila619]

Any of the PS vendors will probably do a much better job with the prongs than a local jeweler would.

Sounds like you answered your own question. Are your local jewelers really that bad (have they done work for you before or for someone you know)?

Bryan Cavitt

The only experience I've had with my local guy is he unsets stones for me, but I've never had him set anything.

 

[Laila619]

I think I'd go into the jewelers and ask them to show me some examples of stones that their bench had set, personally. If they met my standards, I'd prefer to do it locally. If not, shipping ....

Yes, definitely. Good suggestion.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Have a PS vendor do it. I found that even with looking at examples of other setting jobs, that is no promise about how yours will turn out If they don't do it to your standards the prongs are basically wrecked. And you may have little recourse or a royal PITA if they insist it is safe/fine but you are still not happy.

The only way I would trust a local is if you have them set something simple and cheap for yur *first*. Do you have an old earring mount and a CZ you can have them set as a trial run?

 

[Laila619]

Have a PS vendor do it. I found that even with looking at examples of other setting jobs, that is no promise about how yours will turn out If they don't do it to your standards the prongs are basically wrecked. And you may have little recourse or a royal PITA if they insist it is safe/fine but you are still not happy.

The only way I would trust a local is if you have them set something simple and cheap for yur *first*. Do you have an old earring mount and a CZ you can have them set as a trial run?

I hear you, Dreamer. I remember your experience with the OEC earrings. That's why I'm sort of hesitant. And I don't have any CZs or old mounts they could do a trial run with unfortunately.

By the way, D, you were SO right about the finger coverage of a 3 stone! I placed the stones in the baskets to get an idea of what it would look like set, and it's awesome! Who knew I would end up being a 3 stone girl after all this time messing around with halos?

 

[missy]

Laila, first of all congrats on your new reset to be! How exciting.
Is there any PS vendor near you at all? I mean, even within a few hours drive? That way you can personally drop it off and pick it up even though it's not as convenient.

Or, is there any friend's (custom)jewelry you love who can recommend her local jeweler?

If not then I guess the best route would be a trusted PS vendor since the mail is safe though based on a recent PS experience it makes me a bit nervous for you...but I am sure it will work out and be safe.

Good luck- so excited for you!

 

[Laila619]

Laila, first of all congrats on your new reset to be! How exciting.
Is there any PS vendor near you at all? I mean, even within a few hours drive? That way you can personally drop it off and pick it up even though it's not as convenient.

Or, is there any friend's (custom)jewelry you love who can recommend her local jeweler?

If not then I guess the best route would be a trusted PS vendor since the mail is safe though based on a recent PS experience it makes me a bit nervous for you...but I am sure it will work out and be safe.

Good luck- so excited for you!

Aw, thank you Missy!!

I wish there were a PS vendor within driving distance, but alas that's not the case.

 

[Enerchi]

As I'm in Canada, for me to do the PS route, would incur more expensive S&H as well as duty, so the extra expense would be something I'd have to factor in.

If I were in the US where the vendors are, and having just experienced a crappy custom job here locally (which was fixed by a different vendor), I'd be inclined to go direct to a PS vendor and not waste my time 'testing' another local person. On PS, the vendors have been vetted by many and that would give me peace of mind.

(but I do appreciate the 'instant gratification' of the local jeweller)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The thing is, I am not sure what PS vendors would even want to do it when you have not bought the stones or settings from them. The diamond vendors that are not jewelry stores really probably don't do that kind of work. I think you need to find the most high end local jeweler you can and then show them a ring in their own showcase that has the prongs you like, so there is a visual benchmark of what you expect.