Unhappy with custom setting... Need advice to get it right!

[theinquisitor]

Hi, everyone. It seems to be the day for problems with custom settings!!

Well, we finally picked up our ring, for which we had ordered a custom setting. In the store, it looked beautiful. Frankly, I think we were blinded by seeing the diamond again, which is beautiful! But after we paid for it and took it home, we looked at it more carefully and started to see some problems. First of all, all three bezels (for the center and sidestones) were slightly asymmetrical, and were not an even thickness all the way around. Second, there is a gap between one of the sidestones and its bezel, in one spot. Third, one sidestone is slightly further away from the center stone than the other. Finally, we decided that we don''t really like the design, having seen it realized (it was just in our heads and in drawings, before!)

We know now that we should have asked to see a wax model or something before giving the jeweler the OK. We also know that we probably should have insisted on what we originally wanted (the sidestones set flush into the band) instead of letting the jeweler talk us into going with three bezels. Anyway, the point is, we''re not happy with the design or the craftsmanship.

Now we''re wondering what to do. At this point we''re thinking of trying to find a nice solitaire bezel setting and making earrings out of the sidestones. I don''t want to go back to the jeweler who set the stone, because frankly I have no reason to believe a resetting would come out any better than the original setting. We have a couple of recommendations for jewelers to reset the stone. My question is, are there steps we can take to ensure that we won''t be disappointed a second time? I would hate for my fiance to have to pay for a THIRD setting (and so would he, I''m sure!).

This time, I''ll definitely ask to see a cast of the setting. Is there anything else we should request or watch out for? Any advice or directions to other relevant threads would be much appreciated! Thank you so much, everyone here has been our guide through this process. We''re very pleased with the diamond, anyway, and that''s the most important part, right??

 

[reena]

can you post a pic of the setting?




maybe you should give the jeweler a chance to fix it or ask for your $$$ back--otherwise, what are you going to do, eat the entire cost of the setting?

 

[theinquisitor]

I'm sorry, I have no way to take or post a picture! It doesn't look bad from arm's length, but when you look at it close-up, you can see the problems.

We were planning on just eating the cost; I mean, we did take it out of the store and pay for it, I didn't know we had another option! Can we really ask for our money back?

I didn't think of asking him to fix it for two reasons: first, we have decided to change the style, not just fix the flaws; and second, we aren't confident in his craftsmanship. I'm afraid we'd just go around and around in circles. Both of us would rather find someone whose craftsmanship we can count on, and redesign it from there. But if you think that's a bad idea, please fill me in! We're open to suggestions!

 

[reena]

well, it's not that i think it's a bad idea per se, but it's a lot of $$$ to eat the cost of an entire setting if you don't have to. i think that if there are craftmanship problems with the piece, you can absolutely bring it back to the jeweler and (nicely) explain the problem and ask him to fix it. you shouldn't have to pay for that. i suppose if it's bad enough you could always ask for your money back entirely; who knows what he'll say, but if you're polite and just make clear that the workmanship just isn't what you had in mind he might relent. you never know until you ask.




now, if it's just that you changed your mind on the design of the ring, that isn't really the jeweler's fault and so he is probably not going to refund your money on that ground alone. he might still be nice enough to work with you and fix it to your specifications, however.




but it's really a personal decision (and might depend somewhat on how much you paid for the setting). if you have just decided that you don't like that style and want to start from scratch, then do that. if it's really the craftmanship part--while i agree that it should have been right the first time and can understand why you have doubts about this guy--i would give him another chance to fix it. either way, good luck.

 

[theinquisitor]

Thanks so much for the advice, Reena. I guess it's complicated because the problem is not with the design OR the craftsmanship -- it's with both. Although, who knows, if the craftsmanship had been better, we may not have decided to change the design. But all of the craftsmanship problems together make the ring look a bit amateurish and asymmetrical.

I'll run the "money-back" idea by my fiance; we might be able to get at least part of it back. Maybe the jeweler can just remove the diamond for us and keep the setting, then at least he can re-use the materials.

We've never done this before, obviously!! Any ideas on what the typical custom-setting process is supposed to be like? Are there certain steps that should always occur?

Also, side note: Any favorite bezel-settings for ovals out there? I'd love to get some ideas for the new ring!

 

[reena]

well, since you asked . . .

 

[reena]

here's another. (or did you mean non-pave?)




both from www.escobardiamonds.com.

 

[MrsFrk]

I'm sorry you're having a hard time getting your ring made! When I had my ring custom made, it was very involved- sketches back and forth, and several tinkerings with the wax, before I gave the okay to cast the ring. I think that you should sit down and discuss your concerns with the jeweler, don't just eat the cost and start again. I know that you have concerns about the craftsmanship, but there have been other instances where once the areas of concern were pointed out, the work was redone to a satisfactory level. I am always surprised by what benchman are able to do, I wouldn't just assume that the whole ring has to be scrapped in order to be redone to a level that will make you happy. Good luck!

 

[theinquisitor]

Heh...

Yeah, that's pretty gorgeous! I am a big fan of the Ritani Endless Love bezel setting. I think it might be a little sparkly and delicate for my country girl lifestyle, however!!! I'd be terrified all the time of smashing it into something and wrecking the pavé. Thanks for posting that, though, it's beautiful!!

 

[b52holly]

deleted

 

[theinquisitor]

Hmmm... Well, with all of this encouragement, maybe we will think about going back. I will definitely discuss it with my fiance. We really like the jeweler, personally, and he did sell us a beautiful rock at a good price! So maybe we should give him another chance.

I had no idea the custom setting process could be so involved! Is it unfair for me to have expected the jeweler to educate us about it, and offer to show us a wax model, etc.? He knew it was our first time doing this! Or is it the customer's responsibility to self-educate and ask for those kinds of things? Regardless of who we go with, this time I will definitely be a more demanding customer in the design phase.

 

[theinquisitor]

You're right, Steve... I'm sure he wants us to be happy. And I like the handcrafted aspect as well, but... I'm looking at the ring right now, and even from more than a foot away the sidestone bezels look "off" -- I don't know how else to describe it. And on the center stone bezel, one corner of the oval is flattish. I don't know, are these typical handcrafting types of perculiarities? I know bezels are difficult to make.

I wish I could take a picture and find out if this is our imagination or if you all agree with me.

Oh, and to show off the diamond!! (Did I mention that I love the diamond??!?)

I guess we'll discuss it and call the jeweler tomorrow; I'm sure it would save us some money if he were able to fix it for us! I am much more relaxed after getting all of this feedback; thank you so much!