Walkthrough for resetting my ring for the first time

[euphaire]

Dear community,

I want to reset my 6 prong solitaire into a three stone ring With center stone set in 4 prongs and two side pears about 0.2ct each. I feel at a loss - how to go about this so I could get very high quality workmanship (wouldn’t want to lose the center stone from the 4 prong setting) and transparent pricing. I went to my local jewelry store but feel there is no transparency and a big markup on the side stones (they showed me a pair of pears only 0.1ct each and it was $600-900). Also, do I need to buy insurance if I choose to go with them, in case they damaged my center diamond?

is Buying a pair of small pear side stones online then bringing them to the local jeweler to be set a good alternative? If so, any vendors you guys recommend? I couldn’t find any in the search that offers as small as 0.2ct each. I’m fine with lab grown GHI color, and I am very interested in fancy blue colors as well.

I love 4 prongs but very scared of security issues. Also, I would like my ring to be in rose gold to match my wedding band, and it seems the basket or trellis setting will only allow rose gold prongs (instead of two tone). Would rose gold prongs look nice, or weird?

I keep seeing names on this forum like David Klass or Olivia, but I don’t think they are available locally? would it be a big risk mailing a previous diamond to them to be set?

any advice would be greatly appreciated. First time resetting in my life. I don’t own any custom jewelry either I want to avoid mistakes and pitfalls or getting ripped off!

for reference here is my current ring which I’m not a huge fan of the setting:


and these are the settings I would like, in rose gold, possibly with white or blue side pears, and secure and low profile (at least not higher than my current one by much)

 

[seaurchin]

Based on my personal experience of doing this four times before and being very pleased with the outcomes, here is what I would do:

(1) Insure the ring. You might have to get it appraised first but if so, the insurance company will let you know. You also might want to get more than one quote because insurance costs can vary widely.

(2) As much as possible, figure out what you want exactly. And write down questions to anything you need more info. about.

(3) Email your request to David Klass, as concisely as possible, and ask for an estimate. Include the dimensions of your diamond and photos of your "inspiration rings" above. You can request estimates on your ideas for the side pears too, if you want to consider just having them handle that for you.

(4) If the price is agreeable to you, ask DK to send you a mailer, then send your ring to him per his instructions.

(5) After you get the first CAD (drawing of the new desired ring), look it over and request adjustments as needed.

(6) Feel free to post the CADs and any questions for our input if you want.

(7) Rinse and repeat until the CAD is just right. And don't worry about requesting too many revisions! I was mortified my first time around, when I decided to scrap my original idea and started all over again after they had already spent time on CADs. But I have realized that they expect that sort of thing. And all is well as long as you are sincerely trying to get something designed to your satisfaction and made, rather than just a lookey-loo.

(8 ) After the CAD is tweaked just right, if you want, you can request a model of the ring-to-be. I can't think of the name of them right now but it's a plastic/rubber model of the ring setting. (I've never done this because I'm always too greedy to get the final piece faster but that is probably not the best idea).

(9) If all is well then (or if you decide to skip step # 8 ) approve the CAD so the ring can be made. If not, request any desired changes.

(10) Pay. Then receive.

After trying it, I do not think it's riskier to use the mail or other delivery service than it is to go to a local jeweler. I've heard so many horror stories that I'd much rather go long distance with a jeweler I've heard a lot of good things about than take a chance on one who is less well vetted just because they're local. As always JMHO. But I must warn you that it is addictive! Good luck.

 

[seaurchin]

Re your question about prongs, personally I would pick white gold/platinum prongs because they are more "invisible" around the diamond than rose gold would be. Even though the rest of the ring will be in rose gold. And of course if you're having the setting custom made, you can have that.

 

[Kim N]

This is the type of setting that Leon Mege is known for. I would contact him for a quote.

Contact - Leon Megé | The Art of Platinum®

Get in touch Telephone: (212) 768-3868 Whatsapp: (212) 920-5565 Fax: (212) 898-1389Email: [email protected] Our address 151 West 46th Street Suite 900, New York, NY 10036 By appointment only Sunday Close Saturday Close Monday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Tues Day 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM to...

leonmege.com

 

[Lookinagain]

I always think that registered mail is the best way to ship jewelry. Takes a bit longer, but the insurance is cheaper than sending it overnight and it's safer because of the chain of custody it provides. This would be if you aren't shipping to a jeweler who provides you with a shipping label which provides the needed insurance.

 

[Calla-lilies]

Based on my personal experience of doing this four times before and being very pleased with the outcomes, here is what I would do:

(1) Insure the ring. You might have to get it appraised first but if so, the insurance company will let you know. You also might want to get more than one quote because insurance costs can vary widely.

(2) As much as possible, figure out what you want exactly. And write down questions to anything you need more info. about.

(3) Email your request to David Klass, as concisely as possible, and ask for an estimate. Include the dimensions of your diamond and photos of your "inspiration rings" above. You can request estimates on your ideas for the side pears too, if you want to consider just having them handle that for you.

(4) If the price is agreeable to you, ask DK to send you a mailer, then send your ring to him per his instructions.

(5) After you get the first CAD (drawing of the new desired ring), look it over and request adjustments as needed.

(6) Feel free to post the CADs and any questions for our input if you want.

(7) Rinse and repeat until the CAD is just right. And don't worry about requesting too many revisions! I was mortified my first time around, when I decided to scrap my original idea and started all over again after they had already spent time on CADs. But I have realized that they expect that sort of thing. And all is well as long as you are sincerely trying to get something designed to your satisfaction and made, rather than just a lookey-loo.

(8 ) After the CAD is tweaked just right, if you want, you can request a model of the ring-to-be. I can't think of the name of them right now but it's a plastic/rubber model of the ring setting. (I've never done this because I'm always too greedy to get the final piece faster but that is probably not the best idea).

(9) If all is well then (or if you decide to skip step # 8 ) approve the CAD so the ring can be made. If not, request any desired changes.

(10) Pay. Then receive.

After trying it, I do not think it's riskier to use the mail or other delivery service than it is to go to a local jeweler. I've heard so many horror stories that I'd much rather go long distance with a jeweler I've heard a lot of good things about than take a chance on one who is less well vetted just because they're local. As always JMHO. But I must warn you that it is addictive! Good luck.

I’m also interested in potentially getting a custom setting. Thank you for the thorough explanation - greatly appreciated.