What''s so special about designer settings?

[nolimits]

I know designer settings are referenced alot on this forum, but I am curious how many of you actually have a designer setting. It seems many people take a picture of the setting they like and have a local jeweler replicate it for a fraction of the cost.

Obviously the replicates exist as they are available at a lower expense while maintaining the same look but is there truly any quality difference? How can I tell a good setting from a poor setting? Is it frowned on to have a designer setting replicated to achieve a certain look while on a budget? Is it worthwhile to just pony up and spend the extra money? What are some of the trusted designer settings that are more affordable?

 

[Sparkalicious]

Hi Nolimits!

I''ll try to answer some of your questions for you ...

- I know that many places will "copy" a designer setting, however, they may insist that at least 20% of the design, for example, be different than the original designers ...

- I think that the choice to go designer or not is a really personal one, sort of like diamond color ... For me, I really wanted a Simon G setting I fell in love with ... my jewelry offered to custom make something similar for cost savings, however, I figured it was just worth the extra to get the setting I really wanted and be assured of the level of quality that I would be receiving.

- Some trusted and/or popular designers include: Simon G, Ritani, Leon Mege, Mark Morrell, Vatche, Scott Kay, A Jaffe, Tacori, Beverly Kay, Sasha Primak, Precision Set, Verragio, Jeff Cooper, Mark Schneider to name a few

Pearlman''s Jewelers has a great website that allows you to see a lot of designer settings. Here''s a link if you would like to take a look.

I hope this helps!

 

[gulliverseyes]

Just got to the local store and see for yourself, compare tacori with a manufactured white gold setting. I did and got the bug. With a little help from overstock.com me and my other are very happy campers.

 

[bem3231]

I think that it depends on what kind of setting detail you are looking for. For simpler settings, I think that they can be fairly safely replicated. For certain setting detail, like micropave for example, you probably want to ensure that the jeweler who is creating it is doing it properly.

I initially had my heart set on a Tacori, but when I saw them in person I was disappointed - so, I ended up going with Leon for my micropave design. His cost for it was only a fraction more than Tacori, and it will be custom made.

I think that part of it is preference and part of it is ensuring that whoever you have creating your setting is well suited to the particular design you have chosen.

 

[beau13]

"What''s so special"?

THE PRICETAG!

 

[bee*]

I have a tiffany lucida. Before we bought it we searched high and low (seriously-in four different countries!) and we couldn''t find a copy which was as nice as the real thing. For copyright reasons, most places will not copy it exactly. For us, we decided that the real thing was worth the money as it''s the one that we both loved.

 

[mrssalvo]

not all designer settings are created equal. but there are certain designers that have earned the reputaion they have b/c they produce a high quality product and have perfected it. IMO, from what I''ve learned and seen in jewelry, most of the time you get what you pay for. Not saying you have to go to some of the most expensive designers to get a nice setting, but trying to find or have a jeweler knock-off or create a cheap version will usually be apparent in the final product. If budget is a huge issue, I''d try to find some middle road, a company that has a reputation for putting out nice products. Also, custom isn''t always cheaper. the designers have castings, desgins ready to go. Custom folks have to start from scratch and you''ll pay for the time of them redesigning.

 

[rainydaze]

i found a setting by eli jewels that i loved at one jeweler. while comparison shopping, i visited another jeweler that carried eli jewels and found the same setting in their case... or so i thought. as soon as he took it out and i held it i noticed a huge difference - i immediately wondered how this ring could possibly be from the same designer?! it was lighter (the original was plat and this one turned out to be WG), the engraving was different and not as nice/refined, and the finer details and finishing were missing. i was so confused!! it was clearly not of the same calibur as the first one i viewed, but how could this be? i didn''t say much, but when the SA returned from checking some info on another setting he also informed me he discovered that it was in fact replica and not the real deal. PHEW!!! cleared that mystery up!!

other than that, i didn''t do any serious comparison between designer and ''in-house'', although of any in-house setting i viewed i never did find one that impressed me.

 

[tberube]

Date: 1/16/2008 9:09:49 AM
Author: beau13
'What's so special'?


THE PRICETAG!

I wholeheartedly agree with beau13. It's just like anything else. You can get a great quality setting you love, and you can pay a premium so you can tell people "this is a Tacori" or "I got this at Tiffany." But you can also get a great quality setting you love, without a name. Yes, there are some poor quality settings out there, but I choose to believe it's kind of like a pair of great jeans: just because the ring doesn't have a designer name on it doesn't make it poor quality.

 

[bee*]

Date: 1/16/2008 9:54:19 AM
Author: tberube

Date: 1/16/2008 9:09:49 AM

Author: beau13

'What's so special'?



THE PRICETAG!

I wholeheartedly agree with beau13. It's just like anything else. You can get a great quality setting you love, and you can pay a premium so you can tell people 'this is a Tacori' or 'I got this at Tiffany.'

I don't think many people do pay the premium just to say that they got a Tacori or a Tiffany-most people get them as they adore the setting and the copies just don't resemble the original. Sure there are some that want the name, but if you an afford the original over a copy, then fire ahead.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Having a designer setting made no difference to me, so I do not have one. My 3 stone and my e-ring are both simple settings, and I want the focal point to me my bling, not the setting

.
Different strokes for different folks!

 

[eac]

Another thing to consider is that, on boards like this, it''s easier to DISCUSS the designer settings. People can share web links and existing images. Whereas it doesn''t have the same immediacy to discuss theoretical custom-made settings, or to say "something like this one, except different."

 

[door knob solitaire]

In a nutshell...the finish. Detail. That is it for me. §

 

[nolimits]

Thanks for the feedback, it is much appreciated. What I''m seeing the most is that most people prefer the designer settings for aesthetics...they want that EXACT design, anything less may not look as refined or quality, etc, etc. The exception being a micropave setting where a quality setting makes a world of difference and where a custom piece may or may not hold up to a tried and true designer piece.

I admit I have had a very hard time deciding the perfect setting for my girl. Originally I thought I found the one in a Zales store, and then I saw the Kirk Kara 6685 setting and it quickly became my favorite. Then after conversations and just thought, I realized the Kirk Kara setting really isn''t her. She always goes back to a more simple solitaire with a few touches to give it a nice refined look.

In short, I believe the Vatche X-prong (for princess cut) is the new direction. Both the solitaire and wedding band is fairly simple but I think it fits her and will look great with a nice sparkly stone. I haven''t seen prices yet, but if a cost savings can be obtained do you agree this should be easily replicated by a trusted local jeweler?

 

[neatfreak]

While vatche settings could probably be reproduced easily...I bet the cost of going custom will actually be MORE expensive in this case because the Vatche is such an affordable setting in the first place.

 

[door knob solitaire]

I am sure there are great mom and pop locals that can dole out superior stuff. A visit to my local B&M offered me a setting very close to the one you are looking at. It was for a brilliant cut stone though...round shape. I was enamored by the savings and the fact that the stone could be quickly set.

I asked if I could run the hand made piece to my hubby for his opinion. They said no problem. Hubby has a eye for detail and right off the bat noticed the burrs under the head. he noticed the welding points were a different shade and using a magnifying glass he could see the porosity of the metal was substandard. It was pitted and had little pin holes in the metal. Eureka...I said...I see them now too! I said there is no way I will give money to a company who was confident in this piece...it is their calling card after all. They hadn't made the sell...why send out substandard? My point is they didn't send out substandard...they sent out their best.

Their best is not good enough for me.

You have to know what to look for what to ask for...and you must beyond a shadow of a doubt trust your jeweler. If all of those things line up you should be OK. (Keep in mind a small independant may only turn out one or two of that ring in a year, the designer one or two a day.) Weigh the savings and make your decision that way. Otherwise, bite the bullet and get a quality piece elsewhere. Many PS jewelers offer that style/similar design of setting. Whiteflash, GOG, and many others. You want to cut costs, do it with a metal downgrade. Look at white gold. §

 

[milton333]

You can get the Vatche x-prong here starting at $832 (you can get it elsewhere for fairly reasonable, too, cheaper than the Kirk Kara). I believe you can buy just the setting. This gets into the age-old dilemma about buying your stone and setting from separate places, and how to get them set. Where do you plan to get your stone?

 

[nolimits]

Date: 1/17/2008 1:39:57 AM
Author: milton333
You can get the Vatche x-prong here starting at $832 (you can get it elsewhere for fairly reasonable, too, cheaper than the Kirk Kara). I believe you can buy just the setting. This gets into the age-old dilemma about buying your stone and setting from separate places, and how to get them set. Where do you plan to get your stone?

Thanks for the link to the Vatche. That''s not really a bad price for a designer ring, although I have to admit I''m "designer retarded" in the fact I don''t know if this is a good or bad designer. Any thoughts?

As far as the stone, I''m not 100% sure yet but I found one I liked over at GOG. I''m also considering James Allen, Whiteflash and other reputable online dealers as well as local jewelers. I did notice GOG carries the Vatche line as well which might be a really deal. There is only 1 Vatche dealer in the state so I figured I''d give them a go at it as well. I''d prefer to keep the business local as long as I can get the same quality diamond for a price equal to or very close to online pricing.

One last question...anyone want to take a guess at diamond size in the Vatche picture I posted. I like the proportion of everything very well.