When custom is not perfect..

[klavigne]

The casting most likely won''t have tooling marks or bad solder joints since it''s all one piece. A true custom, done completely by hand is a piece that will be unique no matter how many times you try to replicate it.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 6/7/2006 1:02:46 PM
Author: widget

Author: CaptAubrey

Ask yourself if you want a photograph or a painting. Is the Mona Lisa 'perfect'?

I love this!

This is a great thread.

I have a question...which method of manufacture, casting from an original wax, or hand fabrication, is more likely to be near perfect?

(It occurs to me that the big difference in cost estimates that Gypsy received might be due to the jewelers talking about different methods of manufacture...)

widget

Well, I was concerned about that too. I wanted to make sure I was comparing apples to apples and so forth. I think between Greenlake and Quest the major difference was that much of the work couldn't be done in house.

With Quest everything (except the custom baguette cutting... but even then they work with someone they have a set contract with) was in house. The first step was obviously the CADs. And Quest was going to have the CAD's dictate the baguette size and cutting (whereas two places I talked to were going to have the baguettes cut first then have the CAD use those measurements, I nixed that immediately), then wax and cast. The Beaudry lady, Maytal, was right around Quest's estimate... but that was for hand fabrication. So really it didn't seem to depend so much on method as it did the size and in house capabilites of the jeweler.

Strange, but true.

 

[mrssalvo]

Deco, you wrote a really great summary. I am one of the picky people who won't go custom for my e-ring. One reason is I like the setting as is. I don't want any changes and I wouldn't knock off a designer piece. 2) I have seen the ring in person, the quality and craftmenship of it and don't trust someone who doesn't make it on a regular basis to re-create it. I would compare every detail and it would be hard for anyone but the maker to do it justice b/c of the intricate design. I recognize this in myself and after picking apart two other custom projects I know it's not for me.

 

[darling]

Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all the information in this thread. Decodelighted, thanks for your realistic approach, Virginia & Gypsy - I can''t wait to see how your rings turn out.

 

[CaptAubrey]

Date: 6/7/2006 12:30:08 PM
Author: aljdewey


WOO-HOO, Capt! SO good to see you......and as usual, VERY well said! Precisely on-point.

How are those gorgeous boys doing?

Growing up much too fast--all three will start "school" (Kindergarten or pre-school) this fall.

Now back to the thread--it''s a good one.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 6/7/2006 3:33:48 PM
Author: CaptAubrey

Date: 6/7/2006 12:30:08 PM
Author: aljdewey


WOO-HOO, Capt! SO good to see you......and as usual, VERY well said! Precisely on-point.

How are those gorgeous boys doing?

Growing up much too fast--all three will start ''school'' (Kindergarten or pre-school) this fall.

Now back to the thread--it''s a good one.

Holy smokes, has it been THAT long? Yikes!

Really, really nice to see you around these parts again!

Drop a post or two every now and then so we don''t have to miss ya so much!

GREAT topic indeed. Custom is great, but it''s not for everyone. And, I think it''s important to point out again that replication isn''t the only reason folks choose custom. Like Gypsy and myself, sometimes it''s because we cannot get all the elements we want to see from stock pieces....they just don''t come that way.

 

[Lynn B]

Interesting thread. I think going custom is a little like getting a hair cut. If you communicate very little with the hair stylist, don't bring any photos, etc., you are likely setting yourself up for disappointment because she can't see the image you have in your head!

I just had two rings custom made by WF. I tried very hard to communicate exactly what I wanted and what I envisioned. I sent photos of what I liked and what I didn't... I sent e-mails and FAXs... we talked on the phone...I knew that it was vital that WF know exactly what I wanted. (I was probably a four-star pest!

)

But anyway, they were wonderful, patient and very responsive, and I knew that they really did want to make me 100% happy. I truly did get the rings of my dreams. And oh, BTW, just a fun point... but, um... custom really CAN be "perfect", too!

 

[jadeleaves]

Date: 6/7/2006 12:22:37 PM
Author: Mara
Capt so good to see you around here again...

Gyp I think that the person who asked about saleable vs expo was actually Garry as in Garry Holloway. Or maybe I am remembering it incorrectly. But I think Jade Leaves said that and I thought she was working with Garry.


I actually found that comment interesting because if it IS Garry he does work with tons of types of clients and he is very respected. To me it''s not like he is saying ''oh do you want crap or something really nice'' but rather a ''just how picky are you, tell me now'' kind of thing, this is giving the opportunity to the customer to go ''oh i will settle for nothing less than expo quality''...*expectations* of the vendor and the consumer being on the same page.

Again, joining late to this thread, and yes, it was Garry Holloway who said the ''exhibition vs saleable quality'' work. Mara - this is getting too spooky - u keep hitting the nail on the head and putting what I meant so succintly.

I mentioned what Garry said only because it reminded me of that other thread where someone asked if pscopers are more picky than others (or make worst customers etc). Garry did say I am ''not the average customer'' which I took to mean he understands I am picky about my custom work

which is fine with me. I don''t think he meant it in the way of ''do u want crap or something nice''. I think what I was trying to say, was that I thought a jeweller should quote a price for something he will make to the very best quality he can, instead of letting the consumer make up her mind about the type of quality she wants? Sorry if I came across the wrong way. HORMONES!!!

 

[Mara]

Date: 6/8/2006 5:31:50 AM
Author: JadeLeaves

Date: 6/7/2006 12:22:37 PM
Author: Mara
Capt so good to see you around here again...

Gyp I think that the person who asked about saleable vs expo was actually Garry as in Garry Holloway. Or maybe I am remembering it incorrectly. But I think Jade Leaves said that and I thought she was working with Garry.


I actually found that comment interesting because if it IS Garry he does work with tons of types of clients and he is very respected. To me it''s not like he is saying ''oh do you want crap or something really nice'' but rather a ''just how picky are you, tell me now'' kind of thing, this is giving the opportunity to the customer to go ''oh i will settle for nothing less than expo quality''...*expectations* of the vendor and the consumer being on the same page.

Again, joining late to this thread, and yes, it was Garry Holloway who said the ''exhibition vs saleable quality'' work. Mara - this is getting too spooky - u keep hitting the nail on the head and putting what I meant so succintly.

I mentioned what Garry said only because it reminded me of that other thread where someone asked if pscopers are more picky than others (or make worst customers etc). Garry did say I am ''not the average customer'' which I took to mean he understands I am picky about my custom work

which is fine with me. I don''t think he meant it in the way of ''do u want crap or something nice''. I think what I was trying to say, was that I thought a jeweller should quote a price for something he will make to the very best quality he can, instead of letting the consumer make up her mind about the type of quality she wants? Sorry if I came across the wrong way. HORMONES!!!

I live in your brain JL...but you just can''t see me.

Now pass over that LV...

It''s my turn to hold it!

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 6/8/2006 5:31:50 AM
Author: JadeLeaves

Date: 6/7/2006 12:22:37 PM
Author: Mara
Capt so good to see you around here again...

Gyp I think that the person who asked about saleable vs expo was actually Garry as in Garry Holloway. Or maybe I am remembering it incorrectly. But I think Jade Leaves said that and I thought she was working with Garry.


I actually found that comment interesting because if it IS Garry he does work with tons of types of clients and he is very respected. To me it''s not like he is saying ''oh do you want crap or something really nice'' but rather a ''just how picky are you, tell me now'' kind of thing, this is giving the opportunity to the customer to go ''oh i will settle for nothing less than expo quality''...*expectations* of the vendor and the consumer being on the same page.

Again, joining late to this thread, and yes, it was Garry Holloway who said the ''exhibition vs saleable quality'' work. Mara - this is getting too spooky - u keep hitting the nail on the head and putting what I meant so succintly.

I mentioned what Garry said only because it reminded me of that other thread where someone asked if pscopers are more picky than others (or make worst customers etc). Garry did say I am ''not the average customer'' which I took to mean he understands I am picky about my custom work

which is fine with me. I don''t think he meant it in the way of ''do u want crap or something nice''. I think what I was trying to say, was that I thought a jeweller should quote a price for something he will make to the very best quality he can, instead of letting the consumer make up her mind about the type of quality she wants? Sorry if I came across the wrong way. HORMONES!!!

Okay well, that was good clarification. I (thanks to Viginia) made up a power point presentation in anticiaption of the setting project, and when I need a big break from the job hunt I will make up a hard copy version for quick reference. LOL. I think Pete is on the same page with me, and I have had a stern talking to with myself.

I think Lynn''s analogy is great. After one terrible haircut a while back I always take pics in with me and make sure I consult iwth the hairstylist before she starts cutting.

 

[dbgaap]

For me, the story of Lynn B''s recent re-setting is very, very illuminating.

I just know that it could happen to me- If I went custom, I know I would find things that bugged me about the end result and I can imagine having a whole new set custom-made.

I am really that picky.

As long as I accept that about myself, it''s OK to go custom.

And, I am only picky about my e-ring and wedding band.

Right now my prior e-ring is at Quest with my new sapphire and I just want them to stick it in there right!
Whatever Pete thinks is good enough for me.
I won''t wear it every day and I trust his judgement for a RHR.

The dumbest part iis that I wear a very generic-looking plain wedding band and solitaire. But everything about it is exactly the way I want it.

 

[jadeleaves]

Date: 6/8/2006 11:51:03 AM
Author: Mara
I live in your brain JL...but you just can''t see me.

Now pass over that LV...

It''s my turn to hold it!

Lol! I was wondering about that voice in my head whispering ''upgrade to a bigger RB first, go a little lower in color, heck even Si2, come over to the dark side....''

I''ll hand over the LVs if you hand over your BIG J!!

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 6/8/2006 8:14:13 PM
Author: JadeLeaves

Date: 6/8/2006 11:51:03 AM
Author: Mara
I live in your brain JL...but you just can''t see me.

Now pass over that LV...

It''s my turn to hold it!

Lol! I was wondering about that voice in my head whispering ''upgrade to a bigger RB first, go a little lower in color, heck even Si2, come over to the dark side....''

I''ll hand over the LVs if you hand over your BIG J!!

ROTFLMAO! Truly.

 

[ladykemma]

there was a thread few months back about a canadian lady who ordered a custom ring. it had a stunning cut RB stone in unplated white gold. she gave the jeweler heck and after much wrangling, later returned it.

it stays in my mind to this day how sorry i felt for that jeweler.

 

[Mara]

Date: 6/8/2006 8:14:13 PM
Author: JadeLeaves

Date: 6/8/2006 11:51:03 AM
Author: Mara
I live in your brain JL...but you just can''t see me.

Now pass over that LV...

It''s my turn to hold it!

Lol! I was wondering about that voice in my head whispering ''upgrade to a bigger RB first, go a little lower in color, heck even Si2, come over to the dark side....''

I''ll hand over the LVs if you hand over your BIG J!!

Haha damn! Foiled again! Just wait...one day the PLAN will work. Asscher schmassher! hehee.

 

[londonblue]

i think as long as you are willing to make compromises or be adaptable in your custom project, in the end things will still turn out pretty "perfect"

As long as there are no glaringly parts with poor and/or shoddy craftsmanship.. I guess in the end it''s all with what grows on you. Sort of like when you get that first tiny, almost invisible scratch on your brand new car, it''s annoying.. but then you sort of get used to it and it becomes "your scratch" and then after a while, it''s the scratch that makes it "you car"


funny enough i ran into some communication problems with quest this week over engraving on my custom rings. partially i think it''s because quest doesn''t generally do that sort of relief engraving - which i realized shortly after starting the project with them because i had scoured PS in vain to find a quest custom ring w/ that style of engraving. I get the impression whiteflash can do it though... or are they generally stock settings?

in the end, after much back and forth, and emails w/ attachements and finally some down and dirty descriptive words we were on the same page for the final look. It''s really hard to describe over the phone what you want, and to try to clarify a look or style. It would have been so easy just to draw it on paper in person and say "here", but we were short on time and it''s hard to get a hold of each other across a 3 hour time difference

but in the end i think it''s going to turn out great! quest sent me images today and all that''s left is the engraving. after conferring w/ my fiance on her preferences, she prefers something different from me, which is great because that''s the style that quest will be able to do. i''m more into the engraved relief style i think, i''m still not sure how to completely and properly describe it. and some online photos are too low res to serve as clear examples.

anyway, although i know a lot more terminology than when i started this whole thing, i think it would help people doing custom work if there was a guide to the terminology used in describe styles and parts of a ring. Instead of trying to say "yeah, the curvy part that goes from this to that, but not quite as far as that thingy, i want it to not curve so much", well yeah you get the point
All I know are the more technical terms like lost wax, sprues, sweat soldering from my jewelry classes, but sadly i didn''t know a basket from a shoulder when i started this custom project. I was able to find precious little about real specifics for parts of a ring online unfortunately.


anyway, enough yapping from me, communication and flexibility are key, as well as some understanding of what''s possible and not possible given the minute dimensions of most rings and other such constraints. We could use a basic guide to what usually can and can not be done in custom work

but in any case, wow, quest produces some amazing work and i should hopefully receive the final shots of my ring tomorrow before they send it out.

i also posted the current wip (pre etching) here

 

[Kim N]

Date: 6/9/2006 3:21:43 AM
Author: londonblue

As long as there are no glaringly parts with poor and/or shoddy craftsmanship.. I guess in the end it''s all with what grows on you. Sort of like when you get that first tiny, almost invisible scratch on your brand new car, it''s annoying.. but then you sort of get used to it and it becomes ''your scratch'' and then after a while, it''s the scratch that makes it ''you car''

londonblue, this is such a good point. I never thought about it that way, but the imperfections do grow on you over time. I do identify some of my possessions by their imperfections!

Date: 6/9/2006 3:21:43 AM
Author: londonblue
in the end, after much back and forth, and emails w/ attachements and finally some down and dirty descriptive words we were on the same page for the final look. It''s really hard to describe over the phone what you want, and to try to clarify a look or style. It would have been so easy just to draw it on paper in person and say ''here'', but we were short on time and it''s hard to get a hold of each other across a 3 hour time difference

Yes, I agree, and for some people, that might mean they''d do better going local than working through e-mail and phone with a remote vendor. I ended up choosing a local vendor for that reason. I thought I could communicate my ideas and deal with any issues much better in person. It is so much easier when you can point to something on a ring or on a piece of paper so that they know exactly what you''re talking about. Also, I liked being able to come in to see the ring in person during the various stages of the process rather than try to scrutinize photos.