Heidibrooke
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2013
- Messages
- 284
I've searched all around. I can buy one through Stafford, but man, I hate paying retail! I need an 8x6 very simple, delicate oval halo, head only. Any ideas?
Gypsy|1384215069|3554627 said:Try browsing adwar and stuller.
Gypsy|1384215843|3554640 said:You have to work with a regular jeweler, they don't sell to the public. Plus the pieces do not come finished. You need someone to finish it and set the stones.
So pick the jeweler you want to work with and have them quote you what you want.
CharmyPoo|1384233145|3554880 said:Isn't it tough buying an oval halo pre-made? I would think that it wouldn't fit nicely since ovals have so much size variations.
Heidibrooke|1384258448|3555010 said:CharmyPoo|1384233145|3554880 said:Isn't it tough buying an oval halo pre-made? I would think that it wouldn't fit nicely since ovals have so much size variations.
It truly is! My diamond is 7.95x5.17, but I'm told by every jeweler that an 8x6 will be "fine." I'm not so sure.
Niel|1384262285|3555050 said:Heidibrooke|1384258448|3555010 said:CharmyPoo|1384233145|3554880 said:Isn't it tough buying an oval halo pre-made? I would think that it wouldn't fit nicely since ovals have so much size variations.
It truly is! My diamond is 7.95x5.17, but I'm told by every jeweler that an 8x6 will be "fine." I'm not so sure.
The length would be but I dont tho k you'd be happy with the near 1mm difference in width.
Heidibrooke|1384263163|3555058 said:Niel|1384262285|3555050 said:Heidibrooke|1384258448|3555010 said:CharmyPoo|1384233145|3554880 said:Isn't it tough buying an oval halo pre-made? I would think that it wouldn't fit nicely since ovals have so much size variations.
It truly is! My diamond is 7.95x5.17, but I'm told by every jeweler that an 8x6 will be "fine." I'm not so sure.
The length would be but I dont tho k you'd be happy with the near 1mm difference in width.
Yeah, I'm not sure either, but they all say that's the norm. Not all 1 carat rounds are 6.5mm, and they set those in standard halos every day. It would be a difference of .4mm on each side.
UberClaire|1384269304|3555129 said:Since your diamond is from James Allen, at this point I would buy a whole new setting from them. This way, at least the halo will be fit perfectly to your diamond. I understand that your reasoning was that you didn't want to be locked into a halo so you wanted to be able to switch the heads, but I think getting a new setting is actually a better solution. Keep your current solitaire setting in a drawer, get a new halo setting from JA, and you can always switch the diamond back if you need to. There would be labor associated with switching a peg head back and forth (and resetting the diamond into the other peg head), and you run the risk of damaging your setting every time you do that. If you want to keep the solitaire setting for peace of mind, do it, but I think if you want to go halo, you really need a whole new setting for that oval. And pricewise, I think it's going to end up being pretty comparable in the end anyway.
Niel|1384272862|3555167 said:The 2k ish halos at James Allen aren't that bulky. No more than ones you'd be looking at. Plus they will fit better. So would look better.
Heidibrooke|1384277466|3555211 said:Niel|1384272862|3555167 said:The 2k ish halos at James Allen aren't that bulky. No more than ones you'd be looking at. Plus they will fit better. So would look better.
They all look similar to me. I'm not saying they aren't pretty, just a little too much metal for my taste. I really like the oval halo from adwar. I can get it set with .34ct for $985. My hesitation is the gap. I see gaps in halos on this board and others very often. I just don't know if it would bug me. It may not.
This setting from JA would be closet to fitting my taste. I am seeing gaps between the stone and halo on this setting as well. Maybe that is typical.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-0.39ct-diamond-halo-pave-engagement-ring-item-17422
Rockdiamond|1384283387|3555298 said:But for delicate work done well- you need an experience ( expensive) hand.....
soxfan|1384284542|3555319 said:Rockdiamond|1384283387|3555298 said:But for delicate work done well- you need an experience ( expensive) hand.....
Agree. The dainty halo look is not cheap.
Can't your jeweler just get what you want from Adwar? They're a pretty cooperative company. What are they quoting you that's striking you as 'really high retail prices'? They surely do have a markup on it but the typical margin on this sort of thing isn't all that high and these sorts of parts aren't generally all that expensive to start with.Heidibrooke|1384216144|3554645 said:Yeah, unfortunately that's where I'm stuck paying really high retail prices. I may look at JA settings again. The whole semi mount is cheaper than the quote I received from Stafford jewelers. Thanks for replying!
denverappraiser|1384293226|3555415 said:Can't your jeweler just get what you want from Adwar? They're a pretty cooperative company. What are they quoting you that's striking you as 'really high retail prices'? They surely do have a markup on it but the typical margin on this sort of thing isn't all that high and these sorts of parts aren't generally all that expensive to start with.Heidibrooke|1384216144|3554645 said:Yeah, unfortunately that's where I'm stuck paying really high retail prices. I may look at JA settings again. The whole semi mount is cheaper than the quote I received from Stafford jewelers. Thanks for replying!
denverappraiser|1384300876|3555476 said:I would be surprised if the gold part (the piece that Adwar sells) is more than $200 of that quote. Another $300-500 or so is the diamonds. The rest is labor.
The best 'deals' in setters are usually the small Mom and Pop shops where the person who is doing the setting work is right there in the store. He/she may even be the owner of the store. Pick your setter and then talk to them about your problem. The Adwar part isn't especially negotiable but they may be able to do better on the stones. Sometimes there are deals on stones that came in as salvage purchases that were part of something else.
Rockdiamond|1384301719|3555488 said:I find that many consumers end up disappointed because they go in expecting a certain look- and the results may not meet expectations.
Unfortunately there are jewelers who will take on a job that may not be their bailiwick.
Even if one has all the right parts ( by no means a certainty when ordering from a catalog)- the actual process of setting is an art. Claw prongs are a great example. There's a definite art to doing it right- and fine claws will never be achieved using cast or die struck parts. ( such as the ones sold in catalogs)
There are setters charging .50cents a stone- and others charging $5.00 or more for the same job.
Sure there are cases where the $5.00 setter is overcharging- but rarely will you find the best guy working for the lowest price.
And many of the best artisans are not the easiest to deal with.
My point is that it's possible to throw good money after bad by trying to do parts of this job that may be best left for professionals- but yes, that does cost more.
UberClaire|1384375284|3555914 said:If you want a "dainty" halo with quality craftsmanship, I think you're going to have to get a brand new setting. I get that you love the setting you have, but I don't think you're going to be able to have your cake and eat it too in this case.