Which custom jeweler and thoughts on design?

[Tinawat86]

I've been lurking around here awhile but we're moving forward with my engagement ring, so I'm excited to be posting.

I found this Coast setting at Robbins Brothers and love the open gallery in the side view. We want rose gold and like the two tone. Terrible stock photos, but it's very graceful in person. Is $995 (their price) fair for this setting? Would we expect to pay a lot more for custom?

We both felt the top view was too plain and visually too delicate (guessing around 1.5 mm at the top). We're also thinking about making it a split shank and having double prongs (thoughts on that are welcome).

No hard budget but we want to keep it low, under 1k if that's reasonable. We have a ~1.25ct ~K color round brilliant heirloom stone, unknown specs, pending appraisal.

Would David Klass be a good candidate for making this ring? Any other suggestions? I am in LA and I like the idea of it being local, but craftsmanship and price is more important.

 

[chrono]

Best to ask David Klass. $1K seems low for a custom setting with lots of diamond melees. A split shank is going to cost more.

 

[Tinawat86]

Thanks. Do you think this setting would be well suited to his style/strengths?

 

[chrono]

From what I've seen posted in Pricescope, he does halos (diamond accents), engraving and plain metal designs (antique and modern) very well.

 

[PintoBean]

Have you checked out Gabriel and Co for ideas?

Here is an example of one of their split shanks: https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER10285W44JJ
The suggested retail price on their site is also higher than what you should anticipate spending on the setting with a PS vendor.

 

[tyty333]

I have to agree with others, you are not going to get that for $1k. Plus the changes you want are going to push it higher.

 

[MikeyTown]

I'm in the process of having David make an engagement ring for me. He said that he should be finished setting it by tomorrow!

I have been extremely happy with the process and his customer service is second to none.

Mine is a split shank halo setting with French pave. Based on the price he quoted me, I don't know if you could get it down to $1K, but you might be closer than you'd originally think. His prices are very reasonable. If you send him the photos you like, and describe the changes you'd like to make, he'll get back to you with a quote pretty quickly.


Cheers,

Mike

 

[Tinawat86]

Thanks for all the responses. We changed our minds about the split shank since the white gold part below is split shank- I think it will compromise the design looks wise. We're thinking of fishtail prongs since I originally wanted a square stone (otherwise maybe heart prongs) - any thoughts on that?

We're just trying to pin down our design before meeting with DK.

 

[chrono]

It is best to discuss this with DK to see whether your budget is feasible for the design you have in mind.

 

[tyty333]

I've seen a lot of David's ring pinned on pinterest. Have you looked there at some of his designs? I remember some antique
ones with more squared off heads. Take a look if you get a chance.