A setting for my tourmaline

[clementine]

I decided to keep Dan''s congo tourmaline which I absolutely LOVE!

Now I have been working on finding a setting for it, but am totally amazed at what it would cost to either modify an existing setting to fit the stone, or to custom make one. Both quotes are coming in around $1000-$1200 and I''m not sure if it''s just sticker shock, or if I just need to adjust my expectations! YIKES!

My original thought was to do something like the attached photo....custom, but I''m just not sure if I want to spend significantly more on a setting than I did on the stone. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to go or what to do to keep the setting more in the $600-$700 range?

Here''s my inspiration, and my stone:

Clem

 

[clementine]

ANd here is my inpiration ring with my stone photoshopped in:

 

[chrono]

Custom work is usually pricey but not always. The ring in the picture shown is Platinum (which is also pricey), has 4 small diamonds (which adds to the cost) and has wire work (also pricey). Perhaps having it in WG will bring the price down a little?

 

[belle]

Date: 6/22/2007 9:17:33 AM
Author:clementine

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to go or what to do to keep the setting more in the $600-$700 range?

with that size stone it might be difficult (if not impossible), especially if you want anything beyond a plain stock solitaire setting.

your stone is beautiful clem!

 

[twodoor2]

Check with Yigal at yigaljewelry.com (his email is on the website and other contact info). He has several settings (he has the same supplier as myjewelrysource.com, but cheaper!!) for the gemstones. Is it a calibrated size? If so, he may have something, with diamonds, that is much less money than what you were quoted. If you look at the gemstone rings section of his website, you may find something that fits. I'm not sure about the double prongs though, you may have to sacrafice that, but he has tons of halo settings for cushion shaped stone such as yours. The diamonds are all clean and white and sparlkey to. You can get a drop dead gorgeous setting for around $400.

May I also suggest that you get something around the stone, like a halo, so the sides are not so exposed. Tourmalines are notorious for chipping when banged. The sides seem very unprotected in your setting above.

 

[Kismet]

Who have you asked for quotes for custom work? Maybe we can suggest someone else.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

What a delish gumdrop! I love the setting you''ve choosen, but would you consider white gemstones (not diamonds) and white gold?

cheers--Sharon

 

[twodoor2]

Back to the Yigal settings, I am so happy with this man!! I have a stone that is an odd cushion shape that I need set, he sent me back several settings that may fit my stone. If you email him the size of your stone, he can make suggestions. His prices are phenomenal, and I'm a stickler for nice side diamonds. I also have an odd shaped tourmaline, not the standard calibrated size, and he told me that his supplier can custom make the setting for me from one of their in stock settings. It cost $260 for the setting, and I didn't have to pay a fortune. You don't have to settle for white topaz or white sapphire side stones. Your jeweler, or he won't, some other jeweler, will set the stone in the mounting for you. It's very very easy to find a jeweler who will do that.

. . . and no, I'm not making commission on this. I just love a great deal like the next person, and I want to spread the love. I saw one of his settings at my local jewelry store, and they wanted twice as much money for it, and this store does not specialize in cheap junky jewelry.

 

[singingbell]

I was in a similar situation as yours recently, when I was looking to set a 7.5 x 5mm sapphire of mine into a ring. I started off with all kinds of custom setting ideas, and an even smaller budget than yours ($500). Once I started getting quotes back, I quickly realized that I had to either adjust my expectations, or increase my budget at least twofold for the simplest custom work that I liked -- not even in platinum, but 14 kt. white gold. (It''s tough to have a "champaign taste on a beer budget."

) Ultimately I decided to stick with my budget, and luckily, after a lengthy search through the catalogs for Adwar and Stuller, I was able to find a stock setting that I was happy with.

Every setting is different, and you may still be able to get the setting that you want within your budget, but it might be difficult without changing some things. Some good suggestions have been posted here already, such as using a different white stone (maybe white sapphire?) instead of diamonds as side stones to lower the cost.

Good luck! With such a beautiful center stone, your ring will no doubt be fabulous!

 

[clementine]

The custom quotes I got were from a local jeweler and one from Whiteflash (Knox jewelers declined to bid because of the tourmaline, but they even said it would definately be over $1000 if they did do it.)....I used Whiteflash to reset my original diamond into a custom setting a year or so ago when I upgraded my diamond. Even without diamonds, I am still looking at over $1,000 from them in 14c white gold.

I don''t think this stone is calibrated........How can I tell? Dan custom cut it for me, so I doubt it. I will try Yigal and see what he has...does he set the stones? I may also look for something that will better protect the stone....don''t want any chips!

Clem

 

[twodoor2]

Yigal doesn't set them, no. But if you tell us where around you live, some people on this forum may be able to recommend some jewelers to set your stone. Setting a tourmaline is not a very difficult thing to do, it's a durable enough stone, so you should be okay with most experienced bench jewelers. Just email Yigal, and tell him the measurements of your stone, l x w x d, and ask him for suggestions. It doesn't have to be perfectly calibrated (have perfect standard gemstone measurements).

 

[clementine]

Thanks! I will contact them both right away and see if they might have some way to help me....I don''t have to have a custom setting if I can find something that can be easily modified!

Clem