ThePrecious
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2013
- Messages
- 2
Hello All,
A family member recently gifted me with an old engagement ring, along with carte blache to do whatever I want to with it. It was purchased in 1972 -- the band is yellow gold and says "orange blossom," and it's very obviously an engagement ring (not being engaged or a huge fan of yellow gold, I don't feel inclined to wear it as-is). The stone is round cut, small (probably about .25), and has a couple of tiny inclusions that aren't visible to the naked eye. I haven't had it appraised because I have no intention of selling it, but it's a pretty little diamond -- if I were to guess, I'd say the worth of the stone itself is probably somewhere between $700-800.
My dilemma: I've never had custom jewelry made (or even purchased fine jewelry) before, and I can't seem to find anyone who will re-set it in my price range -- I'm beginning to wonder if either my price range is unrealistic, or the jewelers I've spoke with are trying to take advantage of the fact that I'm totally green when it comes to this sort of thing.
My hope was that for between $500-$600, I could get a simple white gold setting with a halo of (tiny) sapphires around the diamond, so I can wear it as a birthstone ring. I never expected that I'd end up having to pay more for the setting than the actual diamond is worth -- I've gotten quotes of anywhere between $1,000-2,000. I've gotten a bevy of excuses from the jewelers I've spoken with: some blame the steep price of gold these days; others say they'd have to special order a mold to fit my diamond; yet others claim the setting of the sapphires in the halo would be "labor-intensive."
Is it unreasonable to expect a decent setting for my little quarter carat diamond for $600? Can anyone make any recommendations?
A family member recently gifted me with an old engagement ring, along with carte blache to do whatever I want to with it. It was purchased in 1972 -- the band is yellow gold and says "orange blossom," and it's very obviously an engagement ring (not being engaged or a huge fan of yellow gold, I don't feel inclined to wear it as-is). The stone is round cut, small (probably about .25), and has a couple of tiny inclusions that aren't visible to the naked eye. I haven't had it appraised because I have no intention of selling it, but it's a pretty little diamond -- if I were to guess, I'd say the worth of the stone itself is probably somewhere between $700-800.
My dilemma: I've never had custom jewelry made (or even purchased fine jewelry) before, and I can't seem to find anyone who will re-set it in my price range -- I'm beginning to wonder if either my price range is unrealistic, or the jewelers I've spoke with are trying to take advantage of the fact that I'm totally green when it comes to this sort of thing.
My hope was that for between $500-$600, I could get a simple white gold setting with a halo of (tiny) sapphires around the diamond, so I can wear it as a birthstone ring. I never expected that I'd end up having to pay more for the setting than the actual diamond is worth -- I've gotten quotes of anywhere between $1,000-2,000. I've gotten a bevy of excuses from the jewelers I've spoken with: some blame the steep price of gold these days; others say they'd have to special order a mold to fit my diamond; yet others claim the setting of the sapphires in the halo would be "labor-intensive."
Is it unreasonable to expect a decent setting for my little quarter carat diamond for $600? Can anyone make any recommendations?
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