Can they start working on the setting without the diamond?

[OnlyOncePlease]

Hi...

Just ordered a diamond from WF and plan on getting it set in Toronto.

By the time the actual diamond arrives I will have only 5 days, a pretty tight turnaround time, to get it set.

My question is; Can they start working on the setting without the actual diamond if I provide them the diamond specs? or is the 5 day turnaround once I have the stone in my possession enough time?

I thought I would ask here, before I started calling around to local jewelers.

Diamond: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2894987.htm
Setting I'm looking for: http://thebeautybridal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Tiffany-Grace-Princess-cut-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.jpg (it's the Tiffany Grace setting)



Cheers!

 

[aljdewey]

Re: Can they start working on the setting without the diamon

By "working on the setting", do you mean that you are having a custom setting made for the diamond?

If so, you really need to ask your local jeweler who's crafting the ring what his turnaround capabilities are. I can tell you that many custom vendors prefer to have the stone physically in hand for at least two primary reasons:

1. to avoid measurement errors that can arrive from machine calibration differences (kind of like I might weigh X on my bathroom scale at home, but Y if I step on your scale in your house.)

2. to avoid being partway through production only to discover that customer's stone transaction has fallen through and now he has to source another stone that may or may not fit those same parameters.

In my experience, 5 days isn't normally enough time to turn around a custom setting unless the vendor doesn't have much work or only works one project at a time. Even then, there are steps that take time to complete (casting, etc.) leaving very little room if something goes wrong (flaw in casting, porosity, etc.)

I'd suggest having it set into a temp setting for proposal if you're working on a tight deadline (simple tiffany style setting), and then giving it the jeweler with enough time to do the job justice. You'll be thankful you did with the right end result.

 

[Jax172]

Re: Can they start working on the setting without the diamon

Depends on the designer. Mark Morrell is starting my ring and doesn't need the diamond shipped right away. He did want a copy of the GIA report so that he has dimensions. However, I do believe it will still be a couple weeks before the ring is completed once he does have the diamond.

 

[04diamond<3]

Re: Can they start working on the setting without the diamon

why not just have the whole thing done at WF??

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/aurora-diamond-engagement-ring-for-princess-cut-diamonds-by-vatche-1761.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/caroline-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-for-princess-cut-diamonds-by-vatche-395.htm

Plus, you never know what's going to happen in the mail. It could get lost, or delayed especially with the distance it'll bee travelling...just a thought.

 

[OnlyOncePlease]

Re: Can they start working on the setting without the diamon

why not just have the whole thing done at WF??

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/aurora-diamond-engagement-ring-for-princess-cut-diamonds-by-vatche-1761.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/caroline-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-for-princess-cut-diamonds-by-vatche-395.htm

Plus, you never know what's going to happen in the mail. It could get lost, or delayed especially with the distance it'll bee travelling...just a thought.

Because I could not find clear and confirmed information about additional duties/tax on a "completed ring" which constitutues "jewerly", or else I would have done that.

Where as "loose diamonds" I know 100% for sure that only HST (13% tax) is charged.

 

[BriBee]

Re: Can they start working on the setting without the diamon

I got a stone from GOG and am having a setting custom made at a high end local jeweler. He would not start production until he had the stone in hand, even with the measurements and reports. He said that there are just so many variables (besides just head/prongs etc) that rely on having the stone's measurements. Plus, even though he knows what we want, I think there's a certain amount of artistic license that goes into doing custom work and the jeweler likes to have all the parts in front of him. My turn around time was also quoted at 3 weeks. Not sure if it was longer because we just had V-day, or if we could have asked to rush it, but that's also the same time table I got last time something was done custom for me.

 

[04diamond<3]

Re: Can they start working on the setting without the diamon

why not just have the whole thing done at WF??

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/aurora-diamond-engagement-ring-for-princess-cut-diamonds-by-vatche-1761.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/caroline-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-for-princess-cut-diamonds-by-vatche-395.htm

Plus, you never know what's going to happen in the mail. It could get lost, or delayed especially with the distance it'll bee travelling...just a thought.

Because I could not find clear and confirmed information about additional duties/tax on a "completed ring" which constitutues "jewerly", or else I would have done that.

Where as "loose diamonds" I know 100% for sure that only HST (13% tax) is charged.

did you talk to them?? They can answer your questions if you called them. I agree sometimes it's hard to find things online, but that's why their number is there..

 

[OnlyOncePlease]

Re: Can they start working on the setting without the diamon

I just got off the phone with Canadian Customs....

And I HAVE the answer!!! Should make this a sticky post!!!

2 Scenarios:

1. Under NAFTA, if the ring (set with diamonds) has paper work stating that it is manufactured in North America, then you only pay HST.

2. If the ring (set with diamonds) does not have paper work stating it was manufactured in N. America then you will be charged 6.5% + HST

 

[BriBee]

Re: Can they start working on the setting without the diamon

Is it an option for you to propose without the ring...or with a fakey if you can't get the custom setting done in time. OR your jeweler might have something simple on hand that (classic 4 or 6 prong or something) that will fit your stone and you can use it for the proposal and then take it back for the custom work?

I know it's ideal to have everything together, but with a tight timetable you may have to decide which is more important...the perfect proposal within the time you planned for? Or the ring all done and perfectly together? If there's no way to change your proposal date, maybe consider a temp ring option....just my 2c

 

[BriBee]

Re: Can they start working on the setting without the diamon

I just looked at the stone and setting pictures....and some people might hate this idea but based on what you've chosen it might be easy to find something similar (fake) from a department store. Sorry if this sounds SO tacky, but just trying to figure out a good solution.

 

[swingirl]

Re: Can they start working on the setting without the diamon

I just looked at the stone and setting pictures....and some people might hate this idea but based on what you've chosen it might be easy to find something similar (fake) from a department store. Sorry if this sounds SO tacky, but just trying to figure out a good solution.

I'd rather have nothing than a fake for the proposal.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Can they start working on the setting without the diamon

That is likely a cast ring that they order for your size diamond. So all you have to do is ask the jeweler if they can order your setting and have it there when your stone arrives! Then tell them you need it in 4 days after that. If they can't, you will need to set it in a plain solitaire setting for the proposal. They likely will want you to pay up front before ordering the setting. You really need to ask your jeweler about this and not us!