Can we talk about cost?

[LD]

LD -
One vendor quoted me $600 for silver, $1100 for 14k gold (same ring).
Another said he would take $200-300 off for a silver shank rather than 14k.
I'm not sure if these are typical of silver v gold estimates, but I thought those savings were pretty substantial!

The top quote differs significantly and I haven't seen such a disparity. I don't understand how the vendor can justify such a huge difference. I am more accustomed to seeing the $200-300 difference.

About 8 months ago I was quoted $560 for a 14k white gold ring whose silver version sells for $130. Not sure how much materials' costs have fluctuated in the meantime but it was a pretty big difference.

Crikey - well obviously I'm either using a good jeweller or a bad one! Mind you, this looks a bit opportunist i.e. can knock them out for $130 but somebody wants w/gold so hey, let's make a nice profit on it! That's a very cynical view and of course depends on gram weight.

 

[emmmme]

LD -
One vendor quoted me $600 for silver, $1100 for 14k gold (same ring).
Another said he would take $200-300 off for a silver shank rather than 14k.
I'm not sure if these are typical of silver v gold estimates, but I thought those savings were pretty substantial!

The top quote differs significantly and I haven't seen such a disparity. I don't understand how the vendor can justify such a huge difference. I am more accustomed to seeing the $200-300 difference.

About 8 months ago I was quoted $560 for a 14k white gold ring whose silver version sells for $130. Not sure how much materials' costs have fluctuated in the meantime but it was a pretty big difference.

Crikey - well obviously I'm either using a good jeweller or a bad one! Mind you, this looks a bit opportunist i.e. can knock them out for $130 but somebody wants w/gold so hey, let's make a nice profit on it! That's a very cynical view and of course depends on gram weight.

I wonder if it has to do with the frequency with which they work with gold/platinum vs. silver. If someone is frequently working with silver and suddenly gets a custom order for gold, does it make a big difference in production? Is it that much different to work with? Can it also depend on how someone has their studio set up? If you're set up to work with silver, are you automatically set up to work with other metals as long as you can get them?

FWIW, The same jeweller quoted me $840 at the time for platinum, but three months later when I was ready to order, she quoted me $1100. I know that platinum has been on a steady upward climb, but I actually think she was trying to dissuade me from ordering as once I got the ring, it wasn't particularly well-made. Should have paid attention to all the red flags firing in my brain, but... i REALLLLY wanted that ring!

 

[chrono]

About 8 months ago I was quoted $560 for a 14k white gold ring whose silver version sells for $130.

This is entirely possible for an all metal setting of gold vs silver but I don't see this happening for something with a halo. From your last post, you've experienced that lower pricing does not equate to an equally good workmanship. Yes, metal prices have gone up steeply to the point where it is not a surprise to see the quotation increase by a few hundred dollars. It makes no sense to deliberately charge you more then crank out a subpar piece of jewellery. In doing so, she is shooting herself in the foot by discouraging you as a return customer.

 

[LD]

So $130 for silver, $560 for white gold and $1100 for platinum? AND you said her workmanship wasn't great? As you said HUGE red flags!

 

[emmmme]

So $130 for silver, $560 for white gold and $1100 for platinum? AND you said her workmanship wasn't great? As you said HUGE red flags!

When she quoted me $560 for white gold, she also quoted me $850 for platinum. It wasn't until I was ready to buy a couple of months later that the platinum price suddenly jumped to $1100. Happily, I am now better able to temper my excitement about procuring things I fall in love with online!! With many thanks to PS, of course...

Sorry for semi-hijacking your thread, blingbunny10. I do love the ring you're after.