Commissioning a Dalan Hargrave gemstone cut - preparation

[miraj]

I'm interested in commissioning one of Dalan Hargrave's signature Gemstarz cut gem for a ring. What I should do to prepare before reaching out to Dalan?

Can you help me understand how the process works? For example, would I need to source the rough? Would I source the ring? Would I specify desired material, color, size, etc?

Am I wrong to think that such a piece would be valued like that of a famous painter? Would it potentially gain in value, and I would want a certificate of authenticity (or similar)?

Any sense for what he would charge? Are we talking $3000? $30,000? $300,000? Is it right to assume the majority of the price would not be based on the material cost (unless I use a precious gem)?

(For now I'd assume topaz ~10ct, since that seems to be the ring examples I can find)

Examples of Gemstarz cut:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJCV7UKhonc/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEnOG46Bjwb/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2KAQPYBSS_/

 

[2Neesers]

I dont have the answers to your questions, but I can’t wait to see how your project progresses! His work is amazing! His Celestial City Series blows my mind!
Hopefully someone here has experience working with him and can chime in. I can’t recall seeing any of his work on PS. It might be a situation where you have to reach out to him to have some of your questions answered.

 

[Bron357]

Truly mesmerising work.
Can’t answer your questions though it appears all his work is “custom” so I would think first step is to contact him and ask about the process of having a gemstone cut for you.
More than likely he has a source for rough and probably an arrangement with a jewellery designer.
The first question is how long you might wait. I imagine he has no shortage of people wishing to become clients.
The next question is “how much”? I would expect the price will be reflective of the desirability to commission a piece and the time it takes. if you are working with semi precious gemstones ie topaz or Quartz varieties, the “rough” cost will be smallish. If you are wanting something in Opal or Aquamarine or more expensive and harder to source rough, so the rough price will be higher.
I would imagine a smaller piece, less complicated cutting in a semi precious gemstone - $5,000 ish. Something bigger, more complicated in a more expensive rough - $10,000 plus plus.
In terms of investment potential of his pieces ? Impossible to say.
I own a “one of a kind” ring from a ultra low producing Italian jewellery maker. I bought it pre loved, 3rd maybe 4th hand. I know that the original purchaser of the ring paid a lot more, like ALOT more for the ring than I did.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

@miraj I never heard of him until your thread, so thank you for exposing me to this amazing artist! Will you please update us if/when you communicate with him? I am in awe with previously sold piece and would love to have a similar one.

 

[LilAlex]

Amazingly intricate! Those examples are more art than gem, imo. Fairly low-priced rough and then hours of faceting and engraving. I would DM him on IG (or whatever that process is properly called on IG) and ask him what he would charge for example x. That should at least let you ballpark it. I would not lead off with the $300K .