Custom Setting Photo and Pricing Halo. Reasonable?

[aap2705]

Hello. I am working with a local jeweler on resetting my engagement ring. The design is below and all diamonds are mind except for the half moons, which will be .25 carats each. Total cost for them is $1,250. The cost to have this ring made is $7,900 (which includes the cost of the half moons). This jewelry is HIGHLY recommended and I am told he is extremely talented. I have no idea the amount of time to make a ring like this, but it will be made ENTIRELY from hand. What are your thoughts on the price. I am being taken advantage of or is this a reasonable price for 100% custom and handmade?

 

[mrssalvo]

wow, my first reaction that seems really high to me. that''s in the price range of many high-end designer rings that are all handmade whereas the name of the designer in a huge part of the price. Is the custom jeweler well known? otherwise, I would at the very least talk to a couple other well respected custom jewelers and get quotes just so you can have an accurate ball park. Durnell (whom you can contact though pearlmans), Maytal Hannah both come to mind. They are both high end but do handmade custom in style''s similar to your design.

 

[denverappraiser]

That’s pretty pricey but it’s an entirely different question of whether this particular artist’s work is ‘worth it’. Every craftsman (or woman) sets their own rates for their time and talents and there’s nothing wrong with being on the expensive end of things. The best are rarely the cheapest. Ask them to justify their pricing in terms of what they have for sale in their store and what they charge other people for their work. You said they come well recommended, have you seen other things made by them for your friends and relatives and had the opportunity to discuss what they charge for things? You can almost certainly find a craftsman who can make that piece for less money, possibly quite a bit less, but it won’t be THAT craftsman and it’s important to decide how important this is to you. I would say that you are only being taken advantage of if they are charging YOU more than they would be charging to make that piece for someone else or if they add on a bunch of unknown fees at the end so that the rate you’re paying is different from the rate you’re quoted.

''Handmade'' in the jewelry business can mean a remarkable variety of different things and you might want to delve into it with them what they mean by this. Is the piece to be cast, fabricated from sheets and wires, assembled from parts or a combination of these things?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[CharmyPoo]

If it is being made by Neil Lane, then it''s not too high at all

 

[Dreamer_D]

For me, that is too high, unless you like the cache of owning something by that person. Beverly K and Ritani both have settings very much like that for a lot less.

 

[FancyDiamond]

The price is acceptable to me if it includes everything, center stones, side stones, melees, platinum metal, and all.

I would never consider paying this much for a ring that includes only half moons and metal unless 1. my center stone costs $50,000 or more and 2. the ring is hand made by someone like Leon Mege.

 

[tyty333]

Why dont you get a quote from Leon Mege? He is highly talented and would give you a comparison price. It just sounds really high
especaily since you are providing almost all the stones.

 

[Gypsy]

It is high, but... it depends on the skill and cache of the jeweler. Reminds me of this ring by Jack Kelege... and I believe this setting was about 10K (though I could be wrong). https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-eagle-has-landed.55342/

I know Mc2 ( http://www.mc2jewels.com/ ) charge more than that... and if I could afford it I would buy one of their settings I would in a heartbeat. So the long and short of it is... if you know their stuff is quality and worth it... no, I don't think they are ripping you off.

You can get something simlar for less. Around 4-5K would probably get you a nice custom version from a few PS jewelers most likely.

If you WANT to get qoutes... the style looks most like Maytal Hannah's to me. You can ask her for a qoute to compare... she does all handmade as well and has lovely work. Personally when I spend thousands I get at least 3 qoutes to see what the ballpark for what I am buying is. I don't spend thousands without benchmarking.

Van Craeynest (who I would also ask for a qoute on something of that style) would probably come in at 7K... or possibly higher. The thing is... both Mc2 and Vancraynest have exceptional quality and are at the top of their profession. So they can charge that much.