David Klass and spinel ring bezel

[ChaiK]

David usually does good work and the design of this ring is amazing. However, I am not sure about the bezel of this ring.

Is it usual to expect a bezel finished to this standard? Please help me.

I am trying to explain to David that all I want is a proper bezel finished to a professoinal standard.

If you think this sort of workmanship around a bezel is acceptable and I am being unreasonable, please do let me know.

Thank you.

 

[DAF]

When I think of a bezel, I think of a metal that's wrapped around the perimeter of a diamond or CS. I was a little confused when I saw the pics of your ring. I don't think the cup that the stone sits in is much of an issue, rather, it just looks to me that the halo doesn't fit well around the stone. You can see how tight the halo stones are to the stone in the upper right of the pic, yet you can see metal to varying degree elsewhere. It just seems to me that the halo doesn't fit the stone well.

 

[musicloveranthony]

That isn't what I'd consider a bezel - but it does look like it has imperfections that I wouldn't like to look at every time I wore it

 

[ChaiK]

Thank you so much. Let me try to make David see some sense.

It is a corrugated edge and I cannot believe he is telling me this is ok.

I am trying so hard to tell him but he won't have it.

He says he cannot change the design of this ring.

But I don't want the design changed. I would like to see a proper rim encasing the stone.

I am stunned by David and his insistence and am not quite sure what to say.

I attach my other rings of similar style. None of them have this odd rough rim around the stone.

 

[T L]

Question, does he still do all the work himself, or is he hiring out new bench people? Leon Mege seemed to have a similar problem with quality control once he hired out new people and apprentices.

 

[Rfisher]

@ChaiK
Are those two other rings you just posted also from DKJ?

 

[adlgel]

I’d like to see a picture of the ring at a less zoomed in distance. Perhaps more concerning to me than what you are reporting is the upper right corner - what is going on with the one smaller looking stone in the top level of the halo?

 

[T L]

That's the basket seat, not a bezel. I think it looks a bit shoddy, and I'm not a picky person at all, nor do I do much custom work, but I can understand your concern. The prongs are also not set symmetric, or even, and there's a huge gap between the seat of the basket and the stone. The metal work is lumpy, not smooth and finished looking.

 

[Mreader]

I second wanting to see from a distance. Do you have the ring or are these photos that he sent to you?

It is surprising to me that he "isn't having it" bc from what I have read and experienced, if you aren't happy he is typically very willing to work with you. I am sorry you are experiencing this.

The reason I asked about the distance thing is that sometimes under magnification something seems glaring but once you have it in hand, it is not.

 

[musicloveranthony]

I've never worked with DK, so I have no skin in the game. I wouldn't care how it looked at a distance, since I'd usually be seeing it from a couple feet away and I'd notice that every time I wore it

 

[ChaiK]

I don't have the ring with me yet. David has it. He sent me an email to say it was done.

And he is refusing to budge on the issue of the corrugated rim / bezel / cup.

I am not sure how to make him see sense.

He insists it's ok. It is very clearly not.

@TL, I don't know if he does this all himself; that should not be my burden to bear.

It is his responsibility to ensure quality, even if other people do it.

@Rfisher , no, those were rings set by other jewellers.

 

[Mreader]

I've never worked with DK, so I have no skin in the game. I wouldn't care how it looked at a distance, since I'd usually be seeing it from a couple feet away and I'd notice that every time I wore it

Yes I agree with this; I am referring to something that you would need a loupe to see. This happened to me recently with milgrain where the magnified photos looked as if more milgrain were needed close to the prongs. I opted to look at it irl first and I could not see the "problem" at all with the naked eye. I therefore opted not to send it back and add more. I am not saying that is what is going on with OP ; merely saying that sometimes the magnified photos can be exaggerated and perhaps this won't be a problem irl. And yet perhaps it will and she will need to send back. YMMV.

 

[ChaiK]

I second wanting to see from a distance. Do you have the ring or are these photos that he sent to you?

It is surprising to me that he "isn't having it" bc from what I have read and experienced, if you aren't happy he is typically very willing to work with you. I am sorry you are experiencing this.

The reason I asked about the distance thing is that sometimes under magnification something seems glaring but once you have it in hand, it is not.

Exactly. I am stunned as well.

And you can see from the other rings. They were not shot at a distance. I zoomed in. No odd rough rims.

And at a distance, if it is corrugated, but not obvious, should it then be ok to accept poor quality like this?

I will be seeing it. And I won't like it. And no, I don't live in the US. I have to fedex it back and forth?

 

[T L]

I don't have the ring with me yet. David has it. He sent me an email to say it was done.

And he is refusing to budge on the issue of the corrugated rim / bezel / cup.

I am not sure how to make him see sense.

He insists it's ok. It is very clearly not.

@TL, I don't know if he does this all himself; that should not be my burden to bear.

It is his responsibility to ensure quality, even if other people do it.

@Rfisher , no, those were rings set by other jewellers.

Absolutely! It is his responsibility to make it right. I was just curious about the fact that he might have new bench people. That is something we all have a right to know. You do expect the entire workshop however to be up to the standards that one expects with such custom work. It is a beautiful ring and design. I hope he makes it right. Good luck!

 

[Mreader]

I don't have the ring with me yet. David has it. He sent me an email to say it was done.

And he is refusing to budge on the issue of the corrugated rim / bezel / cup.

I am not sure how to make him see sense.

He insists it's ok. It is very clearly not.

@TL, I don't know if he does this all himself; that should not be my burden to bear.

It is his responsibility to ensure quality, even if other people do it.

@Rfisher , no, those were rings set by other jewellers.

I am sorry that this is happening to you and it seems very strange indeed. What is he specifically saying when you point out the rough edges?

 

[Mreader]

I will be seeing it. And I won't like it. And no, I don't live in the US. I have to fedex it back and forth?

I am sorry for some reason I didn't think about the fact that you might be out of the country which adds a significant layer of complication. Did you show him the photos of the two other rings that you just showed to us?

 

[Rfisher]

I guess it all really depends ‘if it’s ok’
Relative to what the mounting itself cost to do, no melee.

Would I be happy with that work if the mounting cost me $3000? No
$1600 or lower? probably, yes. I guess? How much does one need to pay for all over in and out fine polish and finish?


I’m opening a can o worms.
I do believe macro photo to macro photo comparison from the same vendor is reasonable.
Between two different vendors - not so much.

I do feel there is a wide variance of DKJ’s finish work just by looking at his insta, that the ‘Uber bench’ cannot be the only explanation for.
And I do feel COVID has amped this up. Unfortunately.

 

[ChaiK]

Absolutely! It is his responsibility to make it right. I was just curious about the fact that he might have new bench people. That is something we all have a right to know. You do expect the entire workshop however to be up to the standards that one expects with such custom work. It is a beautiful ring and design. I hope he makes it right. Good luck!

Thank you so much! And I always log in to admire your beautiful rings

 

[ChaiK]

I guess it all really depends ‘if it’s ok’
Relative to what the mounting itself cost to do, no melee.

Would I be happy with that work if the mounting cost me $3000? No
$1600 or lower? probably, yes. I guess? How much does one need to pay for all over in and out fine polish and finish?


I’m opening a can o worms.
I do believe macro photo to macro photo comparison from the same vendor is reasonable.
Between two different vendors - not so much.

I do feel there is a wide variance of DKJ’s finish work just by looking at his insta, that the ‘Uber bench’ cannot be the only explanation for.
And I do feel COVID has amped this up. Unfortunately.

It was not usd1600. It is costing me close to the figure you mentioned, sans melee. Melee cost I paid for and sent to him.

 

[ChaiK]

I am sorry for some reason I didn't think about the fact that you might be out of the country which adds a significant layer of complication. Did you show him the photos of the two other rings that you just showed to us?

Yes, I did.

He seems to think I want an oval. I don't want an oval.

I like the ring as it is. I would love a not ugly bezel/ rim /basket

 

[ChaiK]

I’d like to see a picture of the ring at a less zoomed in distance. Perhaps more concerning to me than what you are reporting is the upper right corner - what is going on with the one smaller looking stone in the top level of the halo?

That smaller stone is the least of my concerns. The rim / bezel / basket is really awful workmanship.

I just sent him another email after a long weekend of working very hard. I hope he will see some sense.

 

[Rfisher]

It was not usd1600. It is costing me close to the figure you mentioned, sans melee. Melee cost I paid for and sent to him.

If I’m not mistaken -and yes this makes me the creepy stalker dude-
You’ve got a cluster multi stone set kinda kinda like this one from DK a few years ago, right?
Sapphire surrounded by tsav and zircon? It’s got the same construction of seat under the centerstone, right?

Compare between those two rings and their pictures you have for a benchmark of what quality to expect?
And go from there on how to explain what you are expecting to DK. Hopefully they can unmount your centerstone and somehow polish the area and straighten it up under the centerstone up a bit more without jarring your melee.

I think you can probably count on DK trying his best to assist you to satisfaction. I’m sure there’s only so much he can do after it ships across country borders though.

Best wishes

Edited to add
Maybeeeee calling the area a ‘bezel’ is contributing to the confusion in communication of what actually is your concern, between you two? Him thinking you want a different design because of that term?

 

[ChaiK]

If I’m not mistaken -and yes this makes me the creepy stalker dude-
You’ve got a cluster multi stone set kinda kinda like this one from DK a few years ago, right?
Sapphire surrounded by tsav and zircon? It’s got the same construction of seat under the centerstone, right?

Compare between those two rings and their pictures you have for a benchmark of what quality to expect?
And go from there on how to explain what you are expecting to DK. Hopefully they can unmount your centerstone and somehow polish the area and straighten it up under the centerstone up a bit more without jarring your melee.

I think you can probably count on DK trying his best to assist you to satisfaction. I’m sure there’s only so much he can do after it ships across country borders though.

Best wishes

Edited to add
Maybeeeee calling the area a ‘bezel’ is contributing to the confusion in communication of what actually is your concern, between you two? Him thinking you want a different design because of that term?

The tsav and zircon and diamonds melee with a sapphire is from Dk and no, it does not have a corrugated rim.

What has that got to do with expecting a proper finish on the rim of this ring? What has what I paid for any of my rings got to do with the fact that this ring has shoddy work? If anything, I paid a premium then, and got shoddy work.

David Klass called it a bezel in his communication to me.

And he has not shipped it yet.

 

[Rfisher]

No, that is 1600 usd from David Weinberg of Multicolour. It's not tsav and zircon. It was tsav and chrysoberyl.

The tsav and zircon and big diamonds melee with a huge sapphire is from Dk and yes, I paid a lot more than 3000 usd for that.

What has that got to do with expecting a proper finish on the rim of this ring? What has what I paid for any of my rings got to do with the fact that this ring has shoddy work? If anything, I paid a premium then, and got shoddy work.

David Klass called it a bezel in his communication to me.

And he has not shipped it yet.

Definiteleeeeey if you wish to creep about, at least get your information straight.

I must not be communicating well. I don’t think you are understanding at all what I was lamely attempting to say.

All I meant was I think your other ring made by DK from a few years ago would be a better framework to compare this new ring to (and communicate that to DK of what you expect and want him to fix) then comparing to rings made by a different vendor.

As for what ballpark you paid for a setting, yes I absolutely do think that’s a large and valid part in when someone asks what quality/level of finish detail they should be expecting?

Now that you state DK himself named that area a bezel - well yes that makes my comment about you calling it that may have lead to some confusion completely null and void. Silly me.

I do see you heavily edited your comment a few times after I quoted it.
I so am sorry to have offered my opinion, in reply to your questions.

Best wishes

 

[ChaiK]

Well then, David Weinberg at 1600usd with melee thrown in has a way better standard to DK here.

I am glad you brought up pricing, because now, I am even more reasonable to expect a normal finish to the bezel from DK, at the extra extra extra I am paying.

I am sure David Klass will do his best. No need to apologise.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Not trying to pile on but I have a ring by DK and there is not one aspect of the workmanship that I feel is not absolutely amazing. It would bother me endlessly to see an imperfection and be told it is okay and doesn’t need to be redone, because I would always see it.

I’ll also add that the price for my setting was at a price point where some would say that some imperfection could be expected and tolerated and still it is finished beautifully.

You should not have to settle for less.

 

[ChaiK]

David does do lovely work. When I have time, I will post what he has done for me.

I just wanted to be sure I am being reasonable about the rim surrounding the spinel for this ring.

I have lots of positive vibes David will do his best to right it.

Let me revert once he has decided what he will do.

No point agonising over it until he next replies to my latest email.

 

[Rfisher]

Not trying to pile on but I have a ring by DK and there is not one aspect of the workmanship that I feel is not absolutely amazing. It would bother me endlessly to see an imperfection and be told it is okay and doesn’t need to be redone, because I would always see it.

I’ll also add that the price for my setting was at a price point where some would say that some imperfection could be expected and tolerated and still it is finished beautifully.

You should not have to settle for less.

Your ring is gorgeous.
This is what I mean about opening up a can o worms.
It seems on multiple occasions with different people theres no rhyme nor reason to one placing an order with DKJ vs another on the outcome that one gets on what comes out really beautifully done vs issues and issues and not so well done for another.

Again - I think it’s been a concentrated issue with ‘these covid times’…..

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@Rfisher, I don’t think it’s opening a can of worms at all, also I can totally see how Covid could be affecting things. It’s so unfortunate because we have all seen his creations and part of the reason I think people work with him is so they can have an amazing treasure of their own. When the expectation is not met it just takes away some of the magic for lack of a better term.

I really hope that something can be done to rectify this situation.

 

[LemonMoonLex]

When you say that he's not having it, what do you mean exactly?
You don't need to post the convo, some would even say it's wrong, but I'm curious what he's replying to you when you bring up the issue you're seeing.

If you could tell us or summarize it that would help. Sometimes there's a break down somewhere in communication that can lead to frustration and a new set of eyes can help!

I do see the issues with what he calls your "bezel". It definitely looks uneven and unprofessional looking and doesn't really fit the quality I'm used to seeing from him.

Also do you think he truly understands your issue with the ring? Maybe editing the photo by drawing arrows to the area or trying your best to draw it out and sending it to him would help a lot. I've never heard of DK just plum out saying he won't alter an aspect of a ring or design that his customer wants, especially as this looks doable.

So that's what makes me think there's been a breakdown somewhere or a slight misunderstanding.

It's a lovely ring besides the unevenness and prongs. I hope you get this sorted soon and can continue to enjoy making projects with Dk!