Do you set your budget gems?

[idola]

Hi everyone,

I've been wondering about something lately, considering how expensive settings can be. I have a few small, budget gemstones sitting in my jewelry box. I can envision them in a setting, but knowing that they're fairly low quality rocks, am unsure about if it's really worth it or not.

For the curious, here's the gems I'm thinking of:



(sorry for the bad picture, photography is not my strong suit.)

As you can see, they all have huge windows, but color-wise are very pretty together imo, and I really do love them all. If I was made of money, I'd definitely get them set in a pendant together, but I can't shake the feeling that I might regret it if I come up with higher quality pears that'd look better in a pendant!

Has anyone here set gems that are low quality, or do you keep them in the box and search for higher quality gems to set?

 

[dk168]

I am setting some of my lesser CSs and lab stones in more economical settings using Moissy and Rhodium-plated Silver or 9ct WG.

DK

 

[icy_jade]

Haven’t been able to bring myself to set the lesser gems, especially given current gold prices. Plus I suspect that even after they are set, I may gravitate towards some favs anyway. So am still unsure if will ever set them. Seems to be no for now.

 

[Bling_of_Fire]

I am setting some of my lesser CSs and lab stones in more economical settings using Moissy and Rhodium-plated Silver or 9ct WG.

DK

Do you have a recommendation for someone who would do sterling? I have some cheapie gems as well.

 

[dk168]

The bench I use is based in China, an eBay seller by the name of diamondmounts.

Sorry, can't post link at the moment as I am using my phone.

DK

 

[Bling_of_Fire]

The bench I use is based in China, an eBay seller by the name of diamondmounts.

Sorry, can't post link at the moment as I am using my phone.

DK

Is it that lovely zircon and/or rhubelite?

 

[dk168]

Is it that lovely zircon and/or rhubelite?

No, not those 2 rings as they are my nicer stones, however the same bench is making some pieces for me in Rhodium-plated Silver with Moissanites, hopefully I shall have them soon.

DK

 

[lilmosun]

I assume that by budget, you mean lesser quality as opposed to price/value.

I will set what I will wear but I wouldn't put the time/effort/money just for the sake of setting....although sometimes I will just do it for the fun of making something if I come across an inexpensive setting that will look good with a stone that I like but may not love.

If you are looking for a US jeweler, some here have used DanielM on etsy. I haven't used him but his prices seem very affordable and works a lot with silver. I have one preloved ring made by him and it is well done.

DanielM Jewelry

(I also have a good affordable bench so use a lot with preloved gold settings to keep things affordable)

 

[marymm]

FWIW, I set the colored gemstones that I love and speak to me - some of them have been quite inexpensive (mostly cabochons but a few faceted gemstones that I bought years ago from one or another of Tan's eBay stores).

For inexpensive but well-crafted settings I love Janish Jewels on etsy - she will use all sterling (most cost-effective) or a combo of silver + gold - she usually has a quick turnaround time - and her pieces are beautifully made and stand the test of time.

I do suggest, if you are unsure about setting a stone(s), then wait ... my setting rule is to only do it if I can basically "see" myself wearing the finished jewelry item ... if I can't "see"' it on my finger, then I don't want it enough or it's not the right design or not the right time.

YMMV.

 

[dk168]

Agree with the sentiment that only set the stones that I would wear, and I have lots of inexpensive learner stones that are unlikely to be set.

DK

 

[molecule]

Hi everyone,

I've been wondering about something lately, considering how expensive settings can be. I have a few small, budget gemstones sitting in my jewelry box. I can envision them in a setting, but knowing that they're fairly low quality rocks, am unsure about if it's really worth it or not.

For the curious, here's the gems I'm thinking of:



(sorry for the bad picture, photography is not my strong suit.)

As you can see, they all have huge windows, but color-wise are very pretty together imo, and I really do love them all. If I was made of money, I'd definitely get them set in a pendant together, but I can't shake the feeling that I might regret it if I come up with higher quality pears that'd look better in a pendant!

Has anyone here set gems that are low quality, or do you keep them in the box and search for higher quality gems to set?

These would look glorious as a dbty necklace. I can't wait to see what you do with them!

 

[kimberlyqkim]

I am having an inexpensive amethyst set in sterling silver right now - not a custom setting, but a ring my jeweler can order that fits my stone. I am also having some of my grandma's turquoise set in custom made, gold-plated sterling earrings. Not expensive stones but sentimental to me!

 

[leslie1956]

I can also recommend DanielM on Etsy, he does good quality work, is a super nice and has quick turn around. Dan works a lot in mixed metals (14K gold and silver) which I really like. His prices are quite reasonable, too.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I am having an inexpensive amethyst set in sterling silver right now - not a custom setting, but a ring my jeweler can order that fits my stone. I am also having some of my grandma's turquoise set in custom made, gold-plated sterling earrings. Not expensive stones but sentimental to me!

Looling forward to seeing thosw when they are finished

 

[voce]

I do set the low budget stuff in silver. Daniel M on Etsy does wonderful work and does not charge a lot.

 

[chrono]

The big questions is will you wear them after they are set and how often? Cost per wear also matters to me.

 

[MelMc]

I have a bunch of small (3, 4, & 5 mm) stones that I purchased as test buys for various on-line sites. Pretty little stones for the most part but too much of a mixed lot to do much with. I had decided to turn them into a multi-colored station necklace in sterling and had all the plans with my jeweler when he suddenly quit the business. The other local jeweler is expensive and a bit snobby so the project is on indefinite hold.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I’ve set gems that were relatively inexpensive in expensive settings just because I like the gems and the design. I set a garnet and a moonstone in a custom 1k pendant setting for example. No regrets!

I will definitely do sterling silver or mixed metal settings to save on costs though. Sally at Heartsofwater does amazing silver settings if you don’t mind shipping gems overseas.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I have a bunch of small (3, 4, & 5 mm) stones that I purchased as test buys for various on-line sites. Pretty little stones for the most part but too much of a mixed lot to do much with. I had decided to turn them into a multi-colored station necklace in sterling and had all the plans with my jeweler when he suddenly quit the business. The other local jeweler is expensive and a bit snobby so the project is on indefinite hold.

Oh shame
Boss hiss that snobby jewler
How nice for him he can afford to turn work away

 

[CSpan]

Oh shame
Boss hiss that snobby jewler
How nice for him he can afford to turn work away

Yeah really. Dan M did a beautiful station necklace for me, finicky little stones too. Even in gold it was super reasonable.

I love your little collection, what about something like this (with CS instead of diamonds obv)

 

[T L]

I set what I think is pretty, regardless of what they cost. The most important thing is that YOU think the gems are pretty enough to set.

This blue apatite ring cost less than $40 for the stone and setting and $25 to set. I wear it all the time. The setting is silver with white zircon. The ring below it is 14k gold with diamonds.

 

[strawrose]

I found this second hand platinum band boring, so the jeweler set a garnet in for a decent price:

this was only 100 bucks and I didn’t want to keep it unset so they made a custom argentium silver pendant:

 

[idola]

I set what I think is pretty, regardless of what they cost. The most important thing is that YOU think the gems are pretty enough to set.

This blue apatite ring cost less than $40 for the stone and setting and $25 to set. I wear it all the time. The setting is silver with white zircon. The ring below it is 14k gold with diamonds.

Wow!! If you don't mind me asking, how did you find a deal like that on the setting? These are beautiful!

 

[T L]

Wow!! If you don't mind me asking, how did you find a deal like that on the setting? These are beautiful!

Thank you!!


If you have a calibrated gem, you can find white zircon accent rings at JTV.com, that are on clearance. Some are pretty nice, and that’s how. My jeweler just pops out the existing stone and sets it with mine. They show the stone sizes on their website. Your three stone idea might require a custom setting though, and many here like Daniel M and his affordable prices.

I did the same thing with this moonstone ring which is surrounded with large clean sparkly white zircon. I got so many compliments. I think the ring was $40, not including the moonstone.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I found this second hand platinum band boring, so the jeweler set a garnet in for a decent price:

this was only 100 bucks and I didn’t want to keep it unset so they made a custom argentium silver pendant:

They are both lovelly and way worth the effort

 

[LilAlex]

I can envision them in a setting, but knowing that they're fairly low quality rocks, am unsure about if it's really worth it or not.

To answer the question in your thread title: if I buy a stone, I intend to set it. More often than not, something gets in the way (work, life, resources, etc.) But I have never bought anything intending to just look at in the little box...

 

[idola]

To answer the question in your thread title: if I buy a stone, I intend to set it. More often than not, something gets in the way (work, life, resources, etc.) But I have never bought anything intending to just look at in the little box...

I certainly intended to set mine when I got them too! Well, the aquamarines were from my mom who bought them for a ring but they ended up clashing with the main stone, so I suppose they were never really in the original plan. Then I came across a different sapphire that I just had to have to use for the project I bought the original sapphire for:



And that's how I ended up wondering what I should do with the rest of them. I think when I have the chance, I'm going to take them to my local jeweler and get a quote for a SS pendant with them and then go from there.