finding a jeweler to do an ering

[calaleee]

First of all, thank for all the help/wealth of information on these forums. We learned about august vintage here and that's what we ended up going with for the center stone! Now on to the actual ring part. I really like the victor barbone styles with accent gemstones like this https://www.victorbarbone.com/colle...-emerald-accents?_pos=40&_fid=d77ee5b4d&_ss=c

Ideally we'd like someone local (dallas) to do the job. i have two main questions - what are some key things to look for as signs of "quality work" before selecting a jeweler? and also, is it "appropriate" to basically ask for a copy of another business's design?

THanks a bunch!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, if the design is antique or a common classic design, anyone can make it. The ring you linked certainly can be made by another jeweler as it is not an original design to VB. To be honest, I am not impressed with the quality in that picture.

I think it is risky to try a jeweler unless you have seen them do similar rings that are well made. Most people here probably would have David Klass (DavidKlassJewelry on IG) or Caysie van Bebber (CVB.Inspired.Design on IG) make that ring.

Caysie actually made a ring for me with side stones like that. But both of them can do the style you like. They may allow you to use their shipping label to ship your stone insured and you pay the cost.



Bottom line, if you really want a Dallas jeweler to do it, find one that has custom rings pictured on their website or in a photo album. If you find someone who makes similar styles but you are unsure about quality, just come back and post pictures for feedback here. I think you can get better quality than the one in the link, but you'll really have to investigate to see if there is a local jeweler capable of doing it. I have sent my diamonds to be set by vendors I learned of here because I know of no one in the city nearest me who I'd trust to make the quality I want.

Congratulations on your August Vintage diamond! My main ring is also an August Vintage Round!

 

[Lisa Murphy]

Old mine cut diamonds can be very fragile around the edges. Most do not have a girdle, or very thin. You might want to keep that in mind when choosing a setting if you are going to use an oec.

 

[calaleee]

Well, if the design is antique or a common classic design, anyone can make it. The ring you linked certainly can be made by another jeweler as it is not an original design to VB. To be honest, I am not impressed with the quality in that picture.

I think it is risky to try a jeweler unless you have seen them do similar rings that are well made. Most people here probably would have David Klass (DavidKlassJewelry on IG) or Caysie van Bebber (CVB.Inspired.Design on IG) make that ring.

Caysie actually made a ring for me with side stones like that. But both of them can do the style you like. They may allow you to use their shipping label to ship your stone insured and you pay the cost.



Bottom line, if you really want a Dallas jeweler to do it, find one that has custom rings pictured on their website or in a photo album. If you find someone who makes similar styles but you are unsure about quality, just come back and post pictures for feedback here. I think you can get better quality than the one in the link, but you'll really have to investigate to see if there is a local jeweler capable of doing it. I have sent my diamonds to be set by vendors I learned of here because I know of no one in the city nearest me who I'd trust to make the quality I want.

Congratulations on your August Vintage diamond! My main ring is also an August Vintage Round!

Thanks for the tip! Curious what you see in the VB pic that is a telltale sign of not-great craftmanship? So i can know what to look out for.

 

[MissGotRocks]

The bezels in the VB ring are not smooth and even. The proportions of the center stone and the side stones are off in my opinion. I also don’t care for the prong placement either. Compare that picture to the one @diamondseeker2006 posted. Big difference in finish work and proportions. The side stones are set back a tad as well; overall it just has a more cohesive look.

Is there something specific about the VB ring that you like or is it just the overall look?

 

[MissGotRocks]

Old mine cut diamonds can be very fragile around the edges. Most do not have a girdle, or very thin. You might want to keep that in mind when choosing a setting if you are going to use an oec.

@Lisa Murphy August Vintage cut diamonds are recently cut stones so no girdle issues there. They are fashioned after the old mine cut and the European round cut but light performance in the cutting has been perfected. Just wanted to clarify that as you may not be familiar with the August Vintage cut diamonds.

 

[distracts]

Jewelers in Dallas -
Sergio's in Casa Linda
Adore Bijoux in Plano
Mariloff at the tollway and Beltline
Diamond Factory at at the tollway and Alpha
Dr. Gold at Midway and Beltline

I have never used a single one of these places for custom work so I can't say how that would go - but I've used them for repairs and stock settings. When I do custom work I usually choose a jeweler whose settings are close to what I want and then mail my gems to them wherever they are - it's more important to me to see that they can execute what I want before I have it done than it is to have someone I can work with in person.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Thanks for the tip! Curious what you see in the VB pic that is a telltale sign of not-great craftmanship? So i can know what to look out for.

@MissGotRocks gave a good answer to this question. You can't really tell about workmanship unless you are very familiar with excellent workmanship. Look through the items on Caysie van Bebber's instagram page and you can see what attention to detail and fine workmanship look like.

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[kenny]

You might want to reconsider using emeralds in an engagement ring, since it may be worn daily.
Emeralds are much softer and delicate than diamonds.
You aren't even supposed to clean them the same way as you clean diamonds.
Diamonds are strong and can be cleaned in ways that would remove the commonly-used oils from emeralds.

Maybe replace the emeralds with green sapphires.

Research this.

I love this setting, BTW.