Has anyone NOT had a good experience with David Klass Jewelry?

[jmt0504]

I just wanted to ask this because I have actually had a pretty unsatisfactory experience with him this year. The piece of jewelry from earlier in the year came out alright, except it took more than twice as long as promised (also got no updates regarding the extremely delayed order unless I emailed him first and the update was still inaccurate) & was in the wrong metal despite him confirming which one I wanted. I was going to buy another piece from him ( a lesser costing item because I did like the work when it was all said and done) but communication has been nothing but a headache. My communication issues have been things like replying to email discussing someone elses order, not reading what I was asking about, ignoring my questions about the design, etc.

It's been rather frustrating so I decided to move to another vendor, but I'm kind of shocked honestly because I've read nothing but absolutely rave reviews regarding his business. Is this just a fluke with me or has anyone else out there had a not positive experience with his process?

 

[adlgel]

My experience was not 100% smooth. I did have some issues with his initial CADs for a pendant I asked him to make based off a picture from his Instagram. The CADs were a modification of that design and when I mentioned that he said that he had included the wrong version of the CADs which is ultimately no big deal. The pendant came out perfect and looks beautiful.

However when I received the pictures of a ring where I asked him to replace my existing head and set my new diamond the head was set much lower into the shank than the CADs showed. He did not hesitate to remake it when I pointed it out but ir added another two weeks to the delivery time.

In the end I’m very happy with the two items I received but there were a few hiccups along the way. This was my first experience with any sort of custom work so I don’t know if these types of hiccups are more the exception or the rule when going custom.

 

[yssie]

It’s approaching wedding season - and my understanding is that jewellers are even more slammed than they usually are this time of year thanks to extra orders from clients who postponed 2020 engagement/wedding plans.

I honestly would expect most jewellers to be totally swamped this spring/summer and I plan to sit on any projects that aren’t time-critical.

@jmt0504 That’s not to diminish your experience, but to warn you that (unfortunately) that you’ll likely run into these same sorts of issues with other jewellers as well.

 

[Mreader]

I have noticed that his emails replies can be brief and yes there have been delays. Part of the reason he is so popular though is that he and Amy will go to great lengths to make the clients happy. This might mean many CADS (which he does not charge extra for btw and some jewelers do) and also changing something if the client does not like it upon receipt. That combined with his reasonable pricing makes him a favorite. But he is not "talkative" in the traditional sense.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@Mreader, I’m glad you shared that because I have found him to be very short in emails as well. I was starting to think it was personal but apparently this is just his communication style

 

[Rfisher]

I do see David as pretty concise with communications. I don’t take this negatively. Them missing points of discussion or questions in their replies has happened on occasion, but usually it’s quickly addressed upon a re-ask. So I don’t think this is a new development.

I wouldn't say Ive had a poor or awful experience with them, on a somewhat recent project.
Disappointing? Absolutely.
Whether it be nonexistent /incomplete replies or
questionable mfg and QC. Or even just a feeling they had little control of what actually was being produced.

It wasn’t a poor or awful experience solely because of DKJ’s complete willingness to stand behind their product.

It’s easy to feel as if you are on island, seeing only beautiful outcomes and glowing praise from others.
I envy those who have received beautiful complete projects the past 18 months or so. Envy is ugly, so……let’s pretend I didn’t say that out loud, m’kay?

It’s plain to see Covid has had an effect on us all.
It’s easy to wish that more people could be hired to take the communication slack up, but I’m sure that is much much easier said than done. It’s easy to think covid hasnt taken its toll on the bench workers crafting the jewelry as well. I’m sure it has.

Regarding any vendor -
It’s forward thinking to be aware of the upcoming engagement wave -
I don’t expect any vendor to have a crystal ball, nor do I expect outlandish promises.
but I’d rather be told by any vendor the truth, even if it’s ‘I don’t know’ than be ghosted or plainly misled again.
I understand shit happens.

 

[Slickk]

@Mreader, I’m glad you shared that because I have found him to be very short in emails as well. I was starting to think it was personal but apparently this is just his communication style

I think due to his popularity, he gets slammed with emails. I’m sure some are window shoppers as well as serious buyers like us. I can imagine how crazy it gets during the busy wedding season as @yssie pointed out, and especially this year after last!
I have had all positive experiences with him, but his emails are very curt and to the point and that’s ok with me as I’m happy to get a response!! I do agree his work, satisfaction-guaranteed motto and price point make him extremely in demand, but worth the persistence and wait IMO.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@Slick1, I hope that didn’t come across as me saying anything bad about David, that wasn’t my intent. I did wonder if it was me because I changed direction three times and I imagine that can be frustrating for a jeweler (especially a busy one like him).

Working with him in the future at least now I know to just expect direct concise communication. It’s also helpful for those considering reaching out about a project to know what to expect as well

 

[Slickk]

@YadaYadaYada no, you didn’t come across that way at all. My sincerest apologies if my reply seemed to imply that! I just was clarifying that I do think their responses are brief due to being busy and not a reflection of their personalities. Haha

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@YadaYadaYada no, you didn’t come across that way at all. My sincerest apologies if my reply seemed to imply that! I just was clarifying that I do think their responses are brief due to being busy and not a reflection of their personalities. Haha

I just didn’t want it to seem like I was badmouthing David at all you know? I can’t imagine how many emails they get, tire kickers and the like. It would be interesting to know how many emails they get a day and what percentage of them turn into completed projects.

 

[Slickk]

@YadaYadaYada What I just wanted to say was, “It’s not you, it’s him!”

And agree to the ‘tire kickers.’ I’m sure there are many!

 

[Lookinagain]

I've done many projects with David and Amy and yes, their emails are concise, but never rude. All of my projects have turned out well and any that I weren't thrilled with (there have been 2 or 3) were my fault on the design end or missing something on the CAD. It's never been about poor workmanship or not making the piece in conformance with the CAD that I had approved.

 

[rainydayam]

My engagement ring was made by David Klass. Before I detail the issues, I just want to say that his customer service (for me) was wonderful.

We had my three stone engagement ring made by David at the end of 2020. When we received it, the prongs caught on everything and the side stones were set at different levels. The basket holding one of the side stones was not symmetric with the basket holding the other side stone. There were multiple dents on the ring because it had not been polished correctly after the stones were set.

We emailed David and he immediately offered to fix the ring. He recast it and sent it back to us. This time, the ring was much improved. The two side stones still sit at different levels, the prongs still catch like crazy, but it was at least polished properly and the basket was symmetric.

It still drives me a bit nuts that the side stones are ever so slightly set at different levels and that the prongs catch on everything. Just glancing at the ring, you would never notice, but look at it for a little longer and it’s obvious. I told David that this second iteration was perfect so I will not send it back to be remade (I was so excited when I received it that it took me a little while to notice the imperfections). I will eventually have the ring remade by a different jeweler. Maybe in a couple years. My sisters engagement ring is made by Brian Gavin and her prongs do not catch. Perhaps I will have it remade by him

 

[Cerulean]

He will not banter or chit-chat in emails at all. I could see for someone who would prefer to have a bond with a designer that he would be a bad fit. I have occasionally had to restate details.

I have had 5 projects with David, (two were rings with CADs, 1 bracelet fix, 1 pair of earrings from CADs, 1 necklace remade from components of an antique)...

I didn't set a timeline with my most recent ring, because I wasn't really in a rush, but production took much longer than my first project and I absolutely believe that is due to demand.

Sorry that you didn't have a great experience, I think like most things, not every designer is a good fit for every client, and it can even vary based on the type of project. Don't feel badly that it didn't work out, there are plenty of designers out there who may work better for you!

 

[Slickk]

@rainydayam I’m sorry you had a less than stellar experience. Quick aside regarding snagging prongs, I asked David to have Amy run my ring (double claw prongs) through her hair to make sure it passed the snag test for me!! So I get it!!
I am sure David would remake the ring for you if it is not symmetrical as well as smooth out those prongs.
Just a thought.

 

[molecule]

I'm in the middle of working on a project with DK.

I started off contacting a designer in December, who was super enthusiastic and I thought was a great fit, until I asked them for a quote (two or three times) at which point they went mum. They then contacted me in April stating that life got in the way and asking if I still wanted to proceed. I agreed and again asked for a quote, twice. After no response at that point, I told them that I was going with another designer.
Designer 1: 4-5 months, 4+ requests for quote, no design input.

I found a reproduction vintage design that was almost completely up my alley with the exception of the basket. I contacted the store, asked if they would be able to figure out a way to change the design of the basket, agreed upon a price range. I received 2 basket designs that were ok. I countered with something I liked and asked if they thought it would work. No response after that email, a text, and another follow up email.
Designer 2: Basket modification to in house design, agreed on quote, 2 basket drawings after 2 weeks, communication stopped

DK: Contacted in end of May. 1 follow up email, response the same day with a quote. Center stone arrived at the end of June, initial CAD sent the same day. After 2 rounds of very minor fixes, plastic model arrived in early July. 1 more round of CAD changes, agreed upon design by mid-July.
DK: Efficient communication (a couple of times minor changes have needed to be restated), Agreed upon CADs in 2 months on complicated filigree design (most of the delay was on my end with shipping the center stone). DK and team have blown the other two designers out of the water.


I've been considering looking at local designers for a future project, but with the efficiency DK's team and his ability to source old cut melee, I'll be sticking with DK.

 

[rainydayam]

@rainydayam I’m sorry you had a less than stellar experience. Quick aside regarding snagging prongs, I asked David to have Amy run my ring (double claw prongs) through her hair to make sure it passed the snag test for me!! So I get it!!
I am sure David would remake the ring for you if it is not symmetrical as well as smooth out those prongs.
Just a thought.

I’m sure he would! His customer service is some of the best I have ever experienced. But he already remade the ring. I feel bad asking to have it remade a third time. Perhaps i’m just to picky and shouldn’t look at it so closely. I will probably just have it remade elsewhere (sometime in the future) since it’s already been made twice.

 

[Cerulean]

I’m sure he would! His customer service is some of the best I have ever experienced. But he already remade the ring. I feel bad asking to have it remade a third time. Perhaps i’m just to picky and shouldn’t look at it so closely. I will probably just have it remade elsewhere (sometime in the future) since it’s already been made twice.

Don’t feel bad AT ALL. If something is wrong, he should fix it, and I expect he will. I don’t think you are being picky at all! And if you like everything else about it design wise, I see no reason to spend money trying to remake it elsewhere (that’s my 2 cents)

Maybe share pictures? I’m curious if the side stones are different depths?

 

[rainydayam]

Don’t feel bad AT ALL. If something is wrong, he should fix it, and I expect he will. I don’t think you are being picky at all! And if you like everything else about it design wise, I see no reason to spend money trying to remake it elsewhere (that’s my 2 cents)

Maybe share pictures? I’m curious if the side stones are different depths?

The design is beautiful! It’s one of his designs and it’s a ring that I’ve listed after for three or four years before receiving it. I’ll try and post pictures today.

 

[jmt0504]

He will not banter or chit-chat in emails at all. I could see for someone who would prefer to have a bond with a designer that he would be a bad fit. I have occasionally had to restate details.

I have had 5 projects with David, (two were rings with CADs, 1 bracelet fix, 1 pair of earrings from CADs, 1 necklace remade from components of an antique)...

I didn't set a timeline with my most recent ring, because I wasn't really in a rush, but production took much longer than my first project and I absolutely believe that is due to demand.

Sorry that you didn't have a great experience, I think like most things, not every designer is a good fit for every client, and it can even vary based on the type of project. Don't feel badly that it didn't work out, there are plenty of designers out there who may work better for you!

Thanks for your kind words, I appreciate your response. I just want to state that I'm not trying to bash David Klass whatsoever. The item that I have from him is beautiful despite being the wrong metal that I asked for. (I even confirmed the metal with him twice during the design stage :/)

I just was admittedly a bit surprised throughout the process both times because I'd read nothing but absolutely glowing reviews and my experience with his communication is really..... spotty or lacking to say the least. It is a bit of a hindrance when you're trying to hash out the details of a design and he doesn't seem to read things before he responds to them. I like his work a lot, so maybe I'll give him another go when the pandemic slows down.