I'm on a bit of a setting binge v. LOGR and Lan.bo4

[LaurenThePartier]

I thought I would post some settings I just received from both LOGR and Lan.bo4. I have definite plans for all but the double halo oval and the round halo. I won all of the LOGRs at auction (on the evening of the LOST finale, so maybe that had something to do with it ) aside from the pear + baguettes ring.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

And now for some stone + setting pics!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Now for some stones I think I swore I would never buy - a Mahenge spinel from Tan as well as a pear Tanzanite.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

The rest of these are just playing with different stones that I may want to set.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Now for the double halo . . . neither of these stones will go in it, but I love this setting, so I'm hoping to find something a bit more . . . special that might fit.

 

[Taylorbug!]

Now for the double halo . . . neither of these stones will go in it, but I love this setting, so I'm hoping to find something a bit more . . . special that might fit.

I love all of the new settings you have gotten. BTW, would you mind sharing where you found that malaya garnet. I have been on a search for one of those myself.

 

[chrono]

Wow, you’ve been very busy and your showing both LOGR right next to Lanbo setting helps me a lot because I’m wondering if I would prefer on over the other. Perhaps you can clarify but it looks like the LOGR setting is less chunky and with bigger/nicer melees? I have to say I’m impressed with the quality of stones you’ve purchased, especially the rubellite, mahenge and tanzanite.

 

[BWise]

Well that's a feast of settings, you lucky gril! I love the mahenge in that setting.

 

[platinumrock]

GOOD LORD, woman! You need to warn people when you take them to the buffet!

Seriously, the settings are gorgeous, but I'm a little partial to LOGR. But Lan.bo4's settings are quite substantial!

My favorites would have to be the appatite in the WG double halo, rubellite in RG and mahenge pear with baguettes.

I'm off for seconds!

 

[T L]

You go girl!! I've been wondering why you haven't been posting a lot lately. I see you have been very very busy. Very pretty gems! Now I know your secret to winning auctions. Only bid when there's a popular television program on. LOL!

 

[brandy_z28]

Never say never! I love your mahenge and tanzanite! That apatite though...wowza! I LOVE the color of it!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Taylorbug - thank you! I'm pretty sure my Malaya came from Bob Kast, but I'd have to double check. Looks like the handwriting on the bottom of both gem jars (Malaya and Rubellie) is nearly identical.

Chrono - Thanks for your kind words! Those 3 are also my new recent faves, so it looks like I might be having to make some room for those. I find that the LOGR settings consistently have nice and bright melee, even with auction wins. The settings themselves (oval double halo vs. round single halo) are two completely different styles, but I find that the single halo seems more wearable to me. I'm a bit disappointed in some of the melee in the rose gold oval, but hey, that setting was the first one I won the night of the LOST finale for only $55.00 or so, so while it's not up to normal snuff, I like it for the price.

Yingh - thank you! That was the only setting I actually intended to buy - the rest were happy accidents.

Platinumrock - LOL, thank you for your kind comments. Looks like we're building a consensus here.

TL - thank you, dear! I've also had some other stuff going on . . . if you look at some of my other posts , so I think this will be my last round of setting/gemstone shopping for a while.

Brandy_z28 - Thanks!!!!

 

[cellentani]

I actually woke up this morning thinking of you, wondering where you'd been lately!

How great to be able to compare the quality of workmanship from two different vendors, and even better that you've got some great stones to play with! I love the more graceful double prongs on the LOGR pear and the delicate rose gold setting. Your pink stones are scrumptious, and I'm surprised to say that I'm loving your tanzanite too! I can't wait to see everything finished!

 

[cemrn]

Wow these are great! Here you are just loading up on settings and I cannot even seem to decide on 1! Feeling frustrated about that. I have a question for you and all others you go the auction route when buying settings.

When you are bidding on say a 6.5mm setting are you intending on it for a 6.5mm stone OR have you ever bid intending if you won to have it modified for say a 8mm stone you have? Do those modifications have to be discussed with the ebay vendor BEFORE bidding. I am just trying to figure out how this process works. I asked LOGR about modifying a setting that was at $23 so far on auction and the response was the to increase the setting to fit a stone 2mms bigger it would cost $488 for the setting. Is this to be expected? There is another setting I am eyeing on auction but again I would need it to fit a bigger stone

 

[CharmyPoo]

Now I know who I have been bidding against

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Cellantini - Thank you, friend! Some hints as to my absence can be found in some of my posts in F&H. It's going to be a while before I get everything set, but I think I'll be starting with the mahenge and tanzanite and go from there.

Cemrn - Thanks! I almost always bid on a ring intending to have it modified to fit a stone I have in mind. In some cases, I'm lucky in that my stone is calibrated, but in most, I have to go custom. Which setting is being quoted $488 for your asscher? I'm curious!

CharmyPoo - LOL, I doubt we've been bidding against each other. Like I said, I placed a bunch of bids on the evening of the LOST finale back in May and I won every single setting. Totally didn't expect it, as I don't really know what I'm going to do with the round halo or the double halo.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I was totally kidding but then again .. my fiance always says my humor is not funny!

 

[manderz]

May I ask, what/who is LOGR? Those are some beautiful settings, I really love the rose gold!!

 

[cemrn]

Cellantini - Thank you, friend! Some hints as to my absence can be found in some of my posts in F&H. It's going to be a while before I get everything set, but I think I'll be starting with the mahenge and tanzanite and go from there.

Cemrn - Thanks! I almost always bid on a ring intending to have it modified to fit a stone I have in mind. In some cases, I'm lucky in that my stone is calibrated, but in most, I have to go custom. Which setting is being quoted $488 for your asscher? I'm curious!

CharmyPoo - LOL, I doubt we've been bidding against each other. Like I said, I placed a bunch of bids on the evening of the LOST finale back in May and I won every single setting. Totally didn't expect it, as I don't really know what I'm going to do with the round halo or the double halo.

Thanks for asking LTP. Here's the info https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/is-this-more-clear.147526/#post-2664397#p2664397

 

[Indylady]

I love those baguette settings. Very classic. And the color of that rubellite is gorgeous as well. Its great to see you around LTP!

 

[cemrn]

Cellantini - Thank you, friend! Some hints as to my absence can be found in some of my posts in F&H. It's going to be a while before I get everything set, but I think I'll be starting with the mahenge and tanzanite and go from there.

Cemrn - Thanks! I almost always bid on a ring intending to have it modified to fit a stone I have in mind. In some cases, I'm lucky in that my stone is calibrated, but in most, I have to go custom. Which setting is being quoted $488 for your asscher? I'm curious!

CharmyPoo - LOL, I doubt we've been bidding against each other. Like I said, I placed a bunch of bids on the evening of the LOST finale back in May and I won every single setting. Totally didn't expect it, as I don't really know what I'm going to do with the round halo or the double halo.

Thanks for asking LTP. Here's the info https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/is-this-more-clear.147526/#post-2664397#p2664397

Oh darn I wish there were an edit button on posts as this is the wrong link. The one he quoted was this one that is on auction at $23 currently. Sorry, here it is. So if you win a setting at say $150 do you contact him after or before about customizing the size to fit your stone? What if you wait after and he says that setting will now cost 488 to fit your stone? Are you stuck at that point?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123#ht_5307wt_1167

 

[newbaglover]

Cellantini - Thank you, friend! Some hints as to my absence can be found in some of my posts in F&H. It's going to be a while before I get everything set, but I think I'll be starting with the mahenge and tanzanite and go from there.

Cemrn - Thanks! I almost always bid on a ring intending to have it modified to fit a stone I have in mind. In some cases, I'm lucky in that my stone is calibrated, but in most, I have to go custom. Which setting is being quoted $488 for your asscher? I'm curious!

CharmyPoo - LOL, I doubt we've been bidding against each other. Like I said, I placed a bunch of bids on the evening of the LOST finale back in May and I won every single setting. Totally didn't expect it, as I don't really know what I'm going to do with the round halo or the double halo.

Thanks for asking LTP. Here's the info https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/is-this-more-clear.147526/#post-2664397#p2664397

Oh darn I wish there were an edit button on posts as this is the wrong link. The one he quoted was this one that is on auction at $23 currently. Sorry, here it is. So if you win a setting at say $150 do you contact him after or before about customizing the size to fit your stone? What if you wait after and he says that setting will now cost 488 to fit your stone? Are you stuck at that point?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123#ht_5307wt_1167

I have also contacted LOGR for some of his semi mounts, but I am afraid he doesnt clarify anything!
I bidded for a ring two weeks ago and mine was not the winner bid, but, as they have multiple items, I was offered to buy the ring for the price I bid, 350$, I asked him for the price of this ring made in 18k gold and my size ( I have size 9), and he told me it would be 700$!! The buy it now price for the ring in 14k gold was 600$ so my feeling was that he was charging me full price+ customization fee. I told him it was a high price and he answered that he was loosing money with the ring, so they were thinking about no having it any more for sale ( obviously, he still have the same ring for sale and multiples...). So I felt it was not worth the hassle, and let the ring go.
I was afraid of buying from lan.bo4 because he doesnt understand very well english, so I tried again with LOGR. I liked another of his mountings and it was an auction, so I asked before bidding how much the customizacion fee would be for this ring ( size 9 and 18k WG). His answer was that I should ask after winning the item. I know I may be asking a lot of questions, but I need to know how much is the total price for the ring before commiting to purchase it. I dont want to win the auction and get a 14k ring that is not muy size, or pay a high rocket amount for the customization. I think it is simple, just quote : auction price + XX $ for customization...

After all this, I ended up buying a lan.bo4 setting, I hope everything would be ok with him. And it is a pity, because I still love some of LOGR settings, but I dont feel comfortable buying from him... If auctions make him loose money, just stop doing them, and use only BINs. If he was clear and straigth about the customization fee ( X $ for changing 14k gold to 18k gold, X $ for resizing to a 9 size, X $ for upgrading diamonds...), I will be glad to buy from him, but it is not how I am feeling he is at this moment.

 

[T L]

Cellantini - Thank you, friend! Some hints as to my absence can be found in some of my posts in F&H. It's going to be a while before I get everything set, but I think I'll be starting with the mahenge and tanzanite and go from there.

Cemrn - Thanks! I almost always bid on a ring intending to have it modified to fit a stone I have in mind. In some cases, I'm lucky in that my stone is calibrated, but in most, I have to go custom. Which setting is being quoted $488 for your asscher? I'm curious!

CharmyPoo - LOL, I doubt we've been bidding against each other. Like I said, I placed a bunch of bids on the evening of the LOST finale back in May and I won every single setting. Totally didn't expect it, as I don't really know what I'm going to do with the round halo or the double halo.

Thanks for asking LTP. Here's the info https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/is-this-more-clear.147526/#post-2664397#p2664397

Oh darn I wish there were an edit button on posts as this is the wrong link. The one he quoted was this one that is on auction at $23 currently. Sorry, here it is. So if you win a setting at say $150 do you contact him after or before about customizing the size to fit your stone? What if you wait after and he says that setting will now cost 488 to fit your stone? Are you stuck at that point?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123#ht_5307wt_1167

I have also contacted LOGR for some of his semi mounts, but I am afraid he doesnt clarify anything!
I bidded for a ring two weeks ago and mine was not the winner bid, but, as they have multiple items, I was offered to buy the ring for the price I bid, 350$, I asked him for the price of this ring made in 18k gold and my size ( I have size 9), and he told me it would be 700$!! The buy it now price for the ring in 14k gold was 600$ so my feeling was that he was charging me full price+ customization fee. I told him it was a high price and he answered that he was loosing money with the ring, so they were thinking about no having it any more for sale ( obviously, he still have the same ring for sale and multiples...). So I felt it was not worth the hassle, and let the ring go.
I was afraid of buying from lan.bo4 because he doesnt understand very well english, so I tried again with LOGR. I liked another of his mountings and it was an auction, so I asked before bidding how much the customizacion fee would be for this ring ( size 9 and 18k WG). His answer was that I should ask after winning the item. I know I may be asking a lot of questions, but I need to know how much is the total price for the ring before commiting to purchase it. I dont want to win the auction and get a 14k ring that is not muy size, or pay a high rocket amount for the customization. I think it is simple, just quote : auction price + XX $ for customization...

After all this, I ended up buying a lan.bo4 setting, I hope everything would be ok with him. And it is a pity, because I still love some of LOGR settings, but I dont feel comfortable buying from him... If auctions make him loose money, just stop doing them, and use only BINs. If he was clear and straigth about the customization fee ( X $ for changing 14k gold to 18k gold, X $ for resizing to a 9 size, X $ for upgrading diamonds...), I will be glad to buy from him, but it is not how I am feeling he is at this moment.

I think Stephen is including hidden costs because his diamond customizaton fee is $249/ct as advertised in all his listings, and I usually upgrade the diamonds. The last setting I asked about upgrading just the diamonds, and the math didn't make sense. It's usually $249 multiplied by the carat weight in the listing, and these were average size stones for him, and there was $30 extra than what I calculated. I was adding no gold or any modifications. His modifications are way more expensive too. Now that being said, he is low cost in general for the quality, but I wish he would advertise the cost of diamonds per carat correctly. I also know that he charges around $11.88/gram for 18K gold, so the calculation, if there are no customizations, should be 11.88 multiplied by the advertised gram weight of the piece in the listing. Again, that's how I calculated gold upgrades in the past.

I suspect that he couldn't give you the total upgrade fee before you won the setting because depending on how low it was, he would have had to charge you hidden costs. Again, no offense to Stephen, but he really needs to explain better how these costs arrive. He tends to skirt my questions when I ask about "where did that extra cost for the diamonds come from?" and other calculations that don't jive. If you're customizing, you have to take his word for it that he's charging you the right amount extra because one does not know the actual amount of diamonds and/or gold being added, but I do think customizations are higher than in the past. I understand there is the rising cost of gold and diamonds and labor, but I wish he would specifically state these things in writing. I feel he's afraid of losing business if he does. Maybe it's a catch 22 for him.

Like you, I'm terrified about asking lan.bo4 for customizations because he's screwed up so many people's in the past, and honestly, I don't think his prices are better than Stephen's. I love my upgraded, customized LOGR's, and I would never ever be able to get that quality for the $$$. Therefore, I still continue to shop with LOGR. Maybe I should try some non-upgraded lan.b04's since LTP's are quite lovely, and I like the metal work.

 

[newbaglover]

I agree, I think Stephen migth be hiding costs, and he migth be afraid of lossing clients if he rises the prices, but I would prefer for him to state a higher price and be clear. For buying at ebay, I need to trust the seller, and he has a good reputation here at PS, but if he hides things, the security feeling goes away. I also had the toolhaus feedback from ebay, and he has some neutral feedback that seem negatives... so before paying anything, I need to trust.
The upgrading price he gave me for the first ring had nothing to do with the maths of 249$ for 1ct of upgrading diamonds or the 11,8$/gr for upgrading gold, that is why I asked he to disclose the customizacion fees for each upgrade.

That said, I LOVE LTP semi-mounts, they are really beautiful!

 

[newbaglover]

Sorry to hijack more the thread, Lauren.
TL, what is the meaning of " catch 22" ? English is not my mother tongue ( You can see it easily for my mistakes) and I am very curious about what you were meaning. Thanks!

I have purchased a setting from lan.bo4, I hope everything would be ok! I will let you know how it goes, it is going to be customized for an asscher cut spinel ( it was pre made for an emerald cut).

 

[T L]

Sorry to hijack more the thread, Lauren.
TL, what is the meaning of " catch 22" ? English is not my mother tongue ( You can see it easily for my mistakes) and I am very curious about what you were meaning. Thanks!

I have purchased a setting from lan.bo4, I hope everything would be ok! I will let you know how it goes, it is going to be customized for an asscher cut spinel ( it was pre made for an emerald cut).

Official definition of "catch 22"
"A situation in which a desired outcome or solution is impossible to attain because of a set of inherently illogical rules or conditions"

Stephen has to charge hidden costs because he has to maintain some profit (the desired outcome), but in doing so, he loses trust, so he loses customers. His ultimate goal of maintaining profit is difficult because of this. People buy from LOGR and lan.b04 because they serve a niche for providing diamond/gold settings at an affordable cost. Affordability is the one HUGE reason that people buy from these sellers, and if prices get too high, especially in the pitiful world economy right now, then profitability will also go away. I do not wish that on Stephen and I really feel bad for him, I really do, but affordability is the prime reason to shop with him.

LTP, sorry to hijack your thread. Your pieces are lovely, and I apologize if I missed some of your other threads. Did you post those on CS? Otherwise I'm rarely in any other forum. Thanks again for all the wonderful comparison pics of the settings.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Hijack away, my lovelies! I posted the comparisons here so we could all have meaningful discussions about additional charges, which is so important to know if you want to start bidding.

 

[Indylady]

I've experienced much of the same, an extra charge of $30 for no explicable reason. While it is frustrating (sometimes very much so) I can't quite blame Stephen. I expect with some of their really low auctions, they might not even be recouping the cost of the setting, let alone making a profit. Their prices really are the most reasonable I've seen anywhere, especially if you're talking about a customized setting. I've done the whole dance of asking for a modification, realizing that its more than I wanted to spend, taking it back and asking for another modification instead. And even through that, Stephen's customer service is still pretty decent. I also hate being out $30 on a return where I haven't customized except for a size change.

 

[artdecogirl]

LTP, fun thread, I am envious of all the great projects you have going! I like the garnet in that last oval setting, they look lovely together.

 

[cemrn]

LTP you are a sweetheart for letting us newbies hijack for educational purposes.

So is it worth the time to stalk an auction if you know you are going to have to have the setting customized to fit your stone? Or is it really going to end up the same as BIN prices + customization fees? I am really curious for response on this