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Is it worth the risk to work with an international jeweler?

Green lake is a good option!
 
I would definitely do business with a Japanese jeweler if I had enough money. I have a great collection of vintage Japanese chawan tea bowls at home as well as some vases, tea cups and sake cups. Don't want to even think of Japanese jewelry making traditions and aethstetics. Not now!

I remember I was asked to ship a colored stone worth $2500 to Japan last year. The client (not mine) asked the seller (not me) to declare the value as low as $380. And insure for the same sum. I didn't ask any questions and knew nothing. Both the seller and the buyer were very pleased with how well I packed the stone :). End of the story.

Editing. I found the picture of the declaration, the lady buyer asked to declare $320, not $380. And she asked to describe the thing being shipped as "precious stone".
 

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Musia said:
I would definitely do business with a Japanese jeweler if I had enough money. I have a great collection of vintage Japanese chawan tea bowls at home as well as some vases, tea cups and sake cups. Don't want to even think of Japanese jewelry making traditions and aethstetics. Not now!

I remember I was asked to ship a colored stone worth $2500 to Japan last year. The client (not mine) asked the seller (not me) to declare the value as low as $380. And insure for the same sum. I didn't ask any questions and knew nothing. Both the seller and the buyer were very pleased with how well I packed the stone :). End of the story.

Editing. I found the picture of the declaration, the lady buyer asked to declare $320, not $380. And she asked to describe the thing being shipped as "precious stone".
Click to expand...

I am strongly considering it!

That’s interesting about the declared value. I actually just had my first contact with Jaume Labro. He is not Japanese himself, but he lives in Japan and studied under the Japanese masters of mokume gane. His work is incredible!


I’m very excited and will be speaking with him in the next week or so. It’s his stated policy that all jewelry and gems are shipped at their full value and insured. Apparently he specializes in international shipping, but also said I could have my diamond set locally.

Although honestly I’m tempted to have him just do the whole thing, as I’d probably have David Klass do the setting…and I’d be shipping anyways.

So many thoughts! Nowhere near making a decision yet! But I’ll keep everyone posted for anyone curious
 
musicloveranthony said:
You don't even wanna know how inexpensive some of the pieces were at the end :((
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Do you happen to have any photos of pieces you've seen?

I almost - almost - bought a few ball clasps from him, near the end of his closing sale. I backed out at the last second because I didn't have #AGoodPlan for them, and they were quite large (as the amount of detail would demand).

Now - oh, you'd better believe I'm kicking myself!! What was I THINKING. They were so inexpensive for one-of-a-kind design and workmanship. And it's not like interesting ball clasps are a dime a dozen!!

:wall::wall::wall::wall::wall:;(:(sad


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Cerulean said:
I am strongly considering it!

That’s interesting about the declared value. I actually just had my first contact with Jaume Labro. He is not Japanese himself, but he lives in Japan and studied under the Japanese masters of mokume gane. His work is incredible!


I’m very excited and will be speaking with him in the next week or so. It’s his stated policy that all jewelry and gems are shipped at their full value and insured. Apparently he specializes in international shipping, but also said I could have my diamond set locally.

Although honestly I’m tempted to have him just do the whole thing, as I’d probably have David Klass do the setting…and I’d be shipping anyways.

So many thoughts! Nowhere near making a decision yet! But I’ll keep everyone posted for anyone curious
Click to expand...

Yes, please don't ship your diamond to Japan. Consider this to be your trial setting/work. Always have a dream of the ring made entirely by the greatest of the great Japanese masters! And a sword! And then chawan. Then a kimono. Everything real would be equally expensive and dear!
 
Musia said:
Yes, please don't ship your diamond to Japan. Consider this to be your trial setting/work. Always have a dream of the ring made entirely by the greatest of the great Japanese masters! And a sword! And then chawan. Then a kimono. Everything real would be equally expensive and dear!
Click to expand...

Oh, this definitely would not be a trial setting! This is a final setting. Labro is one of the masters! He was born in Barcelona, but I don't care about that. He trained in Japan.

It may not be worth it to ship my stone, but I guess that is another question!
 
yssie said:
Do you happen to have any photos of pieces you've seen?

I almost - almost - bought a few ball clasps from him, near the end of his closing sale. I backed out at the last second because I didn't have #AGoodPlan for them, and they were quite large (as the amount of detail would demand).

Now - oh, you'd better believe I'm kicking myself!! What was I THINKING. They were so inexpensive for one-of-a-kind design and workmanship. And it's not like interesting ball clasps are a dime a dozen!!

:wall::wall::wall::wall::wall:;(:(sad


1629595195757.png

1629595203637.png
Click to expand...

As they say...hindsight is 20/20! :blackeye:
 
yssie said:
Do you happen to have any photos of pieces you've seen?
Click to expand...
Those are so beautiful! No, sadly I don't have any pictures. There were some really amazing pieces. There was a local jeweler who was closing up shop who had a George Sawyer ring collection they were selling at 80% discount :blackeye:
 
Cerulean said:
Oh, this definitely would not be a trial setting! This is a final setting. Labro is one of the masters! He was born in Barcelona, but I don't care about that. He trained in Japan.

It may not be worth it to ship my stone, but I guess that is another question!
Click to expand...

I see what you mean. It is just me who is absolutely crazy about Japanese masters, good I stopped watching Japanese channel (one of the few dozen channels our antenna can catch is Japanese :D)
Labro's works are amazing and unique. Very powerful, I spent a long time yesterday and today looking at his creations and admiring them. Having one of his pieces would be my BIG dream too. And if I've decided to get something like this https://www.instagram.com/p/CN7GcuNJ0g8/ :kiss2: I would definitely ship my own dearest diamond to Japan (only 0.3ct so not too expensive).

Please keep us updated constantly! And good luck to you, I am sure you are going to have a very pleasant experience!
 
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Musia said:
I see what you mean. It is just me who is absolutely crazy about Japanese masters, good I stopped watching Japanese channel (one of the few dozen channels our antenna can catch is Japanese :D)
Labro's works are amazing and unique. Very powerful, I spent a long time yesterday and today looking at his creations and admiring them. Having one of his pieces would be my BIG dream too. And if I've decided to get something like this https://www.instagram.com/p/CN7GcuNJ0g8/ :kiss2: I would definitely ship my own dearest diamond to Japan (only 0.3ct so not too expensive).

Please keep us updated constantly! And good luck to you, I am sure you are going to have a very pleasant experience!
Click to expand...

I totally understand the appreciation for Japanese craftsmanship! There are so many techniques that are impossible to find outside of Japan

I love that ring you shared! I’m curious to see how it is to talk to him. I have been so indecisive about what to do for my setting, that maybe a connection to the vendor is the missing piece to help me decide
 
Dang, those sakura bands from post #2 are gorgeous! I always thought mokume gane was cool in concept, but never saw any jewelry I’d actually want to wear made with that technique. Probably because I wasn’t looking at Japanese designers! Thank you for giving me a few more IG accounts to follow.

I don’t have experience shipping diamonds abroad or working with an international jeweler, but I am a lover of Japanese aesthetics. As you know, I have a bit of a pen habit, and am especially fond of Japanese urushi pens. When European makers like Pelikan and Montblanc try their hand at maki-e/raden/rankaku/chinkin, it just looks sort of…wrong. Their lacquer, however eye-wateringly expensive, just can’t even be put in the same category.

I think @MillieLou is onto something. If this is meant to be a final final FINAL reset, and you aren’t in a mondo rush, maybe a trip to Japan is in order. There are certainly worse fates!
 
Mary Queen of Scotch said:
Dang, those sakura bands from post #2 are gorgeous! I always thought mokume gane was cool in concept, but never saw any jewelry I’d actually want to wear made with that technique. Probably because I wasn’t looking at Japanese designers! Thank you for giving me a few more IG accounts to follow.

I don’t have experience shipping diamonds abroad or working with an international jeweler, but I am a lover of Japanese aesthetics. As you know, I have a bit of a pen habit, and am especially fond of Japanese urushi pens. When European makers like Pelikan and Montblanc try their hand at maki-e/raden/rankaku/chinkin, it just looks sort of…wrong. Their lacquer, however eye-wateringly expensive, just can’t even be put in the same category.

I think @MillieLou is onto something. If this is meant to be a final final FINAL reset, and you aren’t in a mondo rush, maybe a trip to Japan is in order. There are certainly worse fates!
Click to expand...

I was planning a trip to Japan actually, but not until 2023. Seems...painfully far! But I do get what you are saying.

The first ring I saw that I really loved was this...it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I love the Sakura motif. They are the vendor that won't work with a client's diamond unless it is dropped off by hand at their store.

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What makes me nervous is that I won't be able to service the ring at all if the vendor ultimately won't allow shipping...and most jewelers won't be able to work on a mokume gane ring. Hence my dilemma!

So far, Labro has excellent shipping options and fully insures jewelry...which makes me more open to him as an option. I love his work, too! He is from Barcelona...but I wonder if that matters, really. I appreciate that he lives and works out of Japan. I much prefer his designs to any of the American-based designers I have seen. I love this ring, but would want a floral motif incorporated instead of a regular 'ole six prong head.

1629678603644.png

Decisions, decisions. @seaurchin made me think about how detailed I really want this piece to be on top of the mokume gane. I wonder if the first bands might a yummy option for a stacking band or ring to wear on my middle finger that I can buy on my trip...
 
Well, Jaume Labro was delightful to talk with. He has a strong Catalan accent...one of my closest friends is Catalan, and it made me feel warm and fuzzy! We talked for 40 minutes.

He was an absolute delight. His quote was reasonable, he was extremely knowledgeable and I already trust his judgment. Everything about his philosophy jives with what I am looking for. It was like with each of his recommendations, he was anticipating something I would've asked for (or didn't know I wanted!)

I have a great feeling about Labro and he clearly understands and appreciates the technique of mokume gane and Japanese style.

I will keep everyone posted when the time comes. I have been very fickle with this whole project, so going to give it about 6 months to marinate.

Thanks again for everyone's insights!
 
@Cerulean Please excuse the threadjack but I just have to post here -

@musicloveranthony You inspired me!! I reached out to George Sawyer again (I'd emailed several months ago asking about some mokume gane clasps, but stupidly decided against buying anything back then) to ask if they still have any inventory available and they do!!

So I am - totally unexpectedly and delightedly - going to be the very lucky eleventh-hour owner of this beauty (just the clasp) :love: :appl:

1631210637435.png

They also have these available right now, and possibly other pieces!! I asked only about clasps...

1631210676403.png

1631210683437.png

These are two photos of the same clasp -
1631210692514.png 1631210732408.png


@Cerulean @lovedogs @Sprinkles&Stones Still worth reaching out if anything on the site catches your fancy!!!!
 
yssie said:
@Cerulean Please excuse the threadjack but I just have to post here -

@musicloveranthony You inspired me!! I reached out to George Sawyer again (I'd emailed several months ago asking about some mokume gane clasps, but stupidly decided against buying anything back then) to ask if they still have any inventory available and they do!!

So I am - totally unexpectedly and delightedly - going to be the very lucky eleventh-hour owner of this beauty (just the clasp) :love: :appl:

1631210637435.png

They also have these available right now, and possibly other pieces!! I asked only about clasps...

1631210676403.png

1631210683437.png

These are two photos of the same clasp -
1631210692514.png 1631210732408.png


@Cerulean @lovedogs @Sprinkles&Stones Still worth reaching out if anything on the site catches your fancy!!!!
Click to expand...

Omg this is a very happy threadjack

how stunning, so glad you nabbed it before it was too late!

not sure if you saw my other thread, but I decided to go in another direction and will wait until my trip to Japan to buy a piece of mokume gane, or pursue I’m the technique for a different project in the future
 
yssie said:
@Cerulean Please excuse the threadjack but I just have to post here -

@musicloveranthony You inspired me!! I reached out to George Sawyer again (I'd emailed several months ago asking about some mokume gane clasps, but stupidly decided against buying anything back then) to ask if they still have any inventory available and they do!!

So I am - totally unexpectedly and delightedly - going to be the very lucky eleventh-hour owner of this beauty (just the clasp) :love: :appl:

1631210637435.png

They also have these available right now, and possibly other pieces!! I asked only about clasps...

1631210676403.png

1631210683437.png

These are two photos of the same clasp -
1631210692514.png 1631210732408.png


@Cerulean @lovedogs @Sprinkles&Stones Still worth reaching out if anything on the site catches your fancy!!!!
Click to expand...

thank you! I emailed him--we will see!
 
Cerulean said:
Here is a little eye candy from *one of the designers I am eyeing...

1629510558129.png

1629510573554.png
Click to expand...

Cerulean, would you mind sharing the vendor of these pieces? They're gorgeous!
 
Nobody can answer what will happen with your transaction.
If someone says their international purchase was good or bad, it doesn't mean yours will also be.

If it turns out well then it was worth the risk.
If not, it wasn't.

That's why it's called risk.

Sorry.
Just the facts, Ma'am. ;))
 
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