Is this ring project a fair price?

[ttr1325]

Hello All. I am considering a custom ring project with these details and price.

Stone: Mahenge garnet cost $145
Weight: 1.07 cts
Clarity: VS
Dimensions: 6.48x 5.96x 3.89mm
Design: Hexangonal brilliant
Origin: Mahenge, Tanzania
Treatment: None

Setting...is rose gold.
Total price for stone, setting and labor $750. Is is fair or the average cost I can expect to pay for this custom order? is a steal? or is it completely outrageous in price? Is $500-$600 for this kind of setting reasonable? I understand there is labor costs and such, but what is reasonable to pay for labor?

Thank You for your feedback. Terry

 

[Burmesedaze]

Is the ring setting 14k or 18k? Any estimate of the weight of the gold?

 

[ttr1325]

Is the ring setting 14k or 18k? Any estimate of the weight of the gold?

I am not sure I will find out and report back.

 

[Rfisher]

My opinion formed from
Midwest USA independent bench jewelers and DKJ

CAD/cast - no melee
14k I'd expect 700-900
18k I'd expect 900-1200

Is your quote a steal? IMO depends on their customer service and finishing/casting skills.

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

Your stone color is so beautiful. Enjoy the ring.

Annette

 

[T L]

Fair price, especially since the stone is precision cut, and you have to factor in some money for that as well. Enjoy your ring.

 

[junebug17]

IMO it’s a very fair price - Please come back with pics of the finished ring!

 

[ttr1325]

Still waiting for additional breakdown of cost from the vendor before making a final decision to proceed.

I have never attempted a custom order buying stone and setting separately. I have always purchased a complete ring. Either I was willing to pay the price listed or not. I guess it is the same thing here....I either pay the listed price or not. For some reason I just felt urged to do more research than usual in this case.

But Thank You all that have responded.

 

[Rfisher]

Still waiting for additional breakdown of cost from the vendor before making a final decision to proceed.

I have never attempted a custom order buying stone and setting separately. I have always purchased a complete ring. Either I was willing to pay the price listed or not. I guess it is the same thing here....I either pay the listed price or not. For some reason I just felt urged to do more research than usual in this case.

But Thank You all that have responded.

Research is good!
If you do decide to proceed - feel free to post your inspiration pictures to compare with the cads. Quite a few members are skilled at reading CADs and might point out issues that you might want to work out before the casting is done.
Pretty stone and ring idea - and I too hope you come back and post the finished ring.

 

[Gemobsessed]

Still waiting for additional breakdown of cost from the vendor before making a final decision to proceed.

I have never attempted a custom order buying stone and setting separately. I have always purchased a complete ring. Either I was willing to pay the price listed or not. I guess it is the same thing here....I either pay the listed price or not. For some reason I just felt urged to do more research than usual in this case.

But Thank You all that have responded.

Hi! It’s very nice but honestly I’ve paid less for precision cut mehenges like this. The vendor you are looking at is good but bit overpriced in general. But if you love it, 50 bucks here and there don’t make a difference!

The ring is great and a good price too ! Would love to know who is the vendor if you can share.

 

[ttr1325]

OK, here is the breakdown of cost I received from the vendor.

@Burmesedaze, the quote is for 14K gold.

$145 for the stone
$15 for shipping
$360 in metal 14k Rose
$80 printing fee
$120 CAD design
$40 setting fee
$30 casting fee
Estimated weight in DWT is roughly 4 DWT
Total $750 - The quote is for 14k rose gold.
Total $975 - To do it in 18k rose gold.

 

[T L]

Since it's custom, you're paying for the design. you could probably find a premade semi mount for less, if you want to save $$. It is a round stone so, a premade semi mount is easy to find. That being said, I still think it's a fair price for a custom order.

 

[Burmesedaze]

OK, here is the breakdown of cost I received from the vendor.

@Burmesedaze, the quote is for 14K gold.

$145 for the stone
$15 for shipping
$360 in metal 14k Rose
$80 printing fee
$120 CAD design
$40 setting fee
$30 casting fee
Estimated weight in DWT is roughly 4 DWT
Total $750 - The quote is for 14k rose gold.
Total $975 - To do it in 18k rose gold.

I can see where there is some buffer built in but all in all it isn't unreasonable.

Did you specifically want this ring design? It's solid and I like it, just that I would probably pair it with a hardier and more valuable stone? Just my 2 cents.

A stock setting might be more economical to set it in, since you aren't using melee or other stones.

Whichever you choose, do enjoy the ring and wear it in good health

 

[ttr1325]

The design is what the vendor came up with after I sent him a half dozen photos of what I liked. Let me say that I do like the setting that he designed.

I could ask about a pre-made setting. and simply have him custom make the head to fit seeing as the stone is a precision cut octagon and not a true round shape.

For the jewelry makers out there is that something that would apply in this situation?

 

[T L]

You can easily buy a setting with a head that already fits. Unless the stone is extremely deep, or the crown is extremely high, rounds are some of the most standard cuts there are and there's a zillion different settings for them.

Based on your measurements above, a 6 mm round setting should work. Although it's an octagon, a round will work. Here's my octagon in a round setting. I even have a septagon in a round setting.

 

[ttr1325]

Thank You TL for the information and photo illustration. I will pose the question to the vendor.

 

[ttr1325]

Vendor indicates that going with a pre-made setting the cost is about the same as the cost for going custom.

Thanks Everyone for all the great feedback and information. Right now its decision time to pull the trigger or not.

 

[T L]

Vendor indicates that going with a pre-made setting the cost is about the same as the cost for going custom.

Thanks Everyone for all the great feedback and information. Right now its decision time to pull the trigger or not.

It really depends where you're getting the setting, but again, I don't thing the price your vendor quoted is outrageous. The nice thing about a custom setting is that you can tailor it to your exact specifications.

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

Seems fair if nothing goes wrong.

 

[hennielovesdiamonds]

$600 for an 18k setting would be fair enough I think, nice stone and color by the way

 

[Stone Hunter]

$600 for an 18k setting would be fair enough I think, nice stone and color by the way

This was $600 for a 14K setting in rose gold. The price of gold in Nov 2017 was about $1280 per oz.

I wonder what @ttr1325 decided to do?

 

[chatoyancy]

This was $600 for a 14K setting in rose gold. The price of gold in Nov 2017 was about $1280 per oz.

I wonder what @ttr1325 decided to do?

I thought the price for custom setting was fair, but for a stock 14k setting for a stone that size the price was high. I’d love to see the finished product too.