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Melee replacement cost?

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Gypsy

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
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If you have had to pay to have a broken or lost melee replaced in your setting, what did it cost you for one melee?
 
It really would depend on the size of the melee; melee runs anywhere up to .25.

If a piece isn''t under warranty at the time of loss, one might also incur labor charges to set the new melee.
 
Did you lose a stone, Gypsy? I know local jewelers often replace them free if you buy the setting from them. But in the case of a long distance purchase, it is not expensive to have one replaced. I think my SIl paid about $100 to replace a fairly decent size one (including labor), maybe 5-10 points. Tiny ones shouldn''t cost much at all.
 
Date: 4/10/2008 6:05:09 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Did you lose a stone, Gypsy? I know local jewelers often replace them free if you buy the setting from them. But in the case of a long distance purchase, it is not expensive to have one replaced. I think my SIl paid about $100 to replace a fairly decent size one (including labor), maybe 5-10 points. Tiny ones shouldn't cost much at all.
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I broke one-- busted it in half-- have NO idea how. I'm about to pay $250 including shipping and labor to replace my one busted single cut (1.3 mm-- not a large one). I got it priced locally much lower, but wanted it replaced by Ocean. Just took me by surprise. I mean, it IS a single cut stone. But still, G/H eyeclean SI was what she used for the stones originally (although Neil appraised them as F VS when set). And I asked her to polish it up for me, so maybe there was a charge for that too. Don't know. Will ask, I guess.
 
I think that is an outrageous price, Gypsy! Your melee are TINY!
 
Date: 4/10/2008 6:14:22 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I think that is an outrageous price, Gypsy! Your melee are TINY!
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I was rather surprised. Which is why I decided to post to see what others have paid. To see if my surprise was warranted, or if I was just out of touch. It on it's way back to me already, and I just got the bill today too (no estimate before work started, my fault, I should have asked for one).

So it's too late. But I'm thinking I need to find an alternative for repairs. Glad I'm thinking of going with a designer wedding band instead of custom. All those melee in an eternity band *shudder*.
 
Well, I can''t see that it would take 3 or 4 hours to replace one tiny stone, but I certainly know nothing about jewelry repair. I am sure the stone itself would cost very very little.
 
I just had one replaced today...it cost $25 (including labor). Good luck!
 
If it helps, I think single cut stones of that size are running about $1200/ct. I''m really really really bad at math, but I think that means even your 1.3mm stone should be about $12-15???
 
Date: 4/10/2008 6:22:09 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Well, I can''t see that it would take 3 or 4 hours to replace one tiny stone, but I certainly know nothing about jewelry repair. I am sure the stone itself would cost very very little.
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Yeah. That''s kinda where I''m coming from.

Lesson learned I suppose. Wonder where I should start taking/sending my ring though. Really not very happy. I can''t afford that much each time. Really just can''t. I''m afraid to wear the thing now, frankly. ANd I don''t want to lose my insurance for such a small claim.
 
Date: 4/10/2008 6:22:19 PM
Author: scarlet16
If it helps, I think single cut stones of that size are running about $1200/ct. I''m really really really bad at math, but I think that means even your 1.3mm stone should be about $12-15???
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Yeah. Then there''s that.

I''m getting a little more confused and well, upset.
 
Gypsy, I would find the very best custom jeweler in your area. Someone who has great bench people that do a lot of custom. I think establishing a relationship with someone nearby to maintain your ring is important. Besides that $250, you have the inconvenience and expense of paying to insure the ring to send it, etc. I would think there would be some excellent jewelers nearby considering where you live.
 
Date: 4/10/2008 6:33:41 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Gypsy, I would find the very best custom jeweler in your area. Someone who has great bench people that do a lot of custom. I think establishing a relationship with someone nearby to maintain your ring is important. Besides that $250, you have the inconvenience and expense of paying to insure the ring to send it, etc. I would think there would be some excellent jewelers nearby considering where you live.
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Yeah. I think I agree. I''ll start with Joe Escrobar and Langs.
 
Excellent!
 
Date: 4/10/2008 7:03:28 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 4/10/2008 6:33:41 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Gypsy, I would find the very best custom jeweler in your area. Someone who has great bench people that do a lot of custom. I think establishing a relationship with someone nearby to maintain your ring is important. Besides that $250, you have the inconvenience and expense of paying to insure the ring to send it, etc. I would think there would be some excellent jewelers nearby considering where you live.
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Yeah. I think I agree. I''ll start with Joe Escrobar and Langs.
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Good idea, that $250 sounds way high.
 
Okay. Well I sent Wink and Ocean a note asking them to explain the price of the repair. It's hard, because in a lot of ways our PS vendors are our friends... but, I feel I need an explanation.
 
Date: 4/10/2008 7:21:14 PM
Author: Gypsy
Okay. Well I sent Wink and Ocean a note asking them to explain the price of the repair. It''s hard, because in a lot of ways our PS vendors are our friends... but, I feel I need an explanation.
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I understand its tough some times, I would have asked for an explanation too and you likely put it in much nicer terms than I would so don''t feel bad!
 
Date: 4/10/2008 7:33:01 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 4/10/2008 7:21:14 PM
Author: Gypsy
Okay. Well I sent Wink and Ocean a note asking them to explain the price of the repair. It''s hard, because in a lot of ways our PS vendors are our friends... but, I feel I need an explanation.
Click to expand...
I understand its tough some times, I would have asked for an explanation too and you likely put it in much nicer terms than I would so don''t feel bad!
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LOL. And how would you have put it storm (or do I *want* to know)?
 
Date: 4/10/2008 7:35:00 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 4/10/2008 7:33:01 PM
Author: strmrdr


Date: 4/10/2008 7:21:14 PM
Author: Gypsy
Okay. Well I sent Wink and Ocean a note asking them to explain the price of the repair. It''s hard, because in a lot of ways our PS vendors are our friends... but, I feel I need an explanation.
Click to expand...
I understand its tough some times, I would have asked for an explanation too and you likely put it in much nicer terms than I would so don''t feel bad!
Click to expand...
LOL. And how would you have put it storm (or do I *want* to know)?
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The word smoking would be in there along with the word dope.
 
Date: 4/10/2008 7:39:10 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 4/10/2008 7:35:00 PM
Author: Gypsy


Date: 4/10/2008 7:33:01 PM
Author: strmrdr



Date: 4/10/2008 7:21:14 PM
Author: Gypsy
Okay. Well I sent Wink and Ocean a note asking them to explain the price of the repair. It''s hard, because in a lot of ways our PS vendors are our friends... but, I feel I need an explanation.
Click to expand...
I understand its tough some times, I would have asked for an explanation too and you likely put it in much nicer terms than I would so don''t feel bad!
Click to expand...
LOL. And how would you have put it storm (or do I *want* to know)?
Click to expand...
The word smoking would be in there along with the word dope.
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ROFLMAO. Thank you for the laugh.
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Like I said, it''s hard. A) I like both Ocean and Wink personally B) I don''t think either of them would rip me off C) I''m geniunely bewildered by the price of the repair and looking for an explanation. Plus I would like to continue doing business with them. Not for my wedding bands, as I''ve pretty much decided Scott Kay bands are the way I''m going to go, or, if I can afford them, MAYBE memorie. If not for any other reason than ease of repair and piece of mind.
 
I will tell you, Gypsy, that the salesgirl at the Scott Kay jeweler near me had a very thin SK pave band for her wedding band (under 2mm) and it was missing a stone and she hadn''t been married long. Not that that means anything, but it sort of impressed me that you pay a LOT for those rings and I didn''t like seeing a missing stone. I am sure it could happen with Memoire as well, but they do seem to be really well made.
 
Date: 4/10/2008 7:55:30 PM
Author: strmrdr
I like the way memoire makes their bands.

http://www.memoire.com/html/popup/meetmemoire.html

It makes a real difference.
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Yeah. I do too. That's why I'm seriously considering one of their bands. I'm not crazy about the look of them from the side, but they are really lovely otherwise.

DS-- The Scott Kay had a missing diamond. *Sigh* Okay. Will look into memoire some more. Anyone know what their SMALLEST THINNEST band is? I should probably just call and ask.
 
Pearlman''s sells the Memoire line. Id'' call and ask. I sold that line ages ago, never had a problem.
 
Good lord, Gypsy! I hope you get an explanation for the price soon...I''m certainly no expert, but that seems extremely high. Ouch.
 
They have a full eternity at .5 ct., so it has got to be pretty little!!! They are pricey, though. Do price shop.

http://www.memoire.com/catalog/collections.aspx?collection=152

One more thing. They are set very low so you are not seeing much of a side view like you do with many of the other shared prong rings.
 
So sorry, Gypsy
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. The $250. seems excessive to me as well for one melee stone. If they can justify the cost, you might want to consider it, but Joe Escobar is fairly close to you. I''d check them out.
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WOW. That is pricey. I paid $20 to have one replaced in my Ritani awhile back.
 
I lost an itsy bitsy melee stone in an eternity band once and it cost $25 including labor to replace. That being said I can just imagine the $$$ it's going to cost me when the melee start falling out of this Jack Kelge I've got because no one in all of Chicago is willing to touch the thing...
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Good luck Gypsy; hopefully you will find a reasonable local person you can work with.

ETA: Now that I think about it, I lost a 35 point stone (yes, 1/3 of a ct, but G VS2) out of my big eternity band one time and it was less than 300 including labor to fix.
 
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