Price of accent diamonds 2.5-3ct EF VS-VVS don''t match

[pishi76]

I have been getting so many different prices with so much of a variance in between them for my ering that I don''t know who to trust and believe anymore.

so anyone, what should I expect to pay for a tacori style ring or leon mege ring done obviously custom by a local jeweler ( will take recommendations of local jewelers in toronto by the way) the specs are as follows:

The ring has a total ctw of 2.5-3ct loose stones could be 1-5 pointers EF VS-VVS clarity done in either 14k rhodium plated white gold or platinum.

I would think that the price of diamonds and gold or platinum is the same no matter what as the ring will have the same weight in both gold and diamonds with the same specifications(color, clarity, gold/platinum weight).

so how come the price quotes I am getting are ridiculously different from one another. I have gotten over 8-10 quotes from different jewelers and I don''t know which one to trust or believe any more so please any help at all would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[decodelighted]

how come the price quotes I am getting are ridiculously different from one another. I have gotten over 8-10 quotes from different jewelers and I don't know which one to trust or believe any more so please any help at all would be appreciated.

Prices vary, quotes vary on almost ANY type of craftsmanship -- if you were trying to get an oak cabinet built, with the same # of drawer pulls & hinges etc ... craftsman's quotes would probably vary just as much. It's not really IMO a question of "who to believe" ... but who you get the best vibe from & who has done work you've seen & know is to the level of quality you desire. Also -- craftsmen get their materials from different sources. Some have negotiated better deals than others ... some do larger quantities of biz with vendors & have more negotiating power.

I'm sorry I don't know a reasonable price range for the ring you're describing.

 

[allycat0303]

Well maybe you can post a picture of the setting and we could help you...it also depends on the setting style as well as the carat of diamonds. I got a $2000 difference in price quotes for my setting, but it depends on the craftmanship you are looking for.

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 6/19/2006 3:09:54 AM
Author:pishi76

I have been getting so many different prices with so much of a variance in between them for my ering that I don''t know who to trust and believe anymore.

so anyone, what should I expect to pay for a tacori style ring or leon mege ring done obviously custom by a local jeweler ( will take recommendations of local jewelers in toronto by the way) the specs are as follows:

The ring has a total ctw of 2.5-3ct loose stones could be 1-5 pointers EF VS-VVS clarity done in either 14k rhodium plated white gold or platinum.

I would think that the price of diamonds and gold or platinum is the same no matter what as the ring will have the same weight in both gold and diamonds with the same specifications(color, clarity, gold/platinum weight).

so how come the price quotes I am getting are ridiculously different from one another. I have gotten over 8-10 quotes from different jewelers and I don''t know which one to trust or believe any more so please any help at all would be appreciated.

Thanks

For one thing, most local custom jewelers can NOT DO a Leon Mege type ring. Leon, Mark Morrell, and a few others that I can think of are in a class all of their own. They are VERY expensive, and actually provide a better value for your money than a cheaper imitation of lesser quality workmanship.

Chances are good that if you are getting quotes all over the board it is because you are talking with people of varying abilities and often the cheapest bids will be the ones least qualified to do the work that you want done.

Here is a picture that I took of a ring that was sent to me to be salvaged after having been received from a local custom jeweler, you be the judge, should this be valued just as highly as a Leon Mege, after all, the platinum and the diamonds are the same...

Wink

 

[WinkHPD]

Here is another example of "stuff" that goes bad.

When you are getting quotes, ask to see samples of the work that they have done and ask to look at it through a loupe.

Wink

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The process of getting a custom ring done would be to first identify the setting I want, then look at the rings made by the best custom jewelers I know (and that would only involve three or four quotes), see which one has made similar rings that are beautifully made, and get the quotes from those. A quote from a jeweler whose custom work I had not seen many examples of would be worthless, to me. There are many examples of excellent custom work posted on PS, and I would probably go with one of those vendors, although I do know of one jeweler in my area who could also give me a quote.

 

[pishi76]

Thank you I appreciate all of your opinions and advice. Please note that I realize and appreciate the difference in between the different quality of craftsmanship and those who are so talented and in a class of their own. However, the jewelers I got a quote from and have seen their work are all the same caliber and quality to my untrained eyes and they are all the same as far as how long they have been in business and their locations etc, and that is why I don''t understand why those who gave me a break down of price are giving me such different range. So I think that someone is trying to rip me off or lying to me so I am having trouble trusting them.

Also, I want to know how I can protect myelf about the appraisal it is not GIA or gemscan here in canada. So if I am getting an independant appraisal and then I take my ring and get it independantly appraised again to make sure, should they both be the same? There should be no range or is there an acceptable one? As I am paying for 2.5-3cts(once the ring is made I will know exactly how much diamonds were used 2.5 0r 3 and I am paying for VVS E-F color or maybe even VS E-F color as I was told there isn''t a difference to the naked eye and therefore no point paying more. Regardless I want to make sure how to ensure I am getting what I am paying for, can it be done in writing? As I don''t want to pay for VS stones and get SI or pay for EF and get GH?

Anyone any advice? just making sure and please keep in mind this is about the small semi-mount stones not the center stone, thanks.