Reset - David Klass/other or Australian recommendations?

[Shellcm]

I am looking to reset my BGD MRB in a three stone style with tapered baguette sides. I am in Australia so shipping my ring off overseas is a nightmare with customs - been through it once when I upgraded. I'd rather get a setting only and get it set locally, or get it done locally in its entirety. Are there any good Australian benches? Can anyone suggest a good way to do this?

 

[Shellcm]

Update - I rang Holloway diamond's across the country and they advised I'd be looking at 2.5k for the new setting and 2k for .15tcw in tapered baguettes. The setting price is reasonable. The price for the side stones is excessive. I don't think I'll be going through with that option.

 

[Bron357]

Where are you located? I’m in Sydney and my jeweller has done lots of projects for me. this is my engagement ring remake. His bench is very good.
He sourced the melee in the halo and the two trap sides.

 

[maryjane04]

I'm currently in the process of doing something similar. I provided all the side stones and sent it to the US to make a setting. I'm sure DK could make your setting if he had the measurements of your centre stone/GIA cert etc and he could definitely source your side stones for cheaper than quoted.

Then when I receive the setting I'll take it to my local jeweller to set and do the valuation at the same time.

The other option is buying the side baguettes from the US and getting Holloway to make the setting for you.

 

[Rfisher]

Update - I rang Holloway diamond's across the country and they advised I'd be looking at 2.5k for the new setting and 2k for .15tcw in tapered baguettes. The setting price is reasonable. The price for the side stones is excessive. I don't think I'll be going through with that option.

Just curious
Did they specifically say that dollar amount was for .15tcw period?
Or was it maybe a ballpark generic stock verbal quote they’ve heavily padded, depending on what carat weight they chose from their stock to have pleasing proportions to your stones/rest of the ring? They might feel they need to custom trim some baguettes for some reason?

It’d be lovely to see some threads on that company’s projects/their workmanship here.

 

[distracts]

Some PS Australians have worked with Alistair Kelsey in NSW but I think he does hand forged and is on the higher end side of things.

 

[Slickk]

Update - I rang Holloway diamond's across the country and they advised I'd be looking at 2.5k for the new setting and 2k for .15tcw in tapered baguettes. The setting price is reasonable. The price for the side stones is excessive. I don't think I'll be going through with that option.

So $4.5k total? That sounds very high to me. I just had DbL (Diamonds by Lauren) make this setting for me for much less than that with .40tcw lab baguettes. You can check my post history for pictures. I’d send it to Klass personally. Ask him for the shipping label perhaps.

 

[distracts]

Keep in mind $4500 AUD is like $2900 USD - while I do think in the US a setting could be made for cheaper than that, I'm unsure if it would come out cheaper once you factor in international shipping and possibly having to pay customs fees upon its return to Australia (unsure what the situation is with that).

 

[Shellcm]

Where are you located? I’m in Sydney and my jeweller has done lots of projects for me. this is my engagement ring remake. His bench is very good.
He sourced the melee in the halo and the two trap sides.

I'm in Perth but am sure I will need to post...somewhere! Who is your jewellery?

 

[Shellcm]

Keep in mind $4500 AUD is like $2900 USD - while I do think in the US a setting could be made for cheaper than that, I'm unsure if it would come out cheaper once you factor in international shipping and possibly having to pay customs fees upon its return to Australia (unsure what the situation is with that).

Noted. I have gone through it once. You are only to pay fees on the improved value but the logistics of that was a real pain.

 

[Shellcm]

So $4.5k total? That sounds very high to me. I just had DbL (Diamonds by Lauren) make this setting for me for much less than that with .40tcw lab baguettes. You can check my post history for pictures. I’d send it to Klass personally. Ask him for the shipping label perhaps.

4.5 k total - yes. Your ring is beautiful!!

 

[Shellcm]

Just curious
Did they specifically say that dollar amount was for .15tcw period?
Or was it maybe a ballpark generic stock verbal quote they’ve heavily padded, depending on what carat weight they chose from their stock to have pleasing proportions to your stones/rest of the ring? They might feel they need to custom trim some baguettes for some reason?

It’d be lovely to see some threads on that company’s projects/their workmanship here.

The quote was 1k for each of the tapered baguettes and the proportion they advised was .15 tcw. They said they'd choose some pairs and have me choose which ones. Total cost 4.5k.

 

[Shellcm]

I'm currently in the process of doing something similar. I provided all the side stones and sent it to the US to make a setting. I'm sure DK could make your setting if he had the measurements of your centre stone/GIA cert etc and he could definitely source your side stones for cheaper than quoted.

Then when I receive the setting I'll take it to my local jeweller to set and do the valuation at the same time.

The other option is buying the side baguettes from the US and getting Holloway to make the setting for you.

Have you found a local jeweller willing to do this? Will they be insuring the stone in the process? I did consider buying the baguettes myself. I would probably need pricescope help to do so as I have no idea where to begin.

 

[maryjane04]

Have you found a local jeweller willing to do this? Will they be insuring the stone in the process? I did consider buying the baguettes myself. I would probably need pricescope help to do so as I have no idea where to begin.

I usually use a jeweller in Port Fairy, Leskes for design and setting of my smaller stones not my bigger one. They are really good at consults via instagram/Facebook. They will do cads and you can send your stone over.

This time around the labour was much cheaper using a US jeweller so I went that route. Then I've got contacts for a few jewellers in Melbourne who can set the stone but haven't approached them yet.

 

[gregchang35]

Hi Shellcm,

In Perth, i know of a couple of benches that i could recommend.
1) Diamond club in joondalup. does good solid work. I have worked with Pierre for small projects.
2) Nordhoff in Highgate- high end. but it is stunning work. Not sure if they set outside stones. I enquired about some argyles before and i have seen their work.. its stunning.
3) Matusik- mount lawley. Good solid work- got some quotes but 1) came in better.

 

[Bron357]

Jarret Jewellery Town Hall Arcade, Sydney.
The pricing of $1,000 for a .15 carat diamond is totally ridiculous. I would have thought around $400 each max.
And $2,500 for making a 3 stone setting - pass.
James Allen has a setting with two tapered baguettes for $2,200 AUD. Of course shipping and customs (say another $300) will be extra and to set a diamond say another $100. So that’s $2,600 vs $4,500.
My setting make was around $4,000 but I had a 4 carat EC fully bezel set, two side EC rim set, 14 melee prong set and two tapered baguettes chanel set aka a lot of time consuming and fiddly work. And it’s 12 grams of 18 carat white gold.

 

[mrs-b]

I know DKJ will make a ring for you and ship it for setting. They'd include the baguettes in the setting, so it would just be the center stone you'd need to set - and that's an easy proposition.

 

[PhilosopherStone]

Hi @Shellcm ,

How did everything go?