Ridiculous setting quote (or not?)

[Jereni]

So I went to a jeweler the other week, looking at setting ideas for some colored stones I have. I went in to look at a Sholdt ring, pictured below, but ended up liking another, very similar setting better.



At any rate, they got back to me with the quote today, and they quoted me $5550!!!! For an 18kt white gold ring, with channel set diamonds only halfway down the shank, and a half bezel head.

Am I a crazy person? I see 18kt white gold rings all over the place for less than 1K. I know the price of gold has come up, but...really?

 

[JaneSmith]

Not an expert, but that seems a bit steep. Maybe if it came with a centre diamond, but just the setting? Nope.

 

[chrono]

Just a steeper markup. Perhaps their overhead costs are higher (better paid sales staff, higher rental and utilities, marketing, etc.) Was it a different designer ring?

 

[Jereni]

Just a steeper markup. Perhaps their overhead costs are higher (better paid sales staff, higher rental and utilities, marketing, etc.) Was it a different designer ring?

Probably right about the markup. This was a fancy high-end store that had mostly designer rings, so I probably should have expected this. I guess I was spoiled by the more reasonable prices at other two jewelers I've used.

I looked into it more, and it looks like the designer is Gebrueder Schaffrath. I'd never heard of them before, but maybe the price is in line with most of their stuff. But if so, I certainly won't ever be buying from them