Semi Mount to fit Pear Cut - Please Help

[chrono]

Many jewellers will not accept such a job when it is a cast 3 stone type basket. It is also not as easy as it sounds. For a single stone basket, this is a simple job but not when 3 baskets are joined together in such a fashion (integrated) with diamond melees down the shank. The entire ring probably needs to be taken apart (open the shank) and there is a very high risk of loosening those melees and having them pop out. You can't even tighten them due to the way they are made either (cast in place). The cost will also end up very high should a jeweller agree to undertake this task.

 

[JewelryLover]

You need to be aware that many local jewellers won't touch cast jewellery settings. They may also have to take the whole ring apart to get the look you want AND it's going to be very difficult to achieve with almost starting again. I don't mean to be full of negativity but unfortunately this is the reality as I learned to my cost!

My concerns are the same as Chrono's. The measurements don't give the full picture. Also I doubt that Lanbo will be taking a cast from your stone (or build a head from your exact measurements) as that's way too expensive for them to do. What they will do is put a standard calibrated pear head onto the setting. This won't take account of depth etc and this is why I'm concerned that your idea of traps may end up not with a look you want. If you look at the head on the ring you've posted, it sits only a tiny bit higher (if not flush) with the traps. That's exactly what will happen when the pear head is put on.

I've had many of my settings customised by Lanbo (I like them very much) but there's a limit to what they produce. In fact, for some settings they can't customise and will tell you so. If you want an exact look and you know that an airline will bother you then you need to think about going the bespoke route (which unfortunately will be more expensive). You could be lucky and they may be able to do what you want - fingers crossed!

I will have to ask them if they can custom make the ring especially for my gemstone. If they cant, I will contact another Chinese jewelry store at ebay that make it all from the very bottom and wont charge more than $1500 incl. 950PT and side diamonds

If I choose to get the mounting produced in my country I will end up with paying maybe $6000-$8000. So I'd rather take the chance and then just either return it for a refund OR make my local jeweler just change the head.

 

[LD]

I've got something that illustrates for you a similar ring that I needed to make changes to!

I bought (from Ebay) a gorgeous 3 stone Asscher / Trap diamond ring. You can see from the first picture that there was a horrible gap between the traps and the central stone - which in real life bothered me no end. Now, you would think it would be easy for a benchman to simply pop out the central head, push the ring inwards and put the head back in? No! My benchman who is highly skilled had an enormous problem with this. He managed to do it BUT there's still an airline. I can wear the ring without it bothering me now but I know it's not perfect as I would want. This ring has all straight sides so you can imagine how much more problematic it would have been with a central pear.

 

[LD]

You need to be aware that many local jewellers won't touch cast jewellery settings. They may also have to take the whole ring apart to get the look you want AND it's going to be very difficult to achieve with almost starting again. I don't mean to be full of negativity but unfortunately this is the reality as I learned to my cost!

My concerns are the same as Chrono's. The measurements don't give the full picture. Also I doubt that Lanbo will be taking a cast from your stone (or build a head from your exact measurements) as that's way too expensive for them to do. What they will do is put a standard calibrated pear head onto the setting. This won't take account of depth etc and this is why I'm concerned that your idea of traps may end up not with a look you want. If you look at the head on the ring you've posted, it sits only a tiny bit higher (if not flush) with the traps. That's exactly what will happen when the pear head is put on.

I've had many of my settings customised by Lanbo (I like them very much) but there's a limit to what they produce. In fact, for some settings they can't customise and will tell you so. If you want an exact look and you know that an airline will bother you then you need to think about going the bespoke route (which unfortunately will be more expensive). You could be lucky and they may be able to do what you want - fingers crossed!

I will have to ask them if they can custom make the ring especially for my gemstone. If they cant, I will contact another Chinese jewelry store at ebay that make it all from the very bottom and wont charge more than $1500 incl. 950PT and side diamonds

Ok - but be warned they will all tell you it will be custom made for your stone. It will be, they will be fitting a pear head that fits your stone but it won't be guaranteed to match the shape of the pear and / or achieve the look you want.

Check that a local jeweller will touch if it doesn't match your expectations. I doubt they will as Chrono has said. The only reason my benchman touched it is because (a) I've known him for years (b) I took and understood the risk and (c) there were no melee.

 

[JewelryLover]

I've got something that illustrates for you a similar ring that I needed to make changes to!

I bought (from Ebay) a gorgeous 3 stone Asscher / Trap diamond ring. You can see from the first picture that there was a horrible gap between the traps and the central stone - which in real life bothered me no end. Now, you would think it would be easy for a benchman to simply pop out the central head, push the ring inwards and put the head back in? No! My benchman who is highly skilled had an enormous problem with this. He managed to do it BUT there's still an airline. I can wear the ring without it bothering me now but I know it's not perfect as I would want. This ring has all straight sides so you can imagine how much more problematic it would have been with a central pear.

It's beautiful!
On the picture "after" I think it look very amazing, from the picture to judge you're probably the only one that can tell that it isn't "perfect" because your the only one knowing it. But yes, I understand what you mean, when spending money on jewelry you always want that flawless look.

I'm not really sure because when they make the ring from bottom they do it from the bottom. For example if you take a picture from Google and want them to custom make it for you they will, they will also request the size of the diamond. But I do also know what you are meaning.

So then what to do? Going for another shape just to be sure it will be perfect? I know about another mount seller in the U.S, that's really cheap. They do use a computer to manage everything, so it's a machine that are producing their mounting like in jewelry stores, meaning they are not produced by hand.

 

[LD]

I've got something that illustrates for you a similar ring that I needed to make changes to!

I bought (from Ebay) a gorgeous 3 stone Asscher / Trap diamond ring. You can see from the first picture that there was a horrible gap between the traps and the central stone - which in real life bothered me no end. Now, you would think it would be easy for a benchman to simply pop out the central head, push the ring inwards and put the head back in? No! My benchman who is highly skilled had an enormous problem with this. He managed to do it BUT there's still an airline. I can wear the ring without it bothering me now but I know it's not perfect as I would want. This ring has all straight sides so you can imagine how much more problematic it would have been with a central pear.

It's beautiful!
On the picture "after" I think it look very amazing, from the picture to judge you're probably the only one that can tell that it isn't "perfect" because your the only one knowing it. But yes, I understand what you mean, when spending money on jewelry you always want that flawless look.

I'm not really sure because when they make the ring from bottom they do it from the bottom. For example if you take a picture from Google and want them to custom make it for you they will, they will also request the size of the diamond. But I do also know what you are meaning.

So then what to do? Going for another shape just to be sure it will be perfect? I know about another mount seller in the U.S, that's really cheap. They do use a computer to manage everything, so it's a machine that are producing their mounting like in jewelry stores, meaning they are not produced by hand.

No this isn't correct. If you are going the bespoke route then each item will be built specifically for your stones. However, with the Chinese sellers they have cast settings. This means that elements are made in a mold, diamonds are added and then it is fired (very basic whistle stop tour of the process). What that means is that the claws holding the melee are tiny and can't be moved easily because the diamonds are set in it during the building process not added in after like you would with a bespoke route. So, if you then have to adjust the setting to make it smaller or larger, the diamonds can be compromised because there is too little metal to hold them in. There are many other problems - not just with the melee. So when you think you're having a custom ring built by any Chinese seller - you're not. They will assemble various parts and put them together BUT they won't make them from scratch because they don't have the time to do it AND it won't be cost effective for them to do. Also, Chinese sellers sometimes won't accept back a custom made ring for a full refund and you will lose some of the money - this is pretty standard and is fair to the seller. You need to bear this in mind.

Oh and by the way - this doesn't just happen with pears. A Chinese seller made me a double halo ring for one of my Paraibas. I sent them exact measurements and when it arrived, my oval didn't fit it perfectly and in some places the oval hides the diamonds more than in others.

 

[chrono]

A true customization is when they build it around for your stone with it in their possession to make sure it fits well. LD explained very well the difference between what the Chinese sellers consider customize versus a truly made for your stone customized setting. Again, I'd like to stress that hardly any jewellers will touch a setting that has the melees cast in place because it isn't secure and cannot handle the stresses of such work.

 

[JewelryLover]

Okay .. then .. is it better to get it cusomized by another store that produce their semi mounts by machine? they just enter the digits into their machine and the ring get produced?

 

[chrono]

Do they have your stone in their possession for a proper fit or is it a mass produced setting? Both types are cast and done by machine.

 

[JewelryLover]

Do they have your stone in their possession for a proper fit or is it a mass produced setting? Both types are cast and done by machine.

I think you misunderstod this one .. it's mass produced in the form that it's possible for others to also order it. But they produce it after the measurements they get. Now, the problem regarding the pear head will still be there, something I didn't think about. So maybe it's best going with a trillion or baguette 3-stone mount without the melees (pave) then?

 

[chrono]

Then it is no different from the Chinese made settings. Your risk is lessened for a good fit with baguettes.

 

[JewelryLover]

Then it is no different from the Chinese made settings.

I know, I just stated that. But if I order one without melees it would be easier to adjust atleast.

 

[chrono]

Correct, if the jeweller is willing to touch a Chinese made setting.

 

[JewelryLover]

Correct, if the jeweller is willing to touch a Chinese made setting.

Platinum is platinum, gold is gold. They cant say they wont touch a piece of jewelry because it's made in for example Asia. That's called racism here and not being proffesional. Or if they cant manage that people are buying it from cheaper countries, then they should stop working in the industry, and I will just go to another jewelry store where they are proffesional. We got one of those jewelry stores in my city, but they are acting like that because they just cant stand the market competition. Anyone else here are extremely helpful and there are never any problems at all.

 

[LD]

JL - the point is that with Chinese settings jewellers may not touch them. I stated about that melee is only part of the problem.

When you're talking "machines" they all use machines. I think you're mistaking CADs for a machine. A CAD maps out your stone and then the ring is made direct from the CAD. This is expensive and bespoke - the Chinese Ebay sellers will not use this for your setting.

I'm afraid that you want a Rolls Royce but only want to pay for a Mini (don't we all)! The easiest option for you is to buy a setting for a pear with a head that is nearest to the measurements of your stone. Once you start messing around with replacing heads the problems begin.

 

[JewelryLover]

JL - the point is that with Chinese settings jewellers may not touch them. I stated about that melee is only part of the problem.

When you're talking "machines" they all use machines. I think you're mistaking CADs for a machine. A CAD maps out your stone and then the ring is made direct from the CAD. This is expensive and bespoke - the Chinese Ebay sellers will not use this for your setting.

I'm afraid that you want a Rolls Royce but only want to pay for a Mini (don't we all)! The easiest option for you is to buy a setting for a pear with a head that is nearest to the measurements of your stone. Once you start messing around with replacing heads the problems begin.

Hmm .. The mounting producer with the machine equipment are located in the United States of America. I've been speaking with them from time to time because they are the only one that dont sell hand-made mountings (that I know about).

 

[LD]

Correct, if the jeweller is willing to touch a Chinese made setting.

Platinum is platinum, gold is gold. They cant say they wont touch a piece of jewelry because it's made in for example Asia. That's called racism here and not being proffesional. Or if they cant manage that people are buying it from cheaper countries, then they should stop working in the industry, and I will just go to another jewelry store where they are proffesional.

OMG you are soooooooo wrong! You're treating the art of making settings like it's a recruitment exercise! The metal is just that, metal! The ART is putting a setting together. This takes time/tools and needs to be cost effective.

You pay for what you get. There are cheap versions and more expensive versions. This is NOT about racism! The Chinese make great settings at low cost AND they are very professional in what they do. Why would you expect them to make a Rolls Royce for you without charging Rolls Royce prices.

My last word on this is that you should phone a local jeweller and simply ask "will you change a head or make changes to a head of a Chinese cast setting that has melee diamonds" or even ask the question without adding the part about melee diamonds. If they say yes then go to them.

At the end of the day, we're trying to help you and have told you the pitfalls. It's now up to you. We can't make you believe us if you think this is about racism!

 

[JewelryLover]

Correct, if the jeweller is willing to touch a Chinese made setting.

Platinum is platinum, gold is gold. They cant say they wont touch a piece of jewelry because it's made in for example Asia. That's called racism here and not being proffesional. Or if they cant manage that people are buying it from cheaper countries, then they should stop working in the industry, and I will just go to another jewelry store where they are proffesional.

OMG you are soooooooo wrong! You're treating the art of making settings like it's a recruitment exercise! The metal is just that, metal! The ART is putting a setting together. This takes time/tools and needs to be cost effective.

You pay for what you get. There are cheap versions and more expensive versions. This is NOT about racism! The Chinese make great settings at low cost AND they are very professional in what they do. Why would you expect them to make a Rolls Royce for you without charging Rolls Royce prices.

My last word on this is that you should phone a local jeweller and simply ask "will you change a head or make changes to a head of a Chinese cast setting that has melee diamonds" or even ask the question without adding the part about melee diamonds. If they say yes then go to them.

At the end of the day, we're trying to help you and have told you the pitfalls. It's now up to you. We can't make you believe us if you think this is about racism!

Sorry.

 

[JewelryLover]

Correct, if the jeweller is willing to touch a Chinese made setting.

Platinum is platinum, gold is gold. They cant say they wont touch a piece of jewelry because it's made in for example Asia. That's called racism here and not being proffesional. Or if they cant manage that people are buying it from cheaper countries, then they should stop working in the industry, and I will just go to another jewelry store where they are proffesional.

OMG you are soooooooo wrong! You're treating the art of making settings like it's a recruitment exercise! The metal is just that, metal! The ART is putting a setting together. This takes time/tools and needs to be cost effective.

You pay for what you get. There are cheap versions and more expensive versions. This is NOT about racism! The Chinese make great settings at low cost AND they are very professional in what they do. Why would you expect them to make a Rolls Royce for you without charging Rolls Royce prices.

My last word on this is that you should phone a local jeweller and simply ask "will you change a head or make changes to a head of a Chinese cast setting that has melee diamonds" or even ask the question without adding the part about melee diamonds. If they say yes then go to them.

At the end of the day, we're trying to help you and have told you the pitfalls. It's now up to you. We can't make you believe us if you think this is about racism!

I will make a mold of the gemstone and send it to them, I think that would be much easier!

 

[JewelryLover]

24 hours left to I receive the Sapphire, jippey!

 

[JewelryLover]

My Sapphire has finally arrived, today! And what to say about it ...... I LOVE IT!

I dont know why I didn't post the Vendors video of it, I think I forgot it and just posted the pictures. What so ever, here's the video of the sapphire I got today, that will be mounted in the semi mount we've been talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsXMWExuUjg