sending stones?

[Kitten35]

I am considering a lotus ring by Sally; but I am nervous about sending my gem. I know that many do it and that she has not lost a package but I am still nervous about doing it. My question is, have any of you who have only had the open settings made from her had any problems having had it set by a local jeweler, and do the stones seem to fit well in the settings if she only makes the setting for you without the actual stone? I have seen how "tight" these settings are if you send the stone and the settings fit the stone like a glove, but I am leaning towards having it set here and just having her make the open setting to the dimensions of the stone...but I also want it to be a really good fit. Can anyone share experiences? I am not sure if my jewelery is covered while in transit. I know it is not covered for damage during setting, as a jeweler damaged some of my jewelry last year during resizing and I was unable to make a claim (the jeweler actually just replaced the whole ring, using his own insurance I assume). I believe it may be only for loss or stealing in your own house.

Which brings me to another question. I have valuable personal property insurance, as a rider on our renters. It covers much more than the general renters specifically for items like jewelery. Does anyone know if I can get a more specific policy just for jewelery with coverage, say, in transit or when at a jeweler having something set? Does this exist or not? Mine covers up to $2500 a piece of jewelery. I feel a little silly asking this, but I really am not sure if what I have is good or not.

 

[0-0-0]

Jewelers Mutual is the only company I know of that offers gemstone insurance during the setting process.

 

[rengb6]

I believe Sally allows you to buy just the setting from her that way you don't have to ship her your stone. You can then take your stone and the setting she made and have the stone set by a jeweler you know.

 

[Kitten35]

I believe Sally allows you to buy just the setting from her that way you don't have to ship her your stone. You can then take your stone and the setting she made and have the stone set by a jeweler you know.

She does; I was just curious if the stones fit as well as they do when she actually has the stone with her for setting. I'd rather do this, because I don't want to send it, but I really want it to be a good fit, too and was curious if anyone had any experinece doing it this way--having just the setting made--and having the gem set later, if it is as good of a fit as when she crafts them together.

 

[rengb6]

I'm not a jeweler but I have talked to a few jewelers and they say as long as it isn't a bezel then it doesn't have to be exact! I would give it a go and if it doesn't fit properly maybe have a local jeweler re size the setting? Its a hassle I know.

 

[Kitten35]

I'm not worried about the ring fitting; I 'm worried about the setting fitting the stone. I don't think it can be re-made if it doesn't fit properly without ordering a whole new ring.

 

[enbcfsobe]

de-lurking to say that I wouldn't bother sending the stone if it is a symmetrical round or square for which you have accurate measurements, such as from the cutter. i did it and the ring still came back with the stone rattling about - it either wasn't set properly or got knocked loose in transit. i wish i'd saved myself the time and hassle by just ordering the setting and having my stone set locally since i had to get it fixed locally anyway. sally was very nice and apologetic about it, and offered to comp me for the reset cost, but if i ordered again i wouldn't risk losing the stone or wait the extra time for transit. if you don't have a jeweler locally who you trust to set it, or if it is an unusual shape or you don't have accurate measurements (at least one decimal point I would think) that's another story.

 

[LD]

I sent a rather large parcel of diamonds (including a pink FCD) to Sally. Although I held my breath until the package got to her safely, if you follow her instructions and do exactly as she tells you, it should be fine.