Stuggling with how I should set my sapphire....

[cushioncutnut]

I thought for sure I would get my sapphire set by Leon, but the few times that I have talked to him, I got the feeling that my budget was not going to be enough...??? That said, I thought I had a pretty nice sized budget..... but here is where I am struggling. I can''t justify setting a colored gemstone into a setting that costs 2x''s as much as the stone. I would rather spend that money on resetting my ering since I wear that every day.


This is the setting I am considering for my sapphire from Knox Jewelers. The price is right and they can make double claw prongs for an additional fee.

 

[cushioncutnut]

A friend of mine did a photoshop of my stone in the setting with double claws.

 

[cushioncutnut]

This is why I struggle.... I see these photoshoppes of my sapphire in a Leon setting............. What should I do??????????

 

[cushioncutnut]

 

[beaujolais]

I ADORE that Knox setting. I have a Knox setting (plain solitaire) that I love. And you have an awesome stone, too.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

I don''t know why, but for you stone, I like the knox setting better. The porportions seems to fit. But you have to decide what you like. Can''t wait to see the finished product!

 

[LostSapphire]

Date: 9/12/2008 6:02:57 PM
Author: cushioncutnut
A friend of mine did a photoshop of my stone in the setting with double claws.

Your stone looks lovely in this setting. It looks beautiful in the Leon too....

Maybe figure out what your top budget # for the setting would be. Then contact Leon again with photos, and ask him if you could do what you want within that budget #.

He can''t usually give a solid quote without having the stone in hand, but I think if you provided him with fairly detailed info, he could tell you if your budget was within striking distance of his cost.

Then, you can either rethink your budget, OR, go for the best possible setting based on a reasonable setting cost.

There will always be something bigger, blingier, fancier, higher-end than whatever you pick. So you have to kind of get a number in your head (for me, I had a number with wiggle room on either side). And then anything over that, you know is not going to work.

Hope this helps.

LS

 

[oobiecoo]

I think the knox ring is very pretty! However, if you really like the look of the leon then maybe you could find a setting similar to it but without the price tag.

 

[LostieLovesBling]

Date: 9/12/2008 6:02:57 PM
Author: cushioncutnut
A friend of mine did a photoshop of my stone in the setting with double claws.

I really like the look of your stone in the Knox with double prongs.

 

[icekid]

I think these are all great options! I truly love them all... however, I am with you on the hesitation for setting a stone into a setting that costs so much more than the rock. Definitely a ring is the "whole package" but 2x for stone cost for the setting seems a bit much. That said, I *love* Leon''s work and wouldn''t fault you for doing it! Still, as you said, you could always reset your engagement ring into a fabulous LM setting. I think that is what I would do.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

They are all quite pretty, but I prefer your stone in the Knox setting. It just seems to "fit" better.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

I prefer the Knox setting as well.

I have my wihte sapphire in a Knox setting, and the quality of the setting is just lovely!

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 9/12/2008 6:32:48 PM
Author: LtlFirecracker
I don''t know why, but for you stone, I like the knox setting better. The porportions seems to fit. But you have to decide what you like. Can''t wait to see the finished product!

Me, too. If you really want something like the Leon, why not ask Knox if they can do something similar within your budget?

 

[cushioncutnut]

I am quite boiled over with everyone''s responses.
LS... I contacted Leon twice and I got the impression that he was just so darned busy that I need to come back when I have more money~ not that I am meaning to sound negative, but I thought I had a nice budget set, and well beyond my means

...........that I can''t imagine spending more than that for something that others may be able to do at almost half the price.

After seeing your gorgeous sapphire ring that WF almost duplicated from LM.......I have to seriously take that into consideration. BTW, I know I have said it before.... but it is just GORGEOUS!!

I usually don''t post figures concerning price.... but this is more for an example of why I am strugging with this. My budget for a Leon setting was $3,500. In all fairness, it was for platinum. Just for the setting NOT including diamonds would be $2,500 for a 3 stone. The diamonds could quite possibly have to be custom cut depending on the setting I chose. The Knox setting including diamonds and double claws was approx. $2,150 give or take a few in 14k or possibly palladium.

Thanks so much everyone for your advice. I am so happy to see that almost everyone is on board with the Knox setting. Not sure when I will go forward with this, but I will definately keep you posted. I really appreciate everyone''s input!!

 

[Catmom]

I really like the split shank Knox setting. I like how it directs the eye up to your gorgeous stone.

 

[cushioncutnut]

Date: 9/12/2008 9:06:11 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier
I prefer the Knox setting as well.

I have my wihte sapphire in a Knox setting, and the quality of the setting is just lovely!

I can''t remember if I have seen this or not. I would love to see a picture of it. I sent my SIL to Brian at Knox for her 25 year Anniversary upgrade............and it turned out beautiful. Here is a picture...

 

[cushioncutnut]

front view:

 

[cushioncutnut]

Date: 9/12/2008 10:46:13 PM
Author: Catmom
I really like the split shank Knox setting. I like how it directs the eye up to your gorgeous stone.

Thanks Michelle! You know how much I love your sapphire ring!!!!

 

[LostSapphire]

Date: 9/12/2008 10:45:52 PM
Author: cushioncutnut
I am quite boiled over with everyone's responses.
LS... I contacted Leon twice and I got the impression that he was just so darned busy that I need to come back when I have more money~ not that I am meaning to sound negative, but I thought I had a nice budget set, and well beyond my means

...........that I can't imagine spending more than that for something that others may be able to do at almost half the price.

After seeing your gorgeous sapphire ring that WF almost duplicated from LM.......I have to seriously take that into consideration. BTW, I know I have said it before.... but it is just GORGEOUS!!

I usually don't post figures concerning price.... but this is more for an example of why I am strugging with this. My budget for a Leon setting was $3,500. In all fairness, it was for platinum. Just for the setting NOT including diamonds would be $2,500 for a 3 stone. The diamonds could quite possibly have to be custom cut depending on the setting I chose. The Knox setting including diamonds and double claws was approx. $2,150 give or take a few in 14k or possibly palladium.

Thanks so much everyone for your advice. I am so happy to see that almost everyone is on board with the Knox setting. Not sure when I will go forward with this, but I will definately keep you posted. I really appreciate everyone's input!!

Hmmmm.Maybe that is Leon's *way* of dealing with budgetary issues. When I was dealing with him I had great difficulty getting a firm 'budget' out of him. In spite of specifiying the mm dimensions of the melee and pears for him (I had already done the CADs myself and couldn't figure out why he had a reluctance to quote).

My personality being what it is, it was important to me to KNOW within about $500 what the setting was going to cost. I needed some sense of control over the process. From what I read of Leon, he seems to need more of a free hand than some of us are willing to give to him.

That being said, it would seem that Leon is not the guy for you. You do have other options, but first, I'd try and firm up the style of ring you want, based on your budget (which is absolutely fine by the way). Then, try and find one that is very close to what you want. I'd then ask WF to give you a quote as well. Then you'd have a "ready made" price to compare to a quote.

WF can be pretty much on the same pricing level as Leon or Maytal Hannah for all-custom work. The setting for my ring ran 1.5x the cost of the stone.

Another idea is to find a setting you like on a website that is kind of close to what you want, like WF or GOG... If they can use a stock setting and make minor changes to it, that will help with the budget.

Good luck finding THE ONE for your stone.

LS

 

[gailrmv]

just another vote for the knox setting - i actually prefer it to the 3 stone look and you would save money too. plus, i would not want to work with someone who made me feel bad about my budget. that is not necessary IMHO.

have you seen the whiteflash allegro in d? I was looking at it for my sapphire, and thought it was really pretty and similar to the knox. i think the price is around $1500 in wg...

 

[cushioncutnut]

Date: 9/12/2008 11:01:46 PM
Author: LostSapphire

Date: 9/12/2008 10:45:52 PM
Author: cushioncutnut
I am quite boiled over with everyone''s responses.
LS... I contacted Leon twice and I got the impression that he was just so darned busy that I need to come back when I have more money~ not that I am meaning to sound negative, but I thought I had a nice budget set, and well beyond my means

...........that I can''t imagine spending more than that for something that others may be able to do at almost half the price.

After seeing your gorgeous sapphire ring that WF almost duplicated from LM.......I have to seriously take that into consideration. BTW, I know I have said it before.... but it is just GORGEOUS!!

I usually don''t post figures concerning price.... but this is more for an example of why I am strugging with this. My budget for a Leon setting was $3,500. In all fairness, it was for platinum. Just for the setting NOT including diamonds would be $2,500 for a 3 stone. The diamonds could quite possibly have to be custom cut depending on the setting I chose. The Knox setting including diamonds and double claws was approx. $2,150 give or take a few in 14k or possibly palladium.

Thanks so much everyone for your advice. I am so happy to see that almost everyone is on board with the Knox setting. Not sure when I will go forward with this, but I will definately keep you posted. I really appreciate everyone''s input!!

Hmmmm.Maybe that is Leon''s *way* of dealing with budgetary issues. When I was dealing with him I had great difficulty getting a firm ''budget'' out of him. In spite of specifiying the mm dimensions of the melee and pears for him (I had already done the CADs myself and couldn''t figure out why he had a reluctance to quote).

My personality being what it is, it was important to me to KNOW within about $500 what the setting was going to cost. I needed some sense of control over the process. From what I read of Leon, he seems to need more of a free hand than some of us are willing to give to him.

That being said, it would seem that Leon is not the guy for you. You do have other options, but first, I''d try and firm up the style of ring you want, based on your budget (which is absolutely fine by the way). Then, try and find one that is very close to what you want. I''d then ask WF to give you a quote as well. Then you''d have a ''ready made'' price to compare to a quote.

WF can be pretty much on the same pricing level as Leon or Maytal Hannah for all-custom work. The setting for my ring ran 1.5x the cost of the stone.

Another idea is to find a setting you like on a website that is kind of close to what you want, like WF or GOG... If they can use a stock setting and make minor changes to it, that will help with the budget.

Good luck finding THE ONE for your stone.

LS

You hit the nail on the head. I am one that is willing to fluctuate my budget, but within reason. I don''t like any "surprises" in the end. It is better for the person to quote higher than lower. Like you said, Leon could not give me a firm quote. I know that he has to protect his own...... but again, I want to stick to a more realistice budget concerning this stone. I really do love
the Knox setting.

I will also explore my options with WF.
Make no mistake, I will leave no stone unturned (no pun intended)

. I use to sell jewelry years ago..................and I have a good sense about what a piece of jewelry cost based on the stone(s), the gold/metal content,cast or custom, etc........... and I am not one to "OVERPAY" when I can get the exact same thing for less.

I think if I won the lottery, I would still hold the same principal. Jewelry is not a need..it is a luxury and just like a fine wine, why spend a thousand dollars on a bottle when you can have a great tasting wine for $30 a bottle????????? Subjective? Yes, but I would rather give the money to charity..............

YOu all have been great in helping me to get a "clearer" vision of this. I really appreciate the input!!

 

[cushioncutnut]

Date: 9/12/2008 11:15:58 PM
Author: TanDogMom
just another vote for the knox setting - i actually prefer it to the 3 stone look and you would save money too. plus, i would not want to work with someone who made me feel bad about my budget. that is not necessary IMHO.

have you seen the whiteflash allegro in d? I was looking at it for my sapphire, and thought it was really pretty and similar to the knox. i think the price is around $1500 in wg...

We posted at the same time, but no, I have not seen that setting. Do you mind posting a picture???

 

[ma re]

Date: 9/12/2008 11:20:57 PM
Author: cushioncutnut
You hit the nail on the head. I am one that is willing to fluctuate my budget, but within reason. I don''t like any ''surprises'' in the end. It is better for the person to quote higher than lower. Like you said, Leon could not give me a firm quote. I know that he has to protect his own...... but again, I want to stick to a more realistice budget concerning this stone. I really do love
the Knox setting.

I will also explore my options with WF.
Make no mistake, I will leave no stone unturned (no pun intended)

. I use to sell jewelry years ago..................and I have a good sense about what a piece of jewelry cost based on the stone(s), the gold/metal content,cast or custom, etc........... and I am not one to ''OVERPAY'' when I can get the exact same thing for less.

I think if I won the lottery, I would still hold the same principal. Jewelry is not a need..it is a luxury and just like a fine wine, why spend a thousand dollars on a bottle when you can have a great tasting wine for $30 a bottle????????? Subjective? Yes, but I would rather give the money to charity..............

YOu all have been great in helping me to get a ''clearer'' vision of this. I really appreciate the input!!

Well said! Jewellery is a luxury and you have to be completely satisfied with the person making your piece - not just with quality of work, but with integrity and everything that comes with it. You have to be pampered, in a way

Jeweller should be able to give you a clear estimate of the final cost, and any one who wants to keep his/her customers will try to do so. If you''re not rich enough (so to speak) for someone, go make yourself someone else''s customer - you''ve got every right to do so.

 

[colormyworld]

I really like the east-west setting CCN.

 

[geckodani]

I have to put in another vote for the Knox - I honestly like the sapphire better in that setting than the Leon.

 

[cushioncutnut]

Date: 9/13/2008 4:14:58 AM
Author: colormyworld
I really like the east-west setting CCN.

YOur killing me CMW! Maybe I will see if WF can make that same exact setting with a few modifications. I have a $200 gift card from them for a few referrals I sent to them. So glad to help people spend thier money!!!

 

[cushioncutnut]

Date: 9/13/2008 11:20:15 AM
Author: geckodani
I have to put in another vote for the Knox - I honestly like the sapphire better in that setting than the Leon.

The Knox setting is a -custom in stock piece...which makes it less expensive. He will take from a pre made custom mold and change a few elements rather than starting from scratch.. if that makes sense.

 

[colormyworld]

Date: 9/13/2008 11:30:30 AM
Author: cushioncutnut

Date: 9/13/2008 4:14:58 AM
Author: colormyworld
I really like the east-west setting CCN.

YOur killing me CMW! Maybe I will see if WF can make that same exact setting with a few modifications. I have a $200 gift card from them for a few referrals I sent to them. So glad to help people spend thier money!!!

Hey just returning the favor. But seriously with the great color that sapphire shows in the picture I honestly think those big bullets would really showcase that stone.

 

[LostSapphire]

Date: 9/13/2008 11:30:30 AM
Author: cushioncutnut

Date: 9/13/2008 4:14:58 AM
Author: colormyworld
I really like the east-west setting CCN.

YOur killing me CMW! Maybe I will see if WF can make that same exact setting with a few modifications. I have a $200 gift card from them for a few referrals I sent to them. So glad to help people spend thier money!!!

What about the WF Allegro in D?
Similar to the Knox but you could use your $200 cert?
LS

 

[stepcutnut]

I love the Knox setting for your Sapphire, I would say that if you want a Leon, to have him reset your ER! I have found him somewhat challenging to work with as well-so have put a project on hold because of it!!! I figure why spend my $ with someone who doesn''t seem to appreciate it! He does beautiful work, but so do alot of other people, that would treat you well and do a great job on your piece I''m not saying I will never work with him, it would just be nice to be treated well doing it! Good Luck and can''t wait to see what you choose!