Vendor doesn’t know the alloy they use? Is this weird?

[Mjay]

I’m having a bit of an issue with a vendor in regards to a custom setting. This is a vendor that has created many gold pieces for me in the past. I’ve been very happy with their work and planned to use them again. This new piece is platinum. I reached out via email for a quote. They quoted me for the setting at a particular ring size (larger than mine). I replied stating that my size was 5.25 and asked what alloy they use. A different person responded to my email with a quote that was a few hundred more than the previous quote (I suspect they didn’t know I had already been quoted) and didn’t answer my question about the alloy. I replied asking the difference between the old quote they already gave me (the previous day) and this new higher quote. They responded that the new quote is for 950 platinum. I asked what kind of platinum the original quote was for and they responded platinum with other metals. Now we’ve been back and forth and they won’t give me a straight answer on either alloy. I had assumed probably 900IR cast in house and 950RU outsourced but they just won’t tell me. I asked for specifics on the alloys so I can understand the difference and they responded “Our platinum is iridium and ruthenium” and that they don’t know the alloy of the 950. I’m totally confused and frustrated. Does this seem as off to you guys as I’m perceiving it to be? Is there an alloy with iridium and ruthenium? I wanted to get started ASAP but now I feel like they aren’t being transparent and I don’t know why or perhaps I’m missing something.

 

[rockysalamander]

I consider it weird that they won't give you a straight answer about the alloy. I've always been told very clearly what alloy when asked. That said, could the weirdness be because they sent you two quotes a few hundred dollars apart and are trying to 'cover' the mistake? So, the weirdness is trying to cover over the money difference and not a real issue with the alloy -- which is probably the same alloy the whole time for both quotes.

Also, I'd note that platinum 900/100 iridium may be ok for casting, hopefully some of the pros can chime in, because I have less experience with this alloy. I'm more familiar with platinum 950/50 ruthenium for cast pieces. I know both platinum 950/50 cobalt or 950/50 ruthenium are sometimes used, but they need special extra effort to properly harden.

 

[Karl_K]

It sounds like they are just not up to speed on plat which is real common.
Many Jewelers do not know what specific alloy is being used, trusting their casting house to supply the appropriate alloy. The know its 950 or 900 and that's about it.
Common alloys are:
950/ru - great alloy but extreme caution is needed when casting so is usually cast by a large casting house.
950/ir - easy to work but soft for a ring. Is sometimes used in chains.
950/co While with the proper treatment can be hard it is often like butter. Stay away. It is cheaper than ir or ru.
900/ir - another great alloy but 90% plat vs 95%.

 

[Karl_K]

In case it was not clear, no I do not find it weird or unusual.
950co vs 950ru could make a few hundred bucks differene, make sure your getting ru and not co

 

[Mjay]

I consider it weird that they won't give you a straight answer about the alloy. I've always been told very clearly what alloy when asked. That said, could the weirdness be because they sent you two quotes a few hundred dollars apart and are trying to 'cover' the mistake? So, the weirdness is trying to cover over the money difference and not a real issue with the alloy -- which is probably the same alloy the whole time for both quotes.

Also, I'd note that platinum 900/100 iridium may be ok for casting, hopefully some of the pros can chime in, because I have less experience with this alloy. I'm more familiar with platinum 950/50 ruthenium for cast pieces. I know both platinum 950/50 cobalt or 950/50 ruthenium are sometimes used, but they need special extra effort to properly harden.

In case it was not clear, no I do not find it weird or unusual.
950co vs 950ru could make a few hundred bucks differene, make sure your getting ru and not co

Thank you!

 

[yssie]

You do not want 950/ir if you don’t like patina.

I don’t find it weird that they didn’t know offhand, but I would absolutely find it irritating that they apparently can’t be bothered to find out and give you a straightforward answer - it is, ultimately, a straightforward question.

 

[LilAlex]

Maybe they are just "covering" for the crossed quotes?

As long as they can quote the exact composition of any alloy they propose to use, that's fine. If they can/will not be specific on that, find a new jeweler, imo; these questions come up all the time.

 

[Mjay]

You do not want 950/ir if you don’t like patina.

I don’t find it weird that they didn’t know offhand, but I would absolutely find it irritating that they apparently can’t be bothered to find out and give you a straightforward answer - it is, ultimately, a straightforward question.

Thank you! I thought it was really odd that they didn’t know and didn’t offer to find out. Im hoping they will get back to me tomorrow with more information. I want to be clear on what I’m paying for with the higher quote vs the lower quote

 

[monipod]

I think it's important that they know 100%. It's super rare but some people are allergic to iridium and would prefer to have a different alloy.

 

[Mjay]

Thank you everyone. I honestly think they are just trying to cover for crossed quotes. I responded clearly that I would like to move forward with the original quote and want to know what alloy that quote was for. It’s been over 24 hours and I haven’t heard back. I’ve always had such great service from them but I’ve seen some negative reviews from other pricescopers stating they were ghosted. I hope everything works out and I receive a response. I also reached out to DK for a quote but haven’t heard back.