Where to have stones set?

[jmag999]

I have found several pairs of gemstones I would like to have turned into earings. Where are popular places that people go for this service? I have found plenty of sites that sell the stones, but have not come upon any sites that turn them into jewelry.

 

[innerkitten]

You could always have them set at your local jeweler. There are some popular etsy sellers that people here on PS use for various projects. There are also a list of vendors somewhere here on PS.
If your stones are calibrated sizes it will be easy to use stock settings.

 

[Edward Bristol]

Something I wrote last year may help:

Advice on taking gems to a local goldsmith.

This is a good way to combine the choices of the web with the touch and feel of a goldsmith's workbench, but it often ends in discord.

Some advice to avoid problems:

1. Margin: Let them live.
A goldsmith used to earn from his craft and he had a margin from selling stones and metals. Today, the margin is threatened. Gold prices are public knowledge and gems sell on Ebay. Setting somebody's gemstone is a completely different business than selling a finished product. A goldsmith who has not yet found a way around this problem will react negative to somebody walking in with his own stone. He needs to re-calculate his margin for a walk-in gemstone. Be prepared to pay more for such a job than you would on a ready-made piece from the same guy. Also, a local goldsmith will charge significantly more than a dot.com using a Chinese goldsmith factory. If you want the extra service you have to pay for it.

2. Guarantees: Cover the risk.
When a goldsmith sets his own gemstones he takes the risk and gets the profit. For a walk-in gemstone he is left with only the risk. Gems do sometimes break or suffer; stuff does go wrong. Any goldsmith working on somebody else's gem needs to be freed of liability for the gem. Especially if you want him to set an apatite or some other sensitive animal you can not expect any guarantees. Let's assume he does not destroy it on purpose, nor steals it; then the rest-risk is yours. Get a guarantee from your seller: If a gem breaks under normal working pressure it is the seller's responsibility. In any case you need to take the risk from the goldsmith.

3. Knowledge: Be kind.
Do not expect a local goldsmith to know everything about cc apatite or rutile pezzottaite. If you are reading here, you are likely to have as much knowledge of colored gemstones as the average goldsmith. Most goldsmiths work regular only with the big four, some topaz and maybe a cat's-eye. Be polite; help them along. You may print out some data on your stone, or simply let them research a small variety before you pester them about a setting.

As so often, it burns down to good old values:

Be generous, fair and kind.

 

[wordie89]

Ed, appreciate the different perspective; It's helpful to hear that. I just read a good Children book called wonder and part of the message was, be kinder than you have to be .
In response to OP I only have experience with ready made settings at local jewelers. If they are standard size most local jewelers can order stock settings from catalog. Not sure if you're looking for unique design.

 

[jstarfireb]

I take 3 approaches to setting stones:

If the stone is a non-calibrated size or otherwise begs for a custom setting, I'll send it to one of my favorite Etsy people. For modern/clean lines, I prefer Daniel M. For intricate, delicate designs, I prefer Heart of Water Jewels, although she's based in Thailand, and sending stones overseas makes me nervous. I've never had any problems, though. Both are priced competitively. For super-cheap simple bezels, typically in calibrated sizes, I use Kyle Anne Metals. I've also seen Janish Jewels highly recommended around here for clean bezels, though she hasn't set anything for me yet. (Google any of these names plus "etsy" to find their sites.)

For stones of calibrated sizes, I choose one of 2 approaches...
-I search ebay and classified sites for semi-mounts I think might work. Usually these are pre-owned pieces from this community or pre-fabricated settings from Chinese sellers (LOGR and the like). If I find one in my price range, I buy it and bring the stone and setting to a trusted local jeweler and pay $25ish for stone setting services. Daniel M will also do this for a similar price.
-If I don't see something I like on ebay, I go to the local jeweler and pick something out from the Stuller catalogue.

 

[chrono]

It depends on your price point which translates into different set of expectations, quality, service and etc.

At the very highest end are the handmade to perfection under extreme scrutiny, which could cost into the thousands, from master craftsman like Victor Canera, Hannah Maytal and the like.
The mid range are simpler cast pieces, which are in the lower thousand range, by Engagement Rings Direct, Whiteflash, Brian Gavin Diamonds, etc.
You can still get very reasonable custom earrings cast from Etsy vendors such as Heart of Water, Daniel M and the like.
There's always eBay (LOGR, Lanbo, etc) for inexpensive earrings with fancier designs and melees but don't expect the workmanship to be top notch or the diamonds to be super duper sparkly. It's still a very good value for the price though. The diamonds can be upgraded to be cleaner, rings sized and sometimes customized to fit an odd sized stone. Your local jeweller will set this for you.
The least expensive is when your stones is calibrated size and your local jeweller can order from Stuller and set for you.