Are there any fine jewelry makers here?

ok so post the pic

[link to kabana.com (secure)]

Had to look. It's a very nice piece with great detail
with the enlarged view. Lots of work on that.

I'm not a fine jeweler, but appreciate the skill and craft.

Thanks for your opinion.

While I've been with my husband since 1994, we never got married until 2018 (crazy!). When we did, it happened fast and we went to a supermarket to get rings to put on each other's fingers. mine was 16. bucks, lol. Really blingy with lots of fake diamonds in white "gold" (silver plate). It's worn away to the copper underneath and I need a real ring. I'm not a jewelry hound, at all, so I've looked for a long time for something that I can live with with and not get sick of and will also go with informal stuff like beads (and I love lapis). When I saw that I loved it so I contacted the jewelers (each is made to order) and it's two or three the price of everything else I looked at (4K!!!). It's very high quality with a lot of gold and quality diamonds (which I don't much care about but should be for the price). For me, that's a lot of money.

This part of the jeweler emailed me when I inquired about the high cost:

I don’t know if you’ve ever seen our jewelry in person or held it.
We don’t skimp on anything, the diamonds are placed in a cast and the gold is poured after its set in the cast. So they are there to stay. They are fully cut diamonds (not chips) the gold is solid and there is a lot of weight to all our pieces. Everything is handcrafted and carved. Our company is family owned and operated. We started in 1975 and are considered to carve the best inlay work in the world. I realize it can be pricey, but you will be quite impressed!

Keep looking around, there has to be your perfect ring with a more perfect price.

I've looked at a couple of hundred and haven't found one similar. Lot of lapis with gold and diamonds but not that design.

I used to work retail for a jewelry shop that sold jewelry and loose diamonds.

Didn't see a price or ring weight quoted on your piece so I only can tell you that when our shop sold diamonds in the Vvs &Vsi grades, we sold them at around $10 per point, a point is the smallest fraction in diamonds. 100 points equals 1 carat. 25 points equals 1/4 carat.
While you photo shows nice clean diamonds, they do not show the quality grade, Vvs for instance means "very, very slightly included. $10 per point would be an acceptable buy as long as the diamonds are " eye clean & well matched" You don't want a clean diamond next to a badly included or foggy diamond.

As for the gold, you need the rings weight and you can find current 14kt prices on gold quote sites, like Kitco.
Of course you will need to give and take here and there to accommodate for the lapis or sapphire weight, can't tell from photo.

As far as workmanship costs, yes it takes a bit of artistry to work with the lost wax method of casting, but jewelry designers are a dime a dozen in the USA.

The ring is attractive and appears well made so without knowing the price.
It depends if you love it.

To me, personally, I'd seek out a "custom" jewelry designer, that way you can have your ring designed specifically for you in a one of a kind design and you can usually select the diamonds you want to mount into before the ring is even cast.
If you going to wear your ring the rest of your life, spend big, be happy but consider a full custom job from a reputable artist.

I expected it to be high because of the craftmanship, but not quite that high. It's beautiful work and they are obviously selling at that price and people will pay for one-of-a-kind items. I think I would want to see one in person before making the investment. Are you close enough to take a trip to see their work?

Just noticed you said $4 grand.
That's kind of steep for a ring in that design.

Also, I'm in question about where they say they put the diamonds into the mold then pour hot gold over them.

Those would have to be some high quality stones with absolutely zero flaws, defects or anything unable to be seen with the naked eye to have that many stones take a hot shock like melted gold.
Unless maybe they pre-heat the diamonds somehow.

Don't think I'd try it if I was in retail jewelry making.

JMO

Thank you for that. Yes, I did look up how diamonds are graded and will inquire about that, due to the price. I'm not into diamonds but for a wedding ring, just semi precious stones look too informal so I looked for something lapis and diamonds. They are custom jewelers, in New Mexico. I know a jeweler locally (Michigan) and thought about having him to a knock off but it seemed unethical and I doubt anyone could match that design precisely. I did ask if I could use my own gold, as I have other jewelry that could be melted down (both 14 and 18K) but they didn't answer that.

Last Edited by thinking... on 02/02/2020 02:52 AM

I'm not because I'm in Michigan and they're in New Mexico. I would ask about an approval since it is a ring in their line. Not sure if they'd go for that or not. I'd pay and maybe ask for a 24 hour return time, though I think I'd like just as much in person. Looking through their site, I can see they make beautiful stuff and the photo looks like gorgeous work. I'm not a jeweler, though.

I think you would enjoy working with a local artist and that it would be ethical to support the small local craftsman regardless of the source of inspiration for your design.

Good idea to re-use gold from jewelry that you already have too, I'm sure the local guy would be up for that.

Married 30 years.

I've never worn a ring.

Wife wears a simple gold band.

It may be even more beautiful in person. Remember we only have a short time on this earth. Do what your heart tells you to do. This is for a lifetime and will probably stay in your family forever.

BTW, I just spent $4,000 on one tooth. Yours is a much better deal!

Last Edited by Avenger1 on 02/02/2020 02:59 AM

Well, diamonds are a result of very high pressure and heat - either natural over time of man made. I'm sure they can withstand the heath of melted gold. Obviously they do since she said about the stones being put in a mold and then the gold poured around them. I agree about the steep price and that's why I'm asking for opinions. It figures that I, who don't much give a shit about fancy jewelry, would end up loving the most expensive one I've looked at! Gah. I've never spent that much money on anything other than a car or a house.

You can't buy love.

The design is theirs and copyrighted. I probably get a knock off made but not exactly the same and I don't like the idea of ripping off their work. They are local craftsmen in New Mexico (a family of jewelers). Spanish names.

My husbands ring is a stainless steel spinner ring that was 12 bucks. Looks like a part from one his motorcycles and he loves it.

Yikes, teeth! I have a friend who just spent 15K on implants. Looking at it like that, the ring price doesn't look so bad, lol.

You're right about a short time here and my not loving jewelry makes it harder for me to decide because it's a permanent purchase and I can't risk something I'd get sick of. I've enjoyed my 16.00 ring but you get what you pay for and it's copper, now, lol.

While examining this one, I thought the blue of the lapis made it look kind of royal and then my husband said he thought it looked like a crown. Yet, with lapis, it doesn't so look fancy as all diamonds, I don't think, which part of my goal. It sure has the price tag, though.

Unusual thread for GLP and I really appreciate people weighing in my difficult decision (and I hate making decisions).

I am not a jeweller but I do love jewellery! My family call my jewellery collection "The Crown Jewels."

I loved your ring. I can see why you like it. It looks beautifully crafted but is also something different. I am partial to Lapis Lazuli as I love Egyptian culture and that ring uses it beautifully.

The ring reminded me a bit of some of the pieces done by the famous jewellery house called Bulgari.

I guess the only thing I would say is be careful if you are buying online. I recently bought something from a catalogue online which looked amazing but when it turned up it was shoddy workmanship.

I have always tended to buy my jewellery from a physical store where I can see it and try it on.

That said, I agree with the other poster in that life is short so you might as well spend the money on something you love and that you will enjoy wearing and looking at every day.

Indeed. I'm buying a ring, though, and you can buy those :)

Oh, that's good that you're a jewelry lover with some crown jewels. It makes you a good judge, lol. It's so funny you mentioned Bulgari because I, too, thought it looked like something of theirs as I was looking at so much jewelry and saw lots of theirs (and other out of sight priced pieces like Cartier). Bulgari makes gorgeous jewelry! I do agree it looks to be of that quality in design and craftsmanship.

Yes, It's a big purchase online so I will ask about a guarantee or quick turn around return. If it's that nice in person, I wouldn't return it. It's the just the cost has me hung up. I thought a 1000. was a lot when I first started looking.

BTW, Cleotus, I love Egyptian stuff, too, and really like ancient jewelry design. Lapis is very prevalent in the middle and far east but this ring looks less ancient and more European royal (like the crown jewels, lol).

Sometimes I trade in used
jewelry ... Once used, that ring is much less than $500

Edit to add-
and like the others said,
What's it worth to You?

Last Edited by callit on 02/02/2020 03:33 AM

Thats a beautiful ring.

This designer does some really lovely work with Lapis.
[link to snowowldesigns.com]

And this guy makes gorgeous pieces, he has done custom work for family members, unique stuff very solid, functional and timeless.

[link to www.danielgibbings.com (secure)]

Look at it this way. You can get a copy for half that price, less even, but you’re paying more because you want the original. You won’t get that back on resale, you’d be lucky to get over a grand, but if you’re going for something that you know is quality and will keep for a lifetime, it’s a solid ring. You’re paying extra for that piece of mind that there isnt a better version of that ring you could’ve gotten.

I’d say join some jewelers groups on Facebook and post a message with your budget and criteria. There’s some really talented jewelers out there who don’t need to charge as much and will jump on a simple commission like that. There’s also the chunk of the cost that goes to keeping their business afloat, supporting the family, all that overhead.

Yes, it has a very regal look to it. I had a look at some of their other jewellery and it is just gorgeous! I liked the fact that they were a family owned company also and had pride in their workmanship.

I travelled a lot in my 20's and picked up a lot of jewellery in Turkey. Mine is mainly silver but like yourself I really love ancient jewellery design and something a bit different. I have promised myself that if I ever win the lottery I will buy something from Bulgari.

You have my vote to go for it.

Last Edited by Cleolotus on 02/02/2020 03:39 AM

This is glp, the only people we have that deal in gold are stealing teeth.

Wow,l beautiful stuff! On the second link, check this out:

[link to www.danielgibbings.com (secure)]

It looks like it's from the Mogul period in India. Exquisite.