Custom Question

[CiaoStella]

I will be getting a custom made diamond pendant necklace, white gold.
I was looking at Roberto Coin necklaces, but I didn’t want the donut bezel. I want a very thin bezel. I also wear a lot of diamonds, and I don’t want the necklace to be a statement piece. I want it to be 15” and .25 carat. Just a little shine.
Any advice with working with jeweler? Any thoughts on this? I have never done this before and was hoping for some pointers. I meet with the sales woman and jeweler on Monday.

 

[JolieS]

I will be getting a custom made diamond pendant necklace, white gold.
I was looking at Roberto Coin necklaces, but I didn’t want the donut bezel. I want a very thin bezel. I also wear a lot of diamonds, and I don’t want the necklace to be a statement piece. I want it to be 15” and .25 carat. Just a little shine.
Any advice with working with jeweler? Any thoughts on this? I have never done this before and was hoping for some pointers. I meet with the sales woman and jeweler on Monday.

I’ve had enormous pleasure and fun working with a jeweller to design custom pieces. For peace of mind before you hand over your diamond, here are some tips to protect your property and to avoid disappointment with the finished design:
-have a good written description of the stone, preferably a gemological report, before you hand over your diamond.
-make sure your diamond is covered by insurance, either your own policy or the jeweller’s, while it is in their care.
-sign off on the design specs once your decision has been made.
-you might want to ask for a cast of the design before you sign off.
Have fun on your custom jewellery journey!

 

[CiaoStella]

This is great advice. I will be picking the diamond on Monday. This jeweler has taught me how to look at diamonds. I have not purchased much from them, but in my town they are the most friendly and their staff members have been there for years. I’m excited to start working with them and establishing a relationship with them.

 

[Hurrem1001]

I have some diamonds that I’d like setting. They’re only .33 each, so they’re small, but I love them. I was thinking of getting a trinity ring made, with these two diamonds as side stones.
Trouble is, I already had a situation back when I lived in the US, where a jeweler mending a ring switched out a diamond for a moissanite (just as well I made the sales rep check before I sent it in, and then as soon as I got it back), or I wouldn’t have a leg to stand on. As it was, once it was proved they switched out the stone, I got a lot of back-peddling, and a very big apology when I threatened to call the police.
I don’t trust the jewelers in this country either. Frankly, not only are they untrustworthy, but a lot of them don’t even know what they’re talking about when it comes to gemstones. They don’t even know the names of them.

 

[JolieS]

I have some diamonds that I’d like setting. They’re only .33 each, so they’re small, but I love them. I was thinking of getting a trinity ring made, with these two diamonds as side stones.
Trouble is, I already had a situation back when I lived in the US, where a jeweler mending a ring switched out a diamond for a moissanite (just as well I made the sales rep check before I sent it in, and then as soon as I got it back), or I wouldn’t have a leg to stand on. As it was, once it was proved they switched out the stone, I got a lot of back-peddling, and a very big apology when I threatened to call the police.
I don’t trust the jewelers in this country either. Frankly, not only are they untrustworthy, but a lot of them don’t even know what they’re talking about when it comes to gemstones. They don’t even know the names of them.

So sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately, there are dishonest people out there in the jewellery business. Best way to protect yourself is to deal with a reputable jeweller who will make your ring in-house, rather than outsourcing to who knows where, and to have a gemological report for your stones.
Good luck!

 

[Hurrem1001]

So sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately, there are dishonest people out there in the jewellery business. Best way to protect yourself is to deal with a reputable jeweller who will make your ring in-house, rather than outsourcing to who knows where, and to have a gemological report for your stones.
Good luck!

All the jewelers here are independent. It’s only a tiny country, and honestly, none of them are particularly knowledgeable, unfortunately I live 2,000 miles away from my country of birth where I consider many jewelers to be reputable, and I just can’t afford to go home.
Most of the jewelers here don’t even know things like there are ring sizers specifically for wide rings (with a wide ring you need a larger size as a general rule).
I did have a beautiful gold ring made here, but it has many small flaws on it.

 

[CiaoStella]

I picked up the necklace on Friday. The gemologist put the necklace on me and it was perfect. The diamond sparkled so much. I left my wedding band there for a stone replacement.

Now my problem. The bezel is set in the necklace, so the bezel does not move. The crab claw is not set perfectly across from the diamond, so after awhile of wearing, the stone moves up my neck.
I feel like maybe this is why the girl put it on me, instead of having me see this.

I will say something when I return to get my wedding band, as I’m pretty upset about it. I know it will be a pain (or maybe not even possible) to love the bezel so that it’s even with the crab claw. The chain is 16 or 18 and I mentioned I would be wearing the 16 most of the time.

 

[jng2b]

This looks so strange - why on earth would they not center the clasp? I would definitely ask that they fix it or remake it. This would drive me completely nuts all day long.

 

[JolieS]

Oh dear. Not to add more to the negative feelings you already have, I would never have left the shop with a custom piece without checking it thoroughly. And if it hadn’t been to my satisfaction, I wouldn’t have given them more work before they fixed the necklace. Hope they are professional enough to give you a perfect necklace. Good luck!

 

[CiaoStella]

Oh dear. Not to add more to the negative feelings you already have, I would never have left the shop with a custom piece without checking it thoroughly. And if it hadn’t been to my satisfaction, I wouldn’t have given them more work before they fixed the necklace. Hope they are professional enough to give you a perfect necklace. Good luck!

I completely agree. It was my intention to drop off the ring and pick up the necklace and ring at a future date. The necklace was completed to my surprise.
My husband set up an appointment for me at our house, and so I was in a rush to drop off the ring.
It was a basic necklace and it didn’t even dawn to me to take it off once she put it on my neck to inspect it. Wrong move. I am worried they will tell me I signed off on it, and therefore I am stuck with it. If they do, they will ruin the relationship. I was trying to establish a relationship at one jeweler. I have not been impressed with the other jewelers around here.

 

[Hurrem1001]

View attachment 4637849 View attachment 4637850 View attachment 4637851 I picked up the necklace on Friday. The gemologist put the necklace on me and it was perfect. The diamond sparkled so much. I left my wedding band there for a stone replacement.

Now my problem. The bezel is set in the necklace, so the bezel does not move. The crab claw is not set perfectly across from the diamond, so after awhile of wearing, the stone moves up my neck.
I feel like maybe this is why the girl put it on me, instead of having me see this.

I will say something when I return to get my wedding band, as I’m pretty upset about it. I know it will be a pain (or maybe not even possible) to love the bezel so that it’s even with the crab claw. The chain is 16 or 18 and I mentioned I would be wearing the 16 most of the time.

It’s so hard to understand how qualified jewelers can make such a basic error. These things cost a lot of money, A bit of care put into making the piece is all you ask for, yet it seems to be too much for them to do.

 

[Shopgirl1996]

View attachment 4637849 View attachment 4637850 View attachment 4637851 I picked up the necklace on Friday. The gemologist put the necklace on me and it was perfect. The diamond sparkled so much. I left my wedding band there for a stone replacement.

Now my problem. The bezel is set in the necklace, so the bezel does not move. The crab claw is not set perfectly across from the diamond, so after awhile of wearing, the stone moves up my neck.
I feel like maybe this is why the girl put it on me, instead of having me see this.

I will say something when I return to get my wedding band, as I’m pretty upset about it. I know it will be a pain (or maybe not even possible) to love the bezel so that it’s even with the crab claw. The chain is 16 or 18 and I mentioned I would be wearing the 16 most of the time.

Congrats on your beautiful necklace! From what I can see, the reason the crab claw (also known as a lobster claw clasp) is not centered when worn at the 18 in. length is due to the jump ring at the 16 in. length. When you wear the necklace at the 16 in. length, you will find that the crab claw will be centered. I'm thinking they did it this way since you told them you would be wearing it at the 16 in. length most of the time. If you want them to change it, it should be an easy fix. All they have to do is adjust the chain length on either side. Unfortunately, the only way for the bezel to NOT move would to make it heavier than than the crab claw or change the crab claw to a lighter spring form clasp. I also have a diamond pendant in a bezel setting and it tends to move up sometimes, but I don't mind it too much. HTH!

 

[CiaoStella]

Congrats on your beautiful necklace! From what I can see, the reason the crab claw (also known as a lobster claw clasp) is not centered when worn at the 18 in. length is due to the jump ring at the 16 in. length. When you wear the necklace at the 16 in. length, you will find that the crab claw will be centered. I'm thinking they did it this way since you told them you would be wearing it at the 16 in. length most of the time. If you want them to change it, it should be an easy fix. All they have to do is adjust the chain length on either side. Unfortunately, the only way for the bezel to NOT move would to make it heavier than than the crab claw or change the crab claw to a lighter spring form clasp. I also have a diamond pendant in a bezel setting and it tends to move up sometimes, but I don't mind it too much. HTH!

The necklace seems to be off on both settings. My other diamond pendant moves, so I don’t have the problem. Although, the lobster claw does sometimes fall down.
I’m happy to hear it’s an easy fix. Thank you!

 

[Shopgirl1996]

The necklace seems to be off on both settings. My other diamond pendant moves, so I don’t have the problem. Although, the lobster claw does sometimes fall down.
I’m happy to hear it’s an easy fix. Thank you!

I looked at your 1st and 2nd picture again. I see what you mean. I was concentrating too much on the 3rd pic. They should easily be able to fix the length of the necklace on both sides. Good luck!

 

[CiaoStella]

I looked at your 1st and 2nd picture again. I see what you mean. I was concentrating too much on the 3rd pic. They should easily be able to fix the length of the necklace on both sides. Good luck!

Thank you. I wasn’t sure if I was wrong, as this is my first stationary bezel. I’m shocked that the jeweler thought this was OK.