Took about 3 days to design and make the CAD. Then about 2 weeks to manufacture. I like to think of it as a blend between a choker and a necklace with Polki Diamonds and emeralds. What do you think?
I'm loving this trade so far! Little bit of nervousness when working with the more expensive materials and it's kinda mind-blowing how miniscule some of the work is. But I've been doing a bit of watch repair as a hobby so it's not too bad.
It's so satisfying learning new skills and seeing yourself becoming more kowlegable and proficient.
Hope it's ok to post some bragging pics of projects I've finished so far, it is not intended as promotion, I do not have a business and they are not for sale.
So what do y'all wish you learned early on?
Hi guys, I’m an IT consultant going through a midlife crisis.
I’m looking at some “goldsmithing” or rather “jewellery repair” evening classes.
Would love to take any, but cannot afford to go through an “apprenticeship”. Need to keep my day job. I don’t come from a family of jewellers.
My question is.
Can you actually learn how to do small repairs - polishing, resizing, putting and changing clasps - and make an acceptable job …on your own? Just after a few weeks of classes?
Thank you if you may.
See above. I initially did not think the stone was a diamond because it has a chip in the face. But my friend lives near a jeweler, so I figured I'd stop by and have them determine whether it was a diamond. The jeweler said it’s about 2 carats and that I should keep it, which I will. I didn't talk to her long because I was running late to meet my friend, and a customer was waiting.
So, this is what I want to know.
What is the metal? I did not ask. I am thinking white gold or platinum. I tried to get a picture of the little engraving, but it's hard to discern what it says.
What is the style/era? My father was a prolific antiques and rare books collector. His parents (my grandparents) also came to the states around the 40s (we are polish jews). My mom and his living family members have no idea where it could be from or where he got it. Any ideas?
Also, I love it a lot, but I am wondering if there is a way to address the chip? I like that there is a chip, but it's a little rough.
Should I insure it?
There is like a hole thingy in the middle. The jeweler said that's because of the cut. What cut is it?
Any and all advice/info is welcome.
I found this highly rated local jeweler that specializes in lab diamonds for an engagement ring upgrade. After going in for two consultations, we excitedly put down a $1,200 deposit for this 3.1 elongated cushion diamond pictured in the first photo. They told me they could put it on my current engagement ring band (pictured in the last 2 photos) and add a hidden halo. The estimate they gave us all-in was $5,700 before tax.
But another jeweler from the store just called me and said the 2 sales associates I saw last week gave me bad information and that she cannot in fact put that stone on my engagement ring . Her exact words were, “can I do it? Yes, will you like it? No.”
Instead, she said she wants to use my current small stones from the engagement ring and put the metal towards the price of a totally new ring so that she can start from scratch and build on that because it will be more sturdy for the stone and more aesthetically pleasing.
She was talking a lot about why it wouldn’t work and that I should love it because it’s my upgrade, it’s a beautiful stone, etc. but she was dancing around the new price so finally I asked how much more it would cost than the estimate they gave us. She said $8,700 pre tax. So that’s a 50% increase—plus I wouldn’t be able to visually see the ring that she is going to create for me, whereas in the store I was able to hold the stone up to my engagement band and I liked the look of it.
What do you think? Does this stink? Is she just trying to upsell me? Should I find a different jewelry store and see if they’re willing to put a similar stone on my engagement ring or should I believe her that I need a totally new ring?
We are likely going to ask for our deposit back. I am totally bummed. This was supposed to be my 10-year anniversary upgrade 😩
UPDATE! They just emailed the itemized new estimate and it’s now $10,700 just 2 hours later!!! I am shook.
Do the sapphire and diamonds look real?
I’m planning to sell this ring. It’s valued at 2k+ with insurance, which I know I wouldn’t get for that. I was hoping at least £500 but jewellery stores are offering £200-£250. I want to private sell but i’m unsure where, apart from ebay, but i’m scared of getting scammed.
Hi jewelers of Reddit!
I’m in San Antonio and I’m an aspiring jeweler who’s looking for a mentor. I would be super down to do any kind of apprenticeship work and I don’t need to be paid if I’m learning (but would definitely love a paid opportunity). It would need to be part time as I’m currently on my last class required to get my GIA GG.
I have basic CAD skills on Rhino 8, I can 3d print (I have a Mars Elegoo 5 ultra at home), and I have extremely basic bench skills that I would desperately like to improve. I would love to learn casting in a controlled environment- I have a vacuum casting set up in my garage but am a bit scared to get it going with a big boy torch and whatnot with no supervision.
I was a hairdresser for the last 15 years and have around 130k followers on various platforms, so I am very familiar with social media and would be happy to share my knowledge or help a jeweler who was struggling in exchange for the opportunity to learn more at the bench.
Open to any and all suggestions!
Thanks everyone
tourmaline bracelet Stone weight: 8 cts
Stone size: 4mm
Total weight: 12.4 gram
Length: 7 inches
Material: 925 sterling silver rhodium plated
Those of you who use an oxy/prop setup like the smiths little torch - how have you gone about rules, regs and legislation with using the tanks if your workshop and shop are one space?
Struggling massively with rules around using an oxy/prop setup in a small retail space for my own shop I want to open.
Do the tanks have to be outside? In a different room? Im fine if they have to be small/in a cage but if they have to be outside then its a no go basically.
Open to suggestions otherwise for melting/soldering setups that don't include gas tanks.
Many thanks
Hi! So I own a small family jewelry store and recently we’ve been getting an influx in of Estate Silver and Gold. We Have been experimenting with different platforms to see what works best for us but everyone seems to have different scary stories on Reddit. What’s your favorite platform to sell on? Here’s my thoughts and feedback so far
1)Selling off our website seemed safest for us but means relying totally off social media to sell
whatnot - seems to be very seller friendly/protective of seller BUT a lot of people seem to be just hoping you don’t know what you have! And willing to sell it below melt/ or resellers themselves- which is not really what we’re looking for
EBay - so far not bad BUT I’m hearing over and over again on Reddit that a lot of jewelers don’t bother with jewelry over $500 because of scamming issues
FB Marketplace with in store pick up - ppl seem willing to travel if the piece is unique enough (they also like we are a brick and mortar with Gemologist on staff) - we’ve managed to sell a couple of good pieces that way but definitely far and few in between
We’ve been working on improving our diamond ring photos and videos. One challenge is keeping the diamond sparkle visible without overexposing the metal or making the stone look blurry.
For jewelers who shoot their own pieces, do you prefer natural light, LED panels, light boxes, or macro lenses? Any tips for getting cleaner ring videos?
I adore rutilated quartz and blue sandstone, but I know they are very weak and not suitable for daily wear, and I would love to have one in an engagement ring.
This is probably a deeply stupid question, but is there any way to kind of coat the stone in something like epoxy to give it more strength and wearability?
Bought this engagement ring today.
It's a 10k with the mention I5A and the date of the engagement.
Need as much information on this ring.
Thanks
The first ring is perfect and was my original. Got broken when it shipped from goldsmith to jeweler.
Now the new goldsmith made the second ring, too chunky and gap too big so we tried again. Leading to the third ring, which the prongs are better but there is still a gap. He said the gap isn’t able to close. He has offered Three prongs instead of 5 on my pear. I want my stones to touch but now am questioning if that’s even possible.
I am looking for any advice, any tips. This has taken seven months, I am disappointed and desperate.
Also is three prongs secure enough for a 2.5ct pear?
The first ring is the one they had on site but in 18k gold with natural diamonds. Jeweler said no problem. He can order me the setting in 14k gold and set lab diamonds which would bring the price way down. Instead he presents me with a piece he custom made boasting its hand made. Thanks but it’s not the same as the original ring. Didn’t ask me first either. Of course he would have said it would turn out exactly the same. Is it just me or is the ring he made NOT like the original I chose. The milgrain isn’t straight and it just looks off to me. I told him not to solder the head in yet.