[Jewelry making - Article 00600] - Re: [Orchid] Pricing those custom waxes

[C. Rose]

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>     Meaning that you're not going to fool anybody into paying $1200 for
>     a $90 wax - you'll be the fool. I'm reading here about $750 waxes
>     and such, and it's like "Huh?" 

    OK, I've been outed, I AM A FOOL... 

    Here's a story from the consumer perspective, meant as an
    inspirational tale for those who undercharge: 

    In 1985 I was getting married and wanted a custom ring. We didn't
    have a lot of money, but wanted something unique. I asked around,
    (no yellow pages!) and based on a recommendation from a friend, we
    choose a local jeweler who charged around $1700 (yes, that's one
    thousand seven hundred) for consultation, custom design &
    fabrication -- PLUS the cost of gold and diamond. The final ring
    cost just under $3000. (He operated out of a shop, in an office
    building, not a retail setup. A nice place, with several employees.) 

    Was he the best in town? I don't know--but because he was the most
    expensive, I assumed he MUST the best. The other jewelers I talked
    to on the phone, initially, charged SO, SO LITTLE for design that I
    thought they must not be very good... 

    When I got married the second time in 1999 -- I went back to the
    same jeweler. Similar price, about ($2000) for design and
    fabrication, diamond and gold were additional. He ordered several
    diamonds from his New York dealer in our price/quality range and we
    picked our favorite. He charged us 10% over his cost on the diamond.
    As someone who values design, I was very happy to pay for design and
    fabrication instead of a big markup on the materials. 

    I don't FEEL like a fool... (well, maybe a little foolish about that
    first marriage...) A non-custom ring with a similar size/quality
    diamond at Tiffany's was costing twice what we paid, for example. 

    Although if I had been reading Orchid in 1999, I'd have known that
    there are lots of excellent jewelers who charge less... I would have
    met them and looked at their work -- but, at that time, in my
    ignorance, I assumed that for custom work, price = quality. (and so
    do MANY OTHERS...) 

C. Rose
Houston
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