I am looking for someone to make models of baskets for large faceted
stones. I will be casting the models that I get made. The model can
either be done in wax or however a CAD modeler works. I will provide
an example of the style that I want the baskets to look like. I
don’t really want much artistic interpretation of my design. Instead,
I’m just looking for a really competent model maker, who charges
reasonable prices, and is very good with faceted gem baskets.
It depends on what “reasonable” prices would be for the work you
get. We as model makers all pretty much know each other and are quite
fair in rates. And, if you compromise quality for speed and price,
well, you get what you pay for then.
It depends on what "reasonable" prices would be for the work
youget.
This isn’t directed at Margie or the OP, just a comment about
business in general. When I read the posting I just though, Well I
could, but I quit doing models for hire years and decades ago and I
never will again. That’s because people just don’t want to pay for
them. Why is not so simple, but that’s why I’m writing this. It
applies to anything, but we’ll take the basket setting as an
example. If you’re making a single basket setting for a single stone,
it’s easy. You do the things you need to do, you put your wires on
and if it’s a bit off this way or that you can fudge it, push it or
even bend it to make it right. I’m not talking about being sloppy,
I’m talking about tenths and that it will come out in the wash if
it’s well done. Those of you pros know just what it means. A model is
supposed to be “perfect” and the less perfect it is, the more
trouble it means down the line - either in a poor product or in
wasted work to make it right. That means that the wires MUST be
precisely in place. You can’t file them to center them because they
MUST be the same size. If you get a little ding, you can’t fake it,
you have to fill it with metal and refinish it. And on and on. All of
which translates into time and money. And I can’t tell you how many
times someone has said to me, “What do you mean it’s $300, it’s ONLY
a silver ring…” They don’t understand and just don’t get the
“perfect” part. That’s not a ring shank, it’s 2.25 mm wide all the
way around. So, they want to pay $10/hr to a model-making capable
craftsperson, and you can guess how far that’s going to get. Fact
is, it just doesn’t pay to have models made outside of your own shop.
You (generic you) want basketsettings. OK,
that’s.10ct,.25ct.,.35ct.,.50ct,… At $200 each that’s
gonna cost you $2,000 for a line of settings and no, I won’t
negotiate, hypothetically. That doesn’t include change orders,
either. It’s your line, I’m making your line for you so YOU can make
money on it and (generic) you want to cheap out on my skills and
time…Take a hike… I know it sounds like a rant,
maybe it is, but really it’s the reasons I just quit doing it, long,
long ago. If one can overcome this stuff and has deep pockets and can
behave, then it can be done, and it is done, at times. More often
it’s one model for some job, not a whole line. I have a small trunk
full of models for a whole line (hundreds). Many were made by the
finest craftsman I have ever personally known. Many of those, if
priced at $100/hr, would be worth $10,000 each. Not all models are
created equal. Good luck, though. Just keep your eyes open.
It depends on what "reasonable" prices would be for the work you
get. We as model makers all pretty much know each other and are
quite fair in rates. And, if you compromise quality for speed and
price, well, you get what you pay for then.
By “reasonable” I mean not far outside the norm. We’ve all seen
people who price the same job in a wildly disparate manner. I’m not
interested in compromising quality, but I’m also not looking for an
unreasonable pricing and/or time structure. I’m looking for fair,
reasonable and dependable and an enjoyable working process along the
way. Thank you for your reply.
By "reasonable" I mean not far outside the norm. We've all seen
people who price the same job in a wildly disparate manner. I'm
not interested in compromising quality, but I'm also not looking
for an unreasonable pricing and/or time structure. I'm looking for
fair, reasonable and dependable and an enjoyable working process
along the way. Thank you for your reply.
Here in lays the rub… there don’t seem to be any “set” prices.
If you’ve been in the industry for years (and I haven’t), you may
know what is and isn’t a rip off, but then again if you’ve been in
the industry for years you’ll probably do the work yourself.
Although jewellery manufacture is a trade, it’s treated like art, as
art is subjective, so is the price.
You need to get prices from different suppliers, do a comparison,
and see if you can slot their costs into your bottom line.
Regards Charles A.
P.S. I don’t think I’ve seen people discuss price for jewellery based
work on list
