Hi, folks: I’m just getting into stone setting and am mystified by
what to charge. Should I charge more if a stone is more valuable?
Or bigger? If I’m resetting, do I charge to ‘unset’ and then reset?
Julia
hello i have been stone setting for about 15 years in New Zealand ,
I dont know what country you are in so you will have to convert
currency yourself . Dont be afraid to charge alot , stone setting is
a very precise art form if done nicely so there is no reason why we
shouldnt be paid accordingly. My approximate prices in NZ$ in gold
or platinum , setting in siver is alot quicker so you might be able
to charge as low as half of the below prices pave up to 3mm ranges
from $3 to $5 a stone depending on difficulty type of stone, metal
etc 3mm to 5mm pave $5 to $10 a stone rubover setting up to 3.5mm
about $8 to $15 a stone rubover setting 3.5mm to 7mm about $15 to $40
a stone large oval, emerald cut ,pear shape etc $30 to $50 a stone
channel setting about 25% more than pave claw setting up to 3.5mm
about $4 to $5 3.5mm to 6mm $6 to $20 a stone charge 2 or even 3 times
as much for setting fragile stones like emeralds , tourmaline or
aquamarine. Above prices are about what I charge for 18ct gold
middle to upper end of the market jewellery . sometimes I have
pieces to do that are worth more than your average house, so I think
up a number, double it , double it again then add on a bit more for
good measure . Some setters doing large runs of production jewellery
often negotiate the price first sometimes as low as $2 a stone for
pave . if setting large diamonds or expensive emeralds always view
the stone before leaving the shop or workshop. Point out any
existing chips or flaws in the stone, sometimes they dont notice
them themselves and may try to blame you. NEVER agree to pay for
stones that you might damage. It is not fair for a setter to have to
cover the cost on a stone when they are not the ones making all the
profit.I would avoid setting large expensive emeralds until you are
totally confident of your ability. If you do break an expensive
stone it would take a while to get back the confidence of the
customer.ALWAYS concentrate on quality ,if you can do very nice work
you will find you are always busy and you will never have to go
looking for work. it is better to be known for doing a good job than
for doing a cheap job.
Thanks for the info, Phil. According to my handy-dandy currency
converter, one NZ$ is roughly equivalent to about forty-three cents
American! A question: What is a ‘rub over’?
Julia