Opinion from any jewellers please

[WoundTheBobbinUp]

I've just had a ring made and it's come out rather different than what I was expecting! I actually kind of like the uniqueness of what they've done, but I can't decide if they've just done a poor job. I know that I could ask them to change it because it's definitely not what I asked for, but I'm emigrating in 2 weeks and it would probably be more trouble than it's worth!
Here is what I asked for and what I got...

Sorry Op I'd be really unhappy with this. They've cut corners and rushed it. How they could hand this over thinking "job done" is beyond me. The spacing is too far. The claws are thick and clunky. It looks cheap

If they can't remake it before you go, just ask them to remove your sapphire and get it made wherever you're going (and get your money back). It looks odd, the proportions are off

Sorry not a jeweller , but worked in a jeweller's for a couple of years as a student.

I'd be disappointed.
I would ask for it to be redone.
You will never love it.
It's much "chunkier" than what you wanted.

The diamonds look small and hidden by the claws

Not a jeweller, but I think it will get dirty very easily and overall the stones are not displayed at their best. The diamonds on the example share claws, whereas they've done separate settings for each of the diamonds on yours. I absolutely would not accept this because your ring looks much chunkier and less refined than the sample.

The current setting doesn't show that beautiful Sapphire off at all well, it's covered at both ends and gives too much emphasis to the diamonds.

Not what you asked for at all, I don't think it's going to grow on you either.

Shoddy job. The spacing and claws are terrible.

I'm only a very part time jeweller but I would not be happy supplying that to a customer; for a start the setting for the sapphire is not well sized to the stone, that's why you can see the seat at the edges. It should be exactly the same size as the stone for the look you were going for. Looks like someone has taken a load of pre made cast settings and combined them, the original has illusion settings which share claws.

How much did you pay for this job if you don't mind me asking?

I paid £450, excluding the sapphire which was already mine 😬
It's 9ct white gold. I think I'll ask for it to be re-done!

It's not always practical from a time or cost perspective to make everything by hand (and handmade is not necessarily superior to cast)
I don't think there's anything wrong with using premade cast elements if
a) they fit the stones
b) they are put together well
c) the design fits the brief
.

Ok at that price absolutely you should be getting better. It's just not very well made. Would understand it a bit more if it was a bargain basement job but it's not!

I can see what you mean about this. The spaces between the stones have an odd look. I would take them up on their offer and ask for it to be posted out to you.

@Anonmousse I don't disagree, and I use cast elements myself, just looks to me like not very much care and thought was put into this.

No way! The setting looks too big for the stones being used.

I would take it back

It looks like all of the metal work is thicker than on your inspiration picture. I think the gaps are there because the jeweller didn't have the skill to do the very fine claws. So then the whole things looks much chunkier.

The settings are too big for the stones. Bigger stones or change the settings.
Looks like they bought in pre made setting and it was too big.
If the main stone fitted well it would look better but the setting overwhelms the stones.

Perhaps I could keep it, then once I've moved I could have the sapphire replaced with a larger amethyst or other semi precious stone, that fits better. Then have a re-think about the sapphire altogether. I know it's do-able but I feel really hesitant about leaving it in the UK and it getting back to me once I've moved. My own fault for doing it so close to moving!

I think it will catch on stuff and it looks a bit odd to me. I absolutely love the sapphire though.

I think the main issue is the diamonds look set back from the sapphire rather than level with it, so the sapphire is proud of the rest of the ring.

Firstly, you've got to love it, otherwise it'll peck your head.

Let them re-work it and post it to you. It may still not be what you want but at least you will know you tried.

Fwiw I prefer the style they used. I don't think it's poorly made, but jewellers have their own style and find it difficult to work to someone else's.

It's like showing Van Gogh a Picasso and telling him to paint one like that!

First impression is that it's a beautiful ring, OP. I had to look carefully to spot the differences, but now it's hard to unsee the gaps in the setting and the visible seat. I would fix it. Don't worry about international post unless it's a known issue for your destination country. Final thought - did you give the jeweller a higher resolution picture to work from? The one here is very fuzzy.

I prefer the one you’re wearing! It’s more original, unique and it wouldn’t occur to me it was ‘wrong’ in any way, just an unusual style. But if you don’t like it, definitely change it.

Got to agree with the comments above - it does look rather different from what you asked for. A handmade ring is always going to look rather different from a mass produced one but that is distinctly different.

Did you ask for an exact duplicate (which a lot of jewellers won't do as it's not generally considered OK to exactly copy someone else's work deliberately unless it's a classic or very common style)? If so then I wouldn't be happy with it although I actually prefer it to the original personally.