What's
new?
Bridal season is
well under way. I think the responsible thing to do - for the time
being - is to limit engagement projects
to settings
defined (perhaps with slight modifications) on my
price grid.
Acceptance
of funding for new
customer development projects will be suspended until my
commitments have caught up.
I remain
available for wedding bands and anything at all that I can do for
existing MWM clients.
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FYI
My “13 diamond Petite” bead set wedding band
was developed for wear with my "Petite
SunBurst" ring setting. It can be worn with my 6 prong Petite Torchiere and it's an
especially good fit with 4 prong round or cushion "Petite Torchiere" ring settings.
Below is a link to the presentation of my 13 diamond straight wedding band >
http://www.mwmjewelry.com/Straight_13_diamond_Band_for_Petite_SunBurst_/
In working with my clients, we’ve found that my 13 diamond band offers good finger
coverage up to about ring size 4 or so. Above ring size 5, the same band style with 15
diamonds offers good coverage for the crest of the finger.
At this time (January 6, 2013), the cost of my 13 diamond (F-G, VS, Ideal make) band in
(900) platinum is $1,785.60 delivered.
The same style with 15 diamond coverage is currently priced at $1,873.20 delivered.
We can modify this style to carry up to ~3/4 circumference diamond coverage as a special request.
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18 Karat Yellow Gold has
frequently come up in discussions over the past months.
Please don't hesitate to ask
about any of my Signature pieces in all 18K yellow gold or in
combination with platinum.
As of January-6-2013, 18K
yellow gold pieces will be a bit less expensive than my all (900)
platinum pieces on my price grid.
Combination 18K.Y. and
platinum pieces will likely be a bit more expensive than all
platinum work due to extended fabrication time.
One caution, however, is
that my alloy of 18K yellow gold probably won't match the color of
existing 18K yellow gold you may have purchased
elsewhere.
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Lincoln
had a beautiful sapphire and a vision for a new setting style.
We
broke some new ground. |
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Not a diamond center
stone |
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Please
click on the image above for more views of Lincoln's lovely
custom made setting. |
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Lead times for many
signature series engagement ring and wedding bands are currently
running at 4 to 6 weeks from date funded to delivery.
Many of my signature
engagement settings definitions are ready for manufacture. Most
modifications will require more time.
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Lily
dreamed of a "Lily of the Valley" engagement ring
setting. I had a new technology to learn. |
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.JPG) |
Not a diamond center
stone |
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Together,
we made Lily's dream come true. Please click on the photo to
open Lily's gallery. |
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Several recent customer
requests located below this line. Please click (or right click :-)
an image below to view it's gallery.
| Four
Split prongs for a 2+ carat round center |
Beautiful
Sapphire from Natural
Sapphire Co |
Hold
on a minute! What color is that ring? |
Heart
tips over well chamfered square points |
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(900)
platinum "Petite Torchiere" with custom 4 diamond
crown for Alex' diamond |
(900)
Platinum "SunBurst" crown / "Fancy
Torchiere" ring body for Drew's sapphire |
18K yellow
gold "Petite Torchiere" for Asscher cut - no crown
diamonds for Kevin's diamond |
Modified
"Torchiere Classic" with 4 crown
diamonds for Rosa's Princess cut stone |
FAQ entry
update: Can I be sure that I'll get my
stone(s) back and not
someone else's by mistake?
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Great News for international
clients!
In 2010, my shipping insurance
company, together with FedEx, presented us with a streamlined process for
shipping to UK, Canada and Australia.
We've now shipped
to all of these locations and it was painless for us to orchestrate,
reasonably fast for our clients (delivery happened next day in
Canada and within a few days to UK and Australia), and not terribly
expensive for shipping costs. FedEx has their own customs offices at
each destination so there's not a lot of work for our recipients to
do on their end either. We're thrilled about shipping to the above
destinations!
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"Not
Round" center stones!
Cushion, Asscher,
Regent, Modified square, New "Old European" style
round and cushion, as well as larger Modern Round Brilliant cuts have
garnered
requests for 4
prong variants of my Signature "Flame, Torchiere and Fancy
Torchiere" engagement
settings.
Photo below is of a GOG
August Vintage Cushion set into my (900) platinum Fancy
Torchiere setting - with matching wedder.
My Torchiere and Flame
setting series are now available at minimum 5mm round center stone
dimensions - down from 6mm minimum.
The following photos are
of my "Petite Torchiere" with diamonds in the crown and a
5 mm round main diamond. Thank you, Geoff!
Scheduling
For my signature
settings , a six week lead time - or less (after
final agreements have been reached and funding is in place) should remain reasonable.
For wedding bands, your wedding date takes prominence. If you book
your bands well in advance of your required date, then you've
secured your spot in my schedule and you've locked down the
cost of materials.
Delivery of your wedding bands
will not necessarily be made within a 6 weeks from the date funded -
but more in line with your date required.
Each piece is made to your specifications required after
we've reached agreement as to what we'll create and your funding is
in place .
If you have a specific date by which you must take delivery, please let me know
that date early in our discussions. It's much easier for me to consider your
date than to repeat my published time frame. Some
work will
be completed
before 6 weeks pass. I'd like to ship as soon as your work is
deliverable.
I request that payment
be made in full when your order
is placed.
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Contact
Please include your
phone number in your email to me. If my mail doesn't appear to get
through to you, I'll call when it seems appropriate. If you
receive my automatic response to your email, it's reasonable to
assume that your mail has come through my server. I check my mail
several times per week. I don't have staff to respond to mail
throughout the day.
I do make it a point to be
near a phone most weekday afternoons between 3:00 and 5:00 PM
Eastern time.
Please feel free to call
978-369-1950 and let me know what you're thinking
about.
Please
indicate in your email header that you have read through these
pages Custom page and my
F. A. Q.
A simple "I read
your notes" ( if you really did read them) in your email header will
help to get your mail read.
My
"auto response" email will help to guide you
further.
MWM Signature
Works - Unique Engagement
Rings The
following several image sets are of my SunBurst, Torchiere, Fancy
Torchiere and
Flame Platinum engagement ring settings.
Price
chart for
MWM unique platinum engagement ring settings.
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" Fancy
Torchiere " Platinum engagement ring setting
This style has been a frequent request. It's the Flame or
Torchiere crown being carried by approximately 2.4 mm wide,
bead set diamond ring shank. |
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This ring is "EK's"
2 carat center diamond along with 20 small
diamonds @ approximately 1.3mm - in a ring size of 5
1/2. This style can be developed as a 4 or 6 prong
setting for 6mm and larger round main diamonds - or a 4
prong setting for cushion and modified square center stones.
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The Petite
SunBurst Solitaire platinum engagement ring setting I've
been making slender versions of my platinum SunBurst
Solitaire for those who have asked. This is becoming our
most popular request. We've
dubbed this the "Petite
SunBurst" and it's available for any round center diamond
of approximately 6mm diameter and larger. The
linked photos are of a ninety seven point (0.97 ct.), D color,
internally flawless beauty set in my favored (900) platinum. The
ring in these images is size 5.
The original SunBurst
Solitaire setting features a shank width
of approximately 3mm. The
body of Petite SunBurst is approximately 2.5 mm in width
- wide enough for
all of the flowing curves to play out and remain a substantial
product. It's just a bit less bold than the original. ------------------------------------- Mark
S. asked me to show off the Petite SunBurst that we built around his
1.7 ct. diamond. Here
you go, Mark!
Thank you!
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Diamond
set Wedding bands
for the SunBurst and Torchiere
I've been working on new wedding bands for the
SunBurst and Torchiere
solitaire settings. Here's
a link to a rendered wedding set with a 1.5 ct. Petite
SunBurst solitaire accompanied by a bead set matching diamond
band.
This
link leads to a straight, 13 diamond band to coordinate
with the Petite SunBurst Solitaire.
Mate bands for
SunBurst and Torchiere are interchangeable. "Petite"
is made to fit with "Petite" and "Classic is
made to fit "Classic" proportioned engagement
settings. Please let me know if you'd like to change it up a
bit.
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The "Torchiere"
a truly Unique platinum engagement ring is making a name for itself.
This mounting style is
available in standard and petite proportions - and it is available
with or without small diamonds in the crown - because that's how
you've asked for it.
The Flowing Mate
Platinum wedding Bands
for SunBurst and Torchiere
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<<< To
the left: The "Petite
Torchiere" ~2.5mm ring width in both the solitaire
setting and the fitted wedding band.
>>> On
the Right: The
"Torchiere Classic" ~3 mm ring width in both the
solitaire setting and the fitted band.
If you'd prefer
the thinner Petite wedding band to accompany your Classic 3mm
Torchiere setting, just let me know.
Flowing diamond
set wedding bands for the Torchiere and SunBurst series are
shown above.
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We are very proud to
present ......
The
SunBurst
Solitaire
Platinum engagement ring
setting
… a promise
of ten thousand Brilliant tomorrows
(c) Mark Morrell 2005 |
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| The Original
SunBurst Solitaire |
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For your reference,
the ring in the above photos features a 1.45 ct. Round
brilliant diamond.
My solitaire settings are
available to hold round diamonds starting at 6mm.and larger.
Every ring is created specifically for the diamond size and
the ring size request by the client - one ring at a
time.
The SunBurst and Petite SunBurst
solitaires are created in 2 separate sections which are
finished to delivery specs before assembly, finished again
after assembly and polished one more time after the diamond
has been set. As with the woman who
will wear this piece, there isn't a hard edge on this ring.
Comfort, Subtle Elegance and Substance are the driving
factors behind this and most of my pieces.
Please call
or write for current prices in 900 platinum.
Any price that
I quote will be for the mounting ONLY which will usually
include any trim or accent stones but will NOT include the
cost of your center diamond.
The main or
center diamond is NOT included in ANY prices that may be
discussed in these pages or in private discussion.
I will provide
any and all necessary small, accent diamonds for my products.
The cost of F-G, VS, very fine make accent diamonds that
I provide WILL be included in any price quotes.
Please plan on up to 6 weeks (seasonal) after funding is in place
for delivery for my signature pieces.
Each piece is made to the specifications required after I receive your order.
If you have a
specific date by which you must take delivery, please let me
know about it early in our discussions. It's much easier for
me to consider your date than to repeat my published time frame.
Regarding
Product Pricing
Precious metal market prices
have been volatile. Price quotes are issued with
the assumption that your order is to be placed when our quote
is issued. We will honor our quote if your order is placed
and funds (in the form of either check or wire transfer) are
submitted to us within 72 hours of when we quote a price.
Orders placed more than 72 hours after our quote is issued may
be priced differently.
I
have a price schedule for my signature settings
posted here.
All
prices are subject to
change without published notice.
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The (ORIGINAL) Flame
Solitaire
Platinum engagement ring
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These images are of the "Flame"
solitaire engagement ring setting. This mounting is shown with a 6.5 mm
(~1 carat size) center stone. This
ring is available with 6 small diamonds at ~0.01 ct. each
(one pointers) in the crown for a total small diamond weight of
~.05ct in accent diamonds. This popular style is also available without
small diamonds set into the crown.
Both versions
of the "Flame" solitaire (with and without diamonds
in the crown) are currently available for a range of
round center stone sizes from approximately 5 mm to
approximately 9 mm. in diameter
I've
posted photos of the very first of the series here. Enjoy.
Good Old
Gold http://www.goodoldgold.com/
in NewYork, USA is the only authorized reseller of my
"Flame" setting in the world.
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As the sole craftsman here, answering similar questions
repeatedly and in depth can make it very difficult for me to meet my
commitments in a timely manner.
Please read the Custom page and my
F. A. Q.
before you write or call.
Thanks very
much!
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Please
remember that I can only collaborate directly with the
principal on development projects. I do not have the staff or
the additional time necessary to deal with third party
spokespersons. If you are not the person who makes the
decisions regarding plans for a project, please ask the
decision maker to contact me directly.
Thank you!
also for all of your inquiries regarding new product plans and
price
quotations! Some have asked why I can't simply "draw up a
set of plans" and quote a project price "right
now" even though "we don't need the piece right
away". The fact that mine really is a single craftsman workshop
comes with it's benefits and it's drawbacks. When I'm working to meet
commitments, particularly during the height of wedding season,
then I must focus on the work that I've been promised for
delivery. As I do all of the planning and price quoting and I
personally (as in - all by myself) craft every piece that I
deliver, I simply can't put my full concentration into more
that one thing at a time. I don't mean to offend or to appear
"arrogant" when I explain that I'm not in a position
to answer a request at this time. I sincerely appreciate each and every
person who wishes to have a setting personally crafted by Mark
Morrell.
Because
of the wide variety of stone and ring sizes that I may be
asked to accommodate, many configurations of my signature
pieces are defined for the first time when your order is
placed. Please allow time in your schedule for me to create
the appropriate configuration for your needs.
As always,
current and established clients - please feel free to contact
me for your wedding band needs.
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Client
Projects - Unique Platinum engagement rings
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This sweet
platinum "BT" wedding set is substantial
and, at the same time, it's almost not there at all. |
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The
basic "BT" geometry translates nicely to cushion
cut centers as well. The
"BT" style was developed to mate cleanly with a
straight, diamond-set or plain, rounded wedding band. |
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Delicate - not
fragile. Classic 3 stone
style with a soft, comfortable approach to the
surfaces
A little over 4
carats total diamond weight. It's nice to see a
renewed interest cushion cut diamonds. |
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A bit of
whimsy - Undeniable impact.
Thank you, Nathan! |
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Please feel free to call
978-369-1950 - Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. Eastern
time - with any questions. I look forward to hearing from
you.
As always, thank you
for stopping by.......
Mark
Morrell
Please note that there
are currently NO authorized resellers of my custom work.
Platinum
Information
The platinum
alloy that I use and Why I've chosen to use it
I am working in
"classic" 90% platinum, 10% iridium alloy. I find that this alloy
provides the best combination of workability and durability. This is
the reason that this mix has become the platinum smith's metal
of choice for so many
decades.
Care, Maintenance and Insurance concerns
As a rule, any mounting
should be professionally cleaned and inspected twice
annually. We strongly suggest that our clients
seek out a qualified, local, independent jeweler and be
nice to them. You'll want to build a lasting relationship in
order to properly care for and maintain your new
heirlooms. Don't wear your fine jewels while working in the garden
or in other situations where heavy impact or abrasion might damage
your stones or metal surfaces. Leave your rings at home if you're
going to the gym. My rings are intended to be on your finger through
many of life's most important moments but lapses in caution and
deliberate abuse will destroy any jewelry before it's time. Be sure
to keep your insurance coverage on your important jewels up to
date.
If you don't
utilize your local talent, your local talent won't be there when you
need them.
I am pleased to
inspect and clean our own work for my clients. There is no
charge to the original purchaser for cleaning and inspection of my
work. Insured, return shipping will be billed at regular
prices. Standard (normal, expected) maintenance procedures for
my work will be done free of charge for the original purchaser
during the
first year of ownership. This maintenance includes the first ring
sizing if necessary (eternity rings are NOT resizable), metal
polishing and stone tightening where necessary. This no cost offer
does not extend to unusual or extreme situations such as damage
caused by misuse, impact or trauma and it does not cover damage or
loss to an item that we did not provide (such as stones or other
items that you may have provided for us to incorporate into
your setting /jewel). Owners must insure against damage or loss with
their personal insurance agent. I simply create my little sculptures.
I have no control over what they might be exposed to after they
leave my hands. I am not offering insurance against loss or damage
to your item. I'm simply offering to help you make it fit correctly,
keep the stones tight and clean at no charge for the first year.
I've heard of in-store maintenance/insurance contracts that some
large chain stores are selling along with physical product. Please
do not confuse my offer with any kind of warrantee or
additional cost insurance coverage. It is neither. If an item is sent to me
for first year care - or for any reason at all - insured shipping costs
both ways are the client's responsibility - even if the work that I do for you is at no
cost.
Why the
limitations?
The majority of the
center stones that I work with were purchased elsewhere. I did not
sell these items. I did not profit in any way from the sale of these
items and it would be foolish to put myself in a position of
liability regarding these items. I strongly suggest that the owner
of any item have insurance against loss or damage in place before
having that item sent to me by your verifiable appraiser or vendor.
I am not going to insure your property at any time except during
shipping. We have third party insurance available to cover loss
during shipment to your verifiable vendor of appraiser. Specific
rules do apply.
So .... what do I
do now?
I've written
numerous project descriptions / job proposals for clients who
have been in the process of insuring their property - before I receive it.
Typically, your insurer will want to know what is expected to happen
with your property before they will sell you insurance on it. I'll be pleased to work
with you in getting proper information to you - so that you
may arrange with your insurance provider to have your items insured before we commence with
receiving your goods and finishing your project.
Regarding redundant
information: There are bits of information repeated all over these
pages. I'm aware of that fact. Some of this is due to frequently
overlooked yet very important comments and some is due to the need
for a rewrite of this entire site. I'm generally busy in the
workshop and with my photo efforts - so the site layout will wait for
updates. Please continue to bear with my cumbersome web editing
efforts while I continue make memorable pieces for your pleasure.
Thank
you!
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