| FAQ SHEET – JEWELRY DESIGN
- Why not purchase jewelry from a store?
Most people are unaware of the extent of mark-up that
exists in the commercial purchase of jewelry. Often the
retail pricing structure reflects the overhead that advantages
the store, but not the consumer. We pride ourselves on our
extensive system of international contacts and offer that
buying power to the public. This allows you to purchase
quality, at an affordable price. For more advice on buying
jewelry like a professional, visit Smart
Art®.
- Can Haines Obtains! Ltd. (“Haines”) work
with people on a budget?
Although Haines services a celebrity clientele, we
are also exceedingly adept at working with the budget-conscious,
fiscally prudent buyer. We will evaluate your request and
endeavor to balance artistic creativity against cost-effectiveness.
Dedicated perfectionists of the highest integrity, Haines
allows no work to commence unless we feel the client’s
goal is achievable. Please see Rate
Structure.
- Who designs and creates the jewelry?
Haines principally designs the jewelry and often works
in conjunction with a team of highly talented jewelers,
setters, and enamellers and artisans to achieve a first-rate
presentation. We will generally also supervise and select
the gemstones to be used as well.
- Will Haines provide an appraisal after the piece is
finished?
Haines will provide the client with a written appraisal
report once the piece of jewelry has been delivered. This
appraisal will be utilized for insurance purposes or to
obtain a price to sell valuation.
- Can Haines modify or salvage an existing jewelry piece,
either in whole or in part?
When the circumstances aesthetically warrant, Haines
can often salvage or rework existing elements of a jewelry
piece, so that the client can retain the feeling of the
original. By so doing, the client can realize additional
savings. Haines will review each situation on a case-by-case
basis, to see if the foregoing applies.
- Does Haines have the experience to work with vintage
or antique pieces of jewelry?
Miriam Haines’ background in estate, vintage,
antique and modern jewelry allows her to draw from an encyclopedic
body of knowledge with respect to the evaluation and reconfiguration
of your most precious pieces. For more about her background,
please see Curriculum Vitae.
- Does Haines accept pieces in trade toward a purchase?
Depending on the worth and marketability of the piece,
certain jewelry may be accepted in trade toward a new piece
of jewelry.
- Does Haines have the resources to broker a jewelry
piece for sale?
Whether your piece is a small pin, or large important
necklace, Haines has vast contacts to insure optimal brokerage
with bona fide buyers.
- Does Haines work only with diamonds, or do they have
the expertise to work with other gemstones?
Our resident expert, Miriam Haines, holds a Graduate
Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America
(GIA). She has been exhaustively trained not only in the
physical evaluation of diamonds, but in the assessment
of
colored gemstones including without limitation, emeralds,
sapphires, rubies, pearls and jade.
- How does Haines design a jewelry piece for a client?
Haines schedules a preliminary consultation with the
client to see what is desired. If the client does not have
a definitive concept for the piece, Haines will create drawings
and produce a wax mold before the metal is cast and stones
are set.
- How long does it take to design a piece of jewelry?
The design time frame is driven by the intricacy of
the piece, its construction parameters, and the availability
of goods selected. Most pieces take approximately one (1)
month. Other pieces can take more or less time and are impacted
by other factors, including but not limited to the number
of artisans required, and accessibility of the client.
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