Oh, we are.

This is such a hard topic as both a creator of art and also a ring lover without a large budget. I think he should have asked you if that was okay before going ahead with it firstly. However, being that this style ring is discontinued, I can't say it was wrong of her to want to have someone else make it. Its not like he is making them to sell in his shop or anything. Its just one ring for one person and if she wouldn't have put pictures of it up online, no one would have been the wiser. Does that make it okay for him to have done so without a mention of it to you..probably not so much. I honestly do not think his "copies" are exact from what I have seen of his work.

I feel badly that you are very upset by the remake of your design, but do understand why you would.

I agree. This isn't about (from what I can tell) whether he could have or should have (or any other designer as well) just that the people with the original design should have been approached.

Admittedly, I still can't figure out the whole Tiffany or Cartier or Winston avenue, but perhaps this is different because the people are contemporary designers.

Much in the same way I would approach another member if I wanted to "copy" their ring, or would like a member to approach me I guess I would expect the person executing the design to approach the original designer to make sure it was on the up and up.

Joyce has a beautiful new ring inspired by Robinson Designer Goldsmith. Mrs Mike has said she is having the same ring made. Mrs Mike, are you having it made by RDG themselves then? Another gorgeous ring Joyce owns was made by Amcor but was inspired by a co-workers ring. Amcor's Lacy is another example of an inspiration or a copy (of Michael B's Crown Lace) whichever term one chooses. I'm sorry but I'm just not seeing this as wrong, legally or ethically. There is a matter of price after all that is a consideration for some.

Another question or problem have is what about changes made to the changes? For example, jcent's lovely cupcake was inspired by an original Leon. She had Schubachs (sp?) make changes to make it her "own." Now while I think it is pretty, there are elements that I wouldn't want in a ring for myself. Not knowing much about the LM design, what if I changed jcent's ideas and wound up back at square one or closer to Leon's again? It could happen!

Once again, we did not start this thread to cast a cloud on btrflai's thread. She is over the moon with her ring, happy with her jeweler, and we do not wish to take anything away from her. We are happy for her, truly!

If we are going to be honest, we accept the fact that for every copy of a JbEG design that we see and/or find, there must another 4 that we miss. Its just the way it is.

In this particular case, it was only a little hurtful because the BTD community is small - I rarely post but do visit quite often and I consider the posters here almost like neighbors - whereby if needed one's help or opinion, I can always pick up the phone or knock on their door.

We are flattered that people think our designs are beautiful and want to copy them. However, at some point, we do wish to draw the line - we have a business to protect, after all, and I hope people understand that.

Milady, we know you love your Lily - happy to hear you love her just as much! We only made mention of you above because that was the impression we got from the other thread. Thank you for clarifying - much appreciated!

Of course that could happen Candi, lol. I think the likelihood is somewhat low as everytime something gets remade, changes just kind of happen...and then you have different benches with different nuances, and all of those things take on their own personality as well. However, it *could* happen and then there is really nothing anyone could do.

E, the Tiffany thing has always confused me a little as well, but I have yet to see a reprouction that actually resmebles the original 100%. And I know, at least in the case of the Tiffany solitaire, they have modified it many times themselves, so the repros are often of older "models".

I was ranting and I removed it. Grace is the epitome of class here and I appreciate it.

This sounds an awful lot like you are saying he doesn't have integrity, which I find ridiculous, considering he has the highest integrity. Now, if he's given a design to copy and no one tells him that the designer of the ring has an issue with it being copied, how does this have anything to do with him or his integrity? I don't get your reasoning about David. I can't say I much understand any of this, but I digress.

And for the record, I decided to go with a different design yesterday.

I saw it and wish you had not removed it as I agreed with the content of your pre-edited version!

I am normally more of a reader on this board than a commenter but as someone who works in the fashion industry.. I see this all the time.

How many women on this board carry knock off designer purses? Louis Vuitton made the "Speedy" famous. Does this make every other duffle type bag with a monogram print a copy?

How many people wear shoes from Steve Madden, Aldo, Bakers or Jessica Simpson? I have a pair of Steve Madden pumps that are an exact knock off of Christian Louboutin. Are they as well made? No. Is the leather as nice? No - But they are the exact same design, heel height etc.

These designers look at couture designers for inspiration and it trickles down the chain all the way to stores like Forever 21.


I know we are talking about jewelry here and I'm not sure of the inspiration process that the designer goes through, but I know in my past work...we see whats on trend, what people are liking, and we get inspiration and do our best to make it our own.

I think its a form of flattery that women still want these rings! I know you want courtesy and I know it must hurt that a fellow jeweler would do this but people are always going to copy you if you make a product that customers love and want.


Just my two cents. sorry for the rant!!