Who is THE Jeweler Who Designs the Best Vintage Style Engagement Rings?

Hi PSers, I''m new to this forum and it''s an awesome e-ring reference library.

I''ve been obsessively hunting for THE JEWELER who specializes in designing dainty (thin thin bands) micro paved platinum vintage styled engagement rings. It''s unfortunate that luxury jewerly houses such as Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Martin Katz, etc. are not willing to set your own diamond because their craftmanship is the best.  The amount you spend at one of the famous jewelry houses, you can get at least 2 to 3 times cheaper at a diamond dealer.

For the longest time, I thought that Martin Katz custom designed the best delicate vintage e-rings, but after visiting their store last weekend, I realized that their diamonds do not have the fire that they should considering the amount they are asking for ($120K). I also discovered that they do not use platinum. They claim that the micro paves tend to pop out of platinum settings.  I just find that very hard to believe since Platinum Smiths like Phillip Press and Leon Mege only use platinum for all their micro paves. I was really disappointed in MK''s service, they were very inflexible about custom work and they didn''t provide me any diamond information that I didn''t already know (in fact contradictory).  Also, their sales person was very stiff and fake.

I''m looking for a jeweler with their own workshop who is willing to custom design a setting for my own diamond rather than requiring me to purchase theirs. Someone who speacilizes in dainty settings in platinum and micro pave.

Has anyone purchased an e-ring from Neil Lane, Matin Katz, Leon Mege, Cynthia Wolff, etc? Are there any other extraordinaire jewelers that I don''t know about? Please post your e-ring and tell me about your experience! 

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Piece of cake and a candle.
**ng gift**

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Piece of cake and a candle.
**ng gift**

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." Henry David Thoreau

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Piece of cake and a candle.
**ng gift**

Date: 8/23/2007 2:02:17 AM
Author: Kaleigh
There is another designer, (going to spell her name wrong) Maytai Hoffman, she used to work for Beaudry. I hope someone can give you a link, she does great work.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." Henry David Thoreau

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"There is no such thing as fun for the whole family-there are no massage parlors with ice cream and free jewelry" Jerry Seinfeld

Date: 8/23/2007 2:36:09 AM
Author: monarch64

Date: 8/23/2007 2:02:17 AM
Author: Kaleigh
There is another designer, (going to spell her name wrong) Maytai Hoffman, she used to work for Beaudry. I hope someone can give you a link, she does great work.

kaleigh, is it Maytal? I think maybe that's the correct spelling of her first name or surname don't know which...but apigscloset you can do a search for maytal and a bunch of thread will come up, she does do exceptional work and her style is right up your alley!

____________________________
Piece of cake and a candle.
**ng gift**

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." Henry David Thoreau

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A deal is only a deal if you are getting exactly what you want.

"Sometimes it's OK to throw rocks at girls...as long as they sparkle! "

Nicrez, G.G., A.J.P.

Date: 8/23/2007 3:41:16 PM
Author: FireGoddess

Date: 8/23/2007 2:02:17 AM
Author: Kaleigh
Maytai Hoffman,

Lisa was confusing jewelry with getting her drink on. Mai tais for everyone for everyone!! And Maytal bling for everyone too! Wheeee.

Maybe it was me who got her drink on a little early.

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Piece of cake and a candle.
**ng gift**

Erica D.

Jewels by Erica Grace

Erica D.

Jewels by Erica Grace

Hi Gypsy, Diamondfan, MrsSalvo, Nicrez, FireGoddess, Kaleigh, Angeline,  and Ericad:

Thank you so much for all your suggestions. I agree that both Leon Mege and Maytal Hannah have excellent craftmanship.  Maytal's designs are very similiar to Michael Beaudry's collection, which are too heavy looking for me. 

Ericad: I went to Singlestone in Downtown LA to check out their collection and they do have a lot of very vintage settings. I can’t wait to see your e-ring! When will you get it?

I'm planning to check out 23rd Street Jewelers and Cynthina Wolff (Britney Spears’ e-ring jeweler) in Sherman Oaks.

I have a 2.16ct round, E color, VVS2 that I’ve been wanting to reset for a few years. I’ve had custom settings made a couple of times for this diamond by two different jewelers.  I was very unhappy with the outcome. I have learned a big lesson not to believe jewelers who over promise or ensure you that they can make a style that they have never made before. Also, it is best to just buy exactly what you like already made rather than custom designing because the result isn’t always what you expect.  I'm very afraid to try someone who doesn't usually craft dainty delicate settings.

When I find that perfect jewelry designer that I’m 100% confident in, then I can get my EC e-ring.  Through all my research so far, I’ve only seen one setting on a friend that I love but she will not reveal the name of her jeweler.  I don’t want the same setting, just the piece of mind that he/she will design me something that I will be satisfied with.