Show me some Van Craeynest!

[cookies]

blacksand -- it's a big move. It started about 3-4 weeks ago, and each time only a few pieces of equipment were moved.

VC has got many new orders since, or even before, the announcement of the move. It's interesting, but somewhat expected. People were/are rushing to get a VC piece before the San Francisco factory closes.

I put in a custom order near the end of September, and it won't be ready until mid-November or so. I think it's slowed down by the move, as well as the many new orders that VC got recently.

 

[baby nurse]

Can you share what you're having made, Cookie?

 

[cookies]

baby nurse, it's a necklace.

 

[chrono]

When I contacted VC in late September, he said that if I get it in the queue right away, it'll be ready before the move. I guess that was before the wave of last minute orders by others who are also trying to get their orders in before the move as well. In any case, I think my 484 is almost ready.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The last thing Paul told me (this week) was that they plan to begin work in Redlands on Nov. 5th. I am sure the move may slow down some orders just a bit, but the important thing is that they are continuing to make the pieces the same way and with the same artists/craftsmen.

 

[blacksand]

Hmm...well I don't mind if it takes a little longer, but I hope it's ready in time for the wedding! It would be nice if it's made in San Francisco for sentimental reasons, but I guess it doesn't really matter as long as it's made the same way and matches my e-ring. I'll just have to hurry up and wait.

 

[baby nurse]

baby nurse, it's a necklace.

Wonderful! Can't wait to see it

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hmm...well I don't mind if it takes a little longer, but I hope it's ready in time for the wedding! It would be nice if it's made in San Francisco for sentimental reasons, but I guess it doesn't really matter as long as it's made the same way and matches my e-ring. I'll just have to hurry up and wait.

If you have a wedding date deadline, I would absolutely remind them of that! I think we would all understand that taking priority!

 

[blacksand]

I'll give them a call and see what the turnaround time is. It should be okay, though, the wedding is in late December! Should be plenty of time, I'm just impatient!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'll give them a call and see what the turnaround time is. It should be okay, though, the wedding is in late December! Should be plenty of time, I'm just impatient!

Oh, thank goodness! I am certain you will have it in time!

But I am with you regarding impatience!!! It is so hard to wait on custom items...but SO worth it!

 

[baby nurse]

I received my plat 556 and 456 ! I'm really, really happy with it! Never having seen a VanC piece in person, I can't get over the amount of detail in these little rings. The diamond is 1.5 ct, ring size 4.5.

A few quick pics...

 

[Rosebloom]

Gorgeous!!!!!!

 

[baby nurse]

Thank you, Rosebloom! There *should* be another (yg 810 w Mahenge) arriving today...

 

[Mrsmmcs]

Oh, my.... I haven't visited this thread for a LONG time; I'm SO bummed (dismayed, really) to learn of the recent purchase & changes regarding Van Craeynest.
I had found this thread a few years ago, when looking for sources for antique ring settings. Of course, I immediately fell in LOVE with Van Craeynest's exquisite rings, thanks to pics shared by "Love In Bloom" & others here.
Long-story-short (I'll try, anyway!): I called & talked w/Larry a few times, asked him a million questions...and he sent sent samples of the rings I was considering for me to view. I had a hard time deciding (they were ALL so beautiful!), but I eventually did choose a set (engagement ring/wedding band) that I wanted to order.
I asked Larry if it was possible to just purchase the "sample" set, as they fit me perfectly (and I also loved the thought of having them NOW, vs waiting 4+ weeks for them to be made!). He said that would be fine, but since he'd made these particular rings himself (and his hands weren't as steady as those of his younger craftsmen), the flower detail was probably not as precise/uniform as w/a made-to-order ring.
Well, I'd spent a good amount of time admiring the little details in these rings (incl. with a loupe), and every petal was nothing short of exquisite. Also, being rather naive, I had (mistakenly) thought that when I ordered the rings, they would be made by Larry himself. After learning that wasn't likely, I told him I would rather purchase this set of rings, especially because they were made by him. So I did. I was happy as a clam, and went hunting for THE diamond to place in the setting of the eng ring.
So...about a year later, I was browsing the 'web for Van Craeynest rings/designs, when -lo and behold- photos of MY ring set popped up in google images! (The pics my appraiser had taken- she'd asked permission to post them on her flicker account)
I clicked on the link...to pricescope(!)....and -stupid as it may be- discover (gasp!).....I have no millgrain!
Link:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-some-van-craeynest.79472/page-5']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-some-van-craeynest.79472/page-5[/URL]


How did I not notice this before? I have no idea!
I am certain I would have, at some point: The millgrain was one of the details I really LOVED about VC rings, when I first saw them on this site. I had to call Larry, of course, to ask about it. Well, in our first conversation, he asked me to email him photos of the rings: I did so, but didn't hear back. So I called him again about a week later, and he concluded that he must have been in a hurry to finish the rings -as they could barely keep up with requests for samples at that time- so he must have skipped the millgraining to get them out more quickly.

So why do I care (especially since I didn't notice it myself, at first)??
Because I notice (now)...ALL the time.
Looking at pics (of the same designs), the millgrain seems to make some of the finer details (the shields, for example) stand out more. And without it, the rings just don't hold that 'heirloom quality' they were meant to. Does that make sense?

I let it go for awhile, but recently thought that maybe I could ask Larry if it is possible to add the millgrain on to the rings for me (assuming I'd be charged, of course); But after reading a few threads here (regarding millgraining), I'm guessing this can't be done(?).
Does anyone know or have experience w/this?
Thanks...

p.s. Sorry for the long post- So much for making a long-story-short...

 

[baby nurse]

Please call them Mrsmmcs! I don't see why they could not do the millegraining but your best bet would be to call ASAP and ask. The new owner, Paul, is there today and I think Larry might be in as well...

Good luck!

 

[blacksand]

baby nurse, they are stunning! My set is the same (well, will be, once I get my wedding band), but in antiqued yellow gold. I love, love, love that design.

ETA: I really love those prongs. They're so much more delicate than the prongs on my e-ring!

 

[baby nurse]

Thank you, blacksand! I love yours in yellow gold, especially with that gorgeous diamond (an old cut?)! It will look amazing with its band in a couple of months.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Oh, my.... I haven't visited this thread for a LONG time; I'm SO bummed (dismayed, really) to learn of the recent purchase & changes regarding Van Craeynest.
I had found this thread a few years ago, when looking for sources for antique ring settings. Of course, I immediately fell in LOVE with Van Craeynest's exquisite rings, thanks to pics shared by "Love In Bloom" & others here.
Long-story-short (I'll try, anyway!): I called & talked w/Larry a few times, asked him a million questions...and he sent sent samples of the rings I was considering for me to view. I had a hard time deciding (they were ALL so beautiful!), but I eventually did choose a set (engagement ring/wedding band) that I wanted to order.
I asked Larry if it was possible to just purchase the "sample" set, as they fit me perfectly (and I also loved the thought of having them NOW, vs waiting 4+ weeks for them to be made!). He said that would be fine, but since he'd made these particular rings himself (and his hands weren't as steady as those of his younger craftsmen), the flower detail was probably not as precise/uniform as w/a made-to-order ring.
Well, I'd spent a good amount of time admiring the little details in these rings (incl. with a loupe), and every petal was nothing short of exquisite. Also, being rather naive, I had (mistakenly) thought that when I ordered the rings, they would be made by Larry himself. After learning that wasn't likely, I told him I would rather purchase this set of rings, especially because they were made by him. So I did. I was happy as a clam, and went hunting for THE diamond to place in the setting of the eng ring.
So...about a year later, I was browsing the 'web for Van Craeynest rings/designs, when -lo and behold- photos of MY ring set popped up in google images! (The pics my appraiser had taken- she'd asked permission to post them on her flicker account)
I clicked on the link...to pricescope(!)....and -stupid as it may be- discover (gasp!).....I have no millgrain!
Link:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-some-van-craeynest.79472/page-5']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-some-van-craeynest.79472/page-5[/URL]


How did I not notice this before? I have no idea!
I am certain I would have, at some point: The millgrain was one of the details I really LOVED about VC rings, when I first saw them on this site. I had to call Larry, of course, to ask about it. Well, in our first conversation, he asked me to email him photos of the rings: I did so, but didn't hear back. So I called him again about a week later, and he concluded that he must have been in a hurry to finish the rings -as they could barely keep up with requests for samples at that time- so he must have skipped the millgraining to get them out more quickly.

So why do I care (especially since I didn't notice it myself, at first)??
Because I notice (now)...ALL the time.
Looking at pics (of the same designs), the millgrain seems to make some of the finer details (the shields, for example) stand out more. And without it, the rings just don't hold that 'heirloom quality' they were meant to. Does that make sense?

I let it go for awhile, but recently thought that maybe I could ask Larry if it is possible to add the millgrain on to the rings for me (assuming I'd be charged, of course); But after reading a few threads here (regarding millgraining), I'm guessing this can't be done(?).
Does anyone know or have experience w/this?
Thanks...

p.s. Sorry for the long post- So much for making a long-story-short...

I absolutely would call because I am thinking it may be able to be added. But they are right in the middle of a move to a new building, so I really would probably wait until after Nov. 5th. so you don't get lost in the shuffle!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I received my plat 556 and 456 ! I'm really, really happy with it! Never having seen a VanC piece in person, I can't get over the amount of detail in these little rings. The diamond is 1.5 ct, ring size 4.5.

A few quick pics...

Beautiful works of art!

 

[Polished]

Your set looks fabulous baby nurse. The size of diamond with this setting just look a great match.

 

[baby nurse]

Thank you DS and Polished!

 

[blacksand]

Happy day! This is the first delivery we have received since the hurricane, and it was a wonderful one!

Sorry my pictures aren't very good!



My beautiful wedding band!



With my engagement ring (my grandmother's OEC set in VC 456 and the 556 wedding band in yellow gold with an antique finish).

 

[Rosebloom]

So stunning!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Just gorgeous, blacksand!!! Remind me how many mm your OEC is, please. It helps to know proportions.

 

[blacksand]

Thank you! Per the appraisal we had done, my OEC is 6.8mm, approximately 1.13 carat. It is also so hard to photograph. I think it's so much more beautiful in person. And it's that much more special because it was my grandmother's.

I love, love, love both my e-ring and my new wedding band. My macro setting isn't the best, and the photos come out a bit blurry. But the detail on both rings is just stunning.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think your diamond looks great in the setting, blacksand, and you are SO fortunate to have your grandmother's diamond!

 

[Polished]

On the contrary, I think your close-up photos show the exquisite detail of your VC ring exceptionally well. I particularly love your grandmother's stone contrasted by the antiqued gold.

 

[blacksand]

Thank you so much! I can't get over how gorgeous both rings are. The veins in each tiny leaf, the itty bitty millgrain, the ruffled edges of each little flower petal...so amazing. I was happy they matched so well even though we couldn't have them made at the same time. The wedding band is actually a bit darker than the e-ring, but I think they will even out with regular wear. Even if they don't, I'm happy with how well they match now. The only problem I am having now is that, now that my wedding band has arrived, my e-ring just looks so lonely by itself! I can't wait to wear them as a set. 7 more weeks to go....

 

[junebug17]

Your set is amazingly beautiful blacksand!!

 

[Polished]

Gather round Van Craeynest fans. Here are the pictures of my new 1.72 carat sapphire ring. It was a ring based on Anita T’s engagement ring:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/engaged-customized-van-craeynest-460.102248/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/engaged-customized-van-craeynest-460.102248/[/URL]

However, mine was done in yellow gold and with a sapphire. Although she hasn’t been around for a while, thanks Anita.
This is my second Van Craeynest ring and I’d again like to thank Paul Emerson whose expertise was invaluable to realising the vision.
I’ve named the ring “Tutankhamun” after the Ancient Egyptians inspiration of combining gold with rich blue.