Steven Kirsch vs ERD

[Crystal72384]

Hi everyone

So after a lot of thought, and a LOT of going back and forth, I have decided to go the custom route

I have already received a quote from Steven Kirsch. I am also considering ERD. I do not know a lot about them but I have read a lot of good reviews on PS. Has anyone had any problems with either one? Or maybe have a reason why I should pick one and not the other??

I'm looking for this halo:



With this basket and shank:





Would one of these be more suited for this job? I know Steven Kirsch does amazing work but I am a little nervous about the fact that I will not be able to see an example before he starts....

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I'm ready to get this started so I can start wearing my pretty!

 

[tweeter8177]

Nice ring! I am currently doing the exact ring, except the basket is a more simple design. I had the same questions so see the attached thread for replies. Essentially, the advice I got was this type of pave (bright-cut) can easily be done well with a CAST/CAD, which means money savings versus handforged. I decided to go forward with the ERD CAD version and should hopefully get my ring next week. By the way, my ering in my avatar is actually done by Steven Kirsch and I am very happy with the result and recommend him as well! It is really up to you if you think the ring will be more special to you in a handforged version. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-which-setting-profile-cad-or-hand-forged.199144/

I am hardly an expert on ring design, but I do wonder if you will be able to incorporate a split shank AND the basket you posted. The split shank will take up space, so I am sure if there will be enough room for the petals too. Just something to think about. Here is an ERD ring that has a similar basket, but with no split shank. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/erd-ring-review-reveal-neil-lane-inspiration.179523/

If you click on my topics, you will be able to see CADs for my ring that I posted for input in case that helps. Mine was a little more challenging because I have a round diamond that I wanted in a cushion halo.

Oh and in case you haven't seen the ERD thread, here is one with lots of rings done by them. It was helpful to me as I was making my decision and looking at designs. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-erd-brilliantly-engaged-thread.192763/

 

[Crystal72384]

Nice ring! I am currently doing the exact ring, except the basket is a more simple design. I had the same questions so see the attached thread for replies. Essentially, the advice I got was this type of pave (bright-cut) can easily be done well with a CAST/CAD, which means money savings versus handforged. I decided to go forward with the ERD CAD version and should hopefully get my ring next week. By the way, my ering in my avatar is actually done by Steven Kirsch and I am very happy with the result and recommend him as well! It is really up to you if you think the ring will be more special to you in a handforged version. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-which-setting-profile-cad-or-hand-forged.199144/

I am hardly an expert on ring design, but I do wonder if you will be able to incorporate a split shank AND the basket you posted. The split shank will take up space, so I am sure if there will be enough room for the petals too. Just something to think about. Here is an ERD ring that has a similar basket, but with no split shank. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/erd-ring-review-reveal-neil-lane-inspiration.179523/

If you click on my topics, you will be able to see CADs for my ring that I posted for input in case that helps. Mine was a little more challenging because I have a round diamond that I wanted in a cushion halo.

Oh and in case you haven't seen the ERD thread, here is one with lots of rings done by them. It was helpful to me as I was making my decision and looking at designs. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-erd-brilliantly-engaged-thread.192763/

Sorry I wasn't clear in my rambling lol. I do not want the split shank. I just want the top view of the halo to resemble the first picture. I like the shank of the tacori ring.

Thanks for posting the link for the ERD rings.

As far as the cast/cad vs hand forged. It doesn't really bother me. I love tacori rings and I believe they are cast. I chose not to go with tacori because they would not customize it how I wanted

 

[bright ice]

I don't believe you can go wrong with either. It may come down to what you are willing to/can spend. That's a beautiful setting.

 

[momhappy]

I received quotes from both. I actually attempted to contact SK by phone and was told to submit my request on their web site and they would get back to me…. I then picked up the phone and called ERD and Chris answered the phone. He was polite, professional, curteous, and answered all of my questions (and then some!). I went with my gut and chose ERD and my ring turned out amazing. I have seen pictures of SK's work and it's amazing too, so you really can't go wrong either way.

 

[Crystal72384]

Thank you for your responses!

Would you say one would be able to complete a closer replica than the other? Price isn't really an issue, the setting I was going to go with was double the price of Stevens quote