Buying victor canera but not having him set the stone?

[Nz310]

Hi,
I’m considering ordering a setting and band for my diamond from victor canera but I really don’t want to mail my diamond to him. It gives me serious anxiety thinking about sending it away! And then not having it for 6-8+ weeks.
what do you think? I would bring it to diamonds direct to have them set the stone once the rings come in. The setting would be a three stone ring with tapered baguettes surrounding my round diamond.
Thank you

 

[kindred]

I understand your anxiety but I think you'd be much better off sending your diamond to Victor. Just make sure it is insured.

 

[headlight]

Many competent skilled jewelers can set a stone... and it absolutely positively shouldn’t take 6-8+ weeks. That’s totally absurd.

 

[MollyMalone]

Many competent skilled jewelers can set a stone... and it absolutely positively shouldn’t take 6-8+ weeks. That’s totally absurd.

The 6-8 weeks' timeframe is the estimate for fabricating the hand-forged ring and the band -- not the time Victor Canera needs to set the diamond. 6-8+ weeks surely isn't absurd for the fabrication; it depends on how many orders, and their nature, that VC already has in the pipeline when Nz310''s diamond arrives out there in Los Angeles. (And she may actually get the complete ring and band before the estimated date.)

@Nz310 , I agree with @kindred. Sending your diamond to Victor is the lowest-risk-all-around way of proceeding. It's easier for him to have the actual diamond in his possession while fabricating the ring. Having Diamonds Direct set the center stone will void VC's (limited) warranty -- and Diamonds Direct will assume no liability for any damage to/loss of either the VC semi-mount or your center stone while in their hands because the semi-mount and diamond are not theirs.

Ask Victor if he will send you a prepaid label to provide insured shipping of your stone to him; if that's not a possibility, then use insured, USPS Registered Mail to send the diamond to him.

Is your loose stone already insured? IIRC VC won't work with "outside" stones (i.e., diamonds not purchased through him) unless the customer has insurance that will cover any loss-damage to the diamond. So far as I know, Jewelers Mutual is the only US company with a policy for us consumers that covers loose stones before and while they are being set. But that loose stone coverage used to be for just the first 30 days. So if you've had the loose diamond for more than 30 days, you'll need to clarify with JM as whether that 30-day restriction is still the norm and if it is an absolute.

Hope this helps

 

[Matthews1127]

The 6-8 weeks' timeframe is the estimate for fabricating the hand-forged ring and the band -- not the time Victor Canera needs to set the diamond. 6-8+ weeks surely isn't absurd for the fabrication; it depends on how many orders, and their nature, that VC already has in the pipeline when Nz310''s diamond arrives out there in Los Angeles. (And she may actually get the complete ring and band before the estimated date.)

@Nz310 , I agree with @kindred. Sending your diamond to Victor is the lowest-risk-all-around way of proceeding. It's easier for him to have the actual diamond in his possession while fabricating the ring. Having Diamonds Direct set the center stone will void VC's (limited) warranty -- and Diamonds Direct will assume no liability for any damage to/loss of either the VC semi-mount or your center stone while in their hands because the semi-mount and diamond are not theirs.

Ask Victor if he will send you a prepaid label to provide insured shipping of your stone to him; if that's not a possibility, then use insured, USPS Registered Mail to send the diamond to him.

Is your loose stone already insured? IIRC VC won't work with "outside" stones (i.e., diamonds not purchased through him) unless the customer has insurance that will cover any loss-damage to the diamond. So far as I know, Jewelers Mutual is the only US company with a policy for us consumers that covers loose stones before and while they are being set. But that loose stone coverage used to be for just the first 30 days. So if you've had the loose diamond for more than 30 days, you'll need to clarify with JM as whether that 30-day restriction is still the norm and if it is an absolute.

Hope this helps

^—- This.
Protect the integrity of VC’s work, and your diamond. Send it out to Victor, once you have followed with proper insurance procedures.

 

[headlight]

I thought the mounting was already made.
In this case, of course VC should set the stone!
Thanks for the clarification and I stand corrected!

 

[whitewave]

Ask VC for a fed ex label and send him the stone. I would 1000% not suggest for you to get diamonds direct to set the stone! That is the part that scares me!!!

 

[whitewave]

Btw, most vendors don’t have you send the stone until about 2 weeks out. My experience anyway.

 

[bludiva]

Many competent skilled jewelers can set a stone... and it absolutely positively shouldn’t take 6-8+ weeks. That’s totally absurd.

i think that was the time for making the ring, but definitely run away from anyone who tells you it would take that long to set a stone!

 

[bludiva]

Hi,
I’m considering ordering a setting and band for my diamond from victor canera but I really don’t want to mail my diamond to him. It gives me serious anxiety thinking about sending it away! And then not having it for 6-8+ weeks.
what do you think? I would bring it to diamonds direct to have them set the stone once the rings come in. The setting would be a three stone ring with tapered baguettes surrounding my round diamond.
Thank you

if it were me, i'd let VC set it, even if it's nerve wracking, b/c if diamonds direct screws up, are they going to fix his setting? is he going to fix it? i think it could get complicated quickly.

also he probably can create a setting with detailed dimensions but he'll make it a perfect fit if he has the stone in hand.

if sending it through the mail is really the scary part, is it possible to take a weekend trip to LA and hand deliver it?

 

[denverappraiser]

I wouldn't be surprised if he won't agree to do what you're asking. Have you spoken to him about it?

 

[RayRay]

I trust VC way more than diamonds direct...I’ve had experience with both.

 

[sledge]

It was my understanding he likes the diamond in hand as he handcrafts each piece and proportions the setting shank and other details accordingly for the specific stone.

So the 6-8 week lead time is for the entire fabrication, not just setting the stone.

You really need to speak to VC directly about the matter. I agree with @denverappraiser that he may not be willing to let DD set the stone.

Besides, why? Too many chefs in the kitchen and finger pointing will ensue if there is a problem. Not to mention none of my local DD's are even close to expertise level VC offers. Perhaps YMMV.