Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setting

[ice empress]

Hello all,

Please let me first begin by sincerely thanking all of you for being so generously candid, friendly, and well-informed!!

I have only recently become acquainted with Pricescope (having gotten engaged 4 months ago), and have been so deeply impressed with the wealth of knowledge that seems to be commonplace amongst its members. More impressive still is the readiness with which all you ladies (and men) share your successes, failures, insight, and experiences with each other! Thank you!!

I have been especially interested in those posts dedicated to the resetting of solitaires to halos, as I am currently in the midst of re-designing the setting for my engagement diamond (1.7ct RB, colour F, VS1-2). Unfortunately, my local jeweller needs a fair bit of direction, so I am keen to be as vigilant, explicit, non-ambiguous and detail-oriented as possible. Admittedly, I am a perfectionist, but I have seen some of his pieces turn out with discontinuous lines and asymmetries (especially obvious to someone with a keen eye... and minor OCD...). As such, I have read and re-read (more times than I would care to admit...) the posts discussing and displaying halo rings, most notably the Victor Canera Emilya.

I have noticed that VC has set the melée stones in the Emilya in at least 3 different fashions, to accommodate for the space the prongs take up on/around the halo where they originate off the halo. All three varieties seem to blend seamlessly with one another, as well as with the centre stone, with little/no airline or excessive metal. Still, I was hoping someone could help shed some light on the pros and cons of the different options, so I could choose one for my own setting. Also, which is most likely to be least difficult to execute well (e.g. with a perfectly circular halo and least evident melée/metal difference)?

Option 1 - Melée stones exactly the same width, thin metal gap/line between the stones where the prong sits
- e.g. Frankiextah, mom2boys
- also, where does the prong sit exactly? completely on the halo (as opposed to half off, within the inner diameter of the halo, i.e. the space)? is the prong diameter smaller to make this possible?

Option 2 - Melé stones exactly the same width, no metal gap between the stones where the prongs sit
- e.g. susimoo, phdecorate, soxfan
- is there a larger airline that I am just not seeing, and/or the prongs originate almost completely off/within the halo?

Option 3 - Melée stone smaller where the prong sits
-e.g. bhmom, bright ice
- this is the usual option my jeweler uses, but I worry because the smaller melées definitely don't blend and are obviously different

I apologize for the very lengthy post... once I got started, I couldn't stop! Also, I assure you... I am not crazy... I am just very worried that the jeweller will not produce a "flowing" elegant halo (having seen some of his previous work).

Thank you for your help!!!

 

[ice empress]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Here are examples of option 1 - Melée stones exactly the same width, thin metal gap/line between the stones where the prong sits

I hope nobody minds that I am posting pictures of their rings...

 

[msop04]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

...Unfortunately, my local jeweller needs a fair bit of direction, so I am keen to be as vigilant, explicit, non-ambiguous and detail-oriented as possible. Admittedly, I am a perfectionist, but I have seen some of his pieces turn out with discontinuous lines and asymmetries (especially obvious to someone with a keen eye... and minor OCD...). As such, I have read and re-read (more times than I would care to admit...) the posts discussing and displaying halo rings, most notably the Victor Canera Emilya.

Option 1 - Melée stones exactly the same width, thin metal gap/line between the stones where the prong sits
- e.g. Frankiextah, mom2boys
- also, where does the prong sit exactly? completely on the halo (as opposed to half off, within the inner diameter of the halo, i.e. the space)? is the prong diameter smaller to make this possible?

Option 2 - Melé stones exactly the same width, no metal gap between the stones where the prongs sit
- e.g. susimoo, phdecorate, soxfan
- is there a larger airline that I am just not seeing, and/or the prongs originate almost completely off/within the halo?

Option 3 - Melée stone smaller where the prong sits
-e.g. bhmom, bright ice
- this is the usual option my jeweler uses, but I worry because the smaller melées definitely don't blend and are obviously different

I am just very worried that the jeweller will not produce a "flowing" elegant halo (having seen some of his previous work).

Thank you for your help!!!

Hey Steph!

You have a great eye for detail!! This can be a blessing or a curse... If you want my honest opinion, I think you should decide which look (of the three options) you like and have VC make your ring. From what you posted above, it sounds like there's a good chance you already know the outcome of your ring should this jeweler make it. If VC is in the budget, have him make it for you. If not, you could look into ERD and IDJ... Since you have a clear vision of what you like and the standard to which you expect, I wouldn't let just anyone try to make a ring as intricate as the Emilya. Go with a proven bench that has made this type ring many times over.

 

[ice empress]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Here are examples of option #2 - Melé stones exactly the same width, no metal gap between the stones where the prongs sit

 

[ice empress]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Here are examples of option 3 - Melée stone smaller where the prong sits

 

[ice empress]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Hello msop04,

Thanks for the speedy reply! This is my first time participating in any kind of online/forum community, and you are my first reply!

So far, this eye for detail has been a curse, and I have been obsessing over the eventual outcome of the ring!

I completely agree that it would be best if I commissioned VC to make the ring, as I have no doubt that the final product would be stunning! However, I'm in the Eastern part of Canada, and my impression is that shipping the diamond to L.A. will cost an exorbitant amount with customs and duties. More unfortunate still, the stone (and our money) are already in the hands of the local jeweller. It was only in our discussions about the new custom design that I became acquainted with Pricescope and VC...

 

[luvmysparklies]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Hi Steph888-

With your level of specificity (and I think it is great that you know the exact details of what you're looking for) I think you might ask Frankiextah in particular for her guidance. All of VC's work is sublime, but I understand your logistical issues. Having said that, is there a different local jeweler that may not need quite as much "hands on" as this person that you could take your stone and your vision to?

 

[ice empress]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Hi Luvmysparklies,

I decided I would like to give this jeweller the benefit of the doubt. I have met with him several times already, and he is the person my fiancé bought the diamond from and designed the original setting with... even if I could take it somewhere else, I quite honestly think my fiancé would be so hurt if I changed the setting AND jeweller...

I'm hoping that my clear and specific instructions, combined with his awareness of my level of perfectionism, will lead to a satisfactory outcome. It's not that his pieces are awful... it's just that I've noticed there is definitely a lack of attention to detail.

 

[ice empress]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

p.s. Is there a way to invite members (or draw their attention) to a thread?

 

[arkieb1]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Hi I hope that Sox replies to this one to help you because she was having the same debate about her own jeweller versus Victor and I am afraid I lost it and told her to snap out of it because your own jeweller will NEVER replicate the same halo that Victor does.

You have already demonstrated an unusually high attention to detail so I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment because most jewellers cannot even come close to the pave work that Victor does. Most jewellers cast their work, they generally will not be able to produce something without the airline gaps and some metal showing, unfortunately that is just how it is.

I own Frankiextah's preloved Victor Halo - the one she loved and then replaced with a new larger diamond and the same halo made by Victor..... I have also worked with Victor on other projects and he is a lovely lovely guy. For pave he is well worth the money!!!!

 

[msop04]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Hi Luvmysparklies,

I decided I would like to give this jeweller the benefit of the doubt. I have met with him several times already, and he is the person my fiancé bought the diamond from and designed the original setting with... even if I could take it somewhere else, I quite honestly think my fiancé would be so hurt if I changed the setting AND jeweller...

I'm hoping that my clear and specific instructions, combined with his awareness of my level of perfectionism, will lead to a satisfactory outcome. It's not that his pieces are awful... it's just that I've noticed there is definitely a lack of attention to detail.

I understand about not wanting to upset your FH... but... (you had to know there would be a "but"... LOL)

Here's the thing... you've seen this jeweler's work, and although not bad, you were able to note the lack of detail. To have him make you a replica of the Emilya would not be cheap. If it's not up to par, do you have him try again? If he makes it a second or even third time and you are still unhappy, what then? I don't mean to be a downer, but there have been so many women (and men) post about this exact same scenario. All pave work is not created equal, as you know. I think that you may be really stressed out should you procede with this jeweler.

Having said that, do you think you could have a relaxed, yet serious conversation with your SO about this? You could reinforce how much you love your stone, but that you would feel really bad if he spent so much money and the jeweler just couldn't execute the setting he'd paid dearly for... I would focus on his feelings during this conversation. Let him know that you want him to "get what he's paying for...." since he has been so generous to you. Maybe a nice compromise would be to agree to give your jeweler a fair chance to make it, with the understanding that if it's not up to par, then you would persue another bench. If he feels like it's a little more his decision, rather than yours, he'll be more likely to side with you. (read: you get what you want)

 

[ice empress]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

arkieb1 - I am so envious that you have Frankie's preloved halo! it's just perfection!!

msop04 - That is an excellent idea and great compromise! I think this is probably the best approach, and what I will go with!

Either way though, whether it's the jeweller, someone else, or ultimately VC... I would need to make a decision about the prong/halo setting. Indeed, even VC himself has created these 3 different variations within the last 2-3 years. Does anyone have any thoughts about the different variations?

 

[msop04]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

arkieb1 - I am so envious that you have Frankie's preloved halo! it's just perfection!!

msop04 - That is an excellent idea and great compromise! I think this is probably the best approach, and what I will go with!

Either way though, whether it's the jeweller, someone else, or ultimately VC... I would need to make a decision about the prong/halo setting. Indeed, even VC himself has created these 3 different variations within the last 2-3 years. Does anyone have any thoughts about the different variations?

I think they all look wonderful. I think when you've made that style so many times, as Victor has, the very minute details are always going to change and evolve. I can see a slight difference when I look very closely at the enlarged images side by side, but I have to admit that I don't think I'd be able to tell a difference otherwise.

Should you decide to use VC (and I really hope you do, so I can live vicariously through you as well... ), I'd just let him do his thing. He knows what looks great -- I've yet to see a piece of his that I didn't think was perfection in it's own right!!

Here is the thread for sox's VC journey... maybe you could read over this with our SO??
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/big-decision-to-make-on-ring.191282/

Best of luck to you!! Let us know what you decide!

 

[luvmysparklies]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Steph888-
To answer about calling in specific members to help, maybe you can edit your title if too much time has not passed? If it has, you could hit the report button and then ask admin to alter the title? It is best to keep everything in one thread if you can.

As for the minute details for this ring, I will just offer that although Victor's work is sensational, please remember that aside from his attention to detail, folks also want him because it is handmade/handforged so you will get some variation just due to the human element.

I am hoping you will go with him too, because you have a very precise vision. I think the above poster's idea in your possible approach to you Fiance is great!

 

[liaerfbv]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Hi Steph! Welcome!

I am not a VC owner - but to answer your original question, I personally like version 2. Version 1 is also beautiful, but I am not a fan of the smaller stones by prongs in #3.

I am chiming in because I had a very similar situation to yours with my engagement ring, and honestly, it's caused me so much grief over the years that I would want to spare anyone. Granted - I had a temp setting, I then had a custom setting done that just was a horrible situation, I had it remade, then I ended up losing that ring (and my stone, which I LOVED and was a surprise inheritance during our stone hunt pre-engagement), got a replacement ring and realized that I in fact didn't want a solitaire and am currently resetting into a halo. WHEW just typing that was exhausting!

I felt like I had to use my husband's family jeweler for my custom setting for many of the same reasons as you've written about. So I understand where you are coming from. But I honestly think that some people "have it" or they don't when it comes to fine tuning a custom piece. And if you are having doubts now... it's probably not going to turn out well for you. It might, and I don't want to be a Debbie Downer. But pave work such as a VC emilya setting is incredibly complicated to do *well* and it's obvious from your post that you are not going to be okay with wonky prongs or uneven melee or any other of the minute details that could possibly go wrong.

If I had it to do all over again, I would have done much more research into the capabilities of the jeweler I did use. Ask to see examples of his pave work, ask if he has anything coming up to be completed soon that maybe you could see in person before the customer picks it up, etc. I know you don't want to hurt your FI's feelings, but in my experience it hurt my DH's feeling MUCH more in the long run that I was constantly dissatisfied with my engagement ring. We are celebrating our 5 year anniversary next month, and he's determined to re-propose with my reset ring to literally "re-juju" my ring (his words, not mine! ), since it's been such an ordeal over the years.

I hope I'm not coming across as preachy, as that's not my intent. But if you are looking for the quality of VC work... you're going to find that at VC. I don't want your engagement to be spoiled or overshadowed by a negative ring experience! Either way, you're on the right track by researching -- so good luck!

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

I don't think it's fair for you to put these expectations on a local jeweler. Victor, Leon, and SK are who they are because they are the ones who can do what they do. If any local jeweler could do it people wouldn't jump through hoops to work with them. I think it's important that you keep your expectations realistic. If you really can't go anywhere else I think you are better off choosing a halo already made by a good designer so you can inspect the setting before you purchase it. Good luck.

 

[ice empress]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

I don't think it's fair for you to put these expectations on a local jeweler. Victor, Leon, and SK are who they are because they are the ones who can do what they do. If any local jeweler could do it people wouldn't jump through hoops to work with them. I think it's important that you keep your expectations realistic. If you really can't go anywhere else I think you are better off choosing a halo already made by a good designer so you can inspect the setting before you purchase it. Good luck.

hmmm... point well made!

 

[ice empress]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Ladies - I really do appreciate your insight and opinions! Thank you for being so honest.

Liaerfbv - I think I agree that #2 is best (though I imagine it is the hardest to execute well). And you are definitely not being preachy. I appreciate you sharing your experience with me/us, and am delighted that you're finally getting the "juju" you've always dreamed of!

Given that I am so far along in the process with the current jeweller, I will ride this out for now... but as msop04 suggested, I should have a discussion with my FI sooner rather than later, so that we have a back-up plan in place...

Do any of you remember hearing of a Canadian's experience with sending a stone down to the states to be re-set?

Thanks again!!

 

[SB621]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Hi there! Welcome to PS.

I have owned 2 Emilya's, a round and a cushion version. I was told the prong placement would depend on size of stone, height of crown/ girdle and general placement (as someone already pointed out the settings are hand forged so there will always be some minor changes to each one). I believe my 1st RB Emilya was similar to Frankie's while my 2nd one definitely has a smaller melee stone to accomodate the double prongs. Because I wanted double prongs there wasn't enough room for option 1 or 2. Had I done a single prong it would be a different story. If you work with Victor he will let you know what is possible or not. You may decide what you like better but when it comes down to it, it will really depend on your dimaond for you to know your options.

Hope that helps somewhat.

 

[ice empress]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Hi there! Welcome to PS.

I have owned 2 Emilya's, a round and a cushion version. I was told the prong placement would depend on size of stone, height of crown/ girdle and general placement (as someone already pointed out the settings are hand forged so there will always be some minor changes to each one). I believe my 1st RB Emilya was similar to Frankie's while my 2nd one definitely has a smaller melee stone to accomodate the double prongs. Because I wanted double prongs there wasn't enough room for option 1 or 2. Had I done a single prong it would be a different story. If you work with Victor he will let you know what is possible or not. You may decide what you like better but when it comes down to it, it will really depend on your dimaond for you to know your options.

Hope that helps somewhat.

Your cushion Emilya is to-die-for!! 5.06ct! oh my

That was very helpful actually. What it helped me see is that if smaller melée stones are set properly, they can blend and be imperceptible! You cannot see the difference at all with the naked eye, and only with difficulty if pointed out with major magnification.

 

[swingirl]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

If your local jeweler does not have the skill level of VC, LM or SK do not expect him to create a custom setting like VC, LM or SK. No matter how much direction you give him he may not be at that level and it seems you've already noticed some deficits in his work. If you are definite about working with him either pick something very simple or go with a premade setting by a designer. But don't expect that he can work in someone else's style which they have perfected over years. Beautiful perfect pave is not easy to create and I've read about a number of disappointments here on PS.

 

[SB621]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Hi there! Welcome to PS.

I have owned 2 Emilya's, a round and a cushion version. I was told the prong placement would depend on size of stone, height of crown/ girdle and general placement (as someone already pointed out the settings are hand forged so there will always be some minor changes to each one). I believe my 1st RB Emilya was similar to Frankie's while my 2nd one definitely has a smaller melee stone to accomodate the double prongs. Because I wanted double prongs there wasn't enough room for option 1 or 2. Had I done a single prong it would be a different story. If you work with Victor he will let you know what is possible or not. You may decide what you like better but when it comes down to it, it will really depend on your dimaond for you to know your options.

Hope that helps somewhat.

Your cushion Emilya is to-die-for!! 5.06ct! oh my

That was very helpful actually. What it helped me see is that if smaller melée stones are set properly, they can blend and be imperceptible! You cannot see the difference at all with the naked eye, and only with difficulty if pointed out with major magnification.

Thank you I happen to like my ring too.
It seems you are very detail oriented, which can be a great thing. However, with a CAST/CAD ring I think alot of the elements that you will want control over (such as prong placement) just won't be possible. If you are going with your local person I would ask to see their pave work, I would probably then compare it to ERD's CAST/CAD HW inspired halos (momhappy has one of these). I think this will give you better expectations of what to expect with a CAST version. FWIW's my neighbor has a HW inspired halo by ERD that was CAST and I think it is pretty darn impecable. After examining it next to my Emilya I have to say while there are subtle differences 99.5% of ppl would never know they were made my seperate benches. Unfortunately those .05% all happen to take residence up here on PS so we notice the difference.

 

[Acinom]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Exiting project!
You have an astonishing eye for detail. I am afraid you end up regretting it when you go local for this specific project. As the jeweller hasn't started yet, I feel you should act now. Explain to your jeweller that you have a very specific design in mind and that you rather have it made by someone who made this specific design many times before. And that you will come back to him for a future project (perhaps a simple platinum band without melee?). But I would only mention this if you really have the intention to go back to him.

As said before, Soxfan went to the same process. It was really hard for her to choose VC over her local jeweller, but she now has a gorgeous ring!! You will not find any flaws or details that are 'off' on her Emilya ring.

I think that you have a talent eye! I mean, most people would not even see the difference between the rings you posted. But you clearly have this eye for detail, so I cannot help thinking that it will be a curse and not a blessing when you go local.

And your husband will feel whether you are thrilled with the ring or not! In the end you will save yourself and others burden and a lot of money if you go to VC. Good luck making your decision. VC just made a ring for me and it was totally stress free working with him.

 

[soxfan]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Hi I hope that Sox replies to this one to help you because she was having the same debate about her own jeweller versus Victor and I am afraid I lost it and told her to snap out of it because your own jeweller will NEVER replicate the same halo that Victor does.

You have already demonstrated an unusually high attention to detail so I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment because most jewellers cannot even come close to the pave work that Victor does. Most jewellers cast their work, they generally will not be able to produce something without the airline gaps and some metal showing, unfortunately that is just how it is.

I own Frankiextah's preloved Victor Halo - the one she loved and then replaced with a new larger diamond and the same halo made by Victor..... I have also worked with Victor on other projects and he is a lovely lovely guy. For pave he is well worth the money!!!!

Arkie is right! IF you have this jeweler make your halo, it will not look like VC's. It just won't. Buy the diamond from the jeweler, mail it to Victor, and have it made EXACTLY the way you want. You don't have to give him any direction, either. He makes them perfect every single time.

My jeweler is my neighbor and close friend to my husband and I. I KNEW his finished product would not look exactly like Victor's, so I decided to stop waffling and just send it to Victor.

If, as you say, you are perfectionist, and you've noticed a "lack of detail" in his work, you WILL be disappointed. Period. I know you said your fiancee will be upset,but in the end, you have to wear this ring. PLEASE sit your fiancee down, and tell him you want Victor to make it. Show him all the posts on here, pictures, videos, and Victor's biography. That's how I sold my husband.

 

[SB621]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

With Soxfan she was able to post pictures of pave work from her jeweler, and with all respect it wasn't anywhere near the level it could be for this ring. However, until we see examples from your jeweler I won't say you have to go with anyone. There are many AMAZING benches out there who aren't discovered on PS, or even their community. I highly recommend you look at their portfiolo and ask to see some of their micropave work to decide how it compares to LM/SK/VC/ERD micropave. Well they are proven masters in the pave field I definitely think there are many other places who can do it just as well, especially if we are talking a CAD version. A PS memeber called Haven comes to mind, her local jeweler made her a stunning ring (non-pave) but now he gets calls from all over from PS'ers who want to use him to recreate it. Basically all I'm saying is don't strike your local guy out till you see what he can do.

 

[soxfan]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

With Soxfan she was able to post pictures of pave work from her jeweler, and with all respect it wasn't anywhere near the level it could be for this ring. However, until we see examples from your jeweler I won't say you have to go with anyone. There are many AMAZING benches out there who aren't discovered on PS, or even their community. I highly recommend you look at their portfiolo and ask to see some of their micropave work to decide how it compares to LM/SK/VC/ERD micropave. Well they are proven masters in the pave field I definitely think there are many other places who can do it just as well, especially if we are talking a CAD version. A PS memeber called Haven comes to mind, her local jeweler made her a stunning ring (non-pave) but now he gets calls from all over from PS'ers who want to use him to recreate it. Basically all I'm saying is don't strike your local guy out till you see what he can do.

True, and I had NEVER seen any example of his micro-pave!! And I have seen pretty much every piece he has hand-forged....

 

[ice empress]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

With Soxfan she was able to post pictures of pave work from her jeweler, and with all respect it wasn't anywhere near the level it could be for this ring. However, until we see examples from your jeweler I won't say you have to go with anyone. There are many AMAZING benches out there who aren't discovered on PS, or even their community. I highly recommend you look at their portfiolo and ask to see some of their micropave work to decide how it compares to LM/SK/VC/ERD micropave. Well they are proven masters in the pave field I definitely think there are many other places who can do it just as well, especially if we are talking a CAD version. A PS memeber called Haven comes to mind, her local jeweler made her a stunning ring (non-pave) but now he gets calls from all over from PS'ers who want to use him to recreate it. Basically all I'm saying is don't strike your local guy out till you see what he can do. )

So here's the update...

As previously mentioned, I've already met and and spoken with the jeweller many times, and the process is already well under way. In fact, he called today to inform me that the wax model (2nd iteration) is ready for me to review. So... I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, cross my fingers, and hope for the best. If unfortunately the ring doesn't turn out nicely... then I'll try not to let it bother me too much, and will simply get it re-set elsewhere. It won't be anything more than 8 weeks (and some money and energy) wasted.

Also, I'm well aware that I need to curb my expectations and am not expecting an exact Emilya replica.

And finally, after several very productive discussions (with photos I had taken of my previous setting and of other rings at the jeweller's), my FI is becoming increasingly aware and appalled with the jeweller's lack of attention to detail. I even mentioned (very quietly) to my FI the possibility of having the diamond reset by another bench if the results are less than satisfactory... and he didn't object . Truthfully, most non-pricescopers would probably not have noticed the minutia I am referring to... but I feel that this should not be a reason for a jeweller to be careless with the quality of his workmanship. And I feel that his skill level is not entirely to blame, since I've seen some details finished beautifully while the same details on the other side of the same ring came out less than stellar. And this is why I am hoping for the best...

 

[CharmyPoo]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Unless you own or have seen the work of LM, VC, SK ... most people will think the pave they own is beautiful the way it is. I have been searching high and low in Toronto for a jeweler / bench that can compare but had no luck. With that said, most people that have seen my rings find them beautiful and delicate but can't figure out what the real difference is to their rings .. even though they see a difference. My suggestion is that you have started down the path so don't compare anymore!

 

[ice empress]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

Unless you own or have seen the work of LM, VC, SK ... most people will think the pave they own is beautiful the way it is. I have been searching high and low in Toronto for a jeweler / bench that can compare but had no luck. With that said, most people that have seen my rings find them beautiful and delicate but can't figure out what the real difference is to their rings .. even though they see a difference. My suggestion is that you have started down the path so don't compare anymore!

Hi Charmypoo.

I agree that the quality and beauty will probably not compare to "the big 3"... but I also don't expect it to, and am ok with that. As perfectionist as I am, I don't intend on scrutinizing the ring's detail with a microscope and need it mostly to look good on a macro and not micro level. It's funny because I started this thread to ask only about the pros/cons of the 3 different prong settings... and the thread went in a completely different direction. I never did overtly compare this jeweller's work to the other 3, and if I was unclear about that, I apologize. I started this thread because I felt the need to micro-manage the project... and though unfortunate, this is the situation I have found myself in.

Since you're Canadian too... can you share a little about your experience with having your setting made by LM? Did you ship the diamond? With what company and at what approximate cost? Would you do it again? Or did you bring it down in person?

 

[CharmyPoo]

Re: Calling all VC/LM/SK/other halo owners - help with setti

I actually have multiple rings made in the US by Maytal Hannah, Leon Mege, Steven Kirsch and others. Over the years, I spent the bulk of my time working in the US so it was very easy for me. They were practically local which made it a lot easier. It's actually relatively easy to ship around diamonds and rings other than the nerve wrecking part.

I see we did definitely go down a different direction from your questions. I guess the elements you are asking about is not that noticeable unless you are looking under a loupe. The metal holding the pave in place will probably be more noticeable which makes the 3 options above less relevant.