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

[soxfan]

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

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.

That's all we are trying to say. It won't look like a Victor Canera ring. ESPECIALLY the gallery. If you are fine with re-setting it after you get it back from this jeweler, great.

 

[ice empress]

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

Charmypoo (or any other Torontonians) - Do you have a trusted appraiser you can recommend in Toronto?

 

[ice empress]

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

The name that keeps coming up is Harold Weinstein. So that's where I was thinking of going.

 

[msop04]

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

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...

At this point in the game, this is probably the best way to handle it -- can't wait to see the final product, no matter who ends up making it for you! Good Luck, Steph!! Keep us updated!

 

[CharmyPoo]

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

Are you appraising for insurance purposes or appraising for value or appraising it for accuracy? I guess it doesn't matter because there are no appraisers in Toronto that I trust more than myself. When I buy things from eBay, I send them to EGL-Canada (55 Queen Street) for same day service and their price is the same as appraisers. I get an EGL-Canada certificate which means more to me. They also give an insurance value (although over inflated for insurance purposes). The appraiser there is very nice and is willing to talk to you and give you more information. Based on the several diamonds I sent to this EGL location and then GIA in NYC ... I have found them to be one grade softer in color and exact on clarity.

See here for options: http://www.canadianjewellers.com/appraisers/Toronto

Try the following which are 1/3 to 1/2 of the price.
GS Laboratories – Toronto
27 Queen St. East, Suite 406
Phone: (416) 868-6656
Email: [email protected]

OR

http://www.accreditedappraisers.com/

I find HW really expensive compared to others. I rather pay less and get an EGL certificate.

 

[ice empress]

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

At this point in the game, this is probably the best way to handle it -- can't wait to see the final product, no matter who ends up making it for you! Good Luck, Steph!! Keep us updated!

Thank you! I'll definitely be posting pics!

 

[ice empress]

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

Are you appraising for insurance purposes or appraising for value or appraising it for accuracy? I guess it doesn't matter because there are no appraisers in Toronto that I trust more than myself. When I buy things from eBay, I send them to EGL-Canada (55 Queen Street) for same day service and their price is the same as appraisers. I get an EGL-Canada certificate which means more to me. They also give an insurance value (although over inflated for insurance purposes). The appraiser there is very nice and is willing to talk to you and give you more information. Based on the several diamonds I sent to this EGL location and then GIA in NYC ... I have found them to be one grade softer in color and exact on clarity.

See here for options: http://www.canadianjewellers.com/appraisers/Toronto

Try the following which are 1/3 to 1/2 of the price.
GS Laboratories – Toronto
27 Queen St. East, Suite 406
Phone: (416) 868-6656
Email: [email protected]

OR

http://www.accreditedappraisers.com/

I find HW really expensive compared to others. I rather pay less and get an EGL certificate.

Thank you CharmyPoo for the recommendations! I will definitely look into EGL (interestingly, they're in the same building as HW).
I'm getting the appraisal for accuracy and a plot diagram for my records.

Just to clarify, when you say EGL assesses one grade softer, does this mean one grade lower (meaning lower quality) for color and clarity? I suppose because it's safer to underestimate rather than overestimate?

 

[CharmyPoo]

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

Does your diamond come with a GIA certificate? If it does, the appraisal is not really going to help if you are confidential that you didn't get cheated. If your diamond didn't come with a GIA certificate, I would for sure go to EGL and get a EGL certificate. GIA is pretty much the standard and whom people base line color and clarity against. EGL is not as strict as GIA is - my experience shows that a GIA G VS1 would come back as a EGL-Canada F VS1 as an example.

 

[ice empress]

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

Does your diamond come with a GIA certificate? If it does, the appraisal is not really going to help if you are confidential that you didn't get cheated. If your diamond didn't come with a GIA certificate, I would for sure go to EGL and get a EGL certificate. GIA is pretty much the standard and whom people base line color and clarity against. EGL is not as strict as GIA is - my experience shows that a GIA G VS1 would come back as a EGL-Canada F VS1 as an example.

No... unfortunately, the diamond did not come with a GIA certificate... my FI was only provided with a CGS appraisal of the ring after the setting was completed, which would obviously make the diamond harder to assess accurately. This is exactly why I am taking this golden opportunity to have the diamond independently appraised while it is out of the setting.

 

[CharmyPoo]

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

In your case, I would send it to EGL-Canada for sure. It's under $100 and you will get a decent report with it. It's not GIA but it's still better than nothing. It will be a bit of a pain to get a GIA certificate (more time and money). But if you really want it ... try going to Raffi Jewellers at Yorkdale mall and see if they will send to GIA for you (they offered to do it for me before).

The other appraisals aren't likely worth the piece of paper they are on.

I am not sure how far along you are with your current jeweler but here are some other Toronto options for you.

PH Design (http://phdesign.ca) whom I use as my local bench. Paul has always done a good job for me but I have never had anything custom made by him. If you go to his facebook, you can see more examples of his work.

Leif Benner (http://www.leifbenner.com) provides excellent service and probably one of the top custom jewelers in Toronto. Pave doesn't compare to the ones commonly mentioned here but I would say best I found so far in Toronto.

Here is another one I have been meaning to try out in Toronto. I don't have any projects that I am willing to take the risk on and haven't had time to visit him in person. Work looked good enough on the website for me to consider on my list .. http://www.orosergio.com/

 

[ice empress]

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

I am not sure how far along you are with your current jeweler but here are some other Toronto options for you.

PH Design (http://phdesign.ca) whom I use as my local bench. Paul has always done a good job for me but I have never had anything custom made by him. If you go to his facebook, you can see more examples of his work.

Leif Benner (http://www.leifbenner.com) provides excellent service and probably one of the top custom jewelers in Toronto. Pave doesn't compare to the ones commonly mentioned here but I would say best I found so far in Toronto.

Here is another one I have been meaning to try out in Toronto. I don't have any projects that I am willing to take the risk on and haven't had time to visit him in person. Work looked good enough on the website for me to consider on my list .. http://www.orosergio.com/

Thanks so much for the recommendations! I will definitely keep these in mind for the future.

 

[LLJsmom]

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

Just another crazy thought. What if you shipped your stone down to VC and come down and pick it up yourself? That may be cheaper than spending all the money on the first setting, and being mentally ready to reset if you aren't satisfied with it, and the cost of the resetting, when you just got one. And just make a vacation out of it.

If you are too far along in the process, then never mind.

I just know me well enough that if I have had my heart set on something, and I settle for something else, it is just a matter of time before I go back and get it. I may take 2 months, or 2 years, but I'm one of those people who will not be able to let go. Then I will have spent time, money, and lost the time I could have been enjoying what I had wanted all along.

Good luck regardless!! Keep us updated!

 

[msop04]

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

Just another crazy thought. What if you shipped your stone down to VC and come down and pick it up yourself? That may be cheaper than spending all the money on the first setting, and being mentally ready to reset if you aren't satisfied with it, and the cost of the resetting, when you just got one. And just make a vacation out of it.

This is what I'd do...