Custom Halo Opinions Please!

[dc888]

Hi Gypsy,

Thank you for offering your views. I don''t think the metal is for protective purposes, as that was never mentioned by the designer to begin with. However, more metal = less delicate/dainty in any case. For those of us looking to achieve this look, there is an expectation that no metal/very limited metal will be showing. The band and halo clearly illustrate the melee being encased by the metal (not by tiny beads, but by crescent like formations). The technique used to set the melee, has yet to be identified, which leaves me even more confused.

As for my gf being unreasonable...perhaps. But aren''t most young ladies, when they are receiving their "dream ring". I''m sure if you look back (at your old posts), you''d find that you had a very specific set of criteria for your ring as well. Every little detail matters, and understandably so, considering the time and money invested. I paid for a custom setting, not an exact replica. The ring was built according to what the designer liked, not what we liked or wished for. Perhaps, if I was consulted during the fabrication process, I wouldn''t be so surprised by the outcome.

 

[Rhino]

Date: 8/26/2008 12:28:54 AM
Author: Beacon
I think your ring looks very nice. I have a question: are the color photos at the start of your post an actual HW ring? And then are they are followed by black and white pics of your ring that was made?

I think your ring was made very similar to the HW if I have the pictures right in my mind. I think it will help if you get photos of the new ring you had made that are in color and similar to the one that you started the post with. That will give a better indication of how comparable it is.

To me it certainly looks very similar and like a nice ring.

Beacon hits the nail on the head. Perhaps you have some kind of media that shows the ring in similar lighting to the ones you had originally forwarded? Different lighting at various levels of magnification reveal different details. Your concern for not being dainty enough may be totally alleviated when you view the ring in similar lighting.

 

[ericad]

Couple questions:

1. what size is your center stone (for scale)? Sorry if you already told us - but I couldn''t find it above.
2. would the jeweler agree to send you the ring for inspection before making a final decision? While the magnified images are not what you expected, perhaps in person your girlfriend will love it?

PS - for what it''s worth, I''m having a similar setting made and never specified (nor was I asked) bead set, fishtail, etc. Reading this thread prompted me to ask the jeweler what I was getting and his reply was that it would be bead set, just as in the pics I sent him, as that is what he assumed I wanted (correctly so). I agree that your jeweler should have either asked you how you wanted the stones set OR assumed you wanted it like the HW ring and done his homework in order to get it right.

 

[Rhino]

Hey stoneseeker,

Thanks for your input. Just some thoughts from one in this industry.

Date: 8/26/2008 8:21:27 AM
Author: stone_seeker
Rhino, thanks for your input. However, as someone who knows a lot about copyright law, I must disagree with the notion of having an HW-like ring somehow infringes on Harry''s copyrights. Haloing a cushion cut is not unique and the concept is most certainly not owned by Harry Winston. He may have made it popular, but he was not the first. Furthermore, HW will change any aspect of the band (increase width, etc.) or use larger melee in the halo if you desire - so even they aren''t wed to a particular style.

No disagreement there my friend. An HW "like" ring no problem. We even feature a Vatche X prong "like" ring too. It is not identical to the original X prong though.

What is copyright infringement, however, is if some independent jeweler sold rings under the HW name, in an HW box, with the HW logo engraved on the inside of the shank. Sam goes for Tacori, etc. Using thsoe names without permission would be violation of trademarks. Even though the styles themselves arent unique and subject to replication (just ask Band-Aid, Qtip, Xerox, etc.), the brand has value due to the company''s investment in marketing and the perceived quality associated with buying ''an original'' Vatche X Prong or Tiffany Novo. There are very few copyrighted styles of jewelry - most rings are circles, made with metal and use 4-6 prongs to hold a center stone.

The trade doesn''t think this way stoneseeker. Try having someone duplicate a Tacori and see if they are not dragged through a long expensive legal process, whether they win or lose. Besides that stoneseeker, it is also a matter of personal ethics. We do not feature an exact Tiffany duplicate for both reasons. We have Tiffany "like" settings but not a duplicate and if requested to we would not for both legal and ethical reasons. I never promise people I will copy exactly another setters design. I work with a designer Mark Morrell and while he may or may not take someone to court, the company that duplicates his designs is frowned upon and speaks to us in the trade about their integrity. It is just not cool.

Peace,

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 8/26/2008 2:56:26 PM
Author: dc888
Hi Gypsy,

Thank you for offering your views. I don't think the metal is for protective purposes, as that was never mentioned by the designer to begin with. However, more metal = less delicate/dainty in any case. For those of us looking to achieve this look, there is an expectation that no metal/very limited metal will be showing. The band and halo clearly illustrate the melee being encased by the metal (not by tiny beads, but by crescent like formations). The technique used to set the melee, has yet to be identified, which leaves me even more confused.

As for my gf being unreasonable...perhaps. But aren't most young ladies, when they are receiving their 'dream ring'. I'm sure if you look back (at your old posts), you'd find that you had a very specific set of criteria for your ring as well. Every little detail matters, and understandably so, considering the time and money invested. I paid for a custom setting, not an exact replica. The ring was built according to what the designer liked, not what we liked or wished for. Perhaps, if I was consulted during the fabrication process, I wouldn't be so surprised by the outcome.

Ehh. I get cranky. Yes, I was a complete and TOTAL PITA about my ring. But, I did make sure that acceptance of the final product was on my (and my appraisers) inspection, not on pics. And I micro managed each choice (shank width, wire formation, point size, type of melee and color). And I did reject version number one of my halo because of the way my stones were set. My appraiser was the one that saw the ring first and from what I had described to him as wanting, he knew that the designer had misunderstood me completely. To a far greater extent than (from the pics) it looks like your designer misunderstood you. What followed was a trade of magifified pics detailing the different types of pave setting, and me choosing the one I thought I liked best.Then the halo was re-done. But like I said, I was VERY specific in my requirements, and my sketch from my designer actually SAID 'no metal edge on halo' in her hand writing... and when the ring was constructed... there was a metal edge. So I really had a specific and detailed history of my request, and the ring really did not match that.

But here's what I am saying though I totally could have phrased it more sympathetically (and given my experiences should have, my apologies), you haven't seen this ring in person. Here's a magnified pic of my ring... see all that metal, all those little lines. To be honest... not at ALL what I wanted to see. In the pic, the diamonds look overshadowed by all that metal.

You can see it here too: METAL EVERYWHERE-- especially in the corners:

But in real life... my ring doesn't look like that at all. All you see is diamonds and sparkle and fire. I was worried when I got that first pic about the amount of metal showing, but I decided to give it a try. And you know what? I was so happy with the result.

I have since looped quite a few halos that have the halos set 'HW-like" they mainly seem to be a little different in the way the stones are set depending on the skill of the setter, and with varying results. Mine is lovely... and it is in kind of in the style of HW... but not exactly there when you look at it next to the actual HW IRL, or in pics.

Custom rings need to be evaluated on their own merit. Or, if you or your GF can't... just reject the ring and ask for your stone back. But... if you asked for "HW-LIKE" you did get it. And if you didn't specify how the stones were going to be set, the point size, the shank size well... yes, the designer did assume. And maybe he shouldn't have. But as an impartial observer... it does look like he tried to give you what you asked for. You may not be happy with it, and that's different. And something you need to work out with him. But, the ring is definitely HW-LIKE, and if that's ALL you asked for. in my opinion, you did get it. If you wanted more than that, you maybe should have been more specific.
Maybe not. I'm sure there are many that would disagree with me.
.

 

[dc888]

Hi there,

This thread has gotten alot more active.

ericad: The center stone is a 1.57 Carat 8 pavillion cushion. With regards to the jeweler sending me the ring for inspection, I've posed that as a question, and am waiting for a response still. I'm sure I'll hear back by tomorrow, as I'm sure he's bombarded with emails daily.

For your own personal halo setting, I wish you all the best. Be certain to get down to the specifics with your custom work, so there are no areas left to the designers interpretation. Not that the designer has bad intentions, but it may not be what you have your heart set on. Keep us posted with your developments

Gypsy: Thank you for your wonderfully thoughtful and thorough response. I think what it may come down to is having the gf see the ring in person. I'm working on getting that done. Thank you for your closeup shots. Your ring looks lovely by the way

In regards, to being specific about the ring details, I had little opportunity to do so. When I tried to offer input, I was more or less told the designer knew what I wanted from the HW the pictures. For the couple details I did specify (prongs for the center stone, and band sizing detail), the results came back incorrect. The result of the designers work really is stunning, but not exactly what the gf had her heart set on. I'm just trying to make that a reality for her. I really do believe though, if we do "settle" on this otherwise beautiful ring, the gf will always wonder what if she got the correct setting. I have no doubt in my mind, that it would also be beautiful, but also to her hearts content.

 

[robh505]

Can I just ask, is the designer someone that Pricescope readers would be familier with?

 

[strmrdr]

This thread was emailed to me by another consumer for comment.
given the lighting difference it looks as close as another designer can make it to me and should be wall to wall bling.

 

[Rhino]

Date: 8/26/2008 8:50:22 PM
Author: robh505
Can I just ask, is the designer someone that Pricescope readers would be familier with?

Yes and I know them personally. The fact is we contracted the work to them on behalf of dcc since this designer does not work with the public. They are a world reknown designer and wish to remain anonymous. Since Marie helps our clients with settings I have been researching the correspondence between her and dcc88 regarding what details were promised.

The 3 specifics that were given to Marie insofar as I can see from the emails I have read thus far were ...

1. Make sure the prongs are not overbearing.
2. Make sure the diamond is set sufficiently above the halo and not into the halo.
3. Pictures provided from the PS thread of the ring.

Our promise was simple. We would make a ring that is similar with the above details via the designer we contracted the work too.

Here is a video showing the ring in the same lighting that was provided for the designer to make it similar to which are included in the clip as the ring is tilted in similar directions. I purposely left out sound so there is no influence by my commentary. Only what one sees.

 

[dragonfly411]

IMO I think you are going to like it more if you see it in person. No replica can be made EXACTLY The same, that would be infringement of copyright. From my experience of comparing things between websites and what I see in actual stores, photos sent to you or seen online won''t be exactly like seeing them in person. So that being said, I think you should wait until you see it.

 

[Rhino]

Also thanks for posting your pics gypsy. Being familiar with how photography translates to real world observation I have no doubt as to the beauty of your ring.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 8/26/2008 8:34:50 PM
Author: dc888
In regards, to being specific about the ring details, I had little opportunity to do so. When I tried to offer input, I was more or less told the designer knew what I wanted from the HW the pictures. For the couple details I did specify (prongs for the center stone, and band sizing detail), the results came back incorrect. The result of the designers work really is stunning, but not exactly what the gf had her heart set on. I'm just trying to make that a reality for her. I really do believe though, if we do 'settle' on this otherwise beautiful ring, the gf will always wonder what if she got the correct setting. I have no doubt in my mind, that it would also be beautiful, but also to her hearts content.

That's not good. Okay. I totally get that. My prongs too, aren't what I had in mind. I wanted REALLY tiny prongs (and you can tell from the pics that they aren't tiny), but again... in real life, looks good. Still, if there was one thing I could change it would be the prong size and I do wonder how it would look with smaller prongs. BUT I also suspect it looks better this way, because of the way my prongs flow up from my underwires, so I've never made an issue of it at all.

I also agree with wanting to avoid the 'what if' feeling with regard to such an important piece. Like I said, I get it once in a blue moon with regard to my prongs, and though it goes away very quickly, I can see how you would want your lady to never have that. I think it's sweet. UNFORTUNATELY, the what if... is part of the custom process much of the time. It comes partially from the "simlar but not exact thing"... and also comes from the translation of your expections to the designer's visions and skills. I've learned that it is (and this is logical, but still, took me a while) MUCH harder to take a ring done by one person to another and say, "copy that" (or as close as you can ethically), than to take that designer's OWN work to them and say "can you modify this to make this change." IF I go through the custom process again for an intricate piece, it would be to do it in person and to use the designer's own previous work as a guide. Ideally anyway.

Best of luck. And if doesn't work that the ring comes to you for eval. Try to a local appraiser, or something. And keep us updated!

 

[luvmyhalo]

I just watched the video and I have to say it looks extremely similar to the HW ring. It looks GORGEOUS!!!!! The prongs don''t seem to overwhelm the stones at all. Those macro shots are sooo deceiving as to the size of prongs. To your eye, it won''t seem "metally" at all. (Did I just make up a word?!) I think you & your lady will be very happy with the ring.

Oh...and Gypsy...your ring is TDF!

 

[stone_seeker]

I just saw the video and I think it looks GREAT. So much better and more delicate than those initial pics.

Good thing no major changes were made....I had a feeling in real life the ring would look a lot better. I like it more than what I typically see in HW - very sparkly!