Hand Forged or CAD for HW Belle

[prometheus88]

Hi everyone,

Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer. I've been reading and learning from the forum awhile, and I was hoping I could get some more recent and specific advice.

Similar to the poster here,

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...d-now-need-the-ring-hw-belle-inspired.186061/

I am looking at create a Harry Winston Belle engagement ring for my girlfriend, and I was hoping to get some more updated advice given the thread is from 2013.

Belle Image for reference


Based on my research here and elsewhere, I've decided on getting a signature or black hearts and arrows round cut diamond from Brian Gavin (around 1.3-1.5 carats), and I was looking into getting it placed in a Harry Winston Belle setting. For the setting, I am open to either getting it CAD made or Hand forged. I am aware of the price difference, and am willing to pay the premium for the hand forging if the quality and end result will be better.

Based on the recommendations of the forum, it seems the top hand forgers are Steven Kirsch, Leon Powe, and Victor Canera. I am not too familiar with the CAD vendors, but it seems like ECD did a fantastic job with the other poster's ring.

My questions are:

1) Assuming only a 30-50% price difference is not too large a consideration, would you go hand forged or CAD, and which option will create the best end result?

2) Will the hand forgers be willing to reproduce the Belle design?

3) Do you know if any of the hand forgers would be willing to take on the project of just supplying the ring setting and micro pave and using the Brian Gavin stone as the center stone? Or are they pretty set on only doing it with stones they supply

4) About roughly what can I expect price wise from either CAD or hand forged?

Thank you again for all your time and help. I really appreciate it.

 

[pinkjewel]

I really like the way ERD (Brilliantly Engaged) created the ring last time-especially moving the prongs to fill in the gaps which I do not like on the original Harry Winston. If I were you I'd ask them for a quote.

As far as the others setting outside stones, I believe I read on Victor's site recently he will only take outside stones if time allows or at his discretion.

 

[prometheus88]

HI Everyone,

Thank you for the advice. I will definitely reach out to Brilliantly Engaged to get a quote from them. If the top is cast, will there be issues with porosity?

Also seems like VC is out of the running, but can't hurt to ask.

 

[ac117]

There shouldn't be any issues but if you're concerned you could always request they send the completed piece to an appraiser when they're finished for an independent assessment. David Wolf is highly regarded here and is very close to BE.