Is Victor Canera worth it for smaller diamond?

[pennydistrict]

Hi all! My boyfriend and I are in the process of picking out an engagement ring and we're both feeling super overwhelmed by all of the information out there! I fell in love with Victor Canera's vintage-style settings and absolutely love his Antique Cushions. That being said, our budget is on the smaller side (or so it seems looking at some of his previous work). We're hoping to spend $14k total with the potential to go a little higher and VC's stones and settings are a bit pricey. I'm willing to pay for quality, but wondering if it's worth it to go to Victor Canera for a smaller stone (maybe 1.3 - 1.5 carats) in a simple platinum setting... maybe solitaire or three-stone? Of course I want the biggest center stone we can afford I have a size 6.5 ring size and am worried a 1.4c won't provide enough coverage.

Can anyone suggest other places where we can check out AC cut diamonds? Or does anyone have experience with VC's solitaires and three-stone rings? Would love any input and advice from the experts! SO happy to have found this forum!

 

[tyty333]

https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search

GOG has August Vintage Cushions and Stars plus platinum vintage cut cushions. Check them out. Still not cheap because they are branded but
have excellent light return.

 

[msop04]

...I'm willing to pay for quality, but wondering if it's worth it to go to Victor Canera for a smaller stone (maybe 1.3 - 1.5 carats) in a simple platinum setting... maybe solitaire or three-stone? Of course I want the biggest center stone we can afford I have a size 6.5 ring size and am worried a 1.4c won't provide enough coverage.

I won't comment on using VC vs. other vendors, but I did want to point out that a three stone would be one of the most expensive styles, as the larger side stones will eat away at your budget very quickly, leaving much less for the center stone. Obviously, a solitaire would allow you the largest budget for your center stone. A halo style will give you the most finger coverage, and VC makes some of the best.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Matthews1127]

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00
Just a suggestion pertaining to budget. VC works with JBG and sets her stones. Check it out & see if any of these tickle your fancy.

She also has rings on consignment already set by VC!

 

[SimoneDi]

@pennydistrict I love the VC antique cushions and really all of his designs are just gorgeous.

Have you seen this stone - https://loupetroop.com/listings/loo...ra-antique-cushion-needs-to-go-asap-pice-drop ? It is priced much lower compared to current VC comps and it will leave you with a healthy budget for a setting. I actually have had my heart set on it for a while, but can't justify the spending at this time, so I hope that another lucky gal can acquire it and enjoy it! Here is one of my favorite VC three stone designs:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/victor-canera-the-vine-three-cushion-stone-ring.204257/ or https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/the-vine-trilogy
And this is my personal favorite Art deco inspired design by VC: https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/vintage-french-cut-halo-solitaire
And lastly - this is another favorite and more modern pave design. The double claws really suite the cushion shape: https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/cathedral-band-pave-solitaire-and-vc-antique-cushion

 

[pennydistrict]

@pennydistrict I love the VC antique cushions and really all of his designs are just gorgeous.

Have you seen this stone - https://loupetroop.com/listings/loo...ra-antique-cushion-needs-to-go-asap-pice-drop ? It is priced much lower compared to current VC comps and it will leave you with a healthy budget for a setting. I actually have had my heart set on it for a while, but can't justify the spending at this time, so I hope that another lucky gal can acquire it and enjoy it! Here is one of my favorite VC three stone designs:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/victor-canera-the-vine-three-cushion-stone-ring.204257/ or https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/the-vine-trilogy
And this is my personal favorite Art deco inspired design by VC: https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/vintage-french-cut-halo-solitaire
And lastly - this is another favorite and more modern pave design. The double claws really suite the cushion shape: https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/cathedral-band-pave-solitaire-and-vc-antique-cushion

Wow, that stone from Loupe Troop is GORGEOUS and well within budget! Do you know if VC will set his own stone if purchased independently?

 

[SimoneDi]

Wow, that stone from Loupe Troop is GORGEOUS and well within budget! Do you know if VC will set his own stone if purchased independently?

Isn't it gorgeous! Last time I checked, he was willing to set it, but the upgrade policy is non-transferable. I would reach out to him to confirm if I were you, but I don't see a reason why he would not set his own stone.

P.S. If for whatever reason he declines to work with a pre-loved stone, SK, CvB, DK, etc. can also do a great job setting the stone..

 

[pennydistrict]

Isn't it gorgeous! Last time I checked, he was willing to set it, but the upgrade policy is non-transferable. I would reach out to him to confirm if I were you, but I don't see a reason why he would not set his own stone.

Well, I've contacted the seller and I'll reach out to VC! I'm totally new to Loupe Troop... do you have any tips?

 

[SimoneDi]

Well, I've contacted the seller and I'll reach out to VC! I'm totally new to Loupe Troop... do you have any tips?

If the stone is still available, I would just do the transaction through PayPal. Depending on if you want to see the stone first, you can have it shipped to you and then take it to an appraiser, or you can have it shipped to VC directly. I would probably try to negotiate at least a 3 day return period in case there is any damage to the stone. An alternative solution would be to ship to a mutually agreed appraiser who can facilitate the sale for a fee usually. The seller never had the stone set, so I would be pretty confident in its condition, but that is me and I have done multiple transactions through LT and other sites. Do the transaction in whichever way makes you feel comfortable

 

[poshmommy]

Great find! Good luck!

 

[caf]

I love that stone. I have been thinking about it for months!

 

[sgirl]

Well, I've contacted the seller and I'll reach out to VC! I'm totally new to Loupe Troop... do you have any tips?

What did VC say?

 

[jaaron]

That loupe troop stone in gorgeous! What a great find.

I just want to flag up below, as I'm not sure that's exactly right (just so no one jumps in without checking). I believe Victor will set outside stones (other than branded ones, like AVCs and AVRs) if his schedule allows, and will set Grace's stones in those circumstances. But as far as I know, he doesn't specifically work with her, so anyone wanting to purchase a stone from her and have it set by him, should check with him first.

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00
Just a suggestion pertaining to budget. VC works with JBG and sets her stones. Check it out & see if any of these tickle your fancy.

She also has rings on consignment already set by VC!

 

[pennydistrict]

What did VC say?

I never heard back from the seller We ended up getting a gorgeous CAC from Victor himself and Caysie of CvB is setting it. I would definitely recommend reaching out to Victor to confirm, as well. He's incredibly helpful!

 

[Matthews1127]

I never heard back from the seller We ended up getting a gorgeous CAC from Victor himself and Caysie of CvB is setting it. I would definitely recommend reaching out to Victor to confirm, as well. He's incredibly helpful!

That’s disappointing, but great news!! So glad Victor was able to help & get you one of his own, beautiful CAC’s!!!
l believe my post was phrased in a way that was misleading; my apologies....