Coming out of lurkdom to tell the story of my amazing upgrade. About this time last year I was trying on some "diamonds" at a local store. You know, the ones that come out around the holidays in the middle of the aisles at department stores for $19.95. Well that got me to thinking, "why not upgrade?" I was coming up to some milestones in my life, and I love diamonds, so I thought this would be as good a time as any. Now I have been perfectly happy with my .70 marquise, circa late 1980's with the chunky gold setting that covered my finger up to my knuckle. It was a second marriage for DH and I, so we picked it out together from a friend's B&M store, and he assured me it was a "good stone" since I knew nothing about diamonds. I loved the stone and the setting. (I actually still do, and might turn it into a RHR.) I was a nurse working in a busy ER, so after ripping off a prong on a trauma cart, the ring went into the jewelry box for the next 18 years. When I started working a less hazardous job, I enjoyed wearing my diamond again. So back to last year and my decision to upgrade.
Being much more suave, and google being my friend, I turned to the internet to learn about diamonds. I set a budget and decided I wanted a 1 caret RB. Then I started reading about super ideal, GIA, AGS, triple X, 000, and in the midst of my confusion, I found Pricescope and have been a lurker since. I have learned so much from all of you, gotten good advice, even though you didn't know you gave it to me. (YOU being so many posters I can't even mention you all). So my "I want" increased and so did my budget by necessity, so I had to "save up". My plan was to have a ring by the end of this year. I almost pulled the trigger on a 1.3 super ideal RB, then I decided I wanted a 1.5, then a 1.7. I looked at so many of the recommended vendors. All awesome. Then I found my way to Victor Canera and Canera Antique Cushions. I loved the large facets and pastel flashes. Now I had never seen an antique cushion in real life, but I knew all along I wanted something different, and the setting had to be as unique as the stone, thus "hand forged" went to the top of the list.
I went back and forth on color. I got quotes on different settings. I had many sleepless nights. I e-mailed Victor and talked to myself in the e-mails, trying to figure it all out. Victor was always patient and kind and helped me work my way through my questions and doubts. I had diamonds spinning on my computer screen every night, comparing idealscopes, asets and certificates. I love pave but I'm not frilly and I wanted a ring I can wear all the time, so pave kind of scared me. I'm a jeans and T-shirt but with a diamond pendant kind of person. Finally it all started to come together, especially when I saw the diamond I had been eyeing (I had choice #1,2,3,and 4 but really wanted #1) posted on Victor's Facebook and I thought "somebody else is going to buy MY diamond". That did it. I sent a deposit and called Victor. I was nervous talking to him initially. Felt like I was talking to a celebrity. But he put me at ease and we talked about the design. He made suggestions I hadn't even considered. And we came up with a plan.
The diamond I chose is a 2.058 I, VVS1, CAC. I put all of my trust in Victor. Once my decision on a stone and general setting idea was made (no easy task), I left it all up to him. When I got the e-mail last week that my ring was ready, my hands were almost shaking too badly to open the e-mail. Then there it was. The most beautiful ring I had ever seen, at least for me. When he asked when I wanted it shipped, I nonchalantly said in a week, to fit with my work schedule, lol. Here is the ring I had been waiting for for almost a year, and I said, "in a week".
So, today was the day. It's here!! It's amazing!! It fits me and my life style perfectly! I had to call Victor to thank him personally, an e-mail just wouldn't do (he is so very gracious). It's everything and more. I LOVE the CAC. I can't say enough about how beautiful this stone is! I LOVE the setting. The light reflecting off of the facets is unbelievable! I did find out I'm not a photographer, nor am I creative, but I did the best I could and the ring speaks for itself.
Here is Victor's glamour shot.
The video:
And a few I took:
I still can't believe this is mine! I went on blind faith and trust in Victor and the advice of many Pricescopers and I'm so glad I did.
Being much more suave, and google being my friend, I turned to the internet to learn about diamonds. I set a budget and decided I wanted a 1 caret RB. Then I started reading about super ideal, GIA, AGS, triple X, 000, and in the midst of my confusion, I found Pricescope and have been a lurker since. I have learned so much from all of you, gotten good advice, even though you didn't know you gave it to me. (YOU being so many posters I can't even mention you all). So my "I want" increased and so did my budget by necessity, so I had to "save up". My plan was to have a ring by the end of this year. I almost pulled the trigger on a 1.3 super ideal RB, then I decided I wanted a 1.5, then a 1.7. I looked at so many of the recommended vendors. All awesome. Then I found my way to Victor Canera and Canera Antique Cushions. I loved the large facets and pastel flashes. Now I had never seen an antique cushion in real life, but I knew all along I wanted something different, and the setting had to be as unique as the stone, thus "hand forged" went to the top of the list.
I went back and forth on color. I got quotes on different settings. I had many sleepless nights. I e-mailed Victor and talked to myself in the e-mails, trying to figure it all out. Victor was always patient and kind and helped me work my way through my questions and doubts. I had diamonds spinning on my computer screen every night, comparing idealscopes, asets and certificates. I love pave but I'm not frilly and I wanted a ring I can wear all the time, so pave kind of scared me. I'm a jeans and T-shirt but with a diamond pendant kind of person. Finally it all started to come together, especially when I saw the diamond I had been eyeing (I had choice #1,2,3,and 4 but really wanted #1) posted on Victor's Facebook and I thought "somebody else is going to buy MY diamond". That did it. I sent a deposit and called Victor. I was nervous talking to him initially. Felt like I was talking to a celebrity. But he put me at ease and we talked about the design. He made suggestions I hadn't even considered. And we came up with a plan.
The diamond I chose is a 2.058 I, VVS1, CAC. I put all of my trust in Victor. Once my decision on a stone and general setting idea was made (no easy task), I left it all up to him. When I got the e-mail last week that my ring was ready, my hands were almost shaking too badly to open the e-mail. Then there it was. The most beautiful ring I had ever seen, at least for me. When he asked when I wanted it shipped, I nonchalantly said in a week, to fit with my work schedule, lol. Here is the ring I had been waiting for for almost a year, and I said, "in a week".
So, today was the day. It's here!! It's amazing!! It fits me and my life style perfectly! I had to call Victor to thank him personally, an e-mail just wouldn't do (he is so very gracious). It's everything and more. I LOVE the CAC. I can't say enough about how beautiful this stone is! I LOVE the setting. The light reflecting off of the facets is unbelievable! I did find out I'm not a photographer, nor am I creative, but I did the best I could and the ring speaks for itself.
Here is Victor's glamour shot.
The video:
And a few I took:
I still can't believe this is mine! I went on blind faith and trust in Victor and the advice of many Pricescopers and I'm so glad I did.
. I'm so excited for you! Congratulations!!!
All of your diligence certainly paid off and you will adore this masterpiece for years and years to come. I am so thrilled for you! Enjoy every second of wearing it, and please post hand shots when you get a chance. This is eye candy at its finest!! 
300x240.png)