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Pave and melee quality with David Klass or VC

Roqsteady

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
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194
Has anyone worked with both of these designers? They both have a good reputation here on PS but obviously there's a price difference due to the difference in Cad/cast vs hand-forged. Can anyone whose worked with either speak to the quality of the pave and quality/sparkle of the melee? Do you think there would be a noticeable difference if both made the same design? I'm a little torn.
 
bump!
 
Just to expand on the topic and I know I've seen this in other threads before, but does anyone have rings made by either of these with single cut melee? or full cut melee? or both? And how do you like them? Going with one of these designers and choosing the type of melee two of my last checkboxes before I start getting the ring created :)
 
I haven't worked with either vendor but have exchanged emails with both. They are very friendly and responsive so I would recommend you contact them direct and ask :))
 
I have had 2 rings done by each designer. VC does a much better job with design where DK I felt I needed to micromanage proportions etc. Is this for a RHR or a ering? I would also choose the vendor based on what design you are doing. There will be a pretty large price gap between the two.

I should note that the DK rings I had made are more antique and art deco, something I have felt that VC can't pull off with his design style. They are more similar in style to a Single Stone ring. However with that said my Emilya is to die for. If I was going to redo that ring again I would go with VC or ERD. I wouldn't have DK make that halo/ pave ring for me. Just my .02.
 
SB621|1393405095|3623280 said:
I have had 2 rings done by each designer. VC does a much better job with design where DK I felt I needed to micromanage proportions etc. Is this for a RHR or a ering? I would also choose the vendor based on what design you are doing. There will be a pretty large price gap between the two.

I should note that the DK rings I had made are more antique and art deco, something I have felt that VC can't pull off with his design style. They are more similar in style to a Single Stone ring. However with that said my Emilya is to die for. If I was going to redo that ring again I would go with VC or ERD. I wouldn't have DK make that halo/ pave ring for me. Just my .02.

This post was really helpful! This is for an ering. For your rings did you do single cut or full cut melee? Which do you prefer?

The style I'm going for is kind of like this, but I would add milligrain beading on the edges. I love the diamonds on the crown on this:
http://www.victorcanera.com/the-evelyn-solitaire-with-flush-stems

My original inspiration and alternative was something like this:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...alf-eternity-diamond-engagement-ring-2566.htm

I love the patterning on the side and I realize that's probably more cast/DK friendly than VC friendly, and while there's no diamonds on the crown like the first one I kind of like that there's minimal visual obstruction to seeing the whole center diamond besides the prongs. What would you recommend for these two styles of rings?
 
Gotcha. It is really up to you. I'm extremely picky with my settings. I care less about what goes in them and more about design which is sort of anti pricescope. For my Emilya(s)- I had 2 of them, I used full cut on my 2ct MRB and single cut on my 5ct AC. With DK I have only used single cut with both rings.

Obviously VC would do a better job on this ring as he is known for his delicate pave. As the saying goes you get what you pay for. However if you wanted to save 3 or 4k I think DK could do it justice as well. 90% of people probably wont' see or know the difference either way. It really matters how picky you are with your settings and what will bother you. I know on my Emilya ring some of the edges and other factors of hand forging do bother me I like the look of CAD/CAST rings as I think they look more finished. However pave with handforged rings I believe holds up much better (coming from a person who never takes off her rings ever for any reason) and you do see less metal. So there are pros and cons to both. I think VC and DK are great to work with so you probably can't go wrong with either one. You just need to figure out what is most important to you. Have you thought about requesting quotes from ERD, SK and LM? They are all east coast but I think it would be good for pricing everything out. ERD does CAST/CAD and hand forged. Honestly they might be a great option or middle ground for you.
 
SB621|1393442219|3623581 said:
Gotcha. It is really up to you. I'm extremely picky with my settings. I care less about what goes in them and more about design which is sort of anti pricescope. For my Emilya(s)- I had 2 of them, I used full cut on my 2ct MRB and single cut on my 5ct AC. With DK I have only used single cut with both rings.

Obviously VC would do a better job on this ring as he is known for his delicate pave. As the saying goes you get what you pay for. However if you wanted to save 3 or 4k I think DK could do it justice as well. 90% of people probably wont' see or know the difference either way. It really matters how picky you are with your settings and what will bother you. I know on my Emilya ring some of the edges and other factors of hand forging do bother me I like the look of CAD/CAST rings as I think they look more finished. However pave with handforged rings I believe holds up much better (coming from a person who never takes off her rings ever for any reason) and you do see less metal. So there are pros and cons to both. I think VC and DK are great to work with so you probably can't go wrong with either one. You just need to figure out what is most important to you. Have you thought about requesting quotes from ERD, SK and LM? They are all east coast but I think it would be good for pricing everything out. ERD does CAST/CAD and hand forged. Honestly they might be a great option or middle ground for you.

Thanks again for your input! I have thought about the other guys but since DK and VC are local to me in LA it makes it easier. My GF isn't a huge jewelry/brand name gal so I'm not sure she'd be able tell the difference (she loves pave though) and she'd want me to spend what's practical financially, but I want to get her the very best if it's worth it. When you say you see less metal with hand-forged pave, where exactly is that noticeable? On the individual prongs?

Do you notice any difference in the quality of the melee that they use? With VC what's the visual difference between two? Does one sparkle more or is it just a different kind of sparkle?

Also, I have a 1.55 ct J colored center stone, so I'm also thinking that the first design might hide the body color, as opposed to being exposed in a setting like the tacori (even though I really like the idea of it).

Last question for now - how would these styles perform with wearing bands next to them? (preferrably flush). would it cause wear/scratches? Would it necessitate a sturdier pave?

Thanks so much for your help and sorry for all the questions!
 
If you are local I see the draw however I would almost still push for East coast as you won't have to pay CA sales tax!

Yes more metal between the melee diamonds. But once again if your girlfriend isn't a jewelry girl she probably won't notice. The setting you picked is pretty straight forward. And you might see color between your center and the melee it will depend on how color sensative you and your girlfriend are. You could always ask to use G/H color melee instead if E/F to make it blend more.

sorry have to cut short..baby crying!
 
It's hard to make this comparison - you are essentially comparing two different classes of work here. Both are great depending on what you are looking for. Very few people will say DK is better than VC but with VC you are also paying more. Some people love their Hondas while others need a BMW. Both manufacturers make great cars.
 
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