Poll: Victor Canera - Leon Mege - Kwait

[BlingBling87]

Victor Canera

https://www.pricescope.com/blog/jewel-week-love-entwined-custom-diamond-engagement-ring

Leon Mege

https://leonmege.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=891&virtuemart_category_id=16&Itemid=332

Kwiat

http://www.kwiat.com/fine-diamond-jewelry/cushion-diamond-ring-platinum-pave-setting-floating-basket/p/58207/99/0/0

 

[BlingBling87]

Could only fit 4 photos in first post

 

[Ally T]

All very beautiful & you can't go wrong! I voted for LM as his work pleases my eye more

 

[Acinom]

I voted Victor as he is lower priced compared to Leon and he offers great quality and customer service!!
He can make the 'Leon' design you selected as well. But you cannot go wrong with a Leon either.

 

[Mayk]

I also picked Victor. I love that design. I had Victor reset my e-ring in the Evelyn but I looked at this setting for a long time before deciding. I would still love a band like this. Victor is wonderful to work with.

 

[luv2sparkle]

I voted for Leon but you can't go wrong with Victor Canera either. The Kwait doesn't compare for me, but I know a lot of people would love the ring you posted.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Victor can make any of those designs, plus, he has integrity and is a nice person. No contest in my book.

 

[ame]

Of these three I rank the Victor then the Kwiat. Really they're tied. I like that twisted band look a lot but the thin shank on the Kwiat will make your stone pop. I guess that one comes down to how wide you want your band and how much detail. I think if you get the Victor it will be something you have to think about with wedding bands. That Kwiat will sit flush.

I don't prefer the Leon because the donut has diamonds, that is an immediate strike for elimination.

I have a Kwiat micropave band and it's really well made, though the diamonds are not as well cut as say a BGD band would be.

 

[BlingBling87]

Thank you all for your input. I have found this site extremely helpful. Does anyone have or has anyone seen a hand picture of the LM on this site? I am curious how high up the stone will sit. I am seeing the Kwiat ring in person next week I really like the VC as well but as mentioned before I think I would have trouble finding a wedding band.

 

[arkieb1]

I personally would get Victor to make any of these rings show him the pic his pave is the best of the three and he will make anything you want. I also think it depends on the size of your centre stone, the Leon in the middle and even the Kwait will look better with a 1.80 even a 2.00 carat + stone, the first one I have seen look great with a smaller stone.

 

[UrsTx]

As ame mentioned, the diamonds on LM's donut could cause you problems when it rubs on your band so I recommend considering if you want to keep diamonds on it or go with a plain donut.

I don't have the 411 setting to show you - I wish I did!

My sideways pic attached is LM's Princesa solitaire setting which appears to me to be the 411 model without diamonds(?). LM sets his diamonds low, which I personally like. If you want it higher, he will do so upon request. I'm posting it so you can see its height. (Note it's next to a temp spring ring so disregard the height of that particular ring. I originally took the pic to show color diff in G and I.). The point/cutlet of the diamond just slightly hovers about the top of the donut.


And here is the Princesa on my finger so you can see height.

 

[tyty333]

I love the Victor and the Leon designs but I would probably have Victor make it.

 

[BlingBling87]

Thank you for posting the pics very helpful I like where the setting sits ... Not to high. What is the carat size in the picture you posted?

I didn't even think about the donut with respect to the wedding band...so you guys think this LM 401 with diamonds only on the band is better?

What about adding diamonds around the top of the basket and not the donut/prongs? Similar to the Victor ring...

Also. What are the thoughts on cathedral vs no cathedral?

 

[ame]

URSTX makes a really REALLY good point--Leon is not amenable to height changes. I like my stones set high, to where you can see the culet from the side. That's, for me, a non negotiable. I will not budge on that, period, ever. I also want my rings to sit fairly flush. And from what I gathered after our discussion about a setting, not only does he not want you to wear any rings next to his engagement settings, he is someone that won't budge on his stance of not giving a shit about your feelings on that.

 

[UrsTx]

The cushion's dimensions in the pic are 8.5x8.4mm and that band is approx 1.6-1.8mm thin (I don't remember specifically). Ame is correct that the WB will not sit flush against that Ering due to the donut. I wear a spacer ring to keep my WB from rubbing up against the Ering.

Someone else put a diff post on PS today or yesterday about their really thin pave band from LM that is approx 10-12 yrs old and she's had lots of problems with the pave falling out. Just FYI. I have no direct experience with pave settings from LM but I think he'll make it like you want it, for a price. He can be pricey, at least for my pocketbook.

I do think you should get a bid from VC and LM on your fave setting - I think they'll both do a great job. Then you can compare apples to apples, incl personalities and completion dates.

 

[BlingBling87]

Are you saying that both the 411 and 401 will not sit flush or just the 411? The donut on the 401 is much smaller... Are spacers a pain?

 

[ame]

Are you saying that both the 411 and 401 will not sit flush or just the 411? The donut on the 401 is much smaller... Are spacers a pain?

I wear a spacer bec I have a new setting from BGD that has a donut. And it is not a pain. But if you wear a spacer next to Leon's "creation" and something happens to the Leon, you're going to get a world of hell getting the Leon repairs done. Just a warning.

 

[UrsTx]

Are you saying that both the 411 and 401 will not sit flush or just the 411? The donut on the 401 is much smaller... Are spacers a pain?

For me, I wear a spacer bc my WB is approx 2mm tall. With LM's setting so low, the top of my band rubs up against the basket of the ering. See pic below. The spacer (from Etsy) is 1mm thin which gives a hairline space between the two rings. I don't feel it at all.

 

[UrsTx]

Maybe this is a better view of how tall my band is??

 

[BlingBling87]

I actually really like the spacer look especially with non matching bands.

I was searching "spacer photos" and I think with diamonds on the shank you always need a spacer... Or at least it seems to be a good idea to protect the integrity of everything.

I am still torn between the LM ad the VC...

If I went with VC braided e-ring this is the band I would go with...I think

If I went with LM I would just get a matching band...

What do you guys think of the braided with this WB? I haven't come across too many that I like with the braided...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I prefer the non-braided style settings but would have Victor make them. But the straight band is what I'd choose for the twisted shank e-ring.

 

[Rockinruby]

I voted for the LM setting. However, I like the idea of getting quotes from both LM & VC. I agree that a spacer might be needed depending on the ring design, etc.

 

[cokitty]

I would go with the LM style and have Steven Kirsch make it. If you want the wedding band to sit flush simply asking for the modification to be made in your initial contact email. I think you are very smart to be getting your thoughts in order before reaching out to vendors.

 

[BlingBling87]

Is it that VC is cheaper?better quality? I keep seeing comments on PS that LM is hard to work with. I spoke with him on the phone 2 times and via email and he has been very friendly and helpful. Maybe it's how some folks approach what they want? Or why does he get a bad rap?

Also, if I go with either LM or VC should I get the center stone from them or somewhere else? LM seems to have a bigger selection...I also noticed that VC uses AGS not GIA which concerns me as far as the center stone. Thoughts?

 

[luv2sparkle]

Are you saying that both the 411 and 401 will not sit flush or just the 411? The donut on the 401 is much smaller... Are spacers a pain?

I wear a spacer bec I have a new setting from BGD that has a donut. And it is not a pain. But if you wear a spacer next to Leon's "creation" and something happens to the Leon, you're going to get a world of hell getting the Leon repairs done. Just a warning.

Really, how do you know this Ame? You also said that Leon will not accommodate your request for a higher set ring. That is not true. He will make whatever the client request, but aesthetically, and to protect the stone, he prefers low set.

Also, on the issue of pave-my ring is loaded with it. I wear it all the time, even when I probably shouldn't. It is slightly off round from me carrying heavy things and I haven't had one single stone come out. I know there was on PS'er that did have a horrible time with a ring, but I have not heard of anyone losing pave since then. I do know about the amount of wear and tear my ring takes, and it is considerable. I didn't realize how much it would take when I decided on that style. I do wear a spacer most of the time, but sometimes I do not.

While it is true, that Leon has not always treated people kindly here, and has definitely made some enemies, his work is beautiful.

It is a personal choice whether someone wants to work with him. I had a good experience. But if your going to say negative things about him, it should be because that was your personal experience. The points you made Ame, were your opinions but you stated them as if they were fact.

 

[ame]

Are you saying that both the 411 and 401 will not sit flush or just the 411? The donut on the 401 is much smaller... Are spacers a pain?

I wear a spacer bec I have a new setting from BGD that has a donut. And it is not a pain. But if you wear a spacer next to Leon's "creation" and something happens to the Leon, you're going to get a world of hell getting the Leon repairs done. Just a warning.

Really, how do you know this Ame? You also said that Leon will not accommodate your request for a higher set ring. That is not true. He will make whatever the client request, but aesthetically, and to protect the stone, he prefers low set.

Also, on the issue of pave-my ring is loaded with it. I wear it all the time, even when I probably shouldn't. It is slightly off round from me carrying heavy things and I haven't had one single stone come out. I know there was on PS'er that did have a horrible time with a ring, but I have not heard of anyone losing pave since then. I do know about the amount of wear and tear my ring takes, and it is considerable. I didn't realize how much it would take when I decided on that style. I do wear a spacer most of the time, but sometimes I do not.

While it is true, that Leon has not always treated people kindly here, and has definitely made some enemies, his work is beautiful.

It is a personal choice whether someone wants to work with him. I had a good experience. But if your going to say negative things about him, it should be because that was your personal experience. The points you made Ame, were your opinions but you stated them as if they were fact.

They are factual in my case, which is why they are posted to read as such. That's what he told me directly not once, but multiple times, both regarding wearing a ring beside his "creations" as well as the height of the stone, and it's why I did not go with him with my resets or band purchases. I have had enough ring drama that I don't need to invite any more. You might have had great experiences and several have, but not everyone has, as you have also stated. I have several friends and acquaintances who did NOT, several of whom post here or did formerly post here. And their experiences were relayed as opinion.

 

[luv2sparkle]

That is interesting. Perhaps he has changed his opinion then. Not sure when you talked to him, but when I had my ring made he was amendable to changing heights, but I deferred to his preference because I liked his designs. I trusted his opinions. If I was going back and doing it again, I would have made it a little higher.

 

[BlingBling87]

any input on if I should get the center stone directly from LM or VC.... or somewhere else...?

 

[Acinom]

Victor will work with outside stones. He also has his own line of stones which is stunning.
Leon also works with outside stones except for specific setting designs I believe. He also sells his own stones.
Both will not set the August Vintage line of Good Old Gold (GOG)

 

[ame]

That is interesting. Perhaps he has changed his opinion then. Not sure when you talked to him, but when I had my ring made he was amendable to changing heights, but I deferred to his preference because I liked his designs. I trusted his opinions. If I was going back and doing it again, I would have made it a little higher.

Most recently was last year. Prior to that was before the Vatche. Prior to that was the setting the Vatche replaced. Prior to that was the setting I was going to replace my damaged setting with on my old stone. Nothing had changed. For me, height is a non-negotiable.