Settings for AVC

[Susiecushie]

Hi everyone,
So I need some advice on a setting for my AVC. It is a L color 1.76 AVC. It is very square.

So I tried to do the custom route with a local jeweler (EPIC FAIL). The job was horrible. It was suppose to be similar to JBEG Julia but not exactly the same. OMG, the prongs were all off, the double prong setting had only half the prongs touching the diamond. The prongs were all different sizes and widths. Some parts of the ring weren't even polished. As in, you could see the raw unpolished scraped sections of metal. AND the diamond was loose. VERY loose. The only good thing that came out of it was that my hubby managed to get all of our money back. Thank goodness, because I didn't even want to have him (the jeweler) attempt to retry because it was so obvious that he couldn't handle this. I saw samples that were gorgeous but this was awful. And what I pointed out was just some of the problems.

Soooo, now I am going back with GOG and thinking of having them set my AVC in a Sisely Vatche setting (which is what I should have freaking done in the first place.) All these years of lurking and randomly posting and I learned nothing from you all. I kept thinking what if I can get something better. I loved the Sisely and the Julia and thought I could custom make a Julia-ish ring for less. NOPE!!! But can't afford the Julia so will go with the other ring I love just as much.

And since GOG is closed Sunday and Monday does anyone know what type of white gold Vatche uses? I would like unplated white gold that has that awesome golden tint. My jeweler guy said he used it but it was EXTREMELY white. I want to avoid that but if Vatche uses gold that doesn't need plating to maintain whiteness that is still ok. Just want to get an idea of what to expect.

Also, I don't really like curved bands. But I think Vatche makes curved bands to go with the Sisely. Is there a way to avoid that? Will a spacer work? I don't necessarily want to be tied down to a particular type of band. I like the option of being able to wear just the band if I want to and the curved ones by themselves look odd to me.

Has anyone had them modify the prongs so that the tips are tapered to sharp points (love that look)? Do they do a good job?

Also, I was looking at some settings at whiteflash and they looked lovely but how can I tell if they are nicely made? I want quality but can't really afford to go much above 1400-1500. I don't expect the best of the best for that price but I want wonderful still. Would you all stick with Vatche? I haven't ever seen the rings IRL...is the workmanship noticeable better than others? It is hard to compare some prices because I know for my AVC settings tend to cost more than what is posted on-line. So some settings at WF may say 800 but I'm guessing a few hundred more for my size diamond. That could save me some bucks but do I drop in quality that is noticeable? I love simple and classic but don't like the classic tiffany setting for my avc. I love a bit more intricate size view (hence the love for Sisely).

So ultimately...is Vatche worth it? And if so, do you know the answer to the other questions such as white gold color (unplated), curved bands (don't like them), and prong quality?

Thanks so much!!!

Susan

Susan

 

[Susiecushie]

No advice?

Susan

 

[slg47]

which WF settings do you like? I think the Sisley is nice and I love the profile I don't think a wedding band would sit flush...is there a Vatche dealer near you where you could see it in person and see if the gap bothers you?

 

[Gypsy]

I went to Joe Escobar recently and they carry Vatche the settings were lovely. The Sisley is unique and if that's what you want... stop trying to cheap it out. Same with the Julia.

You've been here long enough to know that there is a reason we DO NOT recommend using your local custom jeweler for replicating designs of others, and that it is because the results are usually not very good. Occassionally a GREAT local custom jeweler will pop, and there is a reason we all celebrate... it's like finding oil in the desert.

The benches you are trying to 'copy on the cheap' are top benches. JBEG's NY bench is amazing and so is BGD, and WF is very high quality as well. There is a reason Vatche has the reputation they do. They have great quality and stand behind it. I've seen MANY WF and BGD pieces and YES they have nice quality and if you are that concerned... tell them that you are "anal and want it perfect, PLEASE". They will provide.

The custom benches we recommend ARE USED TO DEALING WITH THE PERFECTION THAT PSers expect. The average customer of the average bench doesn't know a slightly crooked prong from a straight one, won't care if the polish mirror finished, won't notice how straight the pave is. When you are used to the 'average customer' you aren't going to kill yourself to get the results OUR benches do, because it DOES raise the prices and the customers won't understand the difference in quality. All they want is cheap and average. So that's all many local benches provide. A PRICESCOPER is NEVER going to be happy with what one of these places produces.

I can't even get my rings POLISHED at most local benches. They overcharge me and barely get a shine. I have to travel 30 miles away to go to a bench I KNOW will know what I mean when I say re-polish to mirror polish. AND YES, I pay more for that. And I wouldn't even trust THAT jeweler with anything but the most basic repair. For anything else my jewelery goes to a PS bench for repair.

I understand that you made a mistake once.

If it was a Beaudy, or a Daniel K, or a Tiffany where there is a high mark up, okay. You go to one of the PRICESCOPE VETTED custom benches to get an inspired by for less than the overpriced designer . But Vatche is not that marked up. Neither is JBEG, they are priced pretty much exactly AS THEY SHOULD BE for the quality you are getting. So are WF and BGD.

Consider this a lesson learned. and remember that a deal is NEVER a deal unless you are getting exactly what you want.

A brand you MIGHT want to look at is H Levi -- BGD carries them (but the designer's website as more styles listed than BGD lists, but they can get them all). Great quality and priced slightly less than Vatche and have similar designs (nothing like the Sisley though) and they are also great quality. Just don't advertise as much as Vatche (which is in all the bridal magazines) so their overhead is less and the prices are less as a result.

 

[DiamondXXX]

Dear Susie, its probably just a coincidence but I thought I ask: is the AVC that is now for sale at GOG yours or just another one of the same parameters (I never saw pictures and the old link does not work anymore). Many thanks for the clarification.