Thoughts on Buying Diamond and setting from same vendor...

[CassiusNZ]

Evening all,

SO I wanted to weigh in opinions on buying stone and setting from same vendor... or shipping stone to vendor. Here is my predicament.. LOVE the LM setting here..

https://leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/shop-now/engagement-rings/asscher-french-cut-engagement-ring-detail

And can get the setting + 2.26 I/VS2 Asscher for $19k... which is a bit over my budget but I could get there. The downside is I'm not getting an ASET or proper video's regarding this stone.. and seeing as Asschers are so hard to buy sight unseen I see it as somewhat of a risk with the stone.

The other option is to go for another company with stone (GOG, WF) and get them to custom make a similar setting.. with a diamond that I get full ASET's ect from.

I guess my question is is it worth taking the advice of the seller on the cut grade ect of the stone (LM) or should I get the stone which on ASET/Video's has more fire/brilliance (GOG/WF) and get them to make a similar setting?


All opinions appreciated.. thanks!

 

[Niel]

Re: Thoughts on Buying Diamond and setting from same vendor.

That WF asscher you were considering is just so lovely, its hard for me to suggest NOT getting that.

Also I've heard LM is very difficult to work with.

 

[CassiusNZ]

Re: Thoughts on Buying Diamond and setting from same vendor.

It is a gorgeous stone.. I guess the issue is LM is going to charge me 7k for the setting if i DONT get the diamond through them.. and $5k for the setting if i do.. so $19k vs potentially $22k with the WF Stone :\

I guess i could just use a different setting maker and get the WF stone.. suggestions?

 

[Niel]

Re: Thoughts on Buying Diamond and setting from same vendor.

It is a gorgeous stone.. I guess the issue is LM is going to charge me 7k for the setting if i DONT get the diamond through them.. and $5k for the setting if i do.. so $19k vs potentially $22k with the WF Stone :\

I guess i could just use a different setting maker and get the WF stone.. suggestions?

Steven kirtch, Leon mege, or Erika winters could probably make you a very similar setting.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Thoughts on Buying Diamond and setting from same vendor.

Victor Canera would be my very top choice for that setting as he has done many french cut shank settings. Steven Kirsch is good, also. I would hesitate working with any jeweler who tried to get me to take a diamond sight unseen.

I would not consider buying any diamond of that price without seeing pictures of it and idealscope or aset images. I have found Good Old Gold to be the best at fancy shapes, especially asschers. I looked for a small one a couple of years ago and they found some good ones for me to choose from. Here is the video they made, and of course, they did the light return tests as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7SBfNGxTFE&list=UUEV7slr-i-VduBBnfv9MxhA&index=2

But I saw someone mention a WF asscher? I will try to see if you have another thread.

 

[CassiusNZ]

Re: Thoughts on Buying Diamond and setting from same vendor.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut-loose-diamond-3244878.htm

This is the Asscher here

 

[MollyMalone]

Re: Thoughts on Buying Diamond and setting from same vendor.

I really like the faceting on that WF stone

 

[Niel]

Re: Thoughts on Buying Diamond and setting from same vendor.

I really like the faceting on that WF stone

And shoot. The depth makes that stone look huge.

 

[arkieb1]

Re: Thoughts on Buying Diamond and setting from same vendor.

Victor Canera makes that setting too, see if you can chat or call up Acinom who has both French Cut settings from Victor and from Leon - I believe she prefers the one make by Victor, but both are beautiful.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Thoughts on Buying Diamond and setting from same vendor.

That asscher looks pretty good. I'd consider it but I'd try to see if you can get one that has even better cut.

It is not an issue to buy the diamond one place and then have a master ringmaker make the ring. Even though some of the ring makers also sell diamonds, they probably set customer diamonds far more often. Victor is one of the best to work with aside from doing beautiful work.

 

[CassiusNZ]

Re: Thoughts on Buying Diamond and setting from same vendor.

I did see Victor's version of the same piece here..

https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/the-anya-solitaire-with-french-cut-diamonds

I guess watching the video here..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xWp6JoYfeE

Just really didnt blow me away like the Leon Mege video of the similar piece.. I dont like the Milgrain design on the Victor ring... but I have no doubt that would be easy to take off... I just.. i dunno.. it didnt move me like the HD video on LM's site.

https://leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/shop-now/engagement-rings/asscher-french-cut-engagement-ring-detail

I'd prefer to do it in one place.. just easier and I dont need to ship stone from place to place... Perry at LM said they dont use Asets because its somewhat misleading to the customer and the best judge are a well trained pair of eyes.. which yeh when you say it out loud does sound like.. well :\

 

[Acinom]

Re: Thoughts on Buying Diamond and setting from same vendor.

I have a french cut ring with straight shank from LM and a french cut ring with tapered shank from VC.
The craftmanship of both is outstanding. They each have their own signature though: the LM style is softer and more feminine. The VC is very art deco with beautiful geometric lines. It's a matter of personal taste I guess and I love both. Regular french cuts were used for the VC ring and I was blown away!! On most photo's on PS I seem to prefer high dome frenchies which LM uses as a standard (but VC can easily source them as well). Strange enough I wasn't as blown away by the high domes and I personally prefer the more geometric facets of the regular frenchies. In all honesty this could be due to the larger frenchies of the VC ring (which has a larger center stone)

I much prefer working with VC compared to LM. I sourced my Paraiba tourmaline via Perry and they do not provide many photo's and don't do video. I have yet to see an ugly ring by LM though... Before working with him I would advice you to do a Google search on Leon and Pricescope.

 

[Acinom]

Re: Thoughts on Buying Diamond and setting from same vendor.

Two similar rings from Pricescopers:

- missydebbie's romantic LM ring (I think her shank is around 2.8 mm but I am not sure)
- a PSers ring from VC which has a more art deco vibe (VC has a 3.2 mm as well as a 2.3 mm version of the ring)

Milgrain can be applied by both vendors as you wish: single, double or no milgrain at all. Also, the width of the shank can be made based on your preference.

This thread could be interesting to get an idea of the difference between the LM and VC style: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-2011-trend-the-french-sides-collection.161358/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-2011-trend-the-french-sides-collection.161358/[/URL]