Victor can't do Emilya for me....local jeweller CAD is scaring me.. heeeelp!

[NicoleNeedsHelp]

Thank you so much. It's been a journey... I've already switched out the earth diamond I was proposed to with for a man made. Otherwise I would have definitely agreed with this suggestion! I love my new diamond though so hoping I can find a setting I love as much too. Appreciate all your kind words, thank you so much again!

I completely understand the “journey”. I trusted a jeweler (not a recommended PS jeweler) to do my original engagement ring upgrade. It was a disaster and a huge waste of money. For me, I had to start all over again with Victor Canera. Always trust your gut and you will get your dream ring. As you are looking at designs and halos, focus both on what you do like and what you don’t like. Sometimes it is nice to give the jeweler pictures of what you do like as well as what you don’t like. Figure out what it is about the Emilya that you love - is it the height of the center stone, the tightness of the halo, or whatever. Then, also look at other designs and figure out what you do like and don’t like. Make a file so you can properly communicate with the jeweler you select. For me, I had major communication problems with my original jeweler because I would use vague terms like “a delicate halo”, “use the correct proportions”- I needed to be much more specific and it was a huge mistake. I can’t wait to see what you design!

 

[Mreader]

Yup he wouldn’t set my new stone either. Just makes me wanna scheme to get another piece that he will. (Facepalm...). There are some settings I seriously covet.

Really?? Bc he made the setting for your OEC ring non? It is so strange. I contacted VC in Dec about a setting for my original diamond. They asked for the GIA report and I was thinking they wouldn't bother bc it's an SI2 nothing out of this world at all (original e-ring before I knew much about diamonds). I ended up going in another direction, but it is odd how some people are told yes and others no. I guess as Missy said it "just depends" at this point and there are not specific policies in place.

 

[LLJsmom]

Really?? Bc he made the setting for your OEC ring non? It is so strange. I contacted VC in Dec about a setting for my original diamond. They asked for the GIA report and I was thinking they wouldn't bother bc it's an SI2 nothing out of this world at all (original e-ring before I knew much about diamonds). I ended up going in another direction, but it is odd how some people are told yes and others no. I guess as Missy said it "just depends" at this point and there are not specific policies in place.

It was for my ACA. He sets his own super ideals. If it was an OEC maybe it would be different.

 

[carbonfan]

Victor no longer makes the setting for customers who use their own stone. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I heard it depends if you are a long-time customer. And if the diamond in hand is a diamond he couldnt supply from his inventory (like super ideals or ideal oec cuts). But a 6 carat Antique Cushion would maybe be considered by him - especially if you have been a long time customer.
Victor will also source lab diamonds if one is interested.

Based on my experience, my understanding is that Victor's policy on setting outside stones is a function of 1) the vendor who supplied the outside stone (he will not set August Vintage stones or CBIs, but I think he is typically open to other vendors), 2) the intricacy of the design being requested, and 3) schedule considerations. So although CBIs and August Vintage stones are not eligible, he is typically open to setting other ideal cuts or old cuts so long as the design requested is not overly time and labor intensive. Certain designs that are more intricate or challenging in nature are not available for client-supplied stones (some examples are Victor's Grymera, his vintage french cut halo, and some of his cluster halos). But as far as I know he is willing to set client-supplied stones from most vendors (excepting the two noted above) so long as the design is not too ornate or technically intense, and so long as he has room in his schedule to accommodate the project (which obviously varies considerably through the year). Victor has set several stones from OWD and JbG for me, and several years ago he set my WF ACA, but the designs were considerably simpler in those cases. However, it was a tradeoff that I was very happy to make because I truly love his artistry and craftsmanship! Of course, some of these policies may have changed in past years and Victor has the right to update them at any time, but I just wanted to share my experience in case it helps to put some of these issues into perspective.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Based on my experience, my understanding is that Victor's policy on setting outside stones is a function of 1) the vendor who supplied the outside stone (he will not set August Vintage stones or CBIs, but I think he is typically open to other vendors), 2) the intricacy of the design being requested, and 3) schedule considerations. So although CBIs and August Vintage stones are not eligible, he is typically open to setting other ideal cuts or old cuts so long as the design requested is not overly time and labor intensive. Certain designs that are more intricate or challenging in nature are not available for client-supplied stones (some examples are Victor's Grymera, his vintage french cut halo, and some of his cluster halos). But as far as I know he is willing to set client-supplied stones from most vendors (excepting the two noted above) so long as the design is not too ornate or technically intense, and so long as he has room in his schedule to accommodate the project (which obviously varies considerably through the year). Victor has set several stones from OWD and JbG for me, and several years ago he set my WF ACA, but the designs were considerably simpler in those cases. However, it was a tradeoff that I was very happy to make because I truly love his artistry and craftsmanship! Of course, some of these policies may have changed in past years and Victor has the right to update them at any time, but I just wanted to share my experience in case it helps to put some of these issues into perspective.

This has been the case in the past, but I think he no longer has forbidden brands across the board. He simply looks at each custom request now as it comes in. It will always depend on several factors, but he will give preference to those who buy stones from him, as one would expect. He can only produce a limited amount of custom projects per year, so he can select the ones that he has time to do and is interested in doing. Being a previous client does help, in some cases. I am a previous client and happened to talk with him at an optimal time, and he is making a ring for me right now with a stone that in the past was on the "no list". I have never taken it personally when he did not accept a request from me. I understood but have kept in touch out of respect for him and his beautiful work. This time he said yes! So I think the policy now is that it is a case by case decision, and many factors will come into play as to whether he accepts the project or not. I think it was a brilliant idea to offer his Bliss line of more simple and wonderfully priced engagement ring settings which are not as time consuming as some of his more complex projects!

 

[carbonfan]

This has been the case in the past, but I think he no longer has forbidden brands across the board. He simply looks at each custom request now as it comes in. It will always depend on several factors, but he will give preference to those who buy stones from him, as one would expect. He can only produce a limited amount of custom projects per year, so he can select the ones that he has time to do and is interested in doing. Being a previous client does help, in some cases. I am a previous client and happened to talk with him at an optimal time, and he is making a ring for me right now with a stone that in the past was on the "no list". I have never taken it personally when he did not accept a request from me. I understood but have kept in touch out of respect for him and his beautiful work. This time he said yes! So I think the policy now is that it is a case by case decision, and many factors will come into play as to whether he accepts the project or not. I think it was a brilliant idea to offer his Bliss line of more simple and wonderfully priced engagement ring settings which are not as time consuming as some of his more complex projects!

I agree with all of these sentiments, @diamondseeker2006! And I guess the takeaway from our experiences is that it never hurts to ask! Victor's work is so incredible, and the new Bliss line will make his designs available to a wider audience, which I think is wonderful. I am partial to his hand-forged pieces as there is something so special to me about them, and I recognize that he can only make a certain number of those per year. I have done quite a few projects with Victor over the last year or two (which reminds me that I owe him a bunch of testimonials!) and in some cases they were new designs that were of interest to him, so that may also have played a role in his decision to accept an outside stone. And in other cases they were Victor's in-house stones so I was able to select his more intricate settings for those projects. So I totally agree with you that these decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, and being an established customer doesn't hurt. I think he is less likely to accept a combination of an outside stone and a very ornate design, but again, you won't really know until you ask! I just didn't want people to get the impression that Victor flat-out does not accept outside stones, as such blanket statements have frequently been made in other threads as well. I think Victor is very reasonable in this regard, and although these decisions are based on a variety of factors, in many cases he is happy to do so.

I am so excited about your new ring project, @diamondseeker2006, and I am so thrilled that Victor is creating it for you! I don't want to threadjack, but I am chomping at the bit to hear more, so please share more details about it when you can, and of course I will be watching for a SMTB thread as well! Victor's artistry is the stuff of dreams, so I know your new ring will be gorgeous!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I agree with all of these sentiments, @diamondseeker2006! And I guess the takeaway from our experiences is that it never hurts to ask! Victor's work is so incredible, and the new Bliss line will make his designs available to a wider audience, which I think is wonderful. I am partial to his hand-forged pieces as there is something so special to me about them, and I recognize that he can only make a certain number of those per year. I have done quite a few projects with Victor over the last year or two (which reminds me that I owe him a bunch of testimonials!) and in some cases they were new designs that were of interest to him, so that may also have played a role in his decision to accept an outside stone. And in other cases they were Victor's in-house stones so I was able to select his more intricate settings for those projects. So I totally agree with you that these decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, and being an established customer doesn't hurt. I think he is less likely to accept a combination of an outside stone and a very ornate design, but again, you won't really know until you ask! I just didn't want people to get the impression that Victor flat-out does not accept outside stones, as such blanket statements have frequently been made in other threads as well. I think Victor is very reasonable in this regard, and although these decisions are based on a variety of factors, in many cases he is happy to do so.

I am so excited about your new ring project, @diamondseeker2006, and I am so thrilled that Victor is creating it for you! I don't want to threadjack, but I am chomping at the bit to hear more, so please share more details about it when you can, and of course I will be watching for a SMTB thread as well! Victor's artistry is the stuff of dreams, so I know your new ring will be gorgeous!!

Yes, it is good for us to clarify that Victor does at times take outside stones. He just can't do them all, and people need to not feel insulted when he says no.

You have one of the best collections of all, @carbonfan! It's been some of my inspiration to do some projects I've had in mind! I decided that even though it was hard for me to settle on one design for my diamond, I wanted this to be the year I would reset it. I'll explain this in my eventual thread, but I finally asked my oldest daughter to show me rings she loves because this one will eventually go to her. So I went with her basic idea and then chose some elements I liked from other rings Victor has done. So this is nothing new and original, but I love many elements that Victor has used previously. If this had been an antique cushion, I'd definitely be choosing your design for that as it is one of my all time favorites! I would expect my ring will be ready fairly soon, so I will be excited to post it!

 

[carbonfan]

Yes, it is good for us to clarify that Victor does at times take outside stones. He just can't do them all, and people need to not feel insulted when he says no.

You have one of the best collections of all, @carbonfan! It's been some of my inspiration to do some projects I've had in mind! I decided that even though it was hard for me to settle on one design for my diamond, I wanted this to be the year I would reset it. I'll explain this in my eventual thread, but I finally asked my oldest daughter to show me rings she loves because this one will eventually go to her. So I went with her basic idea and then chose some elements I liked from other rings Victor has done. So this is nothing new and original, but I love many elements that Victor has used previously. If this had been an antique cushion, I'd definitely be choosing your design for that as it is one of my all time favorites! I would expect my ring will be ready fairly soon, so I will be excited to post it!

Aww; you are far too kind, @diamondseeker2006, but the truth is that I have been so inspired by you and your selections and I have gained invaluable insight from your advice and expertise along the way! But thank you so much for this sweet compliment, as it truly means a lot!

And wow! I am sooooo ecstatic to hear that you are resetting your stone! I will be patient and wait for the reveal, but I will be so excited to see the style that your daughter chose and the design elements that you selected as embellishments! I am so happy that Victor is creating the setting for your gorgeous stone, as I know he will showcase it perfectly. And I am so thrilled for you, especially as you have been so patient in waiting this out and painstakingly reflecting on exactly what you want your stone's forever home to be. i know this project has been a long time coming, but it will so worth all of the time and effort you devoted to it. This ring is going to be beautiful beyond words and just glorious in every single way! I will eagerly be watching for your thread... can hardly wait!!