Victor or Steven??!?!

[Diamond_Dummy007]

Hi--
I am a Diamond Dummy (hence the name). I just purchased the smallest biggest thing in my life--a diamond! I am receiving it tomorrow via B2C. I now have the task of finding a designer to mount it for me. I have no idea who to go to--yet I keep hearing and seeing the names Victor and Steven. They both sound reputable, but which one would you go to?

My stone is as follows:
1.80 ct H VS1 Cushion

The style I would like made is the Emylia Halo from VC or the Anastasia Halo from SK.

I look forward to hearing your opinions on both designers. Thank you.

DD007
(DD is not boob size, it's Diamond Dummy...just to be politically correct).

 

[yssie]

Both are very talented jewellers who do beautiful pave work - both are great choices for the type of ring you're looking for! My first thought - do you live near one or the other? That would sway my vote as I would always prefer to work in-person if possible.

Re. the two styles specifically - do you want a doughnut or do you want the wedding band to sit flush with (right next to) the engagement ring without any gap? If you want a doughnut go with the Emilya (non-flush fit), if you want a flush fit go with the Anastasia. There are two ways to achieve a flush fit: one wherein the head is perched on a band and one wherein the shank attaches to the base of the head like the Anastasia, and of the two the latter is my preference for stability and durability. I'm confident both VC and SK could tweak either design into whatever you wanted, though

 

[Diamond_Dummy007]

Thank you, Yssie--
Those are questions that I have yet to ask my other half. I think I heard her talking once or twice about wedding bands being flush or not--but I cant' remember what she said. Sometimes, I wish I had a recording of everything she said.

I am leaning more towards the Anastasia style where the shank attaches to the base. If I were to go with VC, I'd have him redesign the Emilya to have that same look.

My girlfriend is super picky and precise when it comes to jewelery (and pretty much everything). I'm actually super nervous about little details in the ring. I guess my question to you is: who is easier to work with? Which of the two designers will be more accommodating to questions, suggestions, taking calls, etc? Also, I've heard that SK is cheaper than VC. Is that true? I got a quote from VC this afternoon for $4795 for the Emilya. I've yet to hear back from SK. What are some of your experiences?

I do not live near any of the two designers--but I do frequently work out of NYC or the surrounding area (Philly, NJ, etc).

 

[yssie]

Thank you, Yssie--
Those are questions that I have yet to ask my other half. I think I heard her talking once or twice about wedding bands being flush or not--but I cant' remember what she said. Sometimes, I wish I had a recording of everything she said.

I am leaning more towards the Anastasia style where the shank attaches to the base. If I were to go with VC, I'd have him redesign the Emilya to have that same look.

My girlfriend is super picky and precise when it comes to jewelery (and pretty much everything). I'm actually super nervous about little details in the ring. I guess my question to you is: who is easier to work with? Which of the two designers will be more accommodating to questions, suggestions, taking calls, etc? Also, I've heard that SK is cheaper than VC. Is that true? I got a quote from VC this afternoon for $4795 for the Emilya. I've yet to hear back from SK. What are some of your experiences?

I do not live near any of the two designers--but I do frequently work out of NYC or the surrounding area (Philly, NJ, etc).

VC does make a version of the Emilya that is a "flush" fit, but it's of the head perched on band style and I personally don't care for it. The Emilya with doughnut is a classic though, and I'm sure that if you told VC that you would prefer the head attach to the band differently he could make something you're happy with... though if the Anastasia is exactly what you want then I'd recommend just getting that from SK!

I can't speak to pricing and I haven't worked with SK, only VC, and as mine was a completely different sort of custom piece my experience is not really relevant, but VC was easy to work with and responsive and since this is a piece he's made innumerable times now you can be sure that if she loves the original Emilya she'll be happy with hers.

If she's super picky about her jewellery please get her involved with the details. You can keep the size and specs of the centerstone a secret, and the timing of the proposal, but please do consider letting her dictate some of this stuff so you can be 100% sure that she adores it - flush vs. doughnut, pave on the doughnut and struts, etc.

 

[Diamond_Dummy007]

Yssie--you've been so helpful!

Yes, I have been including her in the process, even in picking the stone. She knows that I've purchased the stone already and knows of all the specs. She's been "trying" to give me as much information as she can these past few months about the setting (donut or flush, etc, etc), but I get so confused with all the detail. I'm going to ask her again tonight.

This is going to be a big purchase for me, so I did not want to make all the decisions on my own. I want her to absolutely LOVE her ring, so wasn't going to take the chance at saying "will you marry me" and open the box to show off a ring she absolutely despises. And believe me--I've shown her a few rings that I thought was beautiful--only to have her tell me it's hideous! And in retrospect....yeah...they were hideous. But what do I know?

It's still going to be a huge surprise though. She doesn't know when I'm proposing or where I'm getting the setting from. I told her I was going to get a CAD setting from ERD due to the amount we spent on the stone. But I am going to surprise her and get it hand forged by either VC or SK.

 

[vr4_rider]

I had Victor make my engagement ring, and being in the field of dentistry, I guess you can say I have an eye for details. That being said, Victor was very accommodating and he made the ring as I requested.

Dealing with Victor after the purchase has been nothing but positives; he's been such a gentleman.

I can't speak for Steven, but I just don't know how anyone can top Victor's work and customer service.

Go with Victor…you won't regret it.

 

[yssie]

Yssie--you've been so helpful!

Yes, I have been including her in the process, even in picking the stone. She knows that I've purchased the stone already and knows of all the specs. She's been "trying" to give me as much information as she can these past few months about the setting (donut or flush, etc, etc), but I get so confused with all the detail. I'm going to ask her again tonight.

This is going to be a big purchase for me, so I did not want to make all the decisions on my own. I want her to absolutely LOVE her ring, so wasn't going to take the chance at saying "will you marry me" and open the box to show off a ring she absolutely despises. And believe me--I've shown her a few rings that I thought was beautiful--only to have her tell me it's hideous! And in retrospect....yeah...they were hideous. But what do I know?

It's still going to be a huge surprise though. She doesn't know when I'm proposing or where I'm getting the setting from. I told her I was going to get a CAD setting from ERD due to the amount we spent on the stone. But I am going to surprise her and get it hand forged by either VC or SK.

It's super sweet of you to take such care to ensure you're choosing something she'll love - and I'm thrilled to hear that you're attending to her explicit opinions, explicitly solicited or not I just wish all new buyers on RT were willing to do the same!

And honestly, I love that you misled her on the method of manufacture - it's the perfect way to get her opinions on the nitpicky details but still surprise her! And I definitely think someone as detail-oriented as she seems to be from your descriptions will appreciate a handmade pave piece

I really don't think you can go wrong with either vendor! Just depends on pricing and whether you feel you click more with one or the other, or if one has exactly what you want without any customisation...