- Joined
- Jul 12, 2004
- Messages
- 4,058
My 12-week journey has finally ended after I first spoke to Wink Jones (owner of High Performance Diamonds) and John Pollard (Crafted by Infinity US Executive) in early September about ordering a custom CTO (cut-to-order) CBI diamond.
Part one and two of that journey can be found here:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ordered-a-custom-crafted-by-infinity-diamond.206471/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ordered-a-custom-crafted-by-infinity-diamond.206471/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-cut-to-order-crafted-by-infinity-diamond-part-two.208250/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-cut-to-order-crafted-by-infinity-diamond-part-two.208250/[/URL]
Video for the diamond can be found here:
http://handshake2.jivesystems.com/videos/ofiw6pwytw
I initially choose the Vatche U-113 solitaire setting because I wanted something that was plain and simple. I later changed my mind and chose the Vatche Serenity setting instead because 1 - I liked the small melee on the shank that provided a little extra glitter without being overpowering and, 2 - I still wanted my glorious CBI diamond to be the center of attention. My existing pear e-ring has slightly larger channel set melee (.70 ctw) and I wanted to do something different this time.
I ordered the rings in 95% Platinum and 5% Ruthenium (the same alloy that Tiffany uses) for a little extra Vickers Hardness (and scratch resistance) over the 90% Platinum and 10% Iridium alloy. I also ordered the matching band just to have it in case I switch ring fingers in the future. Vatche modified the “donut” so that they would both sit flush.
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the outstanding Crafted by Infinity Team - Paul Slegers, Lieve Peeters, and John Pollard.
To Paul and Lieve, thank you for crafting such a beautiful and breathtaking masterpiece. Your extreme commitment to excellence is amazing.
To John, thank you for answering all of my technical questions during my journey. What are virtual facets again? How many should I find in a CBI diamond? As you rock the diamond back and forth over a 40 degree angle, how many eye visible scintillation events are there in a 2.21 ct. CBI diamond?
And finally, I want to extend a very special thank you to Wink. As I have stated before on PS, I trust this man implicitly. Many of you have either sent your loose diamonds to independent appraisers and/or viewed your diamonds in person prior to purchase. Although Wink offered to send me the diamond (along with an ASET scope, IdealScope, and a Hearts & Arrows viewer) for my review, an Internet show and tell session was all I needed to formally “accept” this diamond because I trust him as my personal jeweler and as a very good friend. I will miss our almost daily chat sessions on the phone.
Here are some photos that Wink took:
Here is the matching band:
Here is a video of the finished Vatche Serenity rings.
http://handshake2.jivesystems.com/videos/eswoc3y4ta
Part one and two of that journey can be found here:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ordered-a-custom-crafted-by-infinity-diamond.206471/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ordered-a-custom-crafted-by-infinity-diamond.206471/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-cut-to-order-crafted-by-infinity-diamond-part-two.208250/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-cut-to-order-crafted-by-infinity-diamond-part-two.208250/[/URL]
Video for the diamond can be found here:
http://handshake2.jivesystems.com/videos/ofiw6pwytw
I initially choose the Vatche U-113 solitaire setting because I wanted something that was plain and simple. I later changed my mind and chose the Vatche Serenity setting instead because 1 - I liked the small melee on the shank that provided a little extra glitter without being overpowering and, 2 - I still wanted my glorious CBI diamond to be the center of attention. My existing pear e-ring has slightly larger channel set melee (.70 ctw) and I wanted to do something different this time.
I ordered the rings in 95% Platinum and 5% Ruthenium (the same alloy that Tiffany uses) for a little extra Vickers Hardness (and scratch resistance) over the 90% Platinum and 10% Iridium alloy. I also ordered the matching band just to have it in case I switch ring fingers in the future. Vatche modified the “donut” so that they would both sit flush.
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the outstanding Crafted by Infinity Team - Paul Slegers, Lieve Peeters, and John Pollard.
To Paul and Lieve, thank you for crafting such a beautiful and breathtaking masterpiece. Your extreme commitment to excellence is amazing.
To John, thank you for answering all of my technical questions during my journey. What are virtual facets again? How many should I find in a CBI diamond? As you rock the diamond back and forth over a 40 degree angle, how many eye visible scintillation events are there in a 2.21 ct. CBI diamond?
And finally, I want to extend a very special thank you to Wink. As I have stated before on PS, I trust this man implicitly. Many of you have either sent your loose diamonds to independent appraisers and/or viewed your diamonds in person prior to purchase. Although Wink offered to send me the diamond (along with an ASET scope, IdealScope, and a Hearts & Arrows viewer) for my review, an Internet show and tell session was all I needed to formally “accept” this diamond because I trust him as my personal jeweler and as a very good friend. I will miss our almost daily chat sessions on the phone.
Here are some photos that Wink took:
Here is the matching band:
Here is a video of the finished Vatche Serenity rings.
http://handshake2.jivesystems.com/videos/eswoc3y4ta
I'm so glad it was well worth the wait! Please post handshots later when you get a chance!
Love that pave shank. Hope you enjoy it and we need more photos after your party.
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