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Comments please on DK, VC, and CvB

Thanks for creating this topic, @LittleRed, it's incredibly useful as future reference material. If I source a gem from someone other than Yvonne, now I know where I'd go to get it set :-)
 
@LittleRed I have recently started working with another jeweler, Sako @cicada jewelry(LA) via Instagram. Still discussing design on some earrings, but he is his own bench and he's also a lapidary. (He actually does a lot of custom cuts for DK!) He's very easy to communicate with and I love his work. He is followed by the likes of DK and CvB, so though he might not be well known here yet, I suspect he will be . Check out his IG:
https://instagram.com/cjd_sako?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=dw2s1h51gt2y
 
CHRISTY-DANIELLE said:
@LittleRed I have recently started working with another jeweler, Sako @cicada jewelry(LA) via Instagram. Still discussing design on some earrings, but he is his own bench and he's also a lapidary. (He actually does a lot of custom cuts for DK!) He's very easy to communicate with and I love his work. He is followed by the likes of DK and CvB, so though he might not be well known here yet, I suspect he will be . Check out his IG:
https://instagram.com/cjd_sako?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=dw2s1h51gt2y
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Yes! I also follow him on IG and love him!
 
Ps. @CHRISTY-DANIELLE how are his prices vs DK? Im always too scared to ask bc his work is so pretty.
 
@lovedogs he quoted me first for restoration on an emerald and oec antique target ring I bought. I am tabling that project for the moment, as custom cut emeralds are pricey and I already have gemstones gathering dust I need to set first! But he said he might be pricier than DK. The restoration involves custom cutting and setting 16 emeralds and basically rebuilding the top of the ring, about $1300. We haven't talked price on the earrings, but they are small dangle drops using my own diamonds and spinels, so fingers crossed its not too bad. I'll let ya know when I get the quote. Tempted to get a quote from DK too, to compare. ;)2
 
CHRISTY-DANIELLE said:
@LittleRed I have recently started working with another jeweler, Sako @cicada jewelry(LA) via Instagram. Still discussing design on some earrings, but he is his own bench and he's also a lapidary. (He actually does a lot of custom cuts for DK!) He's very easy to communicate with and I love his work. He is followed by the likes of DK and CvB, so though he might not be well known here yet, I suspect he will be . Check out his IG:
https://instagram.com/cjd_sako?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=dw2s1h51gt2y
Click to expand...

@CHRISTY-DANIELLE Thanks for mentioning him. I certainly wasn’t looking for another option, but of course I went to look. :whistle: His most current ring he posted is absolutely beautiful! Wow! I sure hope we hear more about him around here.
 
alene said:
Haven’t worked with VC, but contacted him a few years and found him less interested in doing something other than one of his exisitng designs. I ended up working with Steven Kirsch on that project, he was much more excited to create something he hadn’t done before. He too makes exquisite, fully handforged pieces and will definitely work with your stone, if you want another option in the same category as VC.
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+1 on working with SK
 
Chiming in. I have pieces by all 3. VC's work is beautiful, mastercraftsman. I bought the VC preloved so I haven't worked with him. From all I have read, he is quite professional and easy to work with.

DK is awesome to work with! Just be sure you know exactly what you want. His workmanship is finely executed. I have loved all my pieces by him (5 or 6) and 2 more in progress. Highly recommend DK. Great prices too!

I have had over 8 pieces made by cvb, custom and off the rack. All are lovely and nicely made. I especially love her earlier aesthetic. However, her communication and professionalism are severely lacking. Each project took longer than promised. But I felt that the quality of the work was worth it until recently. The last 2 projects I had with her were the end for me though. One simple band took 5 months to make. Excuses, excuses. I always had to reach out to her only to hear that stones were cut wrong, benchmen on vacation, illness, etc. And the last project I never even received in the end. Every month I was given another excuse as to why there was a delay in sourcing a lab emerald for an already made setting. Finally after 6 months, she said the fedex package with the completed ring was damaged and contents missing. I will let you draw your own conclusions there.

I am in no way a picky client, I hardly reach out at all, except when projects are overdue by months (not days or weeks). But there does come a time when the scales do not tip in favor of the work any longer.

I have hesitated to post anything about cvb because of the intense backlash I have seen from several psers who defend her. And if they do bash me for this, so be it. I just really hate to see the joy and anticipation of projects be so tarnished though.
 
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ceg said:
Chiming in. I have pieces by all 3. VC's work is beautiful, mastercraftsman. I bought the VC preloved so I haven't worked with him. From all I have read, he is quite professional and easy to work with.

DK is awesome to work with! Just be sure you know exactly what you want. His workmanship is finely executed. I have loved all my pieces by him (5 or 6) and 2 more in progress. Highly recommend DK. Great prices too!

I have had over 8 pieces made by cvb, custom and off the rack. All are lovely and nicely made. I especially love her earlier aesthetic. However, her communication and professionalism are severely lacking. Each project took longer than promised. But I felt that the quality of the work was worth it until recently. The last 2 projects I had with her were the end for me though. One simple band took 5 months to make. Excuses, excuses. I always had to reach out to her only to hear that stones were cut wrong, benchmen on vacation, illness, etc. And the last project I never even received in the end. Every month I was given another excuse as to why there was a delay in sourcing a lab emerald for an already made setting. Finally after 6 months, she said the fedex package with the completed ring was damaged and contents missing. I will let you draw your own conclusions there.

I am in no way a picky client, I hardly reach out at all, except when projects are overdue by months (not days or weeks). But there does come a time when the scales do not tip in favor of the work any longer.

I have hesitated to post anything about cvb because of the intense backlash I have seen from several psers who defend her. And if they do bash me for this, so be it. I just really hate to see the joy and anticipation of projects be so tarnished though.
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I am so sorry to hear this! I seriously can't believe the insane stuff I've heard about her. It's just ridiculous that someone like that continues to be successful and charges SO MUCH for her settings (Especially for cast). It makes me angry that posters can't be honest about their experiences due to her defenders piling on in threads. It seems extremely unfair that others continue ordering from her (because they have no idea about all of these experiences). I wish it was easier for people to post about negative experiences here on PS so they'd know to avoid vendors like this.
 
ceg said:
Chiming in. I have pieces by all 3. VC's work is beautiful, mastercraftsman. I bought the VC preloved so I haven't worked with him. From all I have read, he is quite professional and easy to work with.

DK is awesome to work with! Just be sure you know exactly what you want. His workmanship is finely executed. I have loved all my pieces by him (5 or 6) and 2 more in progress. Highly recommend DK. Great prices too!

I have had over 8 pieces made by cvb, custom and off the rack. All are lovely and nicely made. I especially love her earlier aesthetic. However, her communication and professionalism are severely lacking. Each project took longer than promised. But I felt that the quality of the work was worth it until recently. The last 2 projects I had with her were the end for me though. One simple band took 5 months to make. Excuses, excuses. I always had to reach out to her only to hear that stones were cut wrong, benchmen on vacation, illness, etc. And the last project I never even received in the end. Every month I was given another excuse as to why there was a delay in sourcing a lab emerald for an already made setting. Finally after 6 months, she said the fedex package with the completed ring was damaged and contents missing. I will let you draw your own conclusions there.

I am in no way a picky client, I hardly reach out at all, except when projects are overdue by months (not days or weeks). But there does come a time when the scales do not tip in favor of the work any longer.

I have hesitated to post anything about cvb because of the intense backlash I have seen from several psers who defend her. And if they do bash me for this, so be it. I just really hate to see the joy and anticipation of projects be so tarnished though.
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Thank you so much for posting this. I know it took a lot of guts. I am new here, so it's really helpful for me to see both positive & negative comments on some of the most popular PS designers.
 
It’s very important to know the “whole story” both for beginners and long timers in this fun gem hobby. No one wants to be disappointed or feel her hard saved money has been wasted. That said, knowing the whole story doesn’t mean it’s necessary to abandon any particular jeweler..... it might just mean we need to adjust our expectations or exercise additional patience. I love that there are so many options out there. It does make deciding who to use more difficult, but options are a good thing. Thank you to everyone who has replied! It’s all very, very helpful! =)2
 
@lovedogs not to threadjack, just wanted to tell you the quotes were within $250 of each other. BOTH over 1200. Sako charges $300 CAD fee. However, both were more than I wanted to spend, so just sent a simplified version to DK. (Might have to settle on a Raley stock setting at this rate!):cry2:
 
@Acinom as always I just want to compliment you on your taste and your rings, they are beautiful, tasteful, basically each one makes my heart beat a bit faster.. I love your rings :)

Kate
 
I thought it would be fun to update this thread with what I decided to do and it’s NOT what I had planned! :whistle: I had almost narrowed my decision down but then someone mentioned Sako on IG https://instagram.com/cjd_sako?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=dw2s1h51gt2y I really loved one of his rings in particular and contacted him about it. He sounds like a fun guy and his work is lovely. He’s now making me a ring! Ha.... I was determined to stick to my project queue, but..... it’s how it goes, right? :lol-2: Setting my sapphire is now #1 in the queue again but with a wee bit of a delay in getting it set.
 
Oh, yeah! Sako is very talented, I think you will be pleased! Can't wait to see what he does for you!!
 
I am so excited to see what you do! Interested in seeing Sako's work too!
 
I’m saddened to hear that there have been so many issues with CVB. In my own experience, it CAN be difficult to get through to her (multiple emails required) and projects can take longer than anticipated, though I’ve never been in a particular rush and the timelines I’ve experienced have certainly never dragged out for months and months. Maybe a few weeks late at the max. On the other hand, I’ve always found her very responsive in the design phase and her ability to translate a few vague ideas into the perfect design for me is something I’ve really treasured. She’s also an absolute sweetheart. I don’t want to come off as defending her unjustly because having significant delays and no communication would irk me too... but with my past experiences with her, I would still turn to her for future projects. She also has absolutely no issues with holding onto gems I’ve purchased for future projects at some point. Obviously there aren’t a lot of people who would do this- but it works for me as I’m not in the US and shipping back and forth can be a pain.

I’ve also worked with DK. DK’s prices are very competitive!! Like Caysie, I find DK can be difficult to get hold of at times. Tbh I would probably say they’re at a similar level of responsiveness in my experience. I have also experienced slight delays with DK, but again, nothing extreme or terrible. I’m pretty relaxed about delays of a few weeks so I would say in this regard again, I feel he and CVB are similar (IMO only!) I go to DK for more modern styles for a reasonable price.

I would happily work with both of these jewellers for future projects, though I think it is important to acknowledge everyone’s experiences! I’ve never hadn’t the pleasure of working with VC or SK, but I did want to throw in another name- Alistair Kelsey. He is more local to me. While busy, a custom project has been delayed (as can happen with anyone) but he is a wizard with metal work! And he hand forges at a more reasonable price. He also very quickly worked to rectify an issue that popped up with said custom project- he is super professional and communication is great!
 
I also adore Alistair Kelsey and wouldn't hesitate to work with him again if he wasn't so far away. He's amazing.
 
Yay for Alistair Kelsey indeed! He is a gem to work with and his metalwork is amazing. I worked with him from Europe where I live and it was a breeze to work with him
 
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