Eternity band - IDJ vs Victor Canera ?

[Rocky_2012]

I am trying to decide between Victor Canera and IDJ to make a custom eternity ring (platinum, basket setting, shared prongs; .6ct emerald cut stones, size 7, for a total of about 10.8 ct; G, VS1)

I have gotten some valuable advice already in a previous thread about a week ago. I would have gone with WF whom I have purchased super ideals from in the past but they couldn‘t take on this project. I have never death with either IDJ or Canera before, but both got great reviews in this forums.

Some questions - would be very grateful for your thoughts:

- quality of the setting: The design is fairly standard. Would you expect any differences in craftsmanship between the two?
- quality of the diamonds: I really have my mind set on getting the very highest feasible cut quality - not easy in an EC, let alone in 18 for an eternity band Again, any differences you‘d expect in the cut quality you‘d get? I had shared the same instructions / information for the quote with both
- would it be reasonable to ask for ASET images of the stones before confirming the purchase? Anything else that you would want to take a look at to base the decision on?
- customer service: I live in Europe, so would fly over to the States to take delivery of the ring. This puts a premium on getting everything right the first time and reliable, good customer service. Both seems very good based on my limited interactions so far.
- Canera is about 10 percent more expensive all in based on the information I have at the moment.

Thanks again for all of your help and advice!

 

[yssie]

Choose Victor Canera. No question.

IDJ is fantastic for what they are - a budget solution for someone who isn’t looking for impeccable quality. For what you’re looking at - the differences in workmanship, finish, and attention to detail will be well worth the 10% premium.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Easy....Victor for this. And no, it is not reasonable to ask for ASET images on stones this size. He'd order a matched set of stones to make the ring. He only uses high quality stones and his settings are handforged. His price is outstanding if it's only 10% more. Please come back and show us the ring!

 

[LLJsmom]

Exactly what @yssie and @diamondseeker2006 said. I’ve had a VC eternity for about 7 years now and it’s withstood daily wear and regular cleanings In The ultrasonic. Sounds like a significant piece you are commissioning so a 10% premium on a hand forged piece is worth it to me. Also, given it’s an eternity there will be a fair bit of metal required in the construction. I would choose the option that gives me the finest work and least amount of metal visible. I have confidence saying I think that is Victor. I’ve had two settings done by him and the quality, delicacy and sturdiness of the craftsmanship is second to none.
I hope you will post you finished product.

 

[Rocky_2012]

Thanks so much - very clear vote!
Re the ASET images, you‘re basically saying one needs to communicate upfront what you‘d like and then trust him fully, correct? I did like the process of buying an H&A solitaire as looking at the certificate and various images plus the (or primarily the) advice here gave me great peace of mind that you are buying an outstanding stone - but sounds like it just doesn’t work that way for an eternity band
Will definitely post picture but Victor was cautioning that it may take him 2-3 months to make the piece - let‘s see!

 

[Rocky_2012]

By the way, on the point of picking the setting with the least visible metal, I found this design by him:

Emerald Cut Shared Prong Eternity | Victor Canera

A hand fabricated eternity band in platinum with 1/3ct or 0.33ct Emerald Cut Diamonds set in a shared prong design with eagle claw tips on the prongs.

www.victorcanera.com

Have you seen any other settings, e.g. u prong, that could be an alternative to emphasize the diamonds over the metal?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think the shared prong is more secure, but he will tell you if that is correct or not. His shared prong setting is outstanding, and I do not know of any setting I would choose over that.

As far as the stones go, all I would be asking for is the carat weight per stone, and the color/clarity range I'd want. Sounds like you have that figured out. G VS1 should be nice.

The only other thing I would ask you is if you have seen a 10ctw emerald cut eternity band in person? Because that is going to be quite large. The one on his site has 1/3 ct stones, and the band is 3.5-3.6mm wide. I just wonder how wide the band will be at .6 cts.

I am sure the time frame is reflecting the amount of time it will take to have the stones custom cut for the project. It won't take very long once the stones are in.

Victor made the ring in my avatar picture, and I have a couple of other items from him. I trust him 100%.

 

[heididdl]

Choose Victor Canera. No question.

IDJ is fantastic for what they are - a budget solution for someone who isn’t looking for impeccable quality. For what you’re looking at - the differences in workmanship, finish, and attention to detail will be well worth the 10% premium.

Appreciate the fact that Victor Canera specialty is impeccable quality settings et al. Please be more cautious about making negative comments about a valued vendor on this site.

 

[RayRay]

Appreciate the fact that Victor Canera specialty is impeccable quality settings et al. Please be more cautious about making negative comments about a valued vendor on this site.

Huh? If people can’t be honest on PS, then where can you be? People should be allowed to give their opinion here, otherwise it’s not a consumer forum. Recent comments like this where people are told to be careful what they say, is ridiculous, honestly makes me want to stop coming here.

 

[Rocky_2012]

Thanks again for all of your input. I did appreciate the candid advice on the differences between the two vendors, btw, and didn´t perceive it as negative re IDJ - just realistic that a (slightly) less cost-intense option would entail some (slight) compromies elsewhere.

I have seen an eternity band with .57 stones on her, so the dimensions hopefully should be fine (the only reason I am qualifying this is that I am not 100% sure anymore what the setting looked like exactly.)

And yes, the time frame was mainly to source the right stones.

Thanks again, hope to get this rolling this week and then hopefully not too long until I can post some pictures

 

[m-2-b]

Was that your dazzling EC diamond eternity band featured on VC's IG page today?

If so, please indulge us with handshots on your wife's finger soon please!