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Harry Winston Oval Micropave Replica Buying Advice

redsoxfan027

redsoxfan027

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 9, 2012
Messages
29
Hello All,

I have been lurking over the past 6 months gaining as much knowledge as possible, but am now at the point where I want to finally make my purchase. I went to Harry Winston with my future fiance to have her try on the HW micropave in oval, and she absolutely loved it. It was right around a 1ct center stone. I have a number of questions that I am struggling with:

1. She has extremely skinny fingers (size 4); how large is the maximum I should go, keeping in mind that the 1ct Oval looked great on her hand. I would love to get her as big a ring as possible while keeping my budget around the $10-11k range.
2. I plan on getting it designed by either Steven Kirsch, Leon or Victor. I have gotten a quote from Victor for $4,700 for the setting, but feel that this is rather steep. Does the PS community think that his craftsmanship is worth the extra money?
3. In order to maximize value, what spec range should I shoot for considering that this is an oval diamond? F/G/H, VS1/SI1/SI2?

Thank you in advance for your help with this extremely important decision, I have been truly impressed by this amazing community in my time researching.

Regards,
redsoxfan027
 
Ask steven for his quote. It will be around 4k. Which leaves you 6 for the stone. And that should be fine for a 1 carat oval.
 
Gypsy|1354300579|3319379 said:
Ask steven for his quote. It will be around 4k. Which leaves you 6 for the stone. And that should be fine for a 1 carat oval.
Click to expand...

Do you have any advice as to what size I should go up to/specs I should go up to? Would 1.3 be too large? Also, would anyone be able to provide any good examples of a diamond that faces up large and is a good value?
 
I'd probably get Good Old Gold to source you an oval. I'd stick with the G-H color and VS2-SI1 clarity range. Get as large a stone as you can with the $6-7k. A 1.2 ct is not going to be too big compared to a 1 carat. But I simply would not compromise on a high quality diamond if you are putting it in a $4k setting.

This is higher specs than needed, but it is a pretty nice stone! They could call in some others to compare.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7255/
 
redsoxfan027|1354300795|3319383 said:
Gypsy|1354300579|3319379 said:
Ask steven for his quote. It will be around 4k. Which leaves you 6 for the stone. And that should be fine for a 1 carat oval.
Click to expand...

Do you have any advice as to what size I should go up to/specs I should go up to? Would 1.3 be too large? Also, would anyone be able to provide any good examples of a diamond that faces up large and is a good value?
Click to expand...


You want a well performing stone without a harsh bowtie. That trumps color and clarity. I would ask for the best performing stone for your budget of 6-7k, H or better color and eyeclean. Performance first, the rest is secondary.
 
Thanks all for the great responses! I just spoke with Jon from GOG and he mentioned that I should get at least a G color due to it being an oval. It seems that the board generally feels that is not necessary, is that correct?
 
redsoxfan027|1354303298|3319425 said:
Thanks all for the great responses! I just spoke with Jon from GOG and he mentioned that I should get at least a G color due to it being an oval. It seems that the board generally feels that is not necessary, is that correct?
Click to expand...


I trust Jon on this, but I know I personally would be okay with an H. If it's going in the halo... maybe playing it safe with G or better is a good idea.
 
I think Steven, Leon and Victor can all make a wonderful HW ring. I also just want to throw in that ERD can do a cast and handmade version as well. If you are looking for still a wonderful quality setting but not quite hand made I would go with ERD and then use the money you would save on a bigger diamond. I have a VC halo and have compared it to an ERD cast halo and they are very similar. I was actually extremely impressed with the quality.

I'm just saying for me I would prefer the larger stone.
 
Sarahbear621|1354305969|3319470 said:
I think Steven, Leon and Victor can all make a wonderful HW ring. I also just want to throw in that ERD can do a cast and handmade version as well. If you are looking for still a wonderful quality setting but not quite hand made I would go with ERD and then use the money you would save on a bigger diamond. I have a VC halo and have compared it to an ERD cast halo and they are very similar. I was actually extremely impressed with the quality.

I'm just saying for me I would prefer the larger stone.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the input, that is really interesting to hear. If the quality is similar, I would absolutely go for the ERD option vs handmade to maximize diamond size.
 
Okay, good to know. If it helps anyone assist me with the diamond search, the following video shows exactly the style oval I am looking for. It is the second stone (1.15)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQUkxeif2Jw
 
What is everyone's thought on a setting from GOG?
 
HI:

I have no wish to be rude or pedantic but is the HW ring itself, not an option? Is is possible they might negotiate on the ring you both desire?

cheers--Sharon
 
I wish that were an option, she tried a 1ct oval on and it was $40,000...
 
redsoxfan027|1354313773|3319575 said:
What is everyone's thought on a setting from GOG?
Click to expand...

My thoughts are no. The quality is just not the same. I would absolutely not go with a stock setting, from any of the vendors they have, and I would not go custom with them either. All the pictures I have seen of all their custom work shows me work that is acceptable, but just NOT the same quality as ERD or BGD for CAD and not even in the same ballpark as Steven or Victor. NO ONE here, that is a regular poster has ever gotten a GOG custom piece-- for good reason. They are not known for it, and while it is acceptable, it is certainly not as good as what other vendors provide. They do a GREAT job on stones. But ... just no on custom for me.
 
If I were having a HW pave halo ring made, I would choose Victor Canera or Steven Kirsch. I would want an outstanding one or not want one at all. Steven would be very convenient to deal with since GOG and Steven are in close proximity. No offense to anyone else, but I think few people can do justice to (as in equal) the quality and style of HW.
 
diamondseeker2006|1354323197|3319669 said:
If I were having a HW pave halo ring made, I would choose Victor Canera or Steven Kirsch. I would want an outstanding one or not want one at all. Steven would be very convenient to deal with since GOG and Steven are in close proximity. No offense to anyone else, but I think few people can do justice to (as in equal) the quality and style of HW.
Click to expand...

How does Steven compare to Victor in terms of quality? I know he is less expensive.
 
redsoxfan027|1354370607|3319845 said:
diamondseeker2006|1354323197|3319669 said:
If I were having a HW pave halo ring made, I would choose Victor Canera or Steven Kirsch. I would want an outstanding one or not want one at all. Steven would be very convenient to deal with since GOG and Steven are in close proximity. No offense to anyone else, but I think few people can do justice to (as in equal) the quality and style of HW.
Click to expand...

How does Steven compare to Victor in terms of quality? I know he is less expensive.
Click to expand...

Right now VC is the darling of PS (before it was previously Leon) and their is a topic that compares the HW halo by Leon, VC and SK that is helpful...but I think it is also unfair as each ring was based on the right and wrongs of the ring before. I think someone actually linked to it previously. In general I don't think there is an answer to this question as they are fairly equal. Most people are very opinionate and either feel VC is the best or SK at the moment. To my knowledge only a handful of PSers actually have seen rings by all 3. While I am not the expert that others are I have seen rings by Leon (own an eternity band), VC (my ering) and SK (currently in the middle of a project with) and I think they are all wonderful. I had VC redo my ering but I already had the diamond. While Victor was wonderful and my ring is beautiful=- after comparing it to a ERD one I personally wouldn't justify the price of the hand forged version again. I think some PSers that have eagle eyes and harp on their jewelry down to the smallest detail (which is total FINE!) might have noticed more differences but for 99% of the people out there the rings were very similar and the ERD one was half the price.

My current project I'm going with Steven as when I saw his work I was pretty impressed and his quotes are definitely lower then VC. I guess curiousity got me so I'll be interested to see how this ring comes out. It is a bit more art decoy/ antique then his usual but he seems excitied about doing something new.
 
He is not always less expensive. I got quotes from both of them for pave earrings settings for sapphires, and the two quotes were almost exactly the same (as in less than $100 difference). I don't have anything made by Steven so I really cannot personally compare them. But my earrings from Victor are perfect. The work we have seen from Steven also seems to be top quality. There are a couple of people here who have things made by both. I know frankiextah liked Victor's work the most, but there are others who are totally satisfied with Steven's work as well.
 
diamondseeker2006|1354406843|3320189 said:
He is not always less expensive. I got quotes from both of them for pave earrings settings for sapphires, and the two quotes were almost exactly the same (as in less than $100 difference). I don't have anything made by Steven so I really cannot personally compare them. But my earrings from Victor are perfect. The work we have seen from Steven also seems to be top quality. There are a couple of people here who have things made by both. I know frankiextah liked Victor's work the most, but there are others who are totally satisfied with Steven's work as well.
Click to expand...


DS- Thanks, you are correct. I can't edit my post anymore but I shouldnt' have put that Steven is always less expensive. I have requested quotes on a few things and they have been very comparable as well. I meant to say for this project in particular the quote was much lower. I apologize for any confusion.
 
Sarahbear621|1354406693|3320187 said:
Right now VC is the darling of PS (before it was previously Leon) and their is a topic that compares the HW halo by Leon, VC and SK that is helpful...but I think it is also unfair as each ring was based on the right and wrongs of the ring before. I think someone actually linked to it previously. In general I don't think there is an answer to this question as they are fairly equal. Most people are very opinionate and either feel VC is the best or SK at the moment. To my knowledge only a handful of PSers actually have seen rings by all 3. While I am not the expert that others are I have seen rings by Leon (own an eternity band), VC (my ering) and SK (currently in the middle of a project with) and I think they are all wonderful. I had VC redo my ering but I already had the diamond. While Victor was wonderful and my ring is beautiful=- after comparing it to a ERD one I personally wouldn't justify the price of the hand forged version again. I think some PSers that have eagle eyes and harp on their jewelry down to the smallest detail (which is total FINE!) might have noticed more differences but for 99% of the people out there the rings were very similar and the ERD one was half the price.
Click to expand...

+1
 
nielseel|1354409121|3320204 said:
Sarahbear621|1354406693|3320187 said:
Right now VC is the darling of PS (before it was previously Leon) and their is a topic that compares the HW halo by Leon, VC and SK that is helpful...but I think it is also unfair as each ring was based on the right and wrongs of the ring before. I think someone actually linked to it previously. In general I don't think there is an answer to this question as they are fairly equal. Most people are very opinionate and either feel VC is the best or SK at the moment. To my knowledge only a handful of PSers actually have seen rings by all 3. While I am not the expert that others are I have seen rings by Leon (own an eternity band), VC (my ering) and SK (currently in the middle of a project with) and I think they are all wonderful. I had VC redo my ering but I already had the diamond. While Victor was wonderful and my ring is beautiful=- after comparing it to a ERD one I personally wouldn't justify the price of the hand forged version again. I think some PSers that have eagle eyes and harp on their jewelry down to the smallest detail (which is total FINE!) might have noticed more differences but for 99% of the people out there the rings were very similar and the ERD one was half the price.
Click to expand...

+1
Click to expand...


For the majority of pieces, I totally agree with this. CAD is less expensive and the differences are minute. And with some projects CAD is even superior than hand forged. HOWEVER, with micorpave halos in this style (HW) I do NOT agree that they are indistinguishable, and do feel strongly that with pave handforged in platinum is superior than any other method of fabrication. Which is why all my other jewelry IS CAD and CAST and my halo is handforged, from Steven.
 
Gypsy|1354413611|3320226 said:
nielseel|1354409121|3320204 said:
Sarahbear621|1354406693|3320187 said:
Right now VC is the darling of PS (before it was previously Leon) and their is a topic that compares the HW halo by Leon, VC and SK that is helpful...but I think it is also unfair as each ring was based on the right and wrongs of the ring before. I think someone actually linked to it previously. In general I don't think there is an answer to this question as they are fairly equal. Most people are very opinionate and either feel VC is the best or SK at the moment. To my knowledge only a handful of PSers actually have seen rings by all 3. While I am not the expert that others are I have seen rings by Leon (own an eternity band), VC (my ering) and SK (currently in the middle of a project with) and I think they are all wonderful. I had VC redo my ering but I already had the diamond. While Victor was wonderful and my ring is beautiful=- after comparing it to a ERD one I personally wouldn't justify the price of the hand forged version again. I think some PSers that have eagle eyes and harp on their jewelry down to the smallest detail (which is total FINE!) might have noticed more differences but for 99% of the people out there the rings were very similar and the ERD one was half the price.
Click to expand...

+1
Click to expand...


For the majority of pieces, I totally agree with this. CAD is less expensive and the differences are minute. And with some projects CAD is even superior than hand forged. HOWEVER, with micorpave halos in this style (HW) I do NOT agree that they are indistinguishable, and do feel strongly that with pave handforged in platinum is superior than any other method of fabrication. Which is why all my other jewelry IS CAD and CAST and my halo is handforged, from Steven.
Click to expand...


What specifically is lacking in the CAD vs. Handmade micropave halo's?
 
honestly what I think you should do is do an advanced search on here (click search without typing anything in and then click the blu forum tab once it takes you to the search page) Search ERD, and then searh the other designers youre considering. You can click to have it search just though "show me the bling" and click for it to search titles only so you dont have to wade though to many hits that arent what youre looking for. What we think is helpful but you look though them and you decide if you think the extra money is worth it, or if you'd prefer to go with can and put your money toward the diamond.
 
Thanks for the advice, I am going to see some stones at GOG this weekend and will report back as soon as I do.
 
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