Harry Winston Oval Micropave Replica Buying Advice

[redsoxfan027]

I'm a bit nervous about pulling the trigger. He said his ASET machine is broken, so I really want to see that prior to committing. What do you guys think of the price at $7,700?

Just for reference. Here are my thoughts on the ASET in this case.

Asets are great when you can see them in person, or when you are stuck with just one still image of a stone and want to see what the light performance of it is. I own one and I love it. Why? Because I have a fancy shape diamond AND because it is so much fun to see it move under the ASET and catch light and turn off and on. A single ASET image is great only as a PIECE of the puzzle though. It's not the puzzle itself, because it shows the diamond in a static state, not in movement. A lot of the reason we rely on them is because great videos are hard to come by. But I prefer a good video because a single ASET image only shows the performance of a still stone. When you wear a diamond it is NEVER really still. It moves.

So I'm not saying EVERY vendor's video can take the place of an ASET. Or that even most can. What I am saying is that they are tools and having both is for redundancy and confirmation in this case, because that video was a very good on in terms of showing how the stone flashes on and off and where it does so and under what conditions. And what that shows was performance above average for ovals. And really... what what you want to know.

You would ask if Victor can send the stone to Patrick Davies at your expense for an ASET. He's an appraiser in LA used by PSers. Then you can talk to Patrick about it. Or if you are in the LA area, you can go see it yourself.

Thanks Gypsy - that is very good to know.

 

[Gypsy]

Thanks all - really appreciate you continuing to answer my questions!!

I have decided to go with this diamond, now I am having second thoughts about going with VC as I just got a quote from IDJ for $2500 vs VC @ right around $4300. Is a VC setting worth $1800??? This is such a complicated process!!!

Here are my thoughts.

Is IDJ's handforged? Because you have to make sure you are comparing apples to apples. If it IS handforged... that's a steal.

If it's not handforged. Yes, ONLY FOR PAVE, would I say that, but yes it is worth the expense.

BUT you can make it less costly. I would do pave only 2/3rds the way around on the shank of the ring. That way if she has kids and her fingers never go back to her original size she can get it sized safely. And also it saves you money. I wouldn't pay for pave on the stems or the donuts unless she's specifically said she has to have them.

And by making small changes like that I would ask Victor if he can come down to 3,900 or so, since you are buying both the setting and stone from him and see if he will work with you on price.

 

[Niel]

I suppose I have the room, but I don't want to go down the path of hand made vs. cast if there is not a noticeable difference from a vendor such as IDJ or ERD. Has anyone seen a VC in person as compared to an ERD or IDJ setting?

i know I have said this before, but have you actually looked online at IDJ settings and VC settings to compare for yourself?

 

[Gypsy]

The majority of my pieces are custom. And the majority of those. In fact EVERY SINGLE PIECE I OWN is CAD and CAST. Except my halo. Which is handforged. I don't have pave on the shank of my ring so even my SHANK is CAD and CAST. But that halo. Where the pave is? Handforged.

Why? Long story short. It's that much better, stronger and safer for micropave. This is something she will wear everyday, and on her HANDS which means wear and tear, you want the best quality possible for that if you can afford it.

 

[redsoxfan027]

I have looked a great deal at these settings in the links below for SK, LM and VC:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/comparison-photos-of-my-victor-canera-sk-leon-ring-setting.166496/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/comparison-photos-of-my-victor-canera-sk-leon-ring-setting.166496/[/URL]

as well as the ERD post:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/erd-omb-cushion-halo-masterpiece.178601/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/erd-omb-cushion-halo-masterpiece.178601/[/URL]

and IDJ:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/harry-winston-style-micropave-oval-e-ring-from-idjewelery.178743/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/harry-winston-style-micropave-oval-e-ring-from-idjewelery.178743/[/URL]

I am having a hard time discerning the difference in terms of ERD vs VC due to the lack of good pictures of the VC and ERD.

 

[Rosebloom]

I completely agree with Gypsy. The quality of the craftsmanship is so important in this kind of ring. Not the place to skimp. Also I'd take the suggestion of 3/4 pave and nothing on the donut regardless of cost savings.

 

[redsoxfan027]

I completely agree with Gypsy. The quality of the craftsmanship is so important in this kind of ring. Not the place to skimp. Also I'd take the suggestion of 3/4 pave and nothing on the donut regardless of cost savings.

Those are excellent points Gypsy and Rosebloom.

Rosebloom why nothing on the donut and 3/4 pave regardless?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Diamonds on the doughnut will scratch the wedding band and I wouldn't put them there if I had $10k for the setting because I want smooth metal against smooth metal to protect both rings. I would absolutely leave a sizing area at the base of the shank no matter what ring you get. I might go a little farther than 3/4, though.

Listen, I looked at that IDJ ring and it doesn't even come anywhere in the realm of a Victor Canera setting. If I didn't go with Victor I would likely go with Steven Kirsch. If they were both impossible, then I'd go with Maytal Hannah or ERD. That is 4 people/companies who could make a better quality ring than the one you posted from IDJ. The VC ring is worth every penny more than the one from IDJ.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

One more thing. While I think that is a nice oval, I think it is a little more elongated than I would personally want. Have you considered looking at Victors antique cushions? Because they would be so beautiful in the HW setting. I would far rather have the cushion, personally.

 

[redsoxfan027]

She is definitely set on an oval. I don't know, I thought that this oval looked good/not overly elongated.

 

[Niel]

I dont like the IDJ one, personally. Did you get a quote for the ERD?

I think ERD is a good compromise. I think they are very high quality, but a better price. I say, maybe go over your budget and priorities. If you think you could use the price difference to go toward something else, like the honeymoon or wedding or house or something, than I would go with ERD. But if 1k isnt going to make a difference either way then I would just see if he can remove the diamonds on the donuts and only do 4/7th of the shank and see if he can reduce the price any. No harm in letting him know you're looking for the best price.


And dont get a cushion if she is set on the oval. I love that oval, especially how elongated it is

edited to correct myself. I said remove diamonds the halo, and that owuld just be silly

 

[redsoxfan027]

I dont like the IDJ one, personally. Did you get a quote for the ERD?

I think ERD is a good compromise. I think they are very high quality, but a better price. I say, maybe go over your budget and priorities. If you think you could use the price difference to go toward something else, like the honeymoon or wedding or house or something, than I would go with ERD. But if 1k isnt going to make a difference either way then I would just see if he can remove the diamonds on the donuts and only do 4/7th of the shank and see if he can reduce the price any. No harm in letting him know you're looking for the best price.


And dont get a cushion if she is set on the oval. I love that oval, especially how elongated it is

edited to correct myself. I said remove diamonds the halo, and that owuld just be silly

ERD is $3,000. I suppose $1000 isn't going to make a big difference either way.

I really like that oval - I think it is well proportioned myself.

 

[Rhino]

What is everyone's thought on a setting from GOG?

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.

Gypsy ... seriously. This is simply not true. If any other vendor makes a Unique, Timeless, Gabrielle, Vatche, Tacori, Ritani, etc. you are fine except when it is made through us. Do you honestly think they make lower quality settings for GOG than they do every other jeweler in the world? We have done numerous custom settings each of which our clients have said nothing but positive things about time after time but you, having never seen any of our custom settings always downs them and we have tons of videos and photography showing our work.

 

[Rosebloom]

I completely agree with Gypsy. The quality of the craftsmanship is so important in this kind of ring. Not the place to skimp. Also I'd take the suggestion of 3/4 pave and nothing on the donut regardless of cost savings.

Those are excellent points Gypsy and Rosebloom.

Rosebloom why nothing on the donut and 3/4 pave regardless?

DiamondSeeker covered it exactly! Metal on metal and resizing.

 

[redsoxfan027]

Hello All,

Sorry for the radio silence! I ended up going with the VC setting with the 1.31 oval that I listed in the above posts. I just got the final pictures from VC, and it will be here on Wednesday!!! Let me know what you think, personally I am thrilled.

One thing I know is I would not have been able to do it without all of your help on this board. Thanks again all!

 

[Rosebloom]

Oh my goodness it is spectacular!!!!!! Well done!

 

[gracieloufreebush]

That's sooo gorgeous! Love it

 

[Enerchi]

Redsoxfan!! That is STUNNING!!! your ring turned out incredible ... well... its a VC, so of course it would!

Can't wait to get more pics and hand shots too! please start a new SMTB thread when this beauty arrives!!

 

[redsoxfan027]

Absolutely - I will post pics as soon as it comes in!

 

[ooo~Shiney!]

Oh my goodness it is spectacular!!!!!! Well done!

Well, THANK GOODNESS !!!!

I have read all the way through this thread
holding my breath.....
ultimately, you did what I was hoping you would do !!!!
you did GREAT !!!!

AMAZING STONE AND RING ~~~~ Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh

 

[redsoxfan027]

Oh my goodness it is spectacular!!!!!! Well done!

Well, THANK GOODNESS !!!!

I have read all the way through this thread
holding my breath.....
ultimately, you did what I was hoping you would do !!!!
you did GREAT !!!!

AMAZING STONE AND RING ~~~~ Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh

Thank you!! I really feel good about my decision.

 

[SB621]

Beautiful ring! it is just gorgeous! Goodluck on your proposal! I want hand shots!!!!!!!!!!!

And for what it is worth on page 1 I gave you my comments on the differences I saw between my VC ring and my friends ERD ring (which was hand forged). Mine was definitely better, but the differences were subtle. I think if you had the VC ring in your budget then you made the best choice going with VC!!! Great job!

And Rhino...I'm going to back Gypsy on this one since she never responded. I have NEVER seen a custom piece from GOG on PS. And I would love to know why you consider a Vatche a custom piece from GOG? Seriously?!?!?! You might not like what Gypsy said, but really your comments just turn away customers.

 

[Niel]

OH THATS FANTASTIC!!!!
Im not the biggest fan of those VC shots, something about them doesnt look real. Not to say it doesnt look fantastic, i just like a realer background. I cannot wait to see your own pics when you get it!! soooo nice to see an oval one of those