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Help with a Diamond Engagement Ring

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Benj

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 28, 2024
Messages
9
Seeking thoughts on a diamond engagement ring, here's my situation:

I currently own a ring that I recently purchased from a local jeweler (Fink's) which I paid $8,300 for. It's a 1.00ct I-color SI1 Round with a Platinum Halo Pave setting. Here's the stonealgo for the center stone: https://www.stonealgo.com/diamond-details/GIA-number-5212879598

What are your thoughts on this ring? Did I significantly overpay? How is the overall quality all things considered?

Here are 2 videos of this ring:
https://imgur.com/a/Ni7j3Jb
https://imgur.com/a/B2UVUl8

=====

Additionally, I have 30 days to return the local ring I purchased above, and I am thinking about doing so and purchasing a completed ring online through Victor Canera. It seems like I can get a better value + better quality in doing this, but I am still trying to come to grips with essentially blind buying a custom engagement ring from them. I am debating between the Emilya (Bliss or Couture) or a Halo Cathedral both Platinum metal. Any thoughts on helping me decide between a more standard setting with the Emilya vs. Halo Cathedral? I know my partner likes the cathedral design, but I am a little concerned it could sit up too high and knick things. Additionally, any thoughts on going CAD (Bliss) versus Hand-forged (Couture)? As for the center stone, I am looking at a .928ct Round and am looking to ensure a size 5 finger coverage about the same of a 2.25ct diamond (so, essentially, making sure the .928ct diamond + halo equates to at least 2-2.25ct coverage in size).

I'll post all relevant info on the Victor Canera options I mentioned that I am considering below:


Please please please let me know your thoughts on any/all the things! Thank you so much.
 
Last edited:
What’s your total budget? My u understanding is Canera’s settings are pricey.
 
I would 100% go with Victor Canera for a halo ring. I'm not familiar with the quality of the Bliss line, but I own a hand-forged Emilya with a cathedral and flush-fitting stems and have no regrets.

If you choose the halo cathedral setting, would you also do the double edge halo?
 
Personally, being absolutely biased, I would return it and get a Victor ring. His work is exceptional and truly heirloom worthy. There's nothing wrong with a conventional store bought ring, but if you're looking for something exceptional, Victor is the person to make it.

Here are my thoughts:
1) Reach out to Victor and ask about the stones you're looking for. They have access to a wide variety of options and could potentially source you a diamond a tiny bit cheaper if budget is a concern (i.e., they could get you a J SI1 instead of a G, for example). Personally, although I think Victor's cutting is exceptional, you can also have him source a non-Canera Ideal stone, but still triple excellent, if you're concerned with budget. That could save you a couple grand. Victor will also source lab diamonds, if asked.

2) With a 1 carat stone, the cathedral will not be too high. If you had a 2, 3, 4 carat stone, that might start to make a difference, but a 1 carat is low enough that it's not going to matter materially.

3) If you can splurge on the hand-forged, it's absolutely worth it. I'd rather (personally) have a lower color or clarity stone and a hand-forged setting. If you were picking some non-pave settings, like the Yvonne, you could go Bliss to save some budget (I still wouldn't for my engagement ring, but would for a right hand ring).

With hand forged, the pave is going to look more seamless and perfect. And the stones will be set with enough grip in the platinum to keep them in place. It'll also be stronger, more durable and lighter. CAD would still be excellent quality, but it's hand-finished versus hand-forged.
 
I too would 100% return the ring and go with Victor Canera. You will not be disappointed in his workmanship!
 
Kim N said:
I would 100% go with Victor Canera for a halo ring. I'm not familiar with the quality of the Bliss line, but I own a hand-forged Emilya with a cathedral and flush-fitting stems and have no regrets.

If you choose the halo cathedral setting, would you also do the double edge halo?
Click to expand...

thanks for that info! I am not totally set on double edge, but I do like the idea of it. Haven't looked through all of VC's halo cathedral settings, but it sounds like they have many. Do you have thoughts one way or the other? And, any chance you could send a picture(s) of your hand-forged halo cathedral from VC?
 
Grymera said:
Personally, being absolutely biased, I would return it and get a Victor ring. His work is exceptional and truly heirloom worthy. There's nothing wrong with a conventional store bought ring, but if you're looking for something exceptional, Victor is the person to make it.

Here are my thoughts:
1) Reach out to Victor and ask about the stones you're looking for. They have access to a wide variety of options and could potentially source you a diamond a tiny bit cheaper if budget is a concern (i.e., they could get you a J SI1 instead of a G, for example). Personally, although I think Victor's cutting is exceptional, you can also have him source a non-Canera Ideal stone, but still triple excellent, if you're concerned with budget. That could save you a couple grand. Victor will also source lab diamonds, if asked.

2) With a 1 carat stone, the cathedral will not be too high. If you had a 2, 3, 4 carat stone, that might start to make a difference, but a 1 carat is low enough that it's not going to matter materially.

3) If you can splurge on the hand-forged, it's absolutely worth it. I'd rather (personally) have a lower color or clarity stone and a hand-forged setting. If you were picking some non-pave settings, like the Yvonne, you could go Bliss to save some budget (I still wouldn't for my engagement ring, but would for a right hand ring).

With hand forged, the pave is going to look more seamless and perfect. And the stones will be set with enough grip in the platinum to keep them in place. It'll also be stronger, more durable and lighter. CAD would still be excellent quality, but it's hand-finished versus hand-forged.
Click to expand...

thank you for the thoughtful reply! So, as far as Emilya vs. Cathedral halo setting, you think this really just comes down to personal preference on design? Can't go wrong with either in hand-forged?
 
Not @Kim N ...hopefully she'll be back with her feelings/opinion on VC but in the meantime, feast your eyes on this beauty!
Kim N

Thread 'A VC halo of pink diamonds for my holy grail'

I have been remiss in starting a thread for my HFG.

I love old cuts, but I also love high color, high clarity, and precision cutting. I turned to LGDs in order to get everything I wanted under budget. She's my holy grail, a custom re-cut (from an MRB) transitional 4.3ct diamond. She performs amazingly and is such a fireball.

She was initially in a solitaire, but I found that diamonds look smaller on my hands compared to others with the same finger size. I have always loved the Emilya, and I pored over many photos of other PSers' Emilyas with OECs. I also adore pink diamonds, so what...
  • Love
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IMO VC pricing is quite reasonable for the quality of workmanship. Personally I would only go hand forged if it’s a setting you plan to keep forever and pass on as a heirloom piece. A well made hand finished cast piece is still going to be durable enough for daily wear.
 
0-0-0 said:
IMO VC pricing is quite reasonable for the quality of workmanship. Personally I would only go hand forged if it’s a setting you plan to keep forever and pass on as a heirloom piece. A well made hand finished cast piece is still going to be durable enough for daily wear.
Click to expand...

Do you happen to have any pictures/examples of CAD settings by VC? I've been struggling to find any, but have been hearing (and seeing) his hand-forged work is exceptional.
 
I would definitely return the ring from the local jeweler.

If you think this is a "forever" ring, then going with Victor makes sense as his work is beautiful, but pricey. So if you think that down the road, there will ever be an upgrade to a larger stone, then I wouldn't spend the funds right now for a hand forged ring by Victor and I'd put the funds into the diamond now, and not the setting.
 
Lookinagain said:
I would definitely return the ring from the local jeweler.

If you think this is a "forever" ring, then going with Victor makes sense as his work is beautiful, but pricey. So if you think that down the road, there will ever be an upgrade to a larger stone, then I wouldn't spend the funds right now for a hand forged ring by Victor and I'd put the funds into the diamond now, and not the setting.
Click to expand...

I think an upgrade to a larger stone down the road is certainly in the cards. Would you still recommend the center stone I shared from VC & perhaps going the CAD route with VC? Or, going with an entirely different jeweler in general? I've heard good things about David Klass and Maytal Hannah CAD settings + potentially going the Whiteflash route for a diamond?

All very foreign territory for me, as this is my first time buying a diamond.
 
I know you and I have discussed the finger coverage aspect, but I'm going to put a budget-buster out there that you may never feel the need to upgrade. At the very very top end of your budget with a pave setting and the sale through the end of the day today, I think you can get a 1.89 carat Brian Gavin signature I/VS1 in a platinum pave setting for $14,300 - $14,500:

www.briangavindiamonds.com

1.89 I VS1 Brian Gavin Signature Round

Brian Gavin Diamonds
www.briangavindiamonds.com www.briangavindiamonds.com

www.briangavindiamonds.com

Petite Pave

This delicate, elegant half eternity 4 prong micropave solitaire features 20 x 1.2mm (approx. 0.15 ctw) F/G VS Brian Gavin Signature hearts and arrows diamond melee. Select your diamond from our extensive in house inventory. Price is for setting only for diamonds up to 2 carats. Add $250 for...
www.briangavindiamonds.com www.briangavindiamonds.com

www.briangavindiamonds.com

Petite Cathedral Pave

This delicate, elegant half eternity 4 prong Cathedral style micropave solitaire features 16 x 1.35mm (approx. 0.12 ctw) F/G VS Brian Gavin Signature hearts and arrows diamond melee and claw prongs. Select your diamond from our extensive in house inventory. Price is for setting only for diamonds...
www.briangavindiamonds.com www.briangavindiamonds.com
 
Benj said:
I think an upgrade to a larger stone down the road is certainly in the cards. Would you still recommend the center stone I shared from VC & perhaps going the CAD route with VC? Or, going with an entirely different jeweler in general? I've heard good things about David Klass and Maytal Hannah CAD settings + potentially going the Whiteflash route for a diamond?

All very foreign territory for me, as this is my first time buying a diamond.
Click to expand...

Maytal Hannah is hand-forged, David Klass halos are typically cast though he does have a hand-forging bench I think. A lot of people are very happy with them both! They should both set a Whiteflash diamond, so I think the questions are vibes of the jeweler, aesthetic differences (Maytal Hannah usually sets stones a bit higher and has a more open look), and how you feel about shipping a diamond around and having it set with a different jeweler.
 
Benj said:
I think an upgrade to a larger stone down the road is certainly in the cards. Would you still recommend the center stone I shared from VC & perhaps going the CAD route with VC? Or, going with an entirely different jeweler in general? I've heard good things about David Klass and Maytal Hannah CAD settings + potentially going the Whiteflash route for a diamond?

All very foreign territory for me, as this is my first time buying a diamond.
Click to expand...

I do like @newtojewels suggestion re: Brian Gavin. If you don't go that route, and an upgrade is in the cards, then I would look for a White Flash stone and either buy one of their settings (I haven't looked for you to see what is available) or have DK or MH make a ring for you. DK's prices are very reasonable. I don't have any experience with MH and what her hand forged pieces cost. Again, I wouldn't pay for hand forged now if an upgrade is in the works (as I assume her work is pricier than either a stock setting or a cast setting by DK). But this is just how I think and certainly all won't agree with me.
 
Benj said:
Do you happen to have any pictures/examples of CAD settings by VC? I've been struggling to find any, but have been hearing (and seeing) his hand-forged work is exceptional.
Click to expand...

No I only have a VC hand forged bezel piece. His hand forged work is great and I have no doubts his bliss line would be comparable to the best hand finished cast work available.

I think VC pricing for diamonds are on the high side, so unless you are absolutely committed to a VC piece I would consider other vendors as well. WF and BG offer branded cuts comparable to VC at lower prices as well as good quality hand finished cast pieces.

I have bought multiple pieces from BG with bezel/melee/prong work for over a decade, and all are well made with secure stones. My wife knocked her ring on something hard enough to leave a scratch on the table of the center diamond at some point during a decade of daily wear, and it was still fully secure in the setting without any noticeable damage. We only found out about the scratch when we traded it in.
 
1. You get what you pay for, return and go with VC.
2. Personal preference, I would not go with double halo because it detracts from the center stone which IMO should be the star of the show.
Good luck.
 
If you think there will be an upgrade in the future, then I probably wouldn’t go for a designer setting. I would get this diamond from Whiteflash because of their upgrade policy and put it in a simple six prong setting. It gives you larger size than the .92 which helps make up for the loss of halo on the VC diamond. I am always more about putting the money in the diamond rather than the setting - at least until you have reached your ultimate diamond upgrade size. https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...-vs1-clarity-round-excellent-cut-sku-a4678023
 
There’s a lot of moving pieces at play for this decision, but a well crafted CAD/cast setting is a thing of beauty too, so that is a viable route. I would only invest in hand forged if a) my setting choice demanded it for structural integrity (pave encrusted for example) and b) it was my forever diamond
 
MissGotRocks said:
If you think there will be an upgrade in the future, then I probably wouldn’t go for a designer setting. I would get this diamond from Whiteflash because of their upgrade policy and put it in a simple six prong setting. It gives you larger size than the .92 which helps make up for the loss of halo on the VC diamond. I am always more about putting the money in the diamond rather than the setting - at least until you have reached your ultimate diamond upgrade size. https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...-vs1-clarity-round-excellent-cut-sku-a4678023
Click to expand...

Assuming @Benj could swing it, what do you think of this BGD one I linked above: https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...oducts/1-89-i-vs1-brian-gavin-signature-round

tagging @Dreamer_D and @Kim N too
 
@newtojewels @Dreamer_D @MissGotRocks @Kim N I am definitely leaning towards pulling the trigger on the BG diamond + setting at this point. I'm not completely in love with their settings, but do love the diamond. I wish their Petite Cathedral were more "curvy" with the sides/arms and not as straight as it is - however, maybe it's due to the size of the diamond in their images. For that reason alone, I'm leaning towards the Petite Pave, but I don't long the prong design for some reason. What do you think?

1.89ct I-color VS1:
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...oducts/1-89-i-vs1-brian-gavin-signature-round

Petite Pave setting:
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...es-engagement-rings/products/petite-pave-7173

Petite Cathedral Pave:
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...ent-rings/products/petite-cathedral-pave-7436

They have a discount going through midnight tonight, so I would need to act quick.
 
@Benj - Yes, either setting will be lovely. The one you selected before has a cathedral, so that would be the closet to the one you saw in person. I would highly advise you ask Victor about the wedding bands that go with each ring. For the Emilya, you may need a notched band for it to lay flush, which is less pretty when worn alone (imo). You might also ask for the cathedral to be raised a hair so that any standard 2mm band could be stacked with it. When you have anniversaries, etc. she may want another band for stacking.
 
@Benj - re: Brian Gavin options.

That diamond (1.89) is STUNNING! I love it. The same applies as above for cathedral vs not -- make sure you consider how a wedding band will be flush or not with each setting. You can ask BGD for a CAD and have a version with a wedding band included so you can see what it looks like.

Personally, I would also ask if they could make the designs with 6 prongs versus 4 prongs. Because that's a larger stone, it would be more secure. And a 4-prong design can look a bit more squared off than a six prong, which looks more round.
 
Benj said:
@newtojewels @Dreamer_D @MissGotRocks @Kim N I am definitely leaning towards pulling the trigger on the BG diamond + setting at this point. I'm not completely in love with their settings, but do love the diamond. I wish their Petite Cathedral were more "curvy" with the sides/arms and not as straight as it is - however, maybe it's due to the size of the diamond in their images. For that reason alone, I'm leaning towards the Petite Pave, but I don't long the prong design for some reason. What do you think?

1.89ct I-color VS1:
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...oducts/1-89-i-vs1-brian-gavin-signature-round

Petite Pave setting:
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...es-engagement-rings/products/petite-pave-7173

Petite Cathedral Pave:
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...ent-rings/products/petite-cathedral-pave-7436

They have a discount going through midnight tonight, so I would need to act quick.
Click to expand...

With the pave - which is beautiful! - just remember she will need a wedding band. Would she want the matching band? Sometimes folks choose a plain band on the engagement ring and a blinger wedding band. Just a thought before your final decision!
 
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