Vintage Diamond PS Makeover - From Pawn Site to Victor Canera

[EllieTO]

I'm so excited to debut Maxine in her new setting! Read the story below, or just scroll down for the bling.

This is a PriceScope piece from beginning to end. I decided this is the year I would finally buy myself my first OEC and set it in a special setting. For many (many) years I've been thinking about a CER in a VC setting, but I also liked the idea of a true antique stone, so I enlisted PS to help me on my journey. The OEC will be the subject of a future SMTB, but for today we're taking a little detour...

In my search for an OEC, I was frequenting the Somebody's Gotta Buy This Piece thread, where @lala646 showed off this find from Max Pawn. She ended up returning it, and I decided it could be a strong contender in my search, so I made it my life's mission to snag it as soon as it was restocked. I'm not kidding, I was refreshing the site several times a day for a couple weeks. In the meantime, I bought an OEC (which won't be ready for SMTB for another couple months), and the Max Pawn ring was restocked literally the next day! By this time I was invested! The two stones were about what I was prepared to spend on just one, so why not!

I immediately named her Maxine and waited for her to arrive. Believe it or not, I didn't love her at first. I could tell she was a well cut stone, but I had been so focused on OECs that it took me a while to appreciate her as a transitional. I even put her back in the shipping box and decided to return her, but was not in a rush. She sat there for about a week before I took her out again, and when I did I immediately realized I was in love and would regret not keeping her.

Now the fun started. We were playing guessing games on the specs (she looked so yellow in her setting), and I was super worried about a chip on the girdle. Finally I decided to unset her and got her GIA graded. She turned out to be 1.61 J SI1 - pretty white and amazingly clean except for the chip that was actually a cavity.

Now the fun continued - the setting! I was really all over the place on this. I have a highly irrational need that it not look like an engagement ring (being in my early 40's, married & divorced a long time ago and in other relationships since then), even though I don't wear any of my rings on my left ring finger. I considered so many options for this and my other stone - various kinds of halos, clusters, bezels, modern, vintage-inspired, true antique settings, three-stones, and probably more. I went down rabbit holes looking for side stones, halo designs, drawing out my own ideas, researching and contacting vendors... Eventually I ended up where I started and took Maxine on a day trip to Victor Canera. Knowing that he doesn't usually set outside stones, I thought I'd see if any of his in-stock settings would work. I remember seeing this setting so many times on his site and never even paused, until one day I looked at it and thought... huh... maybe. It was made for the exact size of my stone, a true Cinderella situation. I ended up liking it much more in person, and now here we are!

Quite the make-over, right? I actually love that I know what her setting was, even though I'm not keeping it. And I assume this wasn't the original setting, maybe it was an heirloom stone re-set in the 80's? I wore her to work yesterday and it occurred to me that she may not have been worn out potentially in decades.

Here are just a few of the approximately 2682 pictures and videos I've taken. I know this isn't news to anyone here, but I do want to add that the setting is beautifully made and Victor is of course a treasure himself. My pictures don't do it justice, you should see the teensy claw prongs even on the side flowers. I can't believe I own a VC!

Thanks again to all of you who helped in my various threads, I'm so grateful for this community.

Videos:

https://imgur.com/a/tgwi2h1

Original setting and loose:

https://imgur.com/a/nLjcRfr

 

[maryjane04]

Aww what a wonderful story. I was around for the whole part of it but loved reading it from start to finish. I feel like Maxine was just meant to be. Sometimes we say that we don't choose the old cuts but they choose us. I feel it very much in this instance. And the setting as well. What a lovely surprise and a VC! Maxine, may you live in your new dress and be loved for many years to come!

 

[lulu_ma]

Congrats @EllieTO ! Maxine looks made for your finger! Plus, you totally scored on the stone and the setting.

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

I loved watching your journey unfold, many congrats- such a beautiful piece!

 

[kathley]

You have a beautiful ring and the OEC faceting is gorgeous!

 

[Ally T]

This stone is beautiful & I loved reading the journey! The setting is perfect & I love her proportions on your hand. Enjoy her!

 

[Bonfire]

Beautiful stone and transformation!
I really love that setting, so feminine. it looks so pretty on your finger.

 

[lala646]

I absolutely love Maxine's new dress!! You did so right by her.

 

[Catmom]

Gorgeous stone and setting! She's perfect on your hand. Congratulations.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Well she looks like a million bucks. I believe I Pooh Poohd that setting when you posted a picture of it in another thread, but the real thing is really beautiful. I love the proportions of the side floral elements to the center stone. The real life perspective really shows it off and it looks lovely. And I like the very slight difference in tint between the center and the floral elements. It adds a nice visual interest and really emphasizes the antique faceting of the center. And it looks like you can stack it really easily with some bands if you wanted. I think I see a French cut eternity in your future!

The style is also going to be really cohesive with your Cora and I love how it echos your Tiffany daisy ring too. I think we need a family picture?

 

[EllieTO]

Thank you everyone!

@lala646 I'm so glad you approve! I think the previous setting didn't do her justice at all. But you saw her potential!

@maryjane04 @lulu_ma @lavenderdragonfly23 I appreciate your help and perspective along the way! I'm happy with where I landed but will miss being in project-mode.

@Dreamer_D I recall you weren't a fan of this setting. I honestly wasn't sure myself, but I like it a lot more in person. I would probably tweak a few things if I was doing it custom (or maybe something different altogether), but I like it as is and I think it's very unique. I thought I liked the Nova halo more, but in person it was way too much for me for everyday wear, and I don't like to save things for special occasions only. The one with kite-shape side stones was an absolute no for me. I also totally forgot to try one of his three-stones, I got too distrated by this one. The style of this setting is right up my alley - delicate and floral-inspired. But this is my only ring with a simple prong-set center stone, no halo. It's hard to do that without looking engagement-y, I think this is a good solution. And no bands! The whole point is that it's not an e-ring!

I've tried to select each of my rings so they are distinct from each other in style and metal color. I only ever wear one ring at a time, but I like to select my daily ring based on my outfit and mood that day (and I've been known to select my outfit around specific jewelry I want to wear ). I will post a family shot when I get Summer Dream set in the Cora. The wait would be killing me so much more if I didn't have Maxine to play with. I actually need to part with Maxine again for a bit - I thought it was the right size when I tried it on, but it's actually too loose. I will size it up to wear on my middle finger, that way I can alternate between both hands depending on swelling etc. Sometimes I even switch hands during the day, my fingers can change almost a half size throughout the day, it's crazy.

The color difference is rarely noticeable. I first opened the package in late afternoon, and in that light indoors I could see a slight difference, but in most other lighting since then, I don't see it at all.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Many gals on here stack rings on their right hand, and especially if you wear it on the middle finger. But I understand. The symbolism is strong. I’m married but haven’t worn a wedding band in 15 years lol. If I don’t have my diamonds my finger is usually bare. I have no idea what people think about that. (Not that it’s the same thing, I know.)

I think wearing her on the middle finger is a great idea. Then if you ever wanted to wear more than one ring you can. Assuming your other ring is sized for the ring finger. Left middle finger is safe I should think… but look at me trying to get you to wear all your rings at once lol

 

[Dreamer_D]

The color difference is rarely noticeable. I first opened the package in late afternoon, and in that light indoors I could see a slight difference, but in most other lighting since then, I don't see it at all.

It’s interesting bc in pictures the stones looks decidedly different but I think it’s because the larger antique has a depth that the side stones don’t have. A trick of the eye. It’s beautiful however it looks.

 

[LightBright]

Your ring is stunningly beautiful. The cut and color of Maxine, in the sleek but romantic Victor Canera ring is lovely. I’m impressed by your tenacity and the finished ring is just perfect. Congratulations!