Victor Canera Diamonds and Rings Review

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Victor Canera Diamonds is like a hidden gem that is waiting to catch your eye. Under those circumstances, this might be the first time that you're hearing their name. Or, it might be that you found this review while conducting your own due diligence.

In either case, we look forward to helping you get to know this master craftsman better. Because he happens to be one of our favorite custom jewelers. In order to fully appreciate the fanfare, it helps to know that the ring on the left is hand-forged.

That means that Victor Canera literally carves the ring from the metal by hand. In other words, this ring is truly unique and one of a kind creation. As a matter of fact, the process of hand-forging jewelry is almost a lost art. Of course, we know a couple of old-world jewelers who still make rings this way.

Hand-forged engagement ring by Victor Canera.

Hand-forged Vintage Style Ring by Victor Canera.

However, we can count the few who possess this kind of skill on the fingers of one hand. Be that as it may, the work of every artisan reflects the nature of their influences and passion. In that case, it's fair to assume that Victor's work is inspired by tradition.

After all, he practically cut his teeth on the jewelry bench in the family trade shop. Of course, that is something that I appreciate since I also grew up in a family business.

Victor Canera Jewelry:

Victor Canera is best known for his custom jewelry designs. However, he is also well known for his stunning-looking vintage-inspired ideal-cut diamonds. For example, the center stone in the ring below is a Victor Canera Antique Cushion cut diamond.

Hand-forged solitaire engagement ring.

Six Prong Scalloped Solitaire by Victor Canera.

But more on that in a minute because right now we want to focus on their jewelry. After all, what really distinguishes Victor from the competition is his talent as a jeweler. Under those circumstances, you owe it to yourself to check them out.

After all, the bespoke engagement ring on the left is spectacular. And so is the antique cushion style diamond in the center. Be that as it may, there is more to this diamond than meets the eye.

In the first place, this is not actually an old vintage diamond. As a matter of fact, it is a modern rendition of an older style. In that case, Victor redesigned the chunky cushion to exhibit a higher degree of light return. The broad-spectrum sparkle is impressive enough to warrant an ideal rating from the AGS Laboratory.

How to Custom Design Your Engagement Ring:

In the first place, it's important to understand that jewlery fabrication techniques are constantly changing. As a matter of fact, most modern designs are created using computer-aided design (CAD). Then a model of the ring is grown or cut from a piece of wax using computer-aided milling (CAM). Obviously, the advantage to the CAD/CAM method is that it is fast and cost effective.

Creating Hand-forged jewelry.

Creating Hand-forged Jewelry by Victor Canera.

Under those circumstances, manufacturers can produce custom jewelry quickly and easily for less. At the same time, it is easier to create near-perfect symmetry. That's because the drafting program and milling machines are precise instruments.

Whereas there will always be slight differences when carving a ring by hand. In the first place, an engagement ring is a sum of the parts. In other words, each piece of the ring is handmade. Then, the parts are put together to create the final product.

Consequently, the process is quite different from what I had in mind. After all, I thought that the entire ring would be carved by hand as one piece. However, I now know that is not the case. By the same token, I can see how it might be impractical to create jewelry in that fashion.

Hand-forged Engagement Rings:

Obviously, it requires an immense amount of skill to hand-forge a custom ring. In the first place, you need to be able to envision the ring as a whole. At the same time, you need to be able to break the ring down into individual components.

Victor Canera custom jewelry fabrication.

Making a Hand-forged Victor Canera Ring.

Then, all of those pieces need to be fashioned from metal by hand. Needless to say, that all of those pieces also need to fit together perfectly in the end.

In that case, it is definitely faster and easier to design jewelry using CAD.

Under those circumstances, the drafting program will create a three-dimensional model. Then, the entire ring or the individual parts are grown or cut on a milling machine.

Whereas Victor Canera takes an entirely different approach and hand-forges each piece. In that case, the components might be similar to what is shown on the left.

How Much Does Custom Jewelry Cost?
Evelyn Pave Solitaire Engagement Ring

The Evelyn Solitaire by Victor Canera.

To begin with, it is important to remember that custom ring prices vary depending on the details. For example, the Evelyn solitaire by Victor Canera features a diamond and ruby that are hidden in the ring shank.

In that case, it costs more than the base model that usually sells for around thirteen hundred dollars. At the same time, less obvious factors like carat weight and your finger size factor into the equation.

In other words, it costs more to make a ring for a 2-carat than it does for a 1-carat. Likewise, it costs more to make a size 8 ring than a size six. As a matter of fact, that is because both instances require more metal.

Under those circumstances, the price of a custom ring from Victor Canera will vary. Although that may be true, you can use the prices on the website as a guideline.

CAD/CAM Designs by Victor Canera:

Side Profile Evelyn Solitaire

Side profile of the Evelyn Solitaire.

Once again, this is the couture Evelyn solitaire by Victor Canera. Obviously, this is how the ring looks from the side profile. From this vantage point, it's easy to appreciate the finer details. Although this may be true, it's also easier to see the slight differences between the two sides.

As a matter of fact, I subscribe to the belief that there is no such thing as perfection. Especially when it comes to anything that is handmade and that is part of the intrinsic value.

At the same time, I recognize that a lot of people want things to be as symmetrical as possible. In that case, you might prefer a custom ring from the CAD/CAM process. In the event that is more to your liking, those services are also available upon request.

Victor Canera Diamonds:

In the first place, Victor Canera is best known for his custom jewelry designs. However, he is also well known for his stunning looking diamonds. As a matter of fact, his achievements include redesigning the antique cushion and old European cut diamonds. In those instances, redesigning the facet structure results in a higher degree of light return. 

Hearts and Arrows Diamond.

Canera Ideal Hearts & Arrows Diamonds.

Antique Cushion Cut Diamond.

Canera Antique Cushion Cut Diamond.

Old European Cut Diamonds.

Canera Old European Cut Diamonds.

Hearts and Arrows Diamonds:

As a matter of fact, there are varying degrees of performance within the realm of ideal diamonds. In the event that you're looking for the best light return, then there are a few critical components to be aware of.

Ideal Hearts and Arrows Cut Diamonds.

Canera Ideal Hearts & Arrows Diamonds.

On the one hand, you need to know the best proportions for round diamonds. After all, the pavilion angle is going to dictate the volume of light return. While the crown angle determines the balance of brilliance and dispersion.

On the other hand, the degree of optical precision is what really nails it. That is the consistency of facet shape, size, and alignment from the perspective of 360-degrees.

Consequently, the gemological laboratories do not consider optical precision as part of the overall cut grade. it's not something that the gemological laboratories take into account.

In that case, you'll have to judge the degree of optical precision by evaluating the hearts image on the left.

As a matter of fact, there is a lot that goes into the creation of hearts and arrows diamonds. Obviously, we're not going to delve into that here since it's covered in that tutorial.

Antique Cushion Cut Diamonds:

Victor Canera Antique Cushion Cut Diamond Graduated Pave Setting.

Graduated Pavé Setting with Antique Cushion.

In the first place, there are many different styles of cushion cut diamond. Under those circumstances, you should read our cushion cut diamond buying guide if you like that shape.

After all, each facet pattern is going to create an entirely different look. In the event that you like chunky cushions that exhibit broad flashes of light, then you check out the antique cushion.

The graduated pavé setting by Victor Canera on the left contains an antique cushion cut diamond. Obviously, this is a spectacular looking engagement ring. Although that may be true, the look of an antique cushion cut diamond is not for everybody.

After all, some people are going to love the vintage look of this diamond. However, there are going to be other people who prefer the look of a traditional cushion. Of course, this is stricly a matter of personal preference and there is no right or wrong.

If by chance, you like chunky looking cushions, then this is a good option. To begin with, it is one of the few cushion shape diamonds that exhibits a high degree of light return.

In other words, they produce better light return than most cushion shape diamonds. Of course, you can use the ASET and Ideal Scope images to verify the light performance.

Old European Cut Diamonds:

As a matter of fact, the old European cut diamond is the predecessor to the modern round brilliant. Under those circumstances, it was designed to perform well under pinfire type lighting. In other words, it performs best under firelight or halogen type stage lighting.

Old European Cut Round Diamond Victor Canera OEC

Victor Canera (OEC) Old European Cut Round.

In that case, a vintage old European cut diamond is not likely to perform well under modern lighting situations. After all, the facet structure and cutting style represent a different time in history.

Although that may be true, the OEC from Victor Canera is a hybrid of sorts. On the one hand, it does have a facet structure that is similar to an old European diamond. However, on the other hand, this version performs better under modern lighting conditions.

In that case, the old European cut diamonds from Victor Canera produce a high volume of light return. At the same time, they deliver a spectral light show that consists of bright, bold flashes of light. Be that as it may, the look is completely different than a modern round brilliant.

For the purpose of this article, my intent is not to influence your decision one way or the other. After all, you are the only person who can decide which shape of Victor Canera diamonds is right for you. In that case, my goal is simply to make you aware of the basic differences. Then you can decide what shape you like best and proceed accordingly.

ASET Scope Images:

We use ASET Scope images to judge light performance in the same way as hearts and arrows scope images. Although that may be true, we use those reflector scopes for different purposes.

Specifically, the hearts pattern of a round diamond is a reflection of optical precision. While the ASET Scope reveals how evenly light is reflecting throughout the diamond.

Victor Canera ASET Scope Image.

ASET Scope for Canera H&A Diamond.

ASET for Victor Canera Antique Cushion Cut Diamond.

ASET for Canera Antique Cushion Cut Diamond.

ASET Scope Victor Canera Old European Cut Diamond.

Canera Old European Cut Diamond ASET Scope.

With that in mind, you can see how evenly light is reflecting by the distribution of colors. At the same time, each color represents different levels of brightness and contrast.

Be sure to read this tutorial about how to interpret the different colors of an ASET Scope image. In addition, the different colors tell us where in the hemisphere the diamond is gathering light from.

Ideal Scope Images:

In the first place, we use Ideal Scope images to determine the amount of light leakage. As a matter of fact, there is no other reason to use an Ideal Scope.

In contrast, the ASET Scope can help you determine the amount of light leakage. However, it can also help you see how evenly light is reflecting throughout the diamond.

Ideal Scope Image for Victor Canera H&A Diamond.

Ideal Scope image for Canera H&A Diamond.

Ideal Scope image for Victor Canera Antique Cushion cut diamond.

Canera Antique Cushion Ideal Scope image.

Ideal Scope Victor Canera Old European Cut OEC Diamond.

Ideal Scope for Canera OEC Diamond.

You can use this Ideal Scope reference chart to determine whether the light return is very good or excellent. However, what you want to look for is a consistent distribution of hue and saturation.

In addition, you want to avoid diamonds that have a lot of light pink or transparent areas under the table facet. After all, those conditions indicate varying degrees of light leakage.

Victor Canera Rings-piration:

As a matter of fact, social media is one of the best places to find the most popular ring styles. In that case, you should follow us on Instagram. Of course, you should also follow Victor Canera to keep up to date on his latest designs. Here are a few of our favorite couture engagement rings from his collection:

Chord Braided Double Halo Setting by Victor Canera.

The Chord Braided Halo Setting with H&A Round.

Josie Vintage Halo Setting by Victor Canera.

The Josie Vintage Halo by Victor Canera.

Victor Canera Evelyn hand-forged engagement ring.

The Evelyn Pavé Setting by Victor Canera.

In the event that you're looking for a ring, I invite you to take advantage of our free Diamond Concierge Service. Obviously, it is the fastest and easiest way to find what you are looking for. After all, we know exactly what to look for and can help you find the best performing diamonds. Of course, we also hope that you will share this Victor Canera Review with your friends.

Super Charge Your Diamond Buying Skills:

Follow the Steps in The Nice Ice® Diamond Buying Blueprint™ and Unlock the Secret for Maximizing Sparkle Factor and Light Performance. These are the Tips & Tricks from the back office of Nice Ice Diamonds.