Shay37
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2004
- Messages
- 3,343
I''ve had a secret for a few months now. I''VE GOT THE FIRST WHITEFLASH HALO IN PLATINUM!!!!
It began innocently enough. I had to replace a lost ring, and I came across a pic of the WF halo prong setting. I knew it was the setting that was calling to me. I loved everything about it except for one thing. Don''t get me wrong, the design was perfect for me. It was the metal that was giving me pause. I really had hoped for a platinum setting. I had been searching the WF database for the perfect diamond and working with Renee to find one that fit my parameters and was eyeclean. We found the perfect one.
Now it was time to discuss the setting, and I was about to throw WF a curve. I wanted the halo prong, but I absolutely wanted it made in plat. I called Renee and told her my choice of setting. I then explained how very much I wanted the ring made in plat. I am not a white gold girl (I have sensitive skin and feared allergies), and I was hoping something could be done. I begged. I pleaded. I pouted. (jk) I stomped my not-so-dainty foot and said, "I WANT PLATINUM."
Renee said she would talk to Brian and see what he said and call me back. She called right back and said that Brian had been wanting to expand this design to plat., but it had not been done, so this would be a special circumstance. So he would make my dream setting in plat. She explained the caveats to me. Plat. is malleable, and there was a chance that it would not hold up over time and wear. Brian was unwilling to make a guarantee on it in plat. I, of course, said fine. I knew other designers were making similar bands in plat. at 2mm with diamonds, and they were fine.
I told her that that''s what insurance was for. She said no that''s not what Brian means. Often when a new design is created, WF will have it road-tested. Sometimes it''s employees or friends, but they thought it was time they had a customer do it for the most objective opinion possible. He would very much like for you to field test this setting in plat. It will be your ring. You buy it. It''s yours, but it will be our prototype. If it does not hold up, no harm-no foul. They would remake the ring in 14k white gold with palladium for me (thus allaying my concerns about nickel allergies). You will have a perfect ring at the end of the testing period one way or another. If it works, we can offer this setting in plat. It''s a win-win for us both.
They made my ring in plat 950 with ruthenium alloy. It is beautiful. I have worn it every day all day since September 28 when I received it. As you all know, I took it off for showering and dishes. I called in weekly updates and e-mailed WF a set of pics to show how it was holding up. I was completely unsurprised that it was passing all tests with flying colors. If I had not trusted them, I would not have bought from them in the first place.
About a month ago, Renee called and told me that Brian wanted me to start wearing it for dishes. I was rightfully horrified, but I agreed like a good little test subject. All right, I grumbled and complained and did it anyway!
After a month of dishes, it still looks as beautiful as it did the day I received it.
Finally, after a long time waiting and dying to tell everyone, Brian said that it can now go public. That''s a euphemism for SHAY GETS TO BRAG ABOUT HAVING THE FIRST WF HALO PRONG IN PLATINUM!!!!!
Hence, the long post. For those who have made it this far, I thank you. I just wanted to add that everyone involved has been wonderful. I have found a friend in Renee. They all treated me as if I were spending quadruple the amount of money that I actually spent with them. I also learned how important quality craftsmanship is to Brian. He wanted to offer something that people were clamoring for, but he wasn''t going to do it without field testing it first. He wanted to ensure his customers that this new "baby" would be a quality addition to the WF family.
I am so thrilled they allowed me a small part of this journey. I am so thrilled they were willing to do whatever it took to make me happy. If anyone has any questions about anything, please post them. I will answer you as I get a chance. Thank you for allowing me to share my story.
shay
It began innocently enough. I had to replace a lost ring, and I came across a pic of the WF halo prong setting. I knew it was the setting that was calling to me. I loved everything about it except for one thing. Don''t get me wrong, the design was perfect for me. It was the metal that was giving me pause. I really had hoped for a platinum setting. I had been searching the WF database for the perfect diamond and working with Renee to find one that fit my parameters and was eyeclean. We found the perfect one.
Now it was time to discuss the setting, and I was about to throw WF a curve. I wanted the halo prong, but I absolutely wanted it made in plat. I called Renee and told her my choice of setting. I then explained how very much I wanted the ring made in plat. I am not a white gold girl (I have sensitive skin and feared allergies), and I was hoping something could be done. I begged. I pleaded. I pouted. (jk) I stomped my not-so-dainty foot and said, "I WANT PLATINUM."
Renee said she would talk to Brian and see what he said and call me back. She called right back and said that Brian had been wanting to expand this design to plat., but it had not been done, so this would be a special circumstance. So he would make my dream setting in plat. She explained the caveats to me. Plat. is malleable, and there was a chance that it would not hold up over time and wear. Brian was unwilling to make a guarantee on it in plat. I, of course, said fine. I knew other designers were making similar bands in plat. at 2mm with diamonds, and they were fine.
I told her that that''s what insurance was for. She said no that''s not what Brian means. Often when a new design is created, WF will have it road-tested. Sometimes it''s employees or friends, but they thought it was time they had a customer do it for the most objective opinion possible. He would very much like for you to field test this setting in plat. It will be your ring. You buy it. It''s yours, but it will be our prototype. If it does not hold up, no harm-no foul. They would remake the ring in 14k white gold with palladium for me (thus allaying my concerns about nickel allergies). You will have a perfect ring at the end of the testing period one way or another. If it works, we can offer this setting in plat. It''s a win-win for us both.
They made my ring in plat 950 with ruthenium alloy. It is beautiful. I have worn it every day all day since September 28 when I received it. As you all know, I took it off for showering and dishes. I called in weekly updates and e-mailed WF a set of pics to show how it was holding up. I was completely unsurprised that it was passing all tests with flying colors. If I had not trusted them, I would not have bought from them in the first place.
About a month ago, Renee called and told me that Brian wanted me to start wearing it for dishes. I was rightfully horrified, but I agreed like a good little test subject. All right, I grumbled and complained and did it anyway!
Finally, after a long time waiting and dying to tell everyone, Brian said that it can now go public. That''s a euphemism for SHAY GETS TO BRAG ABOUT HAVING THE FIRST WF HALO PRONG IN PLATINUM!!!!!
Hence, the long post. For those who have made it this far, I thank you. I just wanted to add that everyone involved has been wonderful. I have found a friend in Renee. They all treated me as if I were spending quadruple the amount of money that I actually spent with them. I also learned how important quality craftsmanship is to Brian. He wanted to offer something that people were clamoring for, but he wasn''t going to do it without field testing it first. He wanted to ensure his customers that this new "baby" would be a quality addition to the WF family.
I am so thrilled they allowed me a small part of this journey. I am so thrilled they were willing to do whatever it took to make me happy. If anyone has any questions about anything, please post them. I will answer you as I get a chance. Thank you for allowing me to share my story.
shay
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