how to tactfully break the bad news

Date: 3/15/2008 9:41:35 PM
Author: strmrdr
I'd say...

you idiot why didnt you ask me about this 2 weeks ago, go and get your money back and we will do it right!

Date: 3/15/2008 8:46:17 PM
Author: Kaleigh
That's a tough position to be in. But he did ask for your thoughts. Any way you can contact him and say it's best not to go through with this? That you can help him find a better stone. It isn't set yet, so any way he can back out? I feel for you, I really do.

Date: 3/15/2008 5:43:47 PM
Author:Lord Summerisle
just had an email from a chap on another forum... I'm gathering he's bought the diamond in Dubia -




'As I know you're the 'diamond man' I'd thought I'd let you know what I've just paid for one today for reference.



This is through a good known jeweller to me and he normally gives me a pretty good deal.



HRD Certified.



Shape - Brilliant

Weight - 1.16 ct

Clarity Grad - VS2

Flourescence - nil

Colour - G

Measurements - 6.56-660mm x 4.28 mm

Proportions - good

Girdle - meadium 4.5% faceted

Cutlet - pointed

table width - 59%

cr height - 15.5%

pav depth - 44.5%

finish grade - good



Including the setting (a simple classic Tifffany in 18ct white gold) I paid AED 25,500



That is GBP 3,425.00 at todays exchange rates (7.4)



Thought you'd like to know '


and he's going on Wednesday to watch the jeweller set the diamond...


'Yes sealed in a little box - On Wednesday, I will go to the craftsman, he

will then open the box and insert it into the setting in front of me so I

know it is the same stone I chose and paid for. Match the serial numbers

etc... I have the copy of the certificate (from which I gave you the

details).'


now from my calculations - the depth is something like 65%, and using the HCA its coming out at 5.2 Good - Only if price is your main criterion.


Not sure how to reply - he could pay alot less for a 1.12-1.14ct stone of the same visual size... but he's already paid for it.... darn!


Or am i going off half cocked... and it aint as bad as i think.

Date: 3/16/2008 4:43:33 PM
Author: Addy
This is sad. If he's anything like a large percentage of people, once the engagement ring stone is bought they may never make a large purchase again so any information on cut comes too late in the game.

Honestly, at this point I'd probably just email him that the colour and clarity look nice but that maybe next time he could let you know before he buys the stone as you might have been able to better help him. Referring him to PS isn't going to do much good unless he plans to buy another stone. Sometimes it's good to be naive, especially if the stone is not returnable.

I think him asking you this late in the game meant that he just wanted a pat on the back for doing a good job. He wouldn't have bought a non-returnable stone and THEN asked if you if he actually thought you'd tell him he did a crap job.