bennyboy96
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2005
- Messages
- 62
I just purchased last week a 1.24 Radiant H SI1 with a 2A cut and was very satisfied with everything including the quality of the stone, the price, and the service. I orginally narrowed my choices down to ERD, Whiteflash, and DirtCheap Diamonds after reading all of the reviews on the site and because all of these had upgrade and buyback policies.
I contacted Mark @ ERD to inquire about the upgrade and buyback policies as they are not stated on the website. He is currently updating/changing these policies as well as in the process of doing a complete overhaul on his website. He honored the previous upgrade and buyback policies (100% upgrade, 75% buyback within 2 years). Mark brought in a few diamonds...1 or 2 I found on PS as well as one that he found that wasn''t in the PS database. He recommended the best one to me after taking a look at the ones he brought in. He has a GIA background and knows what he''s doing when it comes to looking at stones. He was also very patient....I was also dealing with my Aunt who has a family friend in the jewelery manufacturing business in NYC who could supposedly hook up a great deal on a stone. Once I found out the stone my Aunt''s friend wanted to sell me had an 82% table, I ended up going with Mark''s stone. It was set and shipped within 2 days and I received a very beautiful radiant on a platinum cathedral setting the next day!
Mark was very quick to get back over both phone and email, and he even called from his home a few times, as well as when he was out of town. There is a minor problem with one of the prongs in that is doesn''t quite cover the stone all of the way. The appraiser said I might want to have it checked out. I let Mark know and he gave me the option of returning to him to fix or going to a local jeweler. I will go to a jeweler this week, and he told me to let him know how much it costs and he''ll take care of it. He also called on a Friday night in W. Virginia on his way from NY to St Louis to let me know he received my message. Now that''s service!
As for price, ERD was VERY competitive! The cost of the stone was right in line with, or lower than, comparable online vendors and the cost of the setting was the lowest I could find online anywhere. A nice platinum cathedral setting for only $400! The ring was appraised for 36% more than what I paid and the appraiser even considered it a very good deal for the online market! Lastly, I initially gave Mark a budget of $5K 3 or so weeks prior to purchasing the ring. When he was writing up the sale, it was supposed to be $5,060 but made it an even $5K since that was what I told him my budget was. He won''t push you to spend more than you want!
Thanks Mark for being so patient while I settled the issue with my Aunt and her "family friend" with the 82% table and extremely thin girdle. I appreciate all of the help, advice, and service you provided. I feel certain that I found the best and biggest Radiant stone I could for my budget and would not hesitate to recommend Mark and Engagement Rings Direct to anyone!
Pic from appraiser doesn''t nearly do it justice...will try and post some more later.
1.24 H SI1 (eye clean) 65% Table 66.7% Depth Medium Girdle...so sparkly you need sunglasses!
Ben
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