a Gentleman in Antwerp!

[Stephan]

Hello!

I already bought a lot of diamonds, but my last purchase will remain most memorable.
Like you all, I often dreamed to buy one of the splendid diamonds sold by GoodOldGold, WhiteFlash, SupberCert, NiceIce, etc...

I live in Belgium. It takes me one hour to go to Antwerp.
But finding an ideal cut diamond in Antwerp = almost impossible mission.
And if you find one, it is usually much too expensive.
If I buy online, I must pay the taxes.
I was lost.

On pricescope, I read some articles written by "Paul-Antwerp".
Then I found his website, and I sent him a mail.
He searched a stone to cut for me.
He sent me a lot of mails and each time that he had some news, he contacted me on my cellular, even during my holidays in Vietnam.

He found a stone to recut.
He estimated that the diamond would be approximately 3.00ct-3.10ct, L color, VS2 with faint fluorescence.
I agreed and he bought the diamond.

After he cut the stone, he sent it to the GIA.
Tomorrow, the stone will be back from the GIA.
Paul told me that the GIA didn''t agree for the L color. They gave a M color.
I answered him that L or M isn''t a problem for me and that I am very happy.
It''s true, I would have haggled with another salesman but not with him, he is so nice BUT HE INSISTED to lower the price (and not a little) !!!

My new diamond weighs 3.02ct, VS2, M color with faint fluorescence.
Polish and symmetry are both EX on the GIA certificate.
I will post the details of the sarin tomorrow, and I hope that I will have some pics too.

Paul is a gentleman.

 

[carina]

Please let me know how yellow it is?

 

[Stephan]

You will see the yellow in the pics.
I promise!

 

[Mara]

WOW stephan...awesome!!! Your patience has paid off.




Can't wait til you see the stone...please DO post pictures of the monster!

 

[Giangi]

Wow! I have wondered about you and your 3ct just the other day. I thought that you got it... But you still didn't! How patient you were--But I have the feeling that it has been worth it!

Congrats!

 

[Stephan]

Thanks Mara and Giangi!
Will do my best to take a TON of pics!

 

[Nicrez]

What a great story! I love people with great customer service skills! So glad to hear things worked out so well! Great for you!

I personally am "warming" up to the warmer colors now...I am staring to eye some canary radiants...

Stephan, I can't wait to see this lovely beast!!!

 

[openhelix]

Sounds beautiful!! I too can't wait to see it! L or M, 3ct is a HUGE rock! I'm sure it will be beautiful!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I concur.
In my time communicationg on the Forum and involvement in the diamond cut grade field, I have met some of the nicest people. (I would love to name them - but it takes too long).
Paul is a true gentleman.

I am glad that he has also attraceted such a warm and genorous spirited client

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Hello Stephan,

I have to thank you for these very nice words. You are a true gentleman yourself.

I still remember how you gave me all the time to create this project for you. You patiently waited while I told you in January, that I did not want to start your project yet, because prices in Antwerp were going wild. Also, when the stone was in GIA, and for some unknown reason, it did not get graded in the beginning of March, but only yesterday, you were never impatient.

It was a true pleasure working with you, and I wish to thank you for the trust you placed in us. Your stone is a true beauty, and that becomes you.

Live long,

Paul

 

[pqcollectibles]

Your "work in progress" will soon be finished.

I would love to see your face when you open the package.

You must post pics!!

Can't wait to see your diamond!!

 

[Nicrez]

Yes yes, pictures PLEASE! I can't wait to see the color and ring! YAY!

 

[Stephan]

----------------
On 4/2/2004 10:22:06 AM pqcollectibles wrote:





Your 'work in progress' will soon be finished.

I would love to see your face when you open the package.

You must post pics!!

Can't wait to see your diamond!!

----------------

Paul will perhaps take a picture of my face?

I don't hope so!

Here are the details of the Sarin:

Diameter: 9.42mm (9.41mm-9.43mm)
Total height: 5.68mm (60.3%)
Table: 56.4% (56.4%-56.5%)
Crown: 34.3° (34.1°-34.5°) or 14.8% (14.7%-14.9%)
Girdle bzls: 2.5% (2.3%-2.7%)
Girdle hlvs: 3.1% (2.8%-3.5%)
Girdle min: 1.2% (1.0%-1.4%)
Pavilion: 40.7° (40.6°-40.8°) or 42.9% (42.8%-43.1%)
Culet Off Center: 0.1%
Table Off Center: 0.1%

Did I forget something? /idealbb/images/smilies/wink2.gif

Thank you all for your nice comments.
Pics will follow.

I can't wait!!! /idealbb/images/smilies/10.gif

 

[Rhino]

I had the pleasure of meeting Paul when he was first introducing the Infinity line and I would have to chime in and totally agree. It's not just the product but the person you're doing business with that can make all the difference.

 

[Rhino]

A little PS ... I LOVE the particular angles that Paul chose to cut this stone too as well. 34.3/40.7 is one of my favs.

 

[innerkitten]

I'm curious as to why it's so hard to find a good diamond in Belgium?

 

[Stephan]

----------------
On 4/2/2004 10:59:24 AM innerkitten wrote:



I'm curious as to why it's so hard to find a good diamond in Belgium?

----------------

Because the ideal cut diamonds go to the US or to Japan.

 

[Stephan]

I'm not often lucky... My diamond still did not pass the customs...

Have to wait...


Perhaps that I will have it Monday.

 

[Rhino]

I can't imagine how aggravated you are right now Stephan.

 

[fire&ice]

..waiting with baited breath until we can formally congratulate you, Stephan! Can't wait for the pics. It sounds great!

 

[Stephan]

You can see the first pics by clicking on this link.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Innerkitten,

It is sad to see that so few ideal or super-ideal cuts are available here in Antwerp, while most of them are being cut here.

The most important reason is on the demand-side: Most of the demand for these cuts is in the U.S. and Japan, while it is still relatively unknown on the European retail-level.

Since supply follows demand, you will see most cutters of these qualities trying to get their goods into the U.S. as quickly as possible. Generally, also they try to sell also in businesses of multiple stones, in which their dealers have to agree to a minimum quantity. These suppliers are not selling single stones, so this creates an extra treshold for a new European retailer who wants to get into this niche.

Since we are a small-size-supplier, we do sell single stones, and this makes us one of the very few, or maybe even the only one, supplying super-ideals inside Europe at American prices.

I know, it is a weird situation, but I do not really mind.

Live long,

Paul

P.S.: Stephan, seeing your face when you received the stone, was indeed fun. Too bad that I did not take pictures.

 

[Stephan]

Paul and Lieve (his partner) spent all the afternoon with me.
As my stone returned from the GIA with 2 other stones, I wanted to make last the supsense.
These 2 stones were really beauties!
After having seen my stone with the IdealScope and the H&A viewer, Paul showed me the pavilion.
The M color was quite visible.
Then I looked at the stone, face-up position in day light.
I did not believe my eyes.
The yellow had almost completely disappeared.

After having a drink together, Paul went with me to a jeweller, where they took much time in order to draw the ideal setting.

What can I say?

Amazing service.
Amazing eye clean 3ct big rock, at a very sweet price.
Faces up like a J.
I will post pics tomorrow (loose).

I'm very happy but tired, because I can't stop looking at my new baby.

Thank you so much, Paul and Lieve!

 

[Stephan]

Now I'm selling it, but I don't know where to go.

 

[Patty]

Why are you selling it?

 

[Stephan]

Because I want a better clarity.
I asked Paul if I can buy a more expensive diamond in his stock and give him this one back, but it is impossible.

 

[Patty]

Ah, too bad that you can't trade this one back. And I'm sorry it's not exactly what you want...Good luck selling it. I wish I could take it off your hands but I can't.

 

[Stephan]

BTW, Paul will try to find a buyer for this diamond too.

 

[Rhino]

Stephan,




Drop me an email. I might be able to help.

 

[beryl]

I just met Paul last week, at the Diamond Cut Conference in Moscow, after 4 years' correspondence in 'Diamond Talk'. He is a delightful fellow, unquestionably a gentleman; I suspected him, by the title of your post.