After several months of lurking, posting and researching here in Price Scope, I finally made a decision to buy a stone. The PriceScope experience gave me the resources to educate myself about diamonds, and I feel very good about the process. I started searching for Emeralds, but got seduced by Cushion cuts in recent months. It was a learning experience. Thanks to all of the PriceScopers who offered input and shared their knowledge.
During my early searching I had contact with a few PriceScope merchants, all of whom were pretty responsive and professional. However, after trying to play the field by making inquiries to multiple merchants, I learned that it makes the most sense to pick a merchant with whom you are comfortable and rely upon them. It really makes it harder when more than one merchant seems to be chasing the same group of stones. After a couple of phone conversations with Jim Schultz, I started to rely upon him and his James Allen/DCD staff to help me.
Jim was really responsive and easy to work with. He actually brought in about four or five stones and helped me screen them, and he also took a look at some stones for me during a trip to New York. I had Jim and his staff working for me, and they were straightforward, honest and easy to work with. I never felt pushed to make any selection, but Jim, Jennifer, and his staff were candid and open in fielding all of my questions. They sent me detailed pictures, and sarin info on the stones that they brought in, and we then discussed them. Jim also advised me to "pass" on a couple of stones after they screened them and listened to my desires and concerns....rather than pushing me in order to make a sale.
At the end of the journey a nice rectangular Cushion appeared that seemed to fit my needs. I looked at pictures that Jim's staff provided, and took the jump. When it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by how great it looked in person too.
I will post more info on the selected Cushion, which is an eyeclean SI2 H color at 2.56 carats. It is very bright and sparkly. It has a modern look at a glance, but it has a nice cut and symmetry that still has a bit a vintage appeal when you look at it up close. I had it screened and appraised by a great PriceScope appraiser, Jennifer Thornton-Davis
Jennifer gave me the thumbs-up, and saw the stone as eyeclean too, until she put it under magnification... I actually like the idea that this looks great and clean, while having its own unique qualities... Not to mention, the incredible value that one gets when they are lucky enough to find a bright eyeclean SI2.
Here is a mediocre picture from my own attempts at photographing with my compact digital camera it in room lighting. This picture does not really show the cut detail or symmetry, but it gives a general idea of the shape, and bright nature of the stone. More on this stone later.... I am working on the setting as this is written.
But, much thanks to Jim Schultz and his great staff. I recommend James Allen/DCD without reservation!!
http://images.andale.com/f2/125/129/6928125/1151498308155_CIMG2478.JPG_crop_pn_dark.jpg
http://images.andale.com/f2/125/129/6928125/1152032627313_aCushion.jpg
http://images.andale.com/f2/125/129/6928125/1149391496648_CIMG2564.JPG_crop.jpg
http://images.andale.com/f2/125/129/6928125/1149492929620_CIMG2554.JPG_on_box.jpg
During my early searching I had contact with a few PriceScope merchants, all of whom were pretty responsive and professional. However, after trying to play the field by making inquiries to multiple merchants, I learned that it makes the most sense to pick a merchant with whom you are comfortable and rely upon them. It really makes it harder when more than one merchant seems to be chasing the same group of stones. After a couple of phone conversations with Jim Schultz, I started to rely upon him and his James Allen/DCD staff to help me.
Jim was really responsive and easy to work with. He actually brought in about four or five stones and helped me screen them, and he also took a look at some stones for me during a trip to New York. I had Jim and his staff working for me, and they were straightforward, honest and easy to work with. I never felt pushed to make any selection, but Jim, Jennifer, and his staff were candid and open in fielding all of my questions. They sent me detailed pictures, and sarin info on the stones that they brought in, and we then discussed them. Jim also advised me to "pass" on a couple of stones after they screened them and listened to my desires and concerns....rather than pushing me in order to make a sale.
At the end of the journey a nice rectangular Cushion appeared that seemed to fit my needs. I looked at pictures that Jim's staff provided, and took the jump. When it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by how great it looked in person too.
I will post more info on the selected Cushion, which is an eyeclean SI2 H color at 2.56 carats. It is very bright and sparkly. It has a modern look at a glance, but it has a nice cut and symmetry that still has a bit a vintage appeal when you look at it up close. I had it screened and appraised by a great PriceScope appraiser, Jennifer Thornton-Davis
Jennifer gave me the thumbs-up, and saw the stone as eyeclean too, until she put it under magnification... I actually like the idea that this looks great and clean, while having its own unique qualities... Not to mention, the incredible value that one gets when they are lucky enough to find a bright eyeclean SI2.
Here is a mediocre picture from my own attempts at photographing with my compact digital camera it in room lighting. This picture does not really show the cut detail or symmetry, but it gives a general idea of the shape, and bright nature of the stone. More on this stone later.... I am working on the setting as this is written.
But, much thanks to Jim Schultz and his great staff. I recommend James Allen/DCD without reservation!!
http://images.andale.com/f2/125/129/6928125/1151498308155_CIMG2478.JPG_crop_pn_dark.jpg
http://images.andale.com/f2/125/129/6928125/1152032627313_aCushion.jpg
http://images.andale.com/f2/125/129/6928125/1149391496648_CIMG2564.JPG_crop.jpg
http://images.andale.com/f2/125/129/6928125/1149492929620_CIMG2554.JPG_on_box.jpg
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