CBI/HP Diamond - no more upgrades?

[T1NS]

Hey all - took everyone's suggestion 6ish years ago and when I was buying my wife her wedding ring I worked with Wink on getting a CBI diamond.

It was (if I recall) a 3.1 carat round J and it really was pretty - not that I have an eye for it, but my wife loves the sparkle and colors it give.

'Til this day she takes pictures of it in different light settings.

I wanted to upgrade it and maybe get into something a little bigger/ better color.

Seems like the website no longer exists ... tried searching the forum on information and cannot find anything past 2021 on some kind of fallout.

Kind of confused and kind of bummed out honestly since I paid a lot for that thing.

Either way - if anyone has any information that would be great!

 

[TXwidow]

Hey all - took everyone's suggestion 6ish years ago and when I was buying my wife her wedding ring I worked with Wink on getting a CBI diamond.

It was (if I recall) a 3.1 carat round J and it really was pretty - not that I have an eye for it, but my wife loves the sparkle and colors it give.

'Til this day she takes pictures of it in different light settings.

I wanted to upgrade it and maybe get into something a little bigger/ better color.

Seems like the website no longer exists ... tried searching the forum on information and cannot find anything past 2021 on some kind of fallout.

Kind of confused and kind of bummed out honestly since I paid a lot for that thing.

Either way - if anyone has any information that would be great!

Wink went to Continental Diamonds (I think) after the huge financial issue with CBI.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Sucks that you're having this issue....
Without a doubt, Wink made sure you got an amazing stone... so there's that.
Trade ups in general- very tough at this time due to changes in the natural diamond market....
Since you know you've got a great stone.........hopefully that will suffice if there's no option to trade up with Wink.....

 

[DejaWiz]

You may want to inquire with Continental Diamond since their Legacy line are diamonds cut by the same folks that are/were CBI, if I recall correctly.

If that doesn't shake out, then keep your perfectly cut and proportioned CBI safe and sound as the important keepsake piece and maybe look into an equally beautiful LGD as the daily driver?

 

[winnietucker]

Does WF still buy diamonds? Maybe they’d be an option?

 

[Tonks]

I think Wink is at Continental Diamonds. Their Legacy series should be comparable to the CBI cut, though. At one point Wink said he was honoring HPD upgrades at Continental; you should contact him and ask!

Another option….you could add side stones without needing to go through the upgrade process. I would ask your wife, though, as a solitaire and a three stone are very different looks.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Another option….you could add side stones without needing to go through the upgrade process. I would ask your wife, though, as a solitaire and a three stone are very different looks.

This is really smart and a pair of 1ct each side stones would be very blingy and a lovely mature jewelry look that would have huge impact. Dream kind of ring IMO.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Did I read somewhere here that Wink completely retired? I know he was traveling and I thought that was due to his retirement. Could be wrong though!

 

[Mlh]

Pretty sure he left Continental.

 

[Wink]

Did I read somewhere here that Wink completely retired? I know he was traveling and I thought that was due to his retirement. Could be wrong though!

Wink completely retired to go home and care for his wife who eventually passed away with Alzheimer’s. I am now 78, although I feel and look much younger.

I am traveling a lot and shooting photos. Last year I took a trip to Portugal, then to the Badlands in South Dakota, then to the Dolomites in Italy. I also took a twenty one day trip to Taiwan worth my daughter and her family to meet and enjoy time with her husband’s extended family.

I regret my business was unable to be sold and the unprecedented falling prices of naturals would have quickly bankrupted anyone trying to honor our unique buy back and trade up programs.

I am no longer in the jewelry business. I will never return to it. Although I do come by to read the board every now and then. I normally do not respond. But it seemed appropriate to do so for this thread.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Wink completely retired to go home and care for his wife who eventually passed away with Alzheimer’s. I am now 78, although I feel and look much younger.

I am traveling a lot and shooting photos. Last year I took a trip to Portugal, then to the Badlands in South Dakota, then to the Dolomites in Italy. I also took a twenty one day trip to Taiwan worth my daughter and her family to meet and enjoy time with her husband’s extended family.

I regret my business was unable to be sold and the unprecedented falling prices of naturals would have quickly bankrupted anyone trying to honor our unique buy back and trade up programs.

I am no longer in the jewelry business. I will never return to it. Although I do come by to read the board every now and then. I normally do not respond. But it seemed appropriate to do so for this thread.

Thanks for this verification Wink. I am so glad to hear that you are able to travel and enjoy places in your retirement years! We wish you all the best and look forward to your visits here at PS!