paperchase
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2003
- Messages
- 8
Hey everyone thought I''d share my ring shopping experience.
Background info:
Princess Cut, 1.57, VVS2, E, 70% table, 72% depth, thin-slightly thick girdle, Vg polish + sym. w/ a GIA certificate. $10,006.00
D''Vatche Platinum X-prong comfort fit, with custom engraving (at extra cost) $1,225.00
First, I''d like to thank everyone here who contributes to the web-site. This place is an excellent source of information.
Now, I only ended up here because I had such lousy experiences at B&M merchants. I mean, one in the Los Angeles area tried to get me to buy a 1.52, VS2, G (that also had an inferior cut) for $11,500.00. What a joke! (Of course, that''s before I haggled with her - but why should I have to prove to her that I''m not a sucker to get a good deal?) I started fishing around on the Internet and landed here - and boy was I ever grateful - several thousands of dollars grateful. And to that end, I''d recommend to anyone looking to purchase a diamond - TAKE YOUR TIME. It will save you $$$ in the long run. It took me about 5 weeks to settle on a diamond and ring. (Also make sure there is a 30-day return policy)
After receiving my diamond (and before buying the ring) I had it verified (can''t be too careful) and then (because I am very security conscious) I took my diamond to Gem Trade Labs in Carlsbad for laser-inscribing and GIA certificate updating. (about $160 w/ a 24 hour turn around time... and they are very helpful in answering questions). Since I was leery about sending a diamond to Vatche for "setting" I wanted to be able to verify I got the same diamond back (GIA plots don''t mean a whole lot to me - but I can magnify the diamond and read a report number inscription). For about $22 I USPS registered-insured mail, I sent the diamond to Vatche. Quite literally, they overnighted my ring 2 days after receiving my diamond (and it came with a classy cherry-wood box). Just in time for my secret engagement trip to Portugal/Spain.
So who helped me along the way with this process? Bob H. from Whiteflash. He tolerated numerous e-mails and phone calls - answering my questions thoroughly and patiently. He also talked Vatche into doing some custom work on the ring, including engraving a foreign language and moving the Vatche trademark to a different location. (Not a guarantee of future results.) Moreover, he wasn''t turned off by the fact I had purchased my diamond at a different vendor - the mark of a real professional. (unlike the lady at a B&M who told me that (1) ordering a Vatche ring would take 6-8 weeks, (2) that she would charge $300 to set the diamond, and (3) she was already overcharging for the price of the ring alone - by about $100!)
The end result? I have a top-notch ring and with a little luck, ...a successful engagement. I highly recommend Whiteflash and Vatche - they put a great deal of personal service in their work - even though you might not ever see them face-to-face. I hope to post the ring soon.
Thanks again everyone.
Jason.
Background info:
Princess Cut, 1.57, VVS2, E, 70% table, 72% depth, thin-slightly thick girdle, Vg polish + sym. w/ a GIA certificate. $10,006.00
D''Vatche Platinum X-prong comfort fit, with custom engraving (at extra cost) $1,225.00
First, I''d like to thank everyone here who contributes to the web-site. This place is an excellent source of information.
Now, I only ended up here because I had such lousy experiences at B&M merchants. I mean, one in the Los Angeles area tried to get me to buy a 1.52, VS2, G (that also had an inferior cut) for $11,500.00. What a joke! (Of course, that''s before I haggled with her - but why should I have to prove to her that I''m not a sucker to get a good deal?) I started fishing around on the Internet and landed here - and boy was I ever grateful - several thousands of dollars grateful. And to that end, I''d recommend to anyone looking to purchase a diamond - TAKE YOUR TIME. It will save you $$$ in the long run. It took me about 5 weeks to settle on a diamond and ring. (Also make sure there is a 30-day return policy)
After receiving my diamond (and before buying the ring) I had it verified (can''t be too careful) and then (because I am very security conscious) I took my diamond to Gem Trade Labs in Carlsbad for laser-inscribing and GIA certificate updating. (about $160 w/ a 24 hour turn around time... and they are very helpful in answering questions). Since I was leery about sending a diamond to Vatche for "setting" I wanted to be able to verify I got the same diamond back (GIA plots don''t mean a whole lot to me - but I can magnify the diamond and read a report number inscription). For about $22 I USPS registered-insured mail, I sent the diamond to Vatche. Quite literally, they overnighted my ring 2 days after receiving my diamond (and it came with a classy cherry-wood box). Just in time for my secret engagement trip to Portugal/Spain.
So who helped me along the way with this process? Bob H. from Whiteflash. He tolerated numerous e-mails and phone calls - answering my questions thoroughly and patiently. He also talked Vatche into doing some custom work on the ring, including engraving a foreign language and moving the Vatche trademark to a different location. (Not a guarantee of future results.) Moreover, he wasn''t turned off by the fact I had purchased my diamond at a different vendor - the mark of a real professional. (unlike the lady at a B&M who told me that (1) ordering a Vatche ring would take 6-8 weeks, (2) that she would charge $300 to set the diamond, and (3) she was already overcharging for the price of the ring alone - by about $100!)
The end result? I have a top-notch ring and with a little luck, ...a successful engagement. I highly recommend Whiteflash and Vatche - they put a great deal of personal service in their work - even though you might not ever see them face-to-face. I hope to post the ring soon.
Thanks again everyone.
Jason.
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