Fastest Turnaround Ever! Thank You Good Old Gold, James Allen, and Danhov

[gadiamondidiot]

Hey all, I got a few requests for how my ring got finished so quickly and I was meaning to post but with the engagement and holidays I had no time but if anyone cares....

In early November my fiance and I began looking at rings, she expected that we would get engaged sometime nex year (around February or March) In late december I decided I would propose to her on 12/16, we were hosting a holiday party and I was going to fly her 3 best friends to Atlanta from Florida in for the party and so she could show off her ring. While in NY we went to Tiffanys and she tried on their new cushion cut and she just loved it but I couldnt pay $24,000 for a stone so I had to find another option. I did know that she 100% wanted a cushion but also wanted it to sparkle.

The first week of December I was looking at stones with good old gold, Whiteflash and Blue Nile all of which gave me a 12/8 dealine to have it done by 12/16. I wound up choosing a Whiteflash stone which was the best I found but not exactly what I wanted. Because of my time deadline they werent able to give me great photos (which was my own fault). I spent a lot of time that week talking to Tim @ GOG and felt I should call and tell him I found another stone and thank him for my efforts. He thanked me for giving them the opportunity and asked why I chose something else. I told him and he suggested he would send someone to NY City the following Monday specifically to find what I wanted. I agreed.

Monday 12/11 3 PM. Tim calls and says they found EXACTLY what I was looking for and they were bringing it in, they would make a video for me on Tuesday to look at and we would still be able to meet Friday deadline based on setting I picked from them.

Tuesday 12/12 12 PM, I get the video from Tim showing me the stone and I LOVE it. I ask if they can put the stone in the setting so I can see them together. they cannot until the next day

Wed 12/13 11 AM , I get photos of the stone in the setting and I dont like it at all, they tell me I need to choose a new setting by 4 PM or ring cannot get finished.
12 PM, after seeing a post from PS, I call James Allen to see if the Danhov E15 setting is available for purchase and turnaround time, I am told 4-5 days, I ask if there is any was to speed that up and they say not really. I offer to pay more and tell the story that I have a stone I love, I hate the setting, I'm supposed to propose on Saturday. I wind up talking to Jim (the president) who says that they can set the stone by Saturday but needs the specs immediately and the stone overnighted from NY to LA. I immediately send the specs and good old gold agrees to ship the stone overnight for me.

Thurs 12/14 3 PM , With no email or call I figure no news is good news, I got an confirmation from Fedex that the stone was received but to be safe I send James Allen an email. I get a response that no news is not good news and the wax did not get done the night before and they are a day behind. He then says that I should not worry because they decided to make the ring by hand which takes longer in man hours but does not need to sit overnight. He says they will still meet dealine and ring will ship tomorrow.

Fri 12/15 1 PM, I get a tracking number from Danhov that the ring is being shipped Saturday delivery to Atlanta, I finally breathe for the first time this week

Sat 12/16 10 AM, I realize that I left my license at the office and have no way to pick up the Fedex package. I call the center and they agree to let me pick up with my birth certificate and social security card (thank goodness).
11 AM. I pick up the ring and it is outstanding
2 PM, I propose and she says yes!!!

The stone
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2665

The setting
http://www.jamesallen.com/designer-jewelry/meno_collection_by_danhov.asp?cid=294&module=setting&item=220

The finished ring

 

[Ellen]

Gotta love it! Congrats, the ring is beautiful!!

 

[Sundial]

Wow good job getting that all put together and the ring is just gorgeous!!!

 

[Finding_Neverland]

Quite a story for quite a ring!!

I love the pic of you 2 holding hands. Very romantic!!

Good job!!

 

[tanalasta]

Wow!

That''s one organised person.

*grins* So now that you have a gorgeous picture of the ring - which I hope your fiance has given permission to post up on PS - how did you propose?

Congratulations.

 

[gadiamondidiot]

The Proposal Story!
A week before the party I told her I was fighting with my mother because she wanted us to do a family picture that she was going to give my father for Christmas. I told her me & my sister were both arguing with my mother about it. I laughed it off and stopped talking about it. I just wanted to plant the seed.

A few days before the party I told her that I was still fighting with my mother figuring she would stick up for my mother (which she did) and tried to convince me that we should just do it and not worry about it. I told her the only day to do it was Saturday and we were going to be so busy getting ready for the party. She said that we would just need to make sure everything was done and it shouldnt be too big of a deal.

All week she asked me questions about the photo shoot where/when/how and I kept telling her I didnt know. (I didnt want to seem like I had too many details), finally the day before I told her that my mother set it up to do the shoot at a wooded area at a college nearby , they have a little replica historic village.

We arrive at the college and meet the photographer, my sister is late (really late since she isnt coming) and the photographer suggests we take our picture together first. We walk down by the lake and he finds a great spot on a rock practically in the water. We sit and he starts taking test shots then says he is ready (which was my que) I told her this was a great spot and would it be cheesy if we used these as our engagement photos. She said we cant use these I ask why and she says "because theres no ring", I responded "oh, I can fix that" I got up , got on one knee and proposed. She was absolutely floored. The best part is we have pictures of the actual engagement.

After she realized this was all just a setup she couldnt start laughing because she was so fooled.

I told her there was no need to run home since my mother was at our house getting everything ready and wanted us to enjoy the day and have lunch. We went to lunch and when we got home my parents were there and she was showing off the ring, walked into the living room and saw her 3 best friends there who I had flown up from Florida for the party. She started screaming she was so excited and we had the best party ever!

I'll talk to her tonight to see if she wants to share the proposal photos, they came out great.

 

[devientdrow]

What a wonderful story!! did you tell your fiancee about all the close calls?? I think it''s a great story! You ended up with an absolutly gorgeous ring and i''m glad you got something you loved instead of settling for something you weren''t 100% behind.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I love your story! I never understand the guys who buy the ring and hang onto it for months waiting for some distant occasion. You made an occasion so she''d have the ring in time to show it to family and friends during the holidays. That''s at least half the fun..being able to share it others! And flying her friends in...that was fabulous! I have a feeling you guys are going to have a great marriage because you are focused on making her happy and hopefully she is equally giving towards you. And the ring is just beautiful! Congratulations!

 

[Finding_Neverland]

That was a fabulous idea and the plan was executed flawlessly!!

I agree with DS2006. Having the family and thinking to fly her GF''s in made it all the more special for her.

You are such a special, romantic guy!! She''s one very lucky lady!!

 

[Ellen]

Great story!!