During the weeks and months I have spent trolling the bulletin boards here at Pricescope.com, I have come to believe that many of us Pricescopers share the characteristics of skepticism and intense curiosity. We scour publications – both on and off-line – for information about diamonds of every size and shape. We devour bulletin board postings on Pricescope.com and other Web sites where the fine points of diamond clarity, shape, color and cut are dissected and argued 24 hours a day. We do this for the sole purpose of purchasing a diamond ring, which will hopefully last forever.
Although we Pricescopers consider ourselves to be better prepared to purchase a diamond ring than many other shoppers, we share one critical characteristic with non-Pricescope.com users. Like them, at the end of the day, we have to truly trust the person we decide to buy an engagement ring from.
Fortunately, we are in luck because Mark Turnowski of Engagement Rings Direct (www.engagementringsdirect.com) has made his services available to us. In my opinion, he is one of the most ethical, trustworthy, skilled and friendly persons I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I am happy to recommend Mark for all of these reasons and – most importantly – because he helped me select and purchase a stunning diamond ring recently. A ring with which I proposed to my fiancé and that she (and everyone else) absolutely adores.
I began my search for a diamond ring for my fiancé about two years ago when I decided that she was the one and that I would have to begin saving for my upcoming engagement. Before I met Mark, I considered myself pretty well educated on diamonds. I believed I knew what to look for and how to avoid scams. However, because I am the type that can never have too much information, I came to Pricescope.com to continue my diamond education.
After perusing the site for a while, I decided to request a diamond quote. I was pretty impressed with the prices the venders provided me with, as they were significantly less than what I was getting on Blue Nile.com and from other bricks-and-mortar venders. One of the e-mails I received was from someone working with Mark. After looking him up on Pricescope, and liking what I saw I decided to give him a call.
SELECTING A DIAMOND
During my first telephone call with Mark, I told him that I was going to ask him a lot of questions about selecting a diamond. At first I was more concerned with supplementing my education with hands-on experience than purchasing a diamond. Mark was more than willing to accommodate my requests. In addition, he agreed to meet with me pretty late in the evening (I live in New York City where Mark is based) to accommodate my work schedule.
My first meeting with Mark was fantastic. He was more than willing to answer my (many) questions about diamonds. Mark also selected a three or four stones for me to examine based on my original specifications. At no time was Mark interested in making a “quick sale.” Instead, he took the time to teach me everything from the proper use of a loupe to how to judge a stone’s color grade. He also sat with me while I attempted – with my very untrained eye – to locate inclusions in different stones. I was pleased that Mark was willing to give me the keys to the kingdom even though he was aware that I might take all of the information he provided me with and go to another jeweler.
After a couple of hours, with Mark, he told me that I was welcome to come in again to continue my diamond education. I was pretty impressed with Mark’s honesty and openness and accepted his offer.
It was my second visit with Mark that convinced me that my search for a reputable jeweler had ended. Mark showed me a couple of stones – again purely for educational purposes. He then said: “one of these stones represents a diamond that you should not buy. Tell me which one it is.” I couldn’t believe it. He was testing me! Fortunately, because of the knowledge I had gained from him and my own research I answered correctly. The test sealed the deal for me. In my book, anyone who is willing to tell you what you shouldn’t buy is a pretty trustworthy person. By the end of my second visit, I told Mark that I was going to go with him and what I wanted in a diamond: a high-quality stone with lots of fire and presence.
On my third visit with Mark, he showed me a couple of beautiful princess cut diamonds. I should say that although princess cut diamonds do not have as much fire as rounds, both gems he showed me were absolutely scintillating. I was sad that I could only choose one! After, I made my choice, Mark and I got down to the final part of our business together: the securing the appraisal and setting the stone.
I was concerned about having to purchase the diamond before having it appraised and set. Again, Mark went out of his way to allay my concerns. He delivered the stone to the appraiser with me and picked it up when we were done. He also sent the diamond to Gelin and Abaci for setting – using his own insurance policy (he also got me a discount on the setting). After receiving the setting, he let me have ring appraised again prior to purchase.
In every respect, Mark went above and beyond the call of duty to assuage my doubts, educate me on diamonds and make my diamond purchasing experience as pleasant as humanly possible. I recommend that anyone thinking of purchasing a diamond – long-distance or in person – work with Mark.
THE PROPOSAL AND REACTION TO THE RING
Good luck to all of you Pricescopers searching for the perfect engagement ring. Go with Mark and you won’t regret it.
Although we Pricescopers consider ourselves to be better prepared to purchase a diamond ring than many other shoppers, we share one critical characteristic with non-Pricescope.com users. Like them, at the end of the day, we have to truly trust the person we decide to buy an engagement ring from.
Fortunately, we are in luck because Mark Turnowski of Engagement Rings Direct (www.engagementringsdirect.com) has made his services available to us. In my opinion, he is one of the most ethical, trustworthy, skilled and friendly persons I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I am happy to recommend Mark for all of these reasons and – most importantly – because he helped me select and purchase a stunning diamond ring recently. A ring with which I proposed to my fiancé and that she (and everyone else) absolutely adores.
MY STORY
I began my search for a diamond ring for my fiancé about two years ago when I decided that she was the one and that I would have to begin saving for my upcoming engagement. Before I met Mark, I considered myself pretty well educated on diamonds. I believed I knew what to look for and how to avoid scams. However, because I am the type that can never have too much information, I came to Pricescope.com to continue my diamond education.
After perusing the site for a while, I decided to request a diamond quote. I was pretty impressed with the prices the venders provided me with, as they were significantly less than what I was getting on Blue Nile.com and from other bricks-and-mortar venders. One of the e-mails I received was from someone working with Mark. After looking him up on Pricescope, and liking what I saw I decided to give him a call.
SELECTING A DIAMOND
During my first telephone call with Mark, I told him that I was going to ask him a lot of questions about selecting a diamond. At first I was more concerned with supplementing my education with hands-on experience than purchasing a diamond. Mark was more than willing to accommodate my requests. In addition, he agreed to meet with me pretty late in the evening (I live in New York City where Mark is based) to accommodate my work schedule.
My first meeting with Mark was fantastic. He was more than willing to answer my (many) questions about diamonds. Mark also selected a three or four stones for me to examine based on my original specifications. At no time was Mark interested in making a “quick sale.” Instead, he took the time to teach me everything from the proper use of a loupe to how to judge a stone’s color grade. He also sat with me while I attempted – with my very untrained eye – to locate inclusions in different stones. I was pleased that Mark was willing to give me the keys to the kingdom even though he was aware that I might take all of the information he provided me with and go to another jeweler.
After a couple of hours, with Mark, he told me that I was welcome to come in again to continue my diamond education. I was pretty impressed with Mark’s honesty and openness and accepted his offer.
It was my second visit with Mark that convinced me that my search for a reputable jeweler had ended. Mark showed me a couple of stones – again purely for educational purposes. He then said: “one of these stones represents a diamond that you should not buy. Tell me which one it is.” I couldn’t believe it. He was testing me! Fortunately, because of the knowledge I had gained from him and my own research I answered correctly. The test sealed the deal for me. In my book, anyone who is willing to tell you what you shouldn’t buy is a pretty trustworthy person. By the end of my second visit, I told Mark that I was going to go with him and what I wanted in a diamond: a high-quality stone with lots of fire and presence.
On my third visit with Mark, he showed me a couple of beautiful princess cut diamonds. I should say that although princess cut diamonds do not have as much fire as rounds, both gems he showed me were absolutely scintillating. I was sad that I could only choose one! After, I made my choice, Mark and I got down to the final part of our business together: the securing the appraisal and setting the stone.
I was concerned about having to purchase the diamond before having it appraised and set. Again, Mark went out of his way to allay my concerns. He delivered the stone to the appraiser with me and picked it up when we were done. He also sent the diamond to Gelin and Abaci for setting – using his own insurance policy (he also got me a discount on the setting). After receiving the setting, he let me have ring appraised again prior to purchase.
In every respect, Mark went above and beyond the call of duty to assuage my doubts, educate me on diamonds and make my diamond purchasing experience as pleasant as humanly possible. I recommend that anyone thinking of purchasing a diamond – long-distance or in person – work with Mark.
THE PROPOSAL AND REACTION TO THE RING
I am happy to report that my girlfriend accepted my proposal. She loves her ring –and the many complements she has received about it. The ring has been described as everything from “beautiful” to “amazing.” When she tells me of all the positive comments on her ring, I think to my self: “Thank’s Mark!”
Good luck to all of you Pricescopers searching for the perfect engagement ring. Go with Mark and you won’t regret it.
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