- Joined
- Jan 11, 2006
- Messages
- 58,547
Okay, there are a few things that I know are factual.
1) I doubt that GOG has updated their site regarding AV stones on every line since Jonathan left. All I do know is that Jonathan is the originator and creator of August Vintage diamonds, and the patent for them is rightly in his name.
2) Regarding upgrades: I watched the AVR inventory at GOG from the time they started having them and it took a long time for me to find a stone that I wanted because none were in the color range I preferred (G-H and VS clarity) in the size I wanted (1.8cts+). Long story short, I ended up with my 2.29 I VS1 which I love. However, the size jump, and color somewhat, really bothered me for awhile and I thought about upgrading to a slightly smaller G-H VS, but nothing ever came in that was more expensive than my stone in near colorless. There were a couple of 3+ct K and L stones, but I was not interested in dropping in color. So I am just saying, there was never an option to upgrade because they were stocking almost no stones in near colorless above 2 cts period. That remained true until now, and eventually they weren't adding more large AVCs, either. If you watched, most of the 2+ ct AVC's the last year or two before Jon left were all custom cuts. There was even a time I considered upgrading to a H&A stone, but their selection of above 2 ct H&A stones has been dismal for a few years, too. I asked Jon about please stocking more 2+ ct stones, and he said he wasn't the sole decision maker and the company wouldn't order more larger AV stones. So really, he basically had to form his own company to be able to produce more AV stones with hopes of wider distribution.
***PERSONAL OPINION: Good Old Gold's conscious choice has been to not stock larger stones probably so that those of us who bought when prices were higher cannot upgrade as it wouldn't be financially advantageous to them. This makes upgrade polices WORTHLESS to consumers!!!!
3) Jon's intent is to sell wholesale. He is working on finding the best retailers to market his stones. That may take a little time. In the meanwhile, he is happy to sell direct and I know he enjoys the interaction with customers, so (*opinion alert), I think he's happy to be able to sell some direct and some wholesale at this moment. But he is in no way able to offer an upgrade policy when it is likely that he will not be stocking stones and selling them himself long term!!! So keep that in mind, as his primary intent with AV is not to be a retail jeweler.
4) I know nothing about why GOG thinks they own rights to AV. But I do know one thing, (*opinion alert), I think it is absolutely horrible that they went behind Jon's back (I confirmed that he didn't know) and had an AVC cut which they intend to sell themselves cutting him out of the loop!!!! I used to promote GOG as a nice family owned jewelry store, but how is that nice to go behind the back of a family member and copy their work rather than ordering AV stone through him???? I just can't believe that.
1) I doubt that GOG has updated their site regarding AV stones on every line since Jonathan left. All I do know is that Jonathan is the originator and creator of August Vintage diamonds, and the patent for them is rightly in his name.
2) Regarding upgrades: I watched the AVR inventory at GOG from the time they started having them and it took a long time for me to find a stone that I wanted because none were in the color range I preferred (G-H and VS clarity) in the size I wanted (1.8cts+). Long story short, I ended up with my 2.29 I VS1 which I love. However, the size jump, and color somewhat, really bothered me for awhile and I thought about upgrading to a slightly smaller G-H VS, but nothing ever came in that was more expensive than my stone in near colorless. There were a couple of 3+ct K and L stones, but I was not interested in dropping in color. So I am just saying, there was never an option to upgrade because they were stocking almost no stones in near colorless above 2 cts period. That remained true until now, and eventually they weren't adding more large AVCs, either. If you watched, most of the 2+ ct AVC's the last year or two before Jon left were all custom cuts. There was even a time I considered upgrading to a H&A stone, but their selection of above 2 ct H&A stones has been dismal for a few years, too. I asked Jon about please stocking more 2+ ct stones, and he said he wasn't the sole decision maker and the company wouldn't order more larger AV stones. So really, he basically had to form his own company to be able to produce more AV stones with hopes of wider distribution.
***PERSONAL OPINION: Good Old Gold's conscious choice has been to not stock larger stones probably so that those of us who bought when prices were higher cannot upgrade as it wouldn't be financially advantageous to them. This makes upgrade polices WORTHLESS to consumers!!!!
3) Jon's intent is to sell wholesale. He is working on finding the best retailers to market his stones. That may take a little time. In the meanwhile, he is happy to sell direct and I know he enjoys the interaction with customers, so (*opinion alert), I think he's happy to be able to sell some direct and some wholesale at this moment. But he is in no way able to offer an upgrade policy when it is likely that he will not be stocking stones and selling them himself long term!!! So keep that in mind, as his primary intent with AV is not to be a retail jeweler.
4) I know nothing about why GOG thinks they own rights to AV. But I do know one thing, (*opinion alert), I think it is absolutely horrible that they went behind Jon's back (I confirmed that he didn't know) and had an AVC cut which they intend to sell themselves cutting him out of the loop!!!! I used to promote GOG as a nice family owned jewelry store, but how is that nice to go behind the back of a family member and copy their work rather than ordering AV stone through him???? I just can't believe that.
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