How would it be for you if PS went away? Any last words to get in now?

[Karl_K]

Would a subscription price help? I'd pay.

Your awesome!
It is not being considered at this time.

The best thing everyone can do is post, post some bling, post fun things in hangout and just have fun.
Tell other people about the forum and spread the word that it is an awesome! place.

 

[Calliecake]

It would make me sad and I would miss the people here terribly. Pricescope has gotten me through a couple of rough times. It’s strange how comforting people’s regular postings are here when your real life feels like it’s going sideways. When I was taking care of multiple family members at the same time, had lost and almost lost loved ones, this place was extremely calming for me. I could never have known how much this place would end up meaning to me that day I decided to quit lurking and post.

There are many kind people I truly admire here. @Avondale, If this place ever closes I will join and see you on Reddit. Thank you so much for saying you will start something if that were to happen.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Please don't close
I know I'm only buying very small inexpensive things now. But I am still learning and making mistakes
When I come to buy nicer more expensive things no way can I make good choices without the expert help I find here at PS

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Your awesome!
It is not being considered at this time.

The best thing everyone can do is post, post some bling, post fun things in hangout and just have fun.
Tell other people about the forum and spread the word that it is an awesome! place.

That I can do too !

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I’d be very sad, indeed. I’ve just now ventured back onto PS after a long, surprising medical hiatus, and I’ve really missed it here. Two surgeries down, one to go, and then I hope to be back to my usual self again.

Missed you wonderful PSers.

Hello
You were missed
I'm.sorry you were assent due to health

Get well soon and best of luck

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Not giving up anytime soon, and all your suggestions and contributions are really helpful.
Karl and Ella are going hard at it on forum changes.
As Karl mentioned, you all getting active and making us relevant to search and AI is a big help.
Helping new consumers for those with your special skills in natural lab gems design styles vintage etc creates our searchability which makes vendors want to be here.
We hope to sign BriteCo insurance and they recognize many of you insured a lot of value vs JM who give us pennies for a quote.
Referring our vendors if all else is equal in your searches for products and vendors makes a huge difference.
Being aware of discount offers from JA and BN which are coming fast and furious can make a big difference to many in and out fast buyers.

 

[Matata]

Not giving up anytime soon,

It's a good thing that these discussions are occurring not only for the sustainability of PS but to shake members out of the complacency or comfort we may have fallen into by taking for granted that PS will always be here. What goes on behind the curtain that keeps PS ticking is likely not daily on the minds of members and it's good to remind us that running PS takes time and money and there limits to both.

 

[kenny]

It's a good thing that these discussions are occurring not only for the sustainability of PS but to shake members out of the complacency or comfort we may have fallen into by taking for granted that PS will always be here. What goes on behind the curtain that keeps PS ticking is likely not daily on the minds of members and it's good to remind us that running PS takes time and money and there limits to both.

Yes.
Exactly why some a universally-loved fabulous dude started this thread!

 

[nala]

I would feel vindicated. I predicted this would happen when what were supposed to be the most selective and knowledgeable diamond lovers and vendors embraced lab grown. I can quote myself as saying: who is gonna seek advice on a diamond if it is so inexpensive, has been perfected and is readily available? The thrill of the search is gone. The fact that all diamond connoisseurs kept repeating that a lab grown is a diamond and just as good as a natural—blurring all the distinctions—-why would anyone continue to spend thousands of dollars on such objects?

I already started detaching from “the show me the bling” section. My never ending upgrades and swapping of settings have ended. I have lost interest bc it doesn’t feel so special. Maybe it’s a phase or maybe it’s the new normal. Congrats to all who kept repeating that there was a market for lab grown and natural diamonds lovers, etc. You even convinced me! My sister wanted to buy ACA natural studs to match her ring but I didn’t let her. I told her WF makes lab grown and why throw away all that money. She is not a PS er and views lab growns as “Fake” so she was totally turned off by the fact that WF sells lgd.

Anyhow. I love PS and I would be so sad if it shuttered. It is a safe space for so many of us. We don’t have to worry about Bots. Lol. We can interact with real people.

I don’t know how much advertisers pay or how much money operating this site costs. But I do know most of us who are still here will continue to appreciate jewelry and to influence those who are close to us. We just have to find a different focus than the diamond. Perhaps a sub forum dedicated to settings. Or a sub forum dedicated to branded pieces. Or a sub forum dedicated to styling yourself with your pieces.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

Perhaps a sub forum dedicated to settings. Or a sub forum dedicated to branded pieces. Or a sub forum dedicated to styling yourself with your pieces.

I like all your sub-forum ideas. Agree that in the future, fewer and fewer people will chase holy-grail natural diamond jewelry. But I think there will always be room for diamond discussion and education, because regardless of the source material, people will still have questions.

 

[LilAlex]

I would be sad.

I'm always shocked by the 404 Page Not Found when I look for something from a while back. But this one would hurt.

Like many of you, I have no other outlet for discussing this stuff. I know hundreds of people at work and none share this interest, AFAIK. My kids are interested -- and they are the beneficiaries of some of my interest. My wife loves what she has but has an eye toward "decumulation."

Like some of you, I've stopped sharing some stuff on here. We still buy or make the occasional thing but I don't want to look braggy when others aren't doing it. I also have a little more fear of exposure now that there is not quite the anonymity of the crowd.

 

[Kim N]

I would be incredibly sad as well if PS went away. Like others, I stumbled upon PS while searching for an engagement ring diamond, and it's been my happy place on the Internet for 20 years. It's the first thing I check in the morning. So many here are extraordinarily helpful, knowledgeable, kind, and caring. I will never forget the support I received while going through a health issue. Even as PS evolves, I hope it and its wonderful members are here to stay.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I would be sad.

I'm always shocked by the 404 Page Not Found when I look for something from a while back. But this one would hurt.

Like many of you, I have no other outlet for discussing this stuff. I know hundreds of people at work and none share this interest, AFAIK. My kids are interested -- and they are the beneficiaries of some of my interest. My wife loves what she has but has an eye toward "decumulation."

Like some of you, I've stopped sharing some stuff on here. We still buy or make the occasional thing but I don't want to look braggy when others aren't doing it. I also have a little more fear of exposure now that there is not quite the anonymity of the crowd.

i love what i have seen of your collection, so if we got my people posting you would post more pretties ?

 

[autumngems]

I would feel vindicated. I predicted this would happen when what were supposed to be the most selective and knowledgeable diamond lovers and vendors embraced lab grown. I can quote myself as saying: who is gonna seek advice on a diamond if it is so inexpensive, has been perfected and is readily available? The thrill of the search is gone. The fact that all diamond connoisseurs kept repeating that a lab grown is a diamond and just as good as a natural—blurring all the distinctions—-why would anyone continue to spend thousands of dollars on such objects?

I already started detaching from “the show me the bling” section. My never ending upgrades and swapping of settings have ended. I have lost interest bc it doesn’t feel so special. Maybe it’s a phase or maybe it’s the new normal. Congrats to all who kept repeating that there was a market for lab grown and natural diamonds lovers, etc. You even convinced me! My sister wanted to buy ACA natural studs to match her ring but I didn’t let her. I told her WF makes lab grown and why throw away all that money. She is not a PS er and views lab growns as “Fake” so she was totally turned off by the fact that WF sells lgd.

Anyhow. I love PS and I would be so sad if it shuttered. It is a safe space for so many of us. We don’t have to worry about Bots. Lol. We can interact with real people.

I don’t know how much advertisers pay or how much money operating this site costs. But I do know most of us who are still here will continue to appreciate jewelry and to influence those who are close to us. We just have to find a different focus than the diamond. Perhaps a sub forum dedicated to settings. Or a sub forum dedicated to branded pieces. Or a sub forum dedicated to styling yourself with your pieces.

Same here, it seems everything is lab grown now. I will always be a earth-mined girl, it's just me and if you light lab-grown that's fine. Even on Loupetroop, most everything is Lab Grown so I rarely visit that site anymore. Ebay/Etsy is the same, they list it as "diamond" then you read on and it's lab-grown and should have been listed as such in the title.

 

[OreoRosies86]

I still visit PS daily, but more as a lurker. The heavy moderation just isn’t for me and I do believe it drove a lot of people away, but the owners have to make whatever decisions they think are best for their site.

PS used to have it all, really active and ever evolving bling sharing AND adults who could freely discuss world issues. It was like my all in one forum. If it were to close down I would miss the Colored Stones forum, which used to be FULL of people buying stones, as well as expert knowledge from veteran gemologists and lapidaries.

I will, regardless, always be grateful for the 2008-2017 years when I was building my first gem collection. I was going through a bad divorce and PS was a very comforting presence.

 

[Matata]

Like some of you, I've stopped sharing some stuff on here.

Can someone please enlighten me about the issues/concerns? I was surprised that posting pictures of bling on a forum dedicated to bling has become an issue.

 

[Rebel Rebel]

I wasn't sure where to post this, but I'd like to add my random thoughts.

I lurked here for years before registering, and learned so much that it inspired me to finally have an appraisal on my largest, but unworn, diamond. Years ago, I contacted someone recommended by this site. I believe his name was John and he traveled in NC periodically to appraise. I have his appraisal, but can't read his signature, and I don't remember his last name. John has since passed, and I was sad to learn that.

He was a wonderful and engaging man who met my son and I at a local jewelry store with a set of master stones. We had a great time with him despite my disappointment at learning my 2.175 stone is a high K and it's proportions are yuck, imo, lol.

I also spend time in two states: NC and FL. I've met with countless jewelers from Miami to Raleigh because I love jewelry, and there's no shortage of great places in FL to look and talk. I also have a great local jewelry store that has a bench and does custom settings. And, I have a sentimental piece from Jared that I will never change, but needs inspection twice a year.

So, I've been very surprised that in both states, and with multiple friendly conversations over many years, no one I've met has heard of PS. I've certainly recommended it to many jewelers, but honestly, I feel that they were a little dismissive when I did. That's probably because I knew more than them, and I learned it all here. Thanks so much for that.

Also, because of this great site, I've helped two people buy engagement diamonds and was able to gift a pair of exceptional earrings from the vendors here. I wouldn't have been able to advise or purchase without the information I learned here.

 

[Avondale]

The fact that all diamond connoisseurs kept repeating that a lab grown is a diamond and just as good as a natural—blurring all the distinctions—-why would anyone continue to spend thousands of dollars on such objects?

Natural diamonds will survive just fine.

A hundred years ago lab sapphires and rubies were all the rage. So many pieces of jewellery floating around with lab stones in them as that was "typical for the period". Yet natural sapphires and rubies still hold their place today.

Lab diamonds are novelty, they're fashionable. They'll be super popular for a while and thing will settle afterwards. They won't dethrone natural diamonds and send them into oblivion.

 

[diamondringlover]

I would miss it, I check in every day and read...I will say I have learned SO much from this forum, I started out a gal who loved sparklies and now I love more expensive sparklies lol but at least I know how to shop for them with knowledge, I do not buy alot but I like living thru you all who can afford to buy them.

 

[kenny]

I'd pay.

But Buyer Admin Beware!
The overwhelming reaction to the M-WORD is:

 

[Rockdiamond]

We’ll have to hold off on the “Going out of business “ sale
DiamondsbyLauren.com will be an official Pricescope sponsor starting …. As you read this
It’s a very tough time in the jewelry industry for many reasons.
As someone who’s been involved with the site for so many years…. I have a unique understanding of the relationship of the internet - and this site- to the diamond industry.
We don’t get a majority of our new clients from here….. in fact we probably bring new eyeballs to the site as people google about the reputation of my company.
Then folks get to hear my and my big mouth, for better or worse…hehe
It’s a symbiotic relationship on many levels.
As hard as it is to justify adding expenses given the state of the business- the cost would be much higher for us if PS went poof.
Plus I just love the place. So there’s that.

 

[Rockdiamond]

I would feel vindicated. I predicted this would happen when what were supposed to be the most selective and knowledgeable diamond lovers and vendors embraced lab grown

I totally get where you’re coming from on this.
The mental adjustment necessary to survive this monumental shift in the market was far easier for me to make than others.
I prefer to respect all sides.
Clearly we have people who are definitely on one side or the other.
Diamonds are art to me.
That has always meant that the dollar value followed the artistic value.
I am great at finding those eye clean I1’s. Made a career of it.
At the same time, being able to choose between VVS’s is a lovely chore too.

More than anything- the market is moving. Fast. Keep up with it or get left behind.

 

[lulu_ma]

Not giving up anytime soon, and all your suggestions and contributions are really helpful.
Karl and Ella are going hard at it on forum changes.
As Karl mentioned, you all getting active and making us relevant to search and AI is a big help.
Helping new consumers for those with your special skills in natural lab gems design styles vintage etc creates our searchability which makes vendors want to be here.
We hope to sign BriteCo insurance and they recognize many of you insured a lot of value vs JM who give us pennies for a quote.
Referring our vendors if all else is equal in your searches for products and vendors makes a huge difference.
Being aware of discount offers from JA and BN which are coming fast and furious can make a big difference to many in and out fast buyers.

I was hesitant to insure with Brite & Co before I read some reviews on PS. I hope that they will advertise on here-seems like it would be a perfect fit!

 

[lulu_ma]

BTW, IMO Reddit has nothing on PS.

We are community of collectors and connoisseurs-I think that is what we need to lean into. Also, PS needs a tagline, too-something that connotes "Informed Luxury."

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

I still consider myself fairly new here…. I would be lost. I’m not done learning and I don’t know everyone’s IG to keep in touch. The friendships I’ve made here are what I love about PS. I think we need to bring back the GTG’s…

The sparkles are the sprinkles on the top

 

[Rebel Rebel]

Amazingly to me, the last name of the appraiser I referenced in post #47 above just jumped into my head. Out of respect, I won't mention it, but I'm sure there are members here who knew him, too. I hope so, he was a very nice man, and I'm grateful I got to meet him through this site.

 

[autumngems]

We’ll have to hold off on the “Going out of business “ sale
DiamondsbyLauren.com will be an official Pricescope sponsor starting …. As you read this
It’s a very tough time in the jewelry industry for many reasons.
As someone who’s been involved with the site for so many years…. I have a unique understanding of the relationship of the internet - and this site- to the diamond industry.
We don’t get a majority of our new clients from here….. in fact we probably bring new eyeballs to the site as people google about the reputation of my company.
Then folks get to hear my and my big mouth, for better or worse…hehe
It’s a symbiotic relationship on many levels.
As hard as it is to justify adding expenses given the state of the business- the cost would be much higher for us if PS went poof.
Plus I just love the place. So there’s that.

That's great! You do have an eye for finding those Eye clean I1s, I bought a radiant from you years ago.

 

[Karl_K]

Wow all the love for PS really warms my heart!!!!
I am inspired to work even harder on saving it.

 

[LilAlex]

Can someone please enlighten me about the issues/concerns? I was surprised that posting pictures of bling on a forum dedicated to bling has become an issue.

For me, it's this: are you ever really anonymous? I've done business with folks on here, none of whom would "out" me, I'm sure -- but still. My contact info is linkable to me via not-very-hard-to-find databases. I suspect a bot could even match the writing style (or lack thereof) in my posts here to those on other (non-jewelry-related) sites. That would certainly be the case if I were a political target so, fortunately, I'm a nobody hiding in plain sight. It only takes a comparative handful of genetic polymorphisms to uniquely identify any of us. How few pages of text would it take?

I'm torn between wanting attention and avoiding attention; the latter usually wins.

Weirdly, I fear having my home broken into. I say weirdly because the things I value most in the world -- infinitely more than any dumb jewelry -- travel the world and take risks and rock-climb and fly dodgy developing-world airlines and drive cross-country late at night in the pouring rain... But those things I can't control so I try to control the little things I can.

 

[Matata]

For me, it's this: are you ever really anonymous?

Thank you for responding. I think internet anonymity for the average user is a lost cause. I'm curious about whether even tech savvy people are able to button up their devices and IDs to make them safer. There have been so many breaches of what were supposed to be bastions of security that I suspect anyone with a cell phone, credit card, medical, bank, loan etc. record is at risk of identity theft and being found by people with the determination to do so. It's frightening and frustrating. It's also sad that it has a detrimental effect on places like this where seeing and celebrating beautiful bling drives a big part of the forum.