dani13
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2004
- Messages
- 6,183
Hi everyone!
Just wanted to share the great news- my bf Brian and I are officially engaged!!! After many countless hours researching diamonds online, I found Pricescope. You guys are the BEST! Without this site, we would have never gotten the education we needed to make a smart purchase! And, I would have never found Mark Turnowski at Engagement Rings Direct, who was just awesome to work with. So, thank you to everyone here who offered advice and helped us through this process. We will be forever grateful! So, on to the story.....
At the end of the summer, Brian and I decided it was time to go looking for e-rings. After dating for over 2 yrs., we were ready! So, I emailed Mark one day, introducing myself, and speaking to him a little bit about what we were interested in. From the very first correspondence, he was so professional and sweet! He responded quickly and we set up an appt. with him the following week. I gave him some info- I wanted to choose between asschers, emeralds, and cushions...even though I have ALWAYS loved ec''s, I figured I would give the others I was slightly interested in a chance.
When we got to the office, he had some stones for us to look at. I immediately decided that was it- I wanted an ec! I did not even consider the asscher or cushion- I just knew after taking one look. It is so true when they say one stone should just speak to you. Emerald''s sure do speak to me- they always did!
Mark was great. Knowing we were from NJ (he is in Manhattan), he told us to go have lunch and come back, and he would have more for us to see. I was so impressed with how nice Mark was. He was talking with my bf about teaching (bf is a special ed teacher) and we just felt like we knew him forever!
An hr. passed, and we came back. Mark''s diamonds were just so beautiful! They were all ec''s, and each stone was breathtaking. What was nice was that we gave Mark our budget and specs we wanted, and he totally stuck with everything- he even suggested the cheapest stone when it came to making the final selection! Even though we spent so many hrs. in his office, he never made us feel rushed or pressured. He was so patient, sweet, and knowledgable. He is highly trained and really knows his stuff!
We bought the stone, and it was sent to the appraiser, Justin Krall the following week. Justin is such a pleasant, professional person too. My bf and I sat with him in his office (also in Manhattan) for the appraisal. He is honest, and his appraisals are so nicely done. We then went back to Mark''s office to finalize the setting.
Mark spent more time with us helping us pick out the setting. I knew I wanted a solitaire, but I also wanted pave- I love pave! But, I was afraid it would compete with the center stone. So, he suggested pave on the basket (all 4 sides) of the ring. He showed us an example (ring he made for another client) and I knew that was it.
All in all, the ring buying experience was awesome. I highly recommend Mark. He is great to work with. Justin is also great at what he does. I recommend him too if you need an appraiser....
So, thank you so much, Mark. Thanks for dealing with my countless emails and questions. Without you, I wouldnt have my dream ring!!! You rock!
Ok, now on to the proposal story! My bf and I just returned from a trip in Puerto Rico. We stayed at the El Conquistador Resort and Golden Door Spa- I highly recommend if you are planning a trip there. It was so beautiful! Even though I knew he had the ring, he really did suprise me by doing it there.
On the 2nd day, my sweetie took me for a walk after dinner along the cliffs, overlooking the ocean. He got down on one knee, and popped the question. When we went back to the room, there was rose petals everywhere, champagne, candles- it was the best night of my life so far!!! I could not have asked for anything better!!! Here are some pics!
Just wanted to share the great news- my bf Brian and I are officially engaged!!! After many countless hours researching diamonds online, I found Pricescope. You guys are the BEST! Without this site, we would have never gotten the education we needed to make a smart purchase! And, I would have never found Mark Turnowski at Engagement Rings Direct, who was just awesome to work with. So, thank you to everyone here who offered advice and helped us through this process. We will be forever grateful! So, on to the story.....
At the end of the summer, Brian and I decided it was time to go looking for e-rings. After dating for over 2 yrs., we were ready! So, I emailed Mark one day, introducing myself, and speaking to him a little bit about what we were interested in. From the very first correspondence, he was so professional and sweet! He responded quickly and we set up an appt. with him the following week. I gave him some info- I wanted to choose between asschers, emeralds, and cushions...even though I have ALWAYS loved ec''s, I figured I would give the others I was slightly interested in a chance.
When we got to the office, he had some stones for us to look at. I immediately decided that was it- I wanted an ec! I did not even consider the asscher or cushion- I just knew after taking one look. It is so true when they say one stone should just speak to you. Emerald''s sure do speak to me- they always did!
Mark was great. Knowing we were from NJ (he is in Manhattan), he told us to go have lunch and come back, and he would have more for us to see. I was so impressed with how nice Mark was. He was talking with my bf about teaching (bf is a special ed teacher) and we just felt like we knew him forever!
An hr. passed, and we came back. Mark''s diamonds were just so beautiful! They were all ec''s, and each stone was breathtaking. What was nice was that we gave Mark our budget and specs we wanted, and he totally stuck with everything- he even suggested the cheapest stone when it came to making the final selection! Even though we spent so many hrs. in his office, he never made us feel rushed or pressured. He was so patient, sweet, and knowledgable. He is highly trained and really knows his stuff!
We bought the stone, and it was sent to the appraiser, Justin Krall the following week. Justin is such a pleasant, professional person too. My bf and I sat with him in his office (also in Manhattan) for the appraisal. He is honest, and his appraisals are so nicely done. We then went back to Mark''s office to finalize the setting.
Mark spent more time with us helping us pick out the setting. I knew I wanted a solitaire, but I also wanted pave- I love pave! But, I was afraid it would compete with the center stone. So, he suggested pave on the basket (all 4 sides) of the ring. He showed us an example (ring he made for another client) and I knew that was it.
All in all, the ring buying experience was awesome. I highly recommend Mark. He is great to work with. Justin is also great at what he does. I recommend him too if you need an appraiser....
So, thank you so much, Mark. Thanks for dealing with my countless emails and questions. Without you, I wouldnt have my dream ring!!! You rock!
Ok, now on to the proposal story! My bf and I just returned from a trip in Puerto Rico. We stayed at the El Conquistador Resort and Golden Door Spa- I highly recommend if you are planning a trip there. It was so beautiful! Even though I knew he had the ring, he really did suprise me by doing it there.
On the 2nd day, my sweetie took me for a walk after dinner along the cliffs, overlooking the ocean. He got down on one knee, and popped the question. When we went back to the room, there was rose petals everywhere, champagne, candles- it was the best night of my life so far!!! I could not have asked for anything better!!! Here are some pics!
I can already tell how gorgeous it is. I''m intrigued by the stones on the basket...can''t wait to see!
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