Mark @ ERD Comes Through (Pics Inside)

[wooz]

Here''s the background... I''ve known I wanted to marry this girl for quite some time. I went back and forth quite a bit on budget/size.

Also, since it''s going to be a surprise proposal (happening in the next couple of weeks), I wasn''t certain what setting to choose for the E-Ring. Mark set it in a nice white gold solitaire throw-away setting. I''m pretty confident it''ll end up as some sort of micropave/halo setting. I''ll post pics of the final ring as well.

Specs:
1.81ct Cushion Brilliant
7.45 x 6.80 x 4.65 mm
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Polish: VG
Symmetry: VG
Flourescence: None

Mark is an amazing jeweler, but the picture he sent before shipping the ring had me quite... scared.

I''m not a great photographer, but here are some shots of the ring as it explores the house it''s going to be in until I propose.

Hopefully, she says yes and I can update this thread with pics of the "final" ring.

Thank you all - this forum was a great resource!

 

[wooz]

another pic

 

[wooz]

another pic

 

[wooz]

another pic

 

[wooz]

another pic

 

[wooz]

another pic

 

[wooz]

another pic

 

[wooz]

another pic

 

[lightningbug]

Swoon!

She''s going to LOVE it -- it''s absolutely perfect!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Just stunning!

 

[MrsBettyBoop]

it''s gorgeous!

 

[yssie]

Lovely and classic

 

[jrico]

Congratulations! I just reached out to Mark today to have him look for a cushion as well. Overall, how was your experience working with him? How long did it take you to find something you liked? What was the process...meaning did he send you pictures, certs, ASETs, etc? Any feedback you can provide will be appreciated. Again, congrats!

 

[jrico]

Congratulations! I just reached out to Mark today to have him look for a cushion as well. Overall, how was your experience working with him? How long did it take you to find something you liked? What was the process...meaning did he send you pictures, certs, ASETs, etc? Any feedback you can provide will be appreciated. Again, congrats!

 

[wooz]

Date: 3/16/2010 11:08:36 PM
Author: jrico
Congratulations! I just reached out to Mark today to have him look for a cushion as well. Overall, how was your experience working with him? How long did it take you to find something you liked? What was the process...meaning did he send you pictures, certs, ASETs, etc? Any feedback you can provide will be appreciated. Again, congrats!

Mark was awesome. I happened to be in NYC for a 3-day conference. I called him during the day and he met with me late at night (after like 930pm) in his office for an hour. I knew very, very little. I walked away with an education. He wasn''t pushy at all. He had a stone that was in my then-budget that was beautiful. He never even mentioned me buying it.

He kept in touch - not as a sales call - but to see how I was, etc.

I knew at the time that my budget would become much more flexible in the coming months.

On one of the calls, Mark said that he''s going to have to let the stone I saw go, and wanted to check with me first in case I wanted it, since I saw it first. I passed.

He called and emailed a couple more times over the next few months with other options, but I just wasn''t ready - I wanted to increase my budget.

Two weeks ago or so, he emailed saying he had a beautiful 1.81ct and to see if I might be interested. Perfect timing.

I definitely recommend him. He sent a picture, but no ASET. He trusts his eyes, and after seeing the stone (compared to photo he sent), I completely trust him (and his eyes).

Not sure if that answered your questions - if not, ask away.

 

[jrico]

Glad to hear that overall you are satisfied with the sales/buying experience. I live here in NYC and will actually be visiting Mark this week, but wanted to get an idea of what to expect. A few other questions that are top of mind are:

1. I''m sure you looked at other vendors for a similar stone, how did you feel Mark''s prices were compared to others keeping the quality you were after constant?

2. As for the setting, are you planning on getting it through him or elsewhere? If through him, are there any discounts that can be applied? Are you planning on getting some custom work done there? If so, how has the process been working with him?

3. Assuming you got an independent appraisal, who did you use and how did it appraise compared to your purchase price (of course without telling what you paid

4. Oh and why did the picture he initially sent have you worried?

 

[atroop711]

that''s just a beauty!

 

[jjc]

Gorgeous!! Good luck with the proposal!

 

[Natylad]

I love it...I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT

 

[Bella_mezzo]

beautiful!

 

[wooz]

Date: 3/17/2010 9:53:09 AM
Author: jrico
Glad to hear that overall you are satisfied with the sales/buying experience. I live here in NYC and will actually be visiting Mark this week, but wanted to get an idea of what to expect. A few other questions that are top of mind are:


1. I''m sure you looked at other vendors for a similar stone, how did you feel Mark''s prices were compared to others keeping the quality you were after constant?


2. As for the setting, are you planning on getting it through him or elsewhere? If through him, are there any discounts that can be applied? Are you planning on getting some custom work done there? If so, how has the process been working with him?


3. Assuming you got an independent appraisal, who did you use and how did it appraise compared to your purchase price (of course without telling what you paid


4. Oh and why did the picture he initially sent have you worried?

1) I did talk to several vendors. All things being constant(well, as constant as possible), his prices were about the same.

2) I plan on having my gf (hopefully fiance) meet with him to design the final setting. The setting above is a white gold "throw away" setting. No credit will be given for it.

3) I went with my gut and didn''t get the independent appraisal. He did offer to take the stone/ring to a local NYC appraiser of my choosing at no cost. I figured I''d save the appraisal for the final ring.

4) It was a horrible shot. The stone looked... dull... no spark to it... just not impressive at all. Considering it was the only visual I had, I was scared. The return policy did provide quite a bit of relief, though.