legallyspoiled
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2010
- Messages
- 367
I had the honor and privilege of meeting with both Whiteflash and Brian Gavin today. Since both vendors are so popular on Pricescope, I thought that I would share my experiences with those of you who are less fortunate and aren''t lucky enough to live in Houston! *wink*
Both Whiteflash and Brian Gavin Diamonds are both located in the same office building. In fact, it is as if the entire 9 floor office building is composed of jewelers, gemologists, appraisers, etc. There was actually a Houston Police Officer on guard downstairs and cameras literally everywhere. I did not inform either that I would be meeting with the other company. Each meeting was roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes. My soon to be fiance and I both thoroughly enjoyed both meetings. Nothing, and I mean nothing tops being able to actually see the diamonds hands on. Many of the things that I doubt and worry about online, where easily put to rest when you see those babies close up! I am 99.9999% sure that we found a diamond.
First of all, Mr. Gavin was a hoot! He was very personable and some what of a joker. He even threw in some "free" relationship advice! He shared some of his family''s history as diamond cutters. He shared with us that he used to play marbles with rough diamonds as a kid. Can you imagine! His knowledge and expertise for diamond cutting are unquestionable. Like he said, "its in my blood." He placed all three stones that we were looking at on my finger and took me throughout the shop so that I could see the stones in various lightening conditions. He had some really cool "natural light" bulbs that allowed me to see the stones performance in "normal" lightening. We were also able to view the hearts and arrows of each stone using a desktop idealscope. Mr. Gavin also took us on a tour of the shop afterwards and we got to see an actual mold being made which was pretty darn cool!
The Whiteflash experience was second to none! I don''t impress easily and boy was I ever impressed! You entered into a small lobby with cameras and an intercom system. I buzzed in and said that I had an appointment. A pleasant voice responded back with, "yes Ms.xxxxx, we are expecting you." Seconds later, the Vice-President of the company greeted us and took us back to his office. The same "natural light" bulbs were used in the office. He also had a really cool small halogen light on his desk that showed me "unrealistic" lightening that most jewelry stores use. Whiteflash had the desktop idealscope also. After we viewed the diamonds, we got to go on a really cool tour of the Whiteflash offices. We met every single employee who wasn''t off for the holiday. Everyone seemed very genuine and nice. We saw every inch of the place! When we went into the photography room, we got lucky because the photographer was in the process of shooting (2) four carat rounds! Boy were they some beauties! I was scared to hold them!
I''m almost sad that I will only be buying from one! Maybe we will get the soon to be fiance''s wedding band from which ever jeweler we don''t use for the engagement ring.
Anyway, I just thought that I would share my experiences with you guys!
p.s. I''ll update you on which stone I chose later. I don''t want to rave about it on Pricescope before I get it and someone else snatch it up! I can''t wait until it is on my finger for good!
Both Whiteflash and Brian Gavin Diamonds are both located in the same office building. In fact, it is as if the entire 9 floor office building is composed of jewelers, gemologists, appraisers, etc. There was actually a Houston Police Officer on guard downstairs and cameras literally everywhere. I did not inform either that I would be meeting with the other company. Each meeting was roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes. My soon to be fiance and I both thoroughly enjoyed both meetings. Nothing, and I mean nothing tops being able to actually see the diamonds hands on. Many of the things that I doubt and worry about online, where easily put to rest when you see those babies close up! I am 99.9999% sure that we found a diamond.
First of all, Mr. Gavin was a hoot! He was very personable and some what of a joker. He even threw in some "free" relationship advice! He shared some of his family''s history as diamond cutters. He shared with us that he used to play marbles with rough diamonds as a kid. Can you imagine! His knowledge and expertise for diamond cutting are unquestionable. Like he said, "its in my blood." He placed all three stones that we were looking at on my finger and took me throughout the shop so that I could see the stones in various lightening conditions. He had some really cool "natural light" bulbs that allowed me to see the stones performance in "normal" lightening. We were also able to view the hearts and arrows of each stone using a desktop idealscope. Mr. Gavin also took us on a tour of the shop afterwards and we got to see an actual mold being made which was pretty darn cool!
The Whiteflash experience was second to none! I don''t impress easily and boy was I ever impressed! You entered into a small lobby with cameras and an intercom system. I buzzed in and said that I had an appointment. A pleasant voice responded back with, "yes Ms.xxxxx, we are expecting you." Seconds later, the Vice-President of the company greeted us and took us back to his office. The same "natural light" bulbs were used in the office. He also had a really cool small halogen light on his desk that showed me "unrealistic" lightening that most jewelry stores use. Whiteflash had the desktop idealscope also. After we viewed the diamonds, we got to go on a really cool tour of the Whiteflash offices. We met every single employee who wasn''t off for the holiday. Everyone seemed very genuine and nice. We saw every inch of the place! When we went into the photography room, we got lucky because the photographer was in the process of shooting (2) four carat rounds! Boy were they some beauties! I was scared to hold them!
I''m almost sad that I will only be buying from one! Maybe we will get the soon to be fiance''s wedding band from which ever jeweler we don''t use for the engagement ring.
Anyway, I just thought that I would share my experiences with you guys!
p.s. I''ll update you on which stone I chose later. I don''t want to rave about it on Pricescope before I get it and someone else snatch it up! I can''t wait until it is on my finger for good!
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