Here is my long story that I have promised for some time now (I will try to keep this as short as possible). I am also posting this on pricescope first then diamond talk…because that is the way I found both. Beginning in April I began my shopping journey. I began as most do, at the mall. After listening to slick salespeople that tried to get me to put “good faith deposits” on merchandise that I (1) couldn’t afford and (2)didn’t like, I got tired and quit the mall. Next step small local jewelers. The selection was small but the prices were a little better. I had a local jeweler tell me “Diamonds are like women, what is on the outside really matters, not the inside, you don’t see the stuff on the inside.” Flabbergasted, I left and decided to start my online experience. It began horribly…In my mind I could find a great deal on ebay…I couldn’t have been more wrong. I saw a princess cut 1 carat EGL diamond for auction and started the research process. I found pricescope and posted the measurements. 3 or 4 people told me to stay away from the ring because the depth was around 82%. The depth was even explained to me, I remember someone saying a 1 carat that deep will look considerable smaller. Me being thick headed, I bid on and bought the ring. All along at every jewelry store I knew when I saw what I wanted I would be 100% sure. When this ring came I was 100% sure I hated it…it was a miserable ring with no shine. It was dull, dull, dull, not “white, white, white” as described in the ebay advertisement. I called and after some nervous explanation why it wasn’t good for me she agreed to refund my money if I would take some nice digital pictures of it so she could re-list the ring (interestingly enough she relisted with the same old photos that didn’t show how “deep” the stone was. No side shots. On to the next experience. Now that I have found pricescope and DT I can read all about diamonds…I was in heaven. I was also realizing I almost made the worst mistake of my life if I had kept my ebay purchase. On to Jonathan at GoG. I read through his whole entire site. I found it informative but confusing to navigate (I know many people LOVE this site…I did say it was informative so don’t yell at me) I decided contact Jonathan and see what he had to offer. He had a SuperbCert .90 carat SI1 G color that I was considering purchasing. I emailed and never heard a response (even after “OK all emails are now caught up was scrolling on his website) so I decided to call the number posted on the site. It was his cell phone and he was on his way into work. I can’t put my finger on any one thing but I just did not get the feeling he cared (again I know many people LOVE this guy) anyways I guess he may have been having a bad day. But it was clear he wasn’t the one for me. Next up DirtCheapDiamonds and Jim Shultz. WOW. That is all I have to say. Wow. Luckily I was close enough to visit Jim. I was absolutely blown away at how I was treated. First, on the phone I told him what I was looking for and he brought in 4 diamonds for me to compare. I was leaning (very hard) towards one stone. It was a GIA I color SI2 clarity with “Hearts and Arrows” and “AGS 0” printed on the small packet the stone comes in. The sarin measurements are at home, I can post them later. I was VERY worried about I color because of you guys!!! When I saw the I in line with 2 G’s and an H I realized what an idiot I was. PEOPLE, YOU CANT TELL THE DIFFERENCE. Not to mention the I had Med Blue Flour which made the I truly look better. Even though it was an SI2 it is eyeclean. Jim held all his calls and spent over 3 hours with me. We looked at and compared all the diamonds under every possible light combination, magnification, 3 different types of viewers, blacklights, special photo bulbs, jeweler lights, in settings, color trays etc. He gave me what no other person did. He made me feel comfortable with my purchase. He is honest and trustworthy. We weighed my options and agreed the I fit all my qualifications. I would STRONGLY recommend Jim Shultz at DirtCheapDiamonds. I have attached a picture of the actual proposal. We have been together for 5 years. I took her to the inlet at sunset with her family watching. I separated her from her family and talked to her for a few minutes telling her how I felt. I gave a signal to her dad (he had the ring) he walked over with her mom (who had no idea what was going on) and handed me the ring…I dropped to a knee and the rest is history!!!!!!!!! Millions of thanks to pricescope and DT. I will post the setting story (Leslie at whiteflash BIG thumbs up) and the picture of it on her finger in the next post.
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