Let me start this post with a giant THANKS to everyone who has given me any pointers along the way!! The finished ring showed up at Fedex today, and I am now holding the smallest representation of that much cash that I have ever seen (and I love it).
Most of the people who are active on the site know the basics of my story, but because I am thrilled with the service I got, and I am so excited to tell everyone, I will tell the whole story....grab a seat and a tasty beverage.
It all started when I was a little boy...sorry wrong story.
I decided I was ready to look for a ring early in February. At that point I was only a short bit into a 3 month assignment in Singapore (and my girl was back in the states in Atlanta). I heard rumors that diamonds were cheap in Singapore, so I started visiting some mainstream reputable dealers in Singapore. They gave me the standard 4 line diamond education and tried to upsell me on the premium brands. It was then that I first learned about H&A and "ideal" cut diamonds. I soon realized that I didn't know enough to make a purchase of this magnitude, and so I started talking to Mr. Internet. It only took a little bit of time to find Pricescope, and then I had the second love of my life. I spent every free minute reading posts back as far as I could. I was trying to be a knowledge sponge.
I finally emerged without a clue. I had learned so much that the search for my "perfect" diamond actually got harder, but more fun. I started looking for a place that could accomodate my situation (being in Singapore). I checked out most of the vendors here on pricescope...mainly Whiteflash, SuperbCert, and GOG. I was turned off by the amateur appearance of GOG's site, so I decided I would focus on Whiteflash...Things started off well, but I quickly lost the attention of Lesley when I started posting questions to Pricescope about non ACA stones...So on to Barry. Barry told me that he would not be able to extend the return "grace" period for me since I wouldn't be back in the states to see the stone until after it had ended. This is understandable...but I decided to check out Jonathan at GOG since I had read so many good things about him.
Jonathan was super quick w/ all of his responses. He told me he would extend the grace period to 30 days after I returned to the states (with a $500 deposit, which I had also offered to Barry). We worked through several suggestions, and then I fell in love...one stone I kept coming back to. I decided to have Jonathan hold this one aside for me. It all happened so fast that I hadn't even thought through the mounting.
The next portion involved sifting through pages and pages of ring pictures. After many a day, I found one I liked (check out this post for more info on the setting search). In order to shorten this, I will say that I had the ring custom made in Singapore, then carried it back to the states.
I had the stone and the setting sent to RockDoc. RockDoc was pretty quick with it. He had an eye problem just before getting it, so I give him a bit of slack for a little of the delay. It was still done (set and inspected) in less than a week...While that was going on, I got Chubb to write a policy up for the purchase price. They were so easy to work with...I highly recommend their policy.
And despite a glitch with Fedex where they gave RockDoc the address of a drop-box and not a holding location (which caused me to drive 30 miles, or i would have had to wait another day), it got here just fine. The thing will blind you...I can't even imagine her reaction!
Thanks again to all who helped. And good luck to those who are reading this looking for suggestions. I will be checking the place on and off because I have become enthralled by it. And I will post pics of the final deal this evening (or tomorrow morning) once I get to my camera. And I will add the engagement story in a little over 2 weeks once it is over!
And to those who have made it this far...Take care.
Keep on Keepin' On,
Stu
******ADDED*******************************************
I looked back and saw that I gave everyone but Jonathan at GOG a courtesy link...all of which open in new windows.
******************************************************
Most of the people who are active on the site know the basics of my story, but because I am thrilled with the service I got, and I am so excited to tell everyone, I will tell the whole story....grab a seat and a tasty beverage.
It all started when I was a little boy...sorry wrong story.
I decided I was ready to look for a ring early in February. At that point I was only a short bit into a 3 month assignment in Singapore (and my girl was back in the states in Atlanta). I heard rumors that diamonds were cheap in Singapore, so I started visiting some mainstream reputable dealers in Singapore. They gave me the standard 4 line diamond education and tried to upsell me on the premium brands. It was then that I first learned about H&A and "ideal" cut diamonds. I soon realized that I didn't know enough to make a purchase of this magnitude, and so I started talking to Mr. Internet. It only took a little bit of time to find Pricescope, and then I had the second love of my life. I spent every free minute reading posts back as far as I could. I was trying to be a knowledge sponge.
I finally emerged without a clue. I had learned so much that the search for my "perfect" diamond actually got harder, but more fun. I started looking for a place that could accomodate my situation (being in Singapore). I checked out most of the vendors here on pricescope...mainly Whiteflash, SuperbCert, and GOG. I was turned off by the amateur appearance of GOG's site, so I decided I would focus on Whiteflash...Things started off well, but I quickly lost the attention of Lesley when I started posting questions to Pricescope about non ACA stones...So on to Barry. Barry told me that he would not be able to extend the return "grace" period for me since I wouldn't be back in the states to see the stone until after it had ended. This is understandable...but I decided to check out Jonathan at GOG since I had read so many good things about him.
Jonathan was super quick w/ all of his responses. He told me he would extend the grace period to 30 days after I returned to the states (with a $500 deposit, which I had also offered to Barry). We worked through several suggestions, and then I fell in love...one stone I kept coming back to. I decided to have Jonathan hold this one aside for me. It all happened so fast that I hadn't even thought through the mounting.
The next portion involved sifting through pages and pages of ring pictures. After many a day, I found one I liked (check out this post for more info on the setting search). In order to shorten this, I will say that I had the ring custom made in Singapore, then carried it back to the states.
I had the stone and the setting sent to RockDoc. RockDoc was pretty quick with it. He had an eye problem just before getting it, so I give him a bit of slack for a little of the delay. It was still done (set and inspected) in less than a week...While that was going on, I got Chubb to write a policy up for the purchase price. They were so easy to work with...I highly recommend their policy.
And despite a glitch with Fedex where they gave RockDoc the address of a drop-box and not a holding location (which caused me to drive 30 miles, or i would have had to wait another day), it got here just fine. The thing will blind you...I can't even imagine her reaction!
Thanks again to all who helped. And good luck to those who are reading this looking for suggestions. I will be checking the place on and off because I have become enthralled by it. And I will post pics of the final deal this evening (or tomorrow morning) once I get to my camera. And I will add the engagement story in a little over 2 weeks once it is over!
And to those who have made it this far...Take care.
Keep on Keepin' On,
Stu
******ADDED*******************************************
I looked back and saw that I gave everyone but Jonathan at GOG a courtesy link...all of which open in new windows.
******************************************************