Opinions, please! BGD or CBI?

[yssie]

Paul, I too am confident you have little to be concerned about re. Spon's post.

In looking through his post history this is the first time CBI has ever been mentioned. He has, however, asked about comparing top PS H&A brands, and started his own thread with his personal BGD/WF signature line purchases, and I'm reasonably confident that given his dedication to pursuit of knowledge about cut quality the experience of comparing an Infinity side by side with them would have merited at least a prior mention.

I'm going to venture a guess that the CBI referenced in this thread was a convenient sleight of term... The reluctance to elaborate to you in confidence rather suggests it.

But... I could be wrong... I certainly understand wanting to look into it further, at any rate.

 

[spon88]

Not much I can add really - just a few guys proudly comparing their stuff. Can I validate what I saw? Other than my own, no - but it all looked great to me and I have no reason not to trust what what explained to me. What is more disconcerting is the assertion that there was some form of trade underway, avoiding import tax etc. Totally incorrect and way off beam. Where was that ever implied for heavens sake?

Frankly I'm out of here as I've lost confidence in an environment where a bona fide user can pressured like this based on a complete misunderstanding of a "senior" forum member. Thanks to all who have helped me in my short time here. I'll be buying diamonds from some of you again soon. Others not. Cheers

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Not much I can add really - just a few guys proudly comparing their stuff. Can I validate what I saw? Other than my own, no - but it all looked great to me and I have no reason not to trust what what explained to me. What is more disconcerting is the assertion that there was some form of trade underway, avoiding import tax etc. Totally incorrect and way off beam. Where was that ever implied for heavens sake?

Frankly I'm out of here as I've lost confidence in an environment where a bona fide user can pressured like this based on a complete misunderstanding of a "senior" forum member. Thanks to all who have helped me in my short time here. I'll be buying diamonds from some of you again soon. Others not. Cheers

I find it pretty bizarre myself, spon. Hope you'll give the forum another chance.

 

[egemnoel]

Hey spon88, in my opinion Paul is not asserting that you’ve done anything wrong. Not at all. The part above where you said “what was explained to me” is what seems unclear.

You said diamonds you viewed had been “purchased by a friend of the dealer and included in the comparison for interest’s sake.” That does seem odd. Why would a UK dealer ask a friend to buy diamonds in the USA, then bring them overseas for a comparison session with no apparent costs for shipping, duties, etc.? I live in the UK too, and this doesn’t add up.

Quote above is from this thread.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/need-help-with-this-asset-image.217607/#post-3956816#p3956816']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/need-help-with-this-asset-image.217607/#post-3956816#p3956816[/URL]

I find these questions to be a strength of Pricescope. No different than everyday posters who come to describe their in-store experiences. If something doesn’t pass the sniff test the regulars here will recognise and try to get to the bottom of it.

You posted on a public diamond forum. Some of your comments raise questions and, since they involve Paul’s diamond product, he’s asking for a bit more information to answer those questions. You can contact him privately. He is very polite and it could wind up being a pleasure.

I hope this perspective helps. I must say I have found the “senior members” who post here to be opinionated, sure, but also a collection of very nice people with good intentions.

 

[Sphene]

So if I am British and work in New York for 18 months and get engaged with a diamond ring purchased in the USA and wear it for 16 months in the USA on returning to the UK am I still liable for taxes and whatever

 

[flyingpig]

Nothing was imported in a clandestine manner or traded. Same as when I travel with my wife with our personal jewellery.

Spon made clarification. I do not know what the concern is. Is a person not allowed purchase a CBI diamond for personal jewellery, a few months/years later, travel with it abroad , compare the diamond with other friends' diamonds in the presence of a gemologist, and share the experience in a public online forum? This is how I interpreted Spon's comment. Now CBI is doing a post-sale audit on the diamond and potentially on the original purchaser, and potentially gathering personal information? Is any CBI customer subject to such audit because of their buyback policy for such case? It is absolutely bizarre, and something I never want to deal with as a customer. This feels very uncomfortable. No thanks.

Why would a UK dealer ask a friend to buy diamonds in the USA, then bring them overseas for a comparison session with no apparent costs for shipping, duties, etc.?

Spon never commented that the UK dealer ASKED a friend to buy diamonds in the USA.

 

[egemnoel]

Sphene and Flyingpig, you are coming in late. If I only saw the last few posts I’d be with you.

Spon88s original posts tell of a gemologist controlled session with diamonds from brands being sold here seen “alongside each other, reviewing data & images and analysing under a powerful microscope. This implies loose diamonds. In the other thread Spon88 says some of these were imported, others were purchased and brought over for comparison. In the context of that thread it reads as loose diamonds, arranged to be seen in UK in a gemologist controlled viewing for purchase consideration.

Paul obviously reads this and is alarmed because he is accountable for movement of all loose diamonds in the brand. This was clearly explained to me during the time of my purchase. Even if one should be bought, but duties go unpaid and it travels to a diamond professional, CBI could be penalised / accountable.

He explains this and asks for some small details, even privately. Now Spon88 is saying it was just a couple of guys comparing their diamond jewelry…same as when I travel with my wife. You know, I love diamonds, so does my wife. But she will kill me if I start arranging meetings with a gemologist, import some diamonds, review data and pics and do microscope comparison work when we step out on holiday. Haha.

Anyway, it first sounded like a thorough loose examination with a UK gemologist. Now it sounds like tea or a beer with the boys

 

[flyingpig]

Sphene and Flyingpig, you are coming in late. If I only saw the last few posts I’d be with you.

S

I am not late. I also followed the previous thread involving you and sharonanddave since the very beginning. Please do not jump into a conclusion that someone is late for a discussion, just because he/she did not do a post. Spon has been very respectful and responded to CBI in a timely manner each time, even when Spon was under pressure. There was no reason for me or anyone to say anything. Spon is gone, and I see other people jumping in for this sensitive issue with mis-understanding. So, I made a comment on CBI diamonds, which is what this thread by OP is about.

This was clearly explained to me during the time of my purchase. Even if one should be bought, but duties go unpaid and it travels to a diamond professional, CBI could be penalised / accountable.

This is very responsible of CBI. .. sincerely.. really. This is important.

Still, CBI is not for me, based on, but not solely, CBI's active monitoring of their sold diamonds, which leads into the information regarding their past customers' whereabouts, and assessing private information. I guess that's what you pay for 80% buy-back policy.

Obviously, your thoughts and experience are completely different from mine.I know there are numerous satisfied CBI customers. I started a thread about cutter information and you recommended CBI. I strongly considered CBI for the next major purchase. Not anymore..

 

[Rhea]

So if I am British and work in New York for 18 months and get engaged with a diamond ring purchased in the USA and wear it for 16 months in the USA on returning to the UK am I still liable for taxes and whatever

The rules appear to have changed rather recently. When I moved I think it was just that it had to be owned for a certain amount of time. This is the current advice www.gov.uk/moving-to-uk

 

[flyingpig]

I see other people jumping in for this sensitive issue with mis-understanding

Sorry, one correction I would like make...
Noone jumped in with mis-understanding.

 

[carbonfan]

I wanted to express my apologies, as I feel I have inadvertently instigated a firestorm of sorts, and this was certainly not my intent. I do, however, understand the inclination to monitor and protect the reputation of the brand, particularly when you are talking about a product of the caliber of CBI or BGD. I do not believe that any "tracking" or invasion of privacy is taking place, just an earnest inquiry by Paul to ensure that nothing is awry. To me this is indicative of his commitment to the integrity of his business and is to his credit. Regardless, I greatly appreciate the information everyone has provided. I love my BGD stone (which I plan to keep!) and I hope to add a CBI to my collection in the near future as well!

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Dear friends,

I would like to apologize. The responsibilities FlyingPig alluded to are indeed what caused me to post with such urgency.

Not once did I imagine these to be diamonds that were already mounted in rings for some time and worn by a gathering of owners of various brands. It seems now that could be the case. I only saw potential leaks in our security-system, which is designed to protect consumers as well as the integrity of our brand. Thank you for relieving that fear, spon88, and my apologies for the distress caused.

Live long,

 

[partgypsy]

Getting back to the original question, I have owned both WF ACA and unbranded hearts and arrows and now a CBI. I have not had the fortune to see a Brian Gavin diamond. I am not a wealthy person and personally feel lucky to have owned ANY of those stones. They are above and beyond what one sees in most any storefront selling diamonds. In fact I went most of my life thinking I did NOT like diamonds, because the diamonds I saw in most jewelry stores did not appeal to me.
I have not compared the brands head to head. This may offend some, these cuts are very close, more similar than different (compared to the vast majority of diamonds with varying cut qualities, as well as clarity, color).

Peace of mind. When I saw the first CBI, I really liked it's "look". It is hard to explain. I knew that the brand has very stringent cutting parameters, and is done in-house. I had the confidence to purchase another stone and have it set without seeing it in person (and love it).

Secondly, integrity, and history. I have had multiple dealings with Wink, including buying my first real diamond ever (unbranded hearts and arrow) for my 9 year wedding anniversary band, as well as jewelry for my mother. In every case the service was warm, accommodating and individualized. The fact that the diamond to replace my anniversary diamond was purchased from the same person, and a CBI to boot, made it extra-special.

There is no "best" there is only what is right for you. If you can afford it, I would get all 3 and compare them in person. Really any of these, you have to see them in person.

 

[Andelain]

Dear friends,

I would like to apologize. The responsibilities FlyingPig alluded to are indeed what caused me to post with such urgency.

Not once did I imagine these to be diamonds that were already mounted in rings for some time and worn by a gathering of owners of various brands. It seems now that could be the case. I only saw potential leaks in our security-system, which is designed to protect consumers as well as the integrity of our brand. Thank you for relieving that fear, spon88, and my apologies for the distress caused.

Live long,

If it's any consolation, his post made me think the same thing.