Planning a visit to HPD-how much time to plan for?

[MountainJuls]

Hi all! So I have been lurking and learning the past few months and am planning a visit to HPD to look at some diamonds. I’ve only made an intro post, so I hope this is in the right spot. Hubs and I will have our 25th wedding anniversary in Nov and my original mall ring will be repurposed(tbd) so we’ll be starting from scratch. We‘re in NCal, so still a lot of restrictions and SIP going on and I’m the type who needs to see, touch, and compare items before buying. I had gone to a Shane Co to just try stuff on and see what I liked style wise but tbh it wasnt even good for that. They don’t like you to try a bunch of items on and it wasn’t a very welcoming experience and the sales staff I was assigned wasn’t knowledgeable. Plus, even with my limited jewelry and diamond experience, I could still see issues. Just as our area has had a bit of restrictions eased, we’ve had weeks of wildfires all around us and poor air quality as a result. We can’t even be outside and and I just need to get away for a hot minute. I’m hoping to be able to visit in a week or so for my bday, but not sure if we can get an appointment. I should hear back by Monday, but how cool would that be to look at some super ideals on my birthday?!

My question is, for those of you who visited HPD, how much time (number of visits and hours) did you plan to visit for? I pretty much look at something diamond/jewelry related every day but I know that what my eyes have adjusted to seeing on a computer will be different IRL and I may still need some time to take it all in and process. We are hoping to visit in the afternoon one day and then again the next morning. Does this seem like overkill or good planning? I realize that they may not have the diamond specs I land on in stock, but I want to be able to decide on color and size. From looking online semi-obsessively, I think I like between 2.6-3.1 ct and colors G-I, so I’ve got it somewhat narrowed down(and tossed my original $25k budget). Or I may throw it all out the window once seeing them in person. Then there’s the issue of the setting to think about, and there’s a few styles I like online but haven’t been able to try on. Kudos to those of you who can figure this all out remotely!

For kicks and giggles, I’m attaching my original rings as a starting point.

TIA, and I’ll keep ya posted~Juls

 

[KristinTech]

I have not visited, but I know they will take care of you! I love the idea of two visits with some time in between to think and come back with more ideas/questions. I first purchased from HPD two years ago (anniversary), and upgraded twice since then. They are shipping my second upgrade—my 1.23 SI2 E back to me with two little friends (.44/.45) for our 20th anniversary three-stone band next week! I can’t wait to see what you end up with. You will be blown away by the diamonds in person!

What are you thinking about for your original set? I’d let them give the set a spa day and take some time to think about it. After 25 years, you may miss it when it’s repurposed?

 

[daisygrl]

I am in CA as well and have recently purchased my ring from them (including setting and a stone.) I have never visited them. They sent stones I was interested in to my local jeweler (that they are affiliated with) and I went to look at them. But I knew exactly what I was looking for, my color tolerance, size...etc The setting and the rest was done via email and phone conversations. Jewelry stores are open now where I am (SoCal) - if they are open where you are as well, give Wink a call and tell him to send you some stones to the store so that you can look at them without paying for them. If you, however, want to study them deeply, then you need to pay for them and return the ones you do not want. But flying out there just to see them for a few minutes, you can do that from CA. It is best to know what you are looking for re: color, size, and clarity. If you are looking for a G color in 3ct, it will not happen with HPD - not even 2.5ct . Try to become familiar with these three categories before you ask them to send you some stones to look.

 

[SandyinAnaheim]

I've been there and your plans sound VERY reasonable. However, I have a suggestion for you. You should get Wink to set up a tray for you with stones in various colors and clarities. My ER is an F and I have a pendant that is a J. The difference between the two is SOOOOOO slight.....if I were to do it again, with stones of this quality, I would DEF go with a lower color and bigger size. No one will know the difference but you, CBIs are incomparable.

 

[Gemly]

I have visited HPD and I would say you can and will easily spend a few hours there.

Wink is very knowledgeable and will be more than happy to show you through the various stones in your price range that he has in stock. I’m sure he would welcome a second meeting with you the next day after sleeping on it.

He’ll ask you before you visit about your price range and any color/clarity guidelines and will have a tray of stones all ready for you to view.

We had a great experience with Wink and felt he was very thorough and communicative during our visit. Have fun and can’t wait to see what you choose!!

 

[Karl_K]

Talk to Wink about it. Given how Wink likes to chat 2 hours or so would be my guess.

 

[LightBright]

Call Wink and tell him what you told us. He will be able to tell you if he can pull the stones you might be interested in and show you in person, a range for you to look at. This might take him a while because diamonds in the CBI inventory can sometimes be located in another state and would need to be mailed to him, if I recall.

I would always look at a diamond twice before purchasing it (afternoon and next day seems like a good idea). Or, better yet, send for a diamond you might like and look at it in the comfort of your home, in all kinds of light, before deciding.

Alternately, Wink can review stones with you via video and chat, and then can send you the diamond you select to review in the mail seamlessly. That’s what I did, and I was happy with the process. So I think talking to Wink about your goals first would be a first step. I am very happy with my CBI, and my experience buying a Crafted By Infinity diamond from HPD and Wink.

 

[Polabowla]

This sounds like it will be an amazing experience for a wonderful occasion & I look forward to hearing all-out it & of course seeing aaaallllll the pics! Very excited for you

 

[RunningwithScissors]

I flew to Idaho last year, visited Wink and his charming wife Resa, and looked at a handful of CBI diamonds. Definitely talk to Wink on the phone before you go so that he can have diamonds ready for you to look at. (It is my understanding that some may need to be mailed to him from other states.) My husband and I spent a few hours looking at the diamonds in all different lights. They are mind-glowingly beautiful!! And I had just come from Whiteflash where their ACAs are also top notch beautiful.

I had the opposite reaction to my pre-selected tray of diamonds than SandyinAnaheim, in that I could immediately see the color difference and actually ended up buying higher on the color spectrum than I had originally planned (and budgeted) because the color difference was obvious to both me and my husband. But everyone is different, and that is why it is so important to see the diamonds in person, to learn not only what you can see, but also what you like (some prefer warmer stones, other people like cooler ones.)

Once you experience a super ideal cut diamond, you can't "unsee" it! They really do take your breath away.

Enjoy your trip! Its going to be a lot of fun.

 

[MountainJuls]

Thanks all! Well it’s been a busy last couple of days since I last posted, but I actually had a lovely call from Wink late Friday night and we will be able to visit next week. There’s a lot of moving parts due to DH work schedule, DS online high school, and water polo starting but I’m so ready to to get this project started!

That’s a good idea, LightBright to visit in different times of day. I know how that affects the paint on walls and makeup, so I will keep that in mind.

I am trying to keep my heart open and not have any pre-concieced ideas especially about color, and just see what stones speak to me. The main thing I think I need to keep myself in check about is projection off my finger. I’m still not settled on what kind of setting, but definitely need it to be very wearable for most of my daily activities. First things first though, right?! I will take loads of pics and make a new post about our trip.

Thanks
~Jul

 

[yssie]

Talk to Wink about it. Given how Wink likes to chat 2 hours or so would be my guess.

Okay, I giggled
Wink, you're such a sweetheart - and we you