Well,
It has been a year since my first exposure to Pricescope and its inundation of information, friendly people and unrestricted opinions. Since then and no less than 84 emails I have completed one of the most amusing, rewarding, and so ever costly roads towards engagement. Funny there is a direct negative correlation between my med-school grades and time spent at Pricescope. They have fortunately recovered since then- ha!
Since I came here to Pricescope to see how other people approached this daunting task, I am just returning the favor to other countless lurkers like myself.
GOG
Started looking for a Jubilee with Tim. Loved the uniqueness of it, but became more obsessed with calculable numbers. Turned to the Rounds. Traditional, arguably best optics, more virtual/tangible selection for an Ohio native. Every incessant detail that was almost pointless under the broad scope of a virgin stone buyer- Jonathan was eager and enthusiastic to reply to. He responded multiple times daily over PM and email. He understood every desire I had and never once tried to push in a certain direction. All of GOG was exceptional in their patience with me even when my bank screwed up the wire transfer and took about a week to complete. They were never frustrated when I switched from Jubilee, secretly Asscher, and then RB. And when I thoroughly questioned many ''testing'' techniques, Jonathan always responded in a respectful manner. Moreover, since I am a ''toy'' guy, I wasn''t too hard to please with other results. It seems Jonathan truly loves many aspects of what he does and his energy is hard not to spill over to his consumers on the matter. This I appreciated.
Overall, absolutely wonderful experience and I hope to return there for further fulfillment of my new addiction (to my new fiancé''s delight!). I cannot thank all the ''crew'' at GOG for a greater first purchase!
Chubb
Really only looked at Chubb after a price quote from another insurance group noted on Pricescope was substantially higher. I thank Rocdoc ( I believe) for giving to names to try. William Castro, [email protected], and Georgia Moschonas, [email protected] (1-800-422-8889). Georgia emailed the next day without any information on my stone, and I believe Mr. Castro did after confusing my ''k'' as in thousands for ''k'' as in carat. He emailed a week later and both had the same quote after followup phone calls-> was just curious. Obviously went with Georgia and she was great. Emailed application over and once ring-maker had the stone- the bill came in the mail (policy was effective).Talked with her a few times on the phone and she was accessible on every attempt. I live in Ohio- I think they were in Maryland and NY. I hope this is all I will have to deal with Chubb directly...
Leon @ Art of Platinum
I had to go with a Leon after all the eye-candy. The ''lovely'' was what I wanted in a RB with subtle alterations of course not to take away from her unique setting! I sent the stone to Leon after an email and he called me when it arrived (I worked long distance- sent the stone USPS--> freaked out for 10 days and dreamed everynight the stone was switched out).
We talked for about 45 minutes about what I wanted and voila. I knew to expect this- he told me not to get too wrapped up in the little details- tough for me of course. I emailed him maybe three or so times and he emailed back every time. I called him four times after initial- with various requests (pictures and such)- great upbeat guy every time. I had no problem communicating with him and this is in stark contrast to what many of the reviews said. I knew he wouldn''t be the only one working on the stone- but asked anyways. Funny how shortly after I probed him on this one (and others here), he changed his website description. He also said he is happy to work with any size, diamond or synthetic. There seems to be a stigma he only works with much larger stones- myself included- but he said a big portion of his work are with much smaller stones than his website would indicate.
Setting took about 10 weeks, but got it to me on expected date before I took off for the surprise. Price quote was exactly the cost of the ring- and I noticed the cost has not significantly changed since people offered his general prices dating back to Reena''s posts. Once again, hope to visit his place and do business again.
I apologize for the long post- don''t post much so this makes up for it. Perhaps this will help someone who is in a similar path as myself and this will make any decision a little smoother. I also have nothing but good things to say of course about John Q and Bob Hoskins over at Whiteflash, as well as Jim at DCD. They all made me more knowledgeable with every email. I will try and post pictures soon over in SMTR.
Thank you Pricescope and anyone who read all the way to this line, sjr
It has been a year since my first exposure to Pricescope and its inundation of information, friendly people and unrestricted opinions. Since then and no less than 84 emails I have completed one of the most amusing, rewarding, and so ever costly roads towards engagement. Funny there is a direct negative correlation between my med-school grades and time spent at Pricescope. They have fortunately recovered since then- ha!
Since I came here to Pricescope to see how other people approached this daunting task, I am just returning the favor to other countless lurkers like myself.
GOG
Started looking for a Jubilee with Tim. Loved the uniqueness of it, but became more obsessed with calculable numbers. Turned to the Rounds. Traditional, arguably best optics, more virtual/tangible selection for an Ohio native. Every incessant detail that was almost pointless under the broad scope of a virgin stone buyer- Jonathan was eager and enthusiastic to reply to. He responded multiple times daily over PM and email. He understood every desire I had and never once tried to push in a certain direction. All of GOG was exceptional in their patience with me even when my bank screwed up the wire transfer and took about a week to complete. They were never frustrated when I switched from Jubilee, secretly Asscher, and then RB. And when I thoroughly questioned many ''testing'' techniques, Jonathan always responded in a respectful manner. Moreover, since I am a ''toy'' guy, I wasn''t too hard to please with other results. It seems Jonathan truly loves many aspects of what he does and his energy is hard not to spill over to his consumers on the matter. This I appreciated.
Overall, absolutely wonderful experience and I hope to return there for further fulfillment of my new addiction (to my new fiancé''s delight!). I cannot thank all the ''crew'' at GOG for a greater first purchase!
Chubb
Really only looked at Chubb after a price quote from another insurance group noted on Pricescope was substantially higher. I thank Rocdoc ( I believe) for giving to names to try. William Castro, [email protected], and Georgia Moschonas, [email protected] (1-800-422-8889). Georgia emailed the next day without any information on my stone, and I believe Mr. Castro did after confusing my ''k'' as in thousands for ''k'' as in carat. He emailed a week later and both had the same quote after followup phone calls-> was just curious. Obviously went with Georgia and she was great. Emailed application over and once ring-maker had the stone- the bill came in the mail (policy was effective).Talked with her a few times on the phone and she was accessible on every attempt. I live in Ohio- I think they were in Maryland and NY. I hope this is all I will have to deal with Chubb directly...
Leon @ Art of Platinum
I had to go with a Leon after all the eye-candy. The ''lovely'' was what I wanted in a RB with subtle alterations of course not to take away from her unique setting! I sent the stone to Leon after an email and he called me when it arrived (I worked long distance- sent the stone USPS--> freaked out for 10 days and dreamed everynight the stone was switched out).
We talked for about 45 minutes about what I wanted and voila. I knew to expect this- he told me not to get too wrapped up in the little details- tough for me of course. I emailed him maybe three or so times and he emailed back every time. I called him four times after initial- with various requests (pictures and such)- great upbeat guy every time. I had no problem communicating with him and this is in stark contrast to what many of the reviews said. I knew he wouldn''t be the only one working on the stone- but asked anyways. Funny how shortly after I probed him on this one (and others here), he changed his website description. He also said he is happy to work with any size, diamond or synthetic. There seems to be a stigma he only works with much larger stones- myself included- but he said a big portion of his work are with much smaller stones than his website would indicate.
Setting took about 10 weeks, but got it to me on expected date before I took off for the surprise. Price quote was exactly the cost of the ring- and I noticed the cost has not significantly changed since people offered his general prices dating back to Reena''s posts. Once again, hope to visit his place and do business again.
I apologize for the long post- don''t post much so this makes up for it. Perhaps this will help someone who is in a similar path as myself and this will make any decision a little smoother. I also have nothing but good things to say of course about John Q and Bob Hoskins over at Whiteflash, as well as Jim at DCD. They all made me more knowledgeable with every email. I will try and post pictures soon over in SMTR.
Thank you Pricescope and anyone who read all the way to this line, sjr
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