Had a great experience with ERD earlier this year and remembered recently that I hadn't posted up a review yet (the website redesign over summer threw me off). My review:
Mark at Engagement Rings Direct (ERD) was an incredible person to have on my side. I was focused on getting a Canadian diamond, mainly because we are trying to be responsible global citizens, as well as a cushion cut because of her preferences on the setting.
Browsing through PS, I narrowed my search down to ERD and GOG based on reviews and the fact that I live in NYC. Emailed them both - GOG took a while getting back to me while Mark was very quick in responding. Mark is located in the heart of the diamond district in NYC, which means a lot of the diamond dealers are in his building - and that means he sees a lot of stones! At first I wasn't tied to any cushion cuts, but when I brought my sister to view a few stones we quickly agreed we had to go with an Old Mine cut - Mark's specialty.
It took a while to find, but in the end we got a Canadian Old Mine Brilliant, 1.5 H VS1 at a very competitive price. On top of that, I got Mark's personal attention and service in getting the Canadian certificate for the diamond. He went out of his way to work with the diamond cutter and Rio Tinto Diavik mine in Canada to get the certificate, which took a lot of work to get but came through in the end. Mark kept me up to date the whole way through, and was a pleasure to work with. The one thing I would say is that Mark is a busy man (just look at all the PS reviews) but am sure his coworkers are just as attentive.
Overall, the process took longer than I expected but was well worth it. It took about a month to find the diamond, a month for the certificate, and another month and a half to manufacture the custom ring. Not quite the Blue Nile overnight approach, but wouldn't have it any other way. My fiancé loves the ring and is constantly raving about it to her friends!
Thanks again Mark and ERD!
PS Just wanted to say the PS community was super helpful in helping me navigate the process - there's a lot of good stuff out here, and appreciate the help. Unfortunately don't have a great camera or picture of the ring, but attached the best I could do
Location: NYC
Diamond: Engagement Rings Direct
Setting: Greenwich Jewelers
Insurance: Jewelers Mutual
Mark at Engagement Rings Direct (ERD) was an incredible person to have on my side. I was focused on getting a Canadian diamond, mainly because we are trying to be responsible global citizens, as well as a cushion cut because of her preferences on the setting.
Browsing through PS, I narrowed my search down to ERD and GOG based on reviews and the fact that I live in NYC. Emailed them both - GOG took a while getting back to me while Mark was very quick in responding. Mark is located in the heart of the diamond district in NYC, which means a lot of the diamond dealers are in his building - and that means he sees a lot of stones! At first I wasn't tied to any cushion cuts, but when I brought my sister to view a few stones we quickly agreed we had to go with an Old Mine cut - Mark's specialty.
It took a while to find, but in the end we got a Canadian Old Mine Brilliant, 1.5 H VS1 at a very competitive price. On top of that, I got Mark's personal attention and service in getting the Canadian certificate for the diamond. He went out of his way to work with the diamond cutter and Rio Tinto Diavik mine in Canada to get the certificate, which took a lot of work to get but came through in the end. Mark kept me up to date the whole way through, and was a pleasure to work with. The one thing I would say is that Mark is a busy man (just look at all the PS reviews) but am sure his coworkers are just as attentive.
Overall, the process took longer than I expected but was well worth it. It took about a month to find the diamond, a month for the certificate, and another month and a half to manufacture the custom ring. Not quite the Blue Nile overnight approach, but wouldn't have it any other way. My fiancé loves the ring and is constantly raving about it to her friends!
Thanks again Mark and ERD!
PS Just wanted to say the PS community was super helpful in helping me navigate the process - there's a lot of good stuff out here, and appreciate the help. Unfortunately don't have a great camera or picture of the ring, but attached the best I could do
Location: NYC
Diamond: Engagement Rings Direct
Setting: Greenwich Jewelers
Insurance: Jewelers Mutual
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