The "Spirit" of PS

[CharmyPoo]

On that other thread, people were stating that vendor B's pave was worse than vendor A's as though it was a fact. It's not, it's just an opinion. You could find other people who would argue that vendor B's pave was better than vendor A's. "Less metal showing" does not mean that a ring is superior. What it does mean is that the ring will probably be less secure and durable.

Laila .. i think you are great so this is not a personal attack at all. I just want to be fair to what I said unless you are referring to someone else. I didn't say who was better than who. I said it was too much metal for me (and didn't say it was for him). I said I much prefer and I am allowed to have preferences. I fully expect that we all have different preferences.

My full quote
"Personally, I find the pave work on the pictures of the link you posted above to have too much metal for me. I much prefer the work pave work of Leon Mege, Steven Kirsch, Victor Canera and Mike Robinson. But they also come with a higher price tag. With all that said, you are tied to DBL so proceed "

 

[Laila619]

I understand, Charmy. Thanks for explaining. FYI I think you're great too!

For me personally, very little metal showing scares me, so that's not something I would want and I don't think I'd ever be comfortable wearing a LM or a VC. They sure are pretty to look at though!!

 

[CharmyPoo]

I understand, Charmy. Thanks for explaining. FYI I think you're great too!

For me personally, very little metal showing scares me, so that's not something I would want and I don't think I'd ever be comfortable wearing a LM or a VC. They sure are pretty to look at though!!

Yup .. not for everyone! I was just chatting with my MIL the other day as she as asking how I lost my wedding band. She was shocked that I take my rings off every night. She has never taken off her rings but they are a very different design. My rings are not suitable for everyone.

 

[Aoife]

TO BE CLEAR.. I DIDN'T START THIS POST TO BE DIRECTED AT ANYONE.. OK... I PROMISE....

I wasn't here when PS was more rough and tumble . Recently I had noticed more undercurrents. I love some of the discussion here in this thread and I honestly felt that the verbal feeback to Phoenix was totally out of line.. sorry.. I just didn't think it was necessary and she is a long time poster with a lot of super fabulous bling..Hello..that is why she is here... she love bling!

So, I had seen a few posts that made me scratch my head... I even made sure I told Nielseel this was not directed at her.. honestly.. I love it here and I love seeing all the great information and the help people get.. but the undercurrents are sometimes unsettling to me.. I was just wondering what other people thought. I love, love, love this brought out a few people.. I've never seen post!! How awesome is that they have been lurking but came on board to say.. here's how it made me feel.

I must tell you.. when I had been here a year... loving LM's work..and planning a project... I never called him because I was so intimidated by the feedback.. I'm a good ol' southern girl and sometimes that rough exterior will scare me off...

This forum does an extraordinary amount of good... I just felt a strong undercurrent.. I wondered if I was the only one...

Thank you Karl.. loved your posts.. I would like to order a pair of the Octavia army boots in a size 9.5 narrow... Thanks!

Mayk, you seem like one of those genuinely sweet people I was referencing earlier. I'm not myself, so I really appreciate it in others.

But, there are always, always undercurrents on forums, and this includes PS. It just kind of goes with the territory, and is one of the reasons I read more than I post.

And I agree with Charmy: PS is really white gloves and pearls in terms of drama compared to many forums.

 

[Mayk]

AOIFE you have to know I think you are super sweet.. you have no idea how much comfort you gave me when DD was diagnosed with Scoliosis and I went to hangout to look for people with experience..you will forever be a favorite to me!!! .. I do try really hard to take the high road even in business when I want to smack a buyer in the head (I use my inside voice and tell him what I really think...) and so much about telling people the truth about what they are asking is here.. I used the term "tough love".. sometimes the delivery in writing doesn't communicate the way the words are actually intended.. it's amazing what body language and inflection will do for a conversation that writing NEVER will...

 

[SB621]

On that other thread, people were stating that vendor B's pave was worse than vendor A's as though it was a fact. It's not, it's just an opinion. You could find other people who would argue that vendor B's pave was better than vendor A's. "Less metal showing" does not mean that a ring is superior. What it does mean is that the ring will probably be less secure and durable.

Laila .. i think you are great so this is not a personal attack at all. I just want to be fair to what I said unless you are referring to someone else. I didn't say who was better than who. I said it was too much metal for me (and didn't say it was for him). I said I much prefer and I am allowed to have preferences. I fully expect that we all have different preferences.

My full quote
"Personally, I find the pave work on the pictures of the link you posted above to have too much metal for me. I much prefer the work pave work of Leon Mege, Steven Kirsch, Victor Canera and Mike Robinson. But they also come with a higher price tag. With all that said, you are tied to DBL so proceed "

Dang! Well so much for goodnight PS!

Laila I'm pretty sure that was me. Just like Charmy said I mean this in the nicest way possible and I think we will just need to agree to disagree with each other on how we feel about this. I did state other reasons and I personally don't think less metal equals less durable or secure pave.

Mayk- You know I think your fabulous so though I did feel this post was directed at me I knew it wasn't coming from a bad place. I haven't noticed any undercurrent that you brought up but once again I fly into PS, type out my response and fly back out. I guess I see PS through my rose colored glasses.

 

[SB621]

sarabear - I wasn't going to bite but since you did ... I can't leave you alone. I feel like we are two peas in a pod lately. All I can say is ditto to your post. Took the words out of my mouth.

I have worked with many of the PS vendors - many of which I purchased from and others whom I considered. Many more that I watched PS photos carefully and matching feedback with the general preference and expectations of the particular poster. I have spoken and met many of the PS vendors and even observed how they react with potential customers. I stand by my recommendations. I personally find it silly that people get upset if others don't like their vendor of choice - we like different ones and we can all recommend whomever we want.

Gosh, I just can't imagine PS being the same if we ever only shared happy experiences and just praised each other for all the choices we make. We see a bent setting, uneven prongs and cracked diamond ... "great stuff ... excellent vendor ... don't worry he has to feed his family so it is ok you got a subpar product. The most important thing is that you love it."

Well just read your update sarabear ... we are two peas. I pop on PS in between meetings or when I am walking to another building ... haha. Lots of grammar mistakes and don't read all the posts.

Well I take that as HIGH praise If we are two peas in a pod then feel free to share your gorgeous new OEC with me. I'm totally puffy heart in love with the setting, but I have a soft spot for all things art deco.

I have only belonged to PS and then another forum for military spouses. PS being tame is an understatment compared to a bunch of women who try wearing their husbands ranks online with too much time and too little support. I was eaten alive with no chance of survival. I guess it gave me this attitude of being very non-chalant though when it comes to posting on PS.

 

[Aoife]

Mayk, thank you, what a lovely thing to say. Perhaps I could get you to write me a character reference I could give to my in-laws

 

[justginger]

"I guess this forum was not the place to ask this question".

That's any Internet forum, not just this one. People are very outspoken and and opinionated and not always tactful. As soon as that guy asked "What do you think?" I thought "Oh no! Duck and cover!" I didn't see how that thread would up but I knew for certain his choice would be picked apart and/or panned by one or more people, no matter what he'd chosen. To answer a question like that, people are stuck with essentially only 3 choices: Love it; Love it But; and Get Something Else.

First, thanks for starting this thread, Mayk.

And I agree with the bolded part. I think as I said, in my admitedly outburst in my last thread RE the cushion, a lot people hide behind the veil of the internet to voice out what I very much doubt they would say to another person face-to-face, "cyber bullying" you might call it.

Now I am a big girl and I can defend myself but sometimes after I defend myself, I ask myself why. I mean I don't owe anyone any explanations, what I do is my business and it's none of anyone else's beeswax!! And yet I find myself defending my choices and my decisions on PS. So why do I even bother?! It is baffling, even to myself. I guess it's because I value a lot of PS'ers - they've been amazingly comforting when my mom passed away and I've got a lot of useful advice and information over the years from PS. Some PS'ers are incredibly selfless and devote a large amount of their time helping others, and not just in diamond-buying decisions either. I am grateful to those PS"ers and I remain interested in PS as a whole.

Turning the attention away from those PSers to those who are....hmmm....more outspoken. I don't personally understand why some people would tell me to go and serve the poorer people in some third world countries and to find other pursuits that might somehow "better" my life!! I am paraphrasing but you get my drift (?). This is terribly PATRONISING to say the least and PRESUMPTUOUS!! It presumes that I am not already doing any of those aforementioned things and it presumes to tell me how I should go about "bettering" myself. Seriously, as stated in my again admittedly outburst, I can't think of a single person whom I know IRL who would even DARE hint at any of these, let alone tell me outright, all under the proclamation of "caring for me", how I should behave - all for my own good . Again, I am not quoting verbatim what was said in the last thread - I can't be bothered to go back and read it. But as another PS'er rightly pointed out, if someone really cared that much the poor people in some third world countri(es), then why don't THEY go and do something about it instead of signing onto this FIRST WORLD forum and critise me and ASSUMES that I DON"T do anything about it?! Okay, fair enough, they may already do so (am trying not to be presumptuous like the person who offered that so-called "advice" to me); but where do they get off believing that they have the RIGHT to tell someone else what that someone else should do?!

People are free to voice their opinions BUT how many who post contentious posts really THINK about what they post before they actually do? I can think of at least a few examples of people who have been driven off this forum because they've been critised by others who know absolutely NOTHING about their lives and what they get up to. Diamondfan comes to mind. This is a diamond forum and I so enjoyed the bling Diamondfan posted. Unfortunately, the numerous criticisms she received has - I don't doubt for a single second - resulted in her leaving this site for good. I can quote a few other examples, if anyone would like, of people coming here seeking advice on diamonds or showing off their diamonds - which is the main PURPOSE of this forum - only to be driven away because of these callous comments. As for me, I DON"T intend on leaving this forum any time - either now or at any other time in the future, just in case there is any doubt! But I can't imagine the upset these criticisms must have caused to those who've decided that enough is enough.

One can offer constructive advice without having to get into personal attacks or being presumtous and patronising in the giving of that advice. I fear this is the art or skill (whatever you might want to call it) that few people have mastered. Now, I am NOT holding myself out to be the authority on this matter, but at least I think about what I post before I post, lest I offend or upset the other person at the receiving end of my posts - even if he/she is a total stranger to me and someone I may never ever meet IRL.

Furthermore, what I do not understand is why if some poster who spends endless number of hours, if not days or even months or years, perusing eBay and "scores" a great bargain gets numerous applause and praise from many many PS"ers; yet when another person who peruses other "obsessions" (say investments or whatever) and do well in that regard decides to spend some of the fruits of that labour on (bigger) bling gets criticised? I mean if someone squanders a large inheritance without having had to spend an iota of efforts in the receipt of that inheritance, then fair enough I could understand some raised eyebrows. But in these two instances, what is the difference? Both of these PS'ers have expended huge amounts of energy and time doing their research and taking risks, and thus reaping the rewards of their efforts and yet whilst the former receives unquestioned adulation the latter gets mocked and questioned endlessly? Where is the logic?

Anyway, I shall end my long post by saying that I shall always adopt my philosophy: I shall, at least try to, be courteous and kind and considerate towards other PS'ers as I do to people whom I come across IRL. Other people might have a different philosophy but I remain resolute: do unto others what you want done unto yourself.

I've only just seen this thread, so I hope that you are still checking it Phoenix.

I want to, again, apologize VERY LOUDLY for the rude and thoughtless response that I gave you in that previous thread. It was poorly written, a bad time for me to be posting, and completely out of line. No excuses. If I had the means to contact you outside of PS, I would have over the last couple of weeks, to sincerely apologize one-on-one. I'm embarrassed to have behaved so poorly, and towards someone that I very much like. I adore your collection, and am happy to know that it makes you happy - what does not make you happy are my careless words. If I could actually take them back, I would - but we all know how impossible that is, so an apology is sadly the best I can offer.

As for the 'spirit of PS'? It is very obvious that I am not a particularly good person to answer that question.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Aww, Ginger, that is a sincere apology. I think there had been other posts of a similar nature before that, and it was just probably an accumulation of them that upset Phoenix. If she doesn't see your post, I will find her. All of us slip up on something once in awhile. Forgiveness needs to be in the spirit of PS as well!

 

[MsP]

Any time someone goes on forum to ask "strangers" for advice, it's kind of you get what you pay for. Advice is just that, advice and opinions, if you don't want it...don't ask for it.

Most of the more negative posts are because people are worried for the poster about erratic behavior that they've seen displayed over and over and over. I've never understood a couple of the "pot stirrer" long time posters that mostly hang out and just post really random weird topics but to each their own. I'm just glad I'm not the wife of one of them!

The MAJORITY of posts are positive, helpful posts offering vendor suggestions, cut angles, color preferences, setting styles, etc. I can safely buy jewelry no matter the grading and know what to look for and what to avoid like the plague thanks to this board.

I also know, and hope anyone who read this board also knows, trust your gut. Buy what YOU love, not what someone you don't even know, thinks you should buy.

I couldn't agree more with this, particularly the bolded part.

And ditto Karl-PS is a much kinder, gentler place than it once was, IMO!

I've been a regular reader of PS for almost a DECADE(!)...and I agree that PS is tamer now than how it has been in the past. I don't see anything out of the ordinary going on.

I too agree with the bolded part. This is an internet forum made up of consumers and the occasional vendor to chime in-- it's not a 'personal shopping concierge' site where you ask to find a stone and you get a definitive RIGHT answer. You get suggestions and input and it is the individual's responsibility to evaluate the merit of the suggestions.

I don't mind people suggesting and dissuading against vendors. I've had some good experiences with PS vendors and some quite bad experiences. I don't think I need to explain with a 3 paragraph story WHY I don't like vendor XYZ and then another 2 paragraphs on WHY I suggest vendor XYZ. If the thread starter wants more info, do a search. Searching and SELF-education is a key part of internet forums.

 

[justginger]

Aww, Ginger, that is a sincere apology. I think there had been other posts of a similar nature before that, and it was just probably an accumulation of them that upset Phoenix. If she doesn't see your post, I will find her. All of us slip up on something once in awhile. Forgiveness needs to be in the spirit of PS as well!

Thank you for your kind words, DS. The situation has been bothering me since it happened - my response to her was very out of character for me, someone who can be very thin-skinned myself, and I can't shake the bad feelings associated with it. I hate knowing that I have made someone unnecessarily unhappy. It was a very serious reminder to think through my responses, and ensure that what I am saying is not just spill-over from another situation in life.

 

[Phoenix]

Ginger,

Thank you for your sincere apology and I accept it. I think you may have apologised already in the last thread and if that's the case, you've apologised again and it seems very sincere, I am touched.

DS is right. It was an accumulation of posts, first from the 'forever bling" thread (though I have to say I disregarded the negative threads, paying no more than a cursory glance at those) and then the cushion thread. Normally, I am quite thick-skinned, having faced and then overcome so many adversities in my life; but there's only so much criticism one can take, especially when such criticism was not - in my perception - couched in the most contructive or diplomatic of mannesr! It was your post and then another person's which seemed to be a pile-on and by that time I'd had enough.

At the risk of sharing too much (as intimated it in my first post in this thread, I feel mostly comfortable in PS and amongst some PS'ers that I feel I could share - though of course I am well aware that PS is read by many others around the world) IRL I am well respected by my friends and family alike, not least because of how I conduct myself towards others and particularly because of my achievements considering the fact that I myself came from a third world country originally. So it came somewhat a bit of a shock for me to be criticised - not always in the most constructive of manners - when it is the VERY things that I've worked the hardest to achieve (financially, academically, professionally...whatever...) that has led to my being able to spend some spare $$$ on this admittedly frivolous "hobby" that is the subject of mockery and criticism by some PS'ers.

Anyhow, I kind of digress...I appreciate very much your coming here again and offering your sincere apology. It takes a big person to do that; and it'd be remiss of me to not accept your apology. I like you too and I admire you and your DH, hugely, not least for the wonderful care you both give to your fostered cats. Btw, thanks to your advice on my cat thread that DH and I have learned how to slowly introduce Snowy and Pumpkin to each other. So, all is going well...slowly but surely...They're both soooooo ADORABLE!!

 

[Phoenix]

Aww, Ginger, that is a sincere apology. I think there had been other posts of a similar nature before that, and it was just probably an accumulation of them that upset Phoenix. If she doesn't see your post, I will find her. All of us slip up on something once in awhile. Forgiveness needs to be in the spirit of PS as well!

Awww...I totally HEART you, DS...but I'm sure you already knew that!

You're totally AWESOME!!

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

Re: The "Spirit" of PS

I'm glad you're back Phoenix. I feel like too many people have been thinking about leaving and it makes me sad.

Internet forums are brash and have no filter, I feel like if you are not thick skinned, or are the kind of person that doesn't want to listen to the opinions of others, whether they be helpful or harsh, it's hard to be a member. But when people start making a mockery of one's personal life, that's a totally different issue and I really hope it doesn't happen to you again, Phoenix. Justginger is such an awesome person to come out and apologize. You girls are just amazing people! And I'll take the drama and the beating to be a part of the society that has you guys in it.

 

[Phoenix]

Re: The

I'm glad you're back Phoenix. I feel like too many people have been thinking about leaving and it makes me sad.

Internet forums are brash and have no filter, I feel like if you are not thick skinned, or are the kind of person that doesn't want to listen to the opinions of others, whether they be helpful or harsh, it's hard to be a member. But when people start making a mockery of one's personal life, that's a totally different issue and I really hope it doesn't happen to you again, Phoenix. Justginger is such an awesome person to come out and apologize. You girls are just amazing people! And I'll take the drama and the beating to be a part of the society that has you guys in it.

Awww, you're another totally awesome PS'er!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Aww, Ginger, that is a sincere apology. I think there had been other posts of a similar nature before that, and it was just probably an accumulation of them that upset Phoenix. If she doesn't see your post, I will find her. All of us slip up on something once in awhile. Forgiveness needs to be in the spirit of PS as well!

Awww...I totally HEART you, DS...but I'm sure you already knew that!

You're totally AWESOME!!

Hugs to you, my sweet friend! Love you, too!

 

[denverappraiser]

And what exactly is the problem with combat boots?

 

[Karl_K]

And what exactly is the problem with combat boots?

It doesn't have an octavia! lol

 

[04diamond<3]

And what exactly is the problem with combat boots?

It doesn't have an octavia! lol

Ok, you guys TOTALLY crack me up!! I'm tearing laughing with DH that in the midst of the drama, a boot is there!!! I think if anything, this thread has helped show the "Spirit" of PS, that no matter what happens, there are always good intentions, and we can move past things...together. And then there are the guys to post pictures of BOOTS!!!! I love it all.

 

[04diamond<3]

Ginger,

Thank you for your sincere apology and I accept it. I think you may have apologised already in the last thread and if that's the case, you've apologised again and it seems very sincere, I am touched.

DS is right. It was an accumulation of posts, first from the 'forever bling" thread (though I have to say I disregarded the negative threads, paying no more than a cursory glance at those) and then the cushion thread. Normally, I am quite thick-skinned, having faced and then overcome so many adversities in my life; but there's only so much criticism one can take, especially when such criticism was not - in my perception - couched in the most contructive or diplomatic of mannesr! It was your post and then another person's which seemed to be a pile-on and by that time I'd had enough.

At the risk of sharing too much (as intimated it in my first post in this thread, I feel mostly comfortable in PS and amongst some PS'ers that I feel I could share - though of course I am well aware that PS is read by many others around the world) IRL I am well respected by my friends and family alike, not least because of how I conduct myself towards others and particularly because of my achievements considering the fact that I myself came from a third world country originally. So it came somewhat a bit of a shock for me to be criticised - not always in the most constructive of manners - when it is the VERY things that I've worked the hardest to achieve (financially, academically, professionally...whatever...) that has led to my being able to spend some spare $$$ on this admittedly frivolous "hobby" that is the subject of mockery and criticism by some PS'ers.

Anyhow, I kind of digress...I appreciate very much your coming here again and offering your sincere apology. It takes a big person to do that; and it'd be remiss of me to not accept your apology. I like you too and I admire you and your DH, hugely, not least for the wonderful care you both give to your fostered cats. Btw, thanks to your advice on my cat thread that DH and I have learned how to slowly introduce Snowy and Pumpkin to each other. So, all is going well...slowly but surely...They're both soooooo ADORABLE!!

Pheonix, I am beyond proud of you! I also am from third world country and am still trying to get to the point that you're at. It is such a HUGE accomplishment to come from such a background and become something!! Big hugs to you dear, and don't ever let anyone tell you that you should have what you want. You deserve it.

JG- this was not directed at you, I was meaning from now on for her not to listen to anything negative. Your apology was so sincere and precious.

Big hugs to you both!!

 

[Mayk]

Ginger.... Very sweet....

 

[kenny]

I wouldn't turn down a few cases of THIS Spirit of Pricescope.

Adorned with diamonds, rubies and white gold.
Priced at £3.8 million ($6.2million), each bottle contains the Very Old Single Malt cask strength Islay whiskey and flaunts some 300 rubies, 8,500 diamonds and approximately two bars of white gold.

http://luxedb.com/the-new-most-expensive-whiskey-in-the-world-6-2-million/

 

[chrono]

Does it come in platinum?

 

[justginger]

Ginger,

Thank you for your sincere apology and I accept it. I think you may have apologised already in the last thread and if that's the case, you've apologised again and it seems very sincere, I am touched.

DS is right. It was an accumulation of posts, first from the 'forever bling" thread (though I have to say I disregarded the negative threads, paying no more than a cursory glance at those) and then the cushion thread. Normally, I am quite thick-skinned, having faced and then overcome so many adversities in my life; but there's only so much criticism one can take, especially when such criticism was not - in my perception - couched in the most contructive or diplomatic of mannesr! It was your post and then another person's which seemed to be a pile-on and by that time I'd had enough.

At the risk of sharing too much (as intimated it in my first post in this thread, I feel mostly comfortable in PS and amongst some PS'ers that I feel I could share - though of course I am well aware that PS is read by many others around the world) IRL I am well respected by my friends and family alike, not least because of how I conduct myself towards others and particularly because of my achievements considering the fact that I myself came from a third world country originally. So it came somewhat a bit of a shock for me to be criticised - not always in the most constructive of manners - when it is the VERY things that I've worked the hardest to achieve (financially, academically, professionally...whatever...) that has led to my being able to spend some spare $$$ on this admittedly frivolous "hobby" that is the subject of mockery and criticism by some PS'ers.

Anyhow, I kind of digress...I appreciate very much your coming here again and offering your sincere apology. It takes a big person to do that; and it'd be remiss of me to not accept your apology. I like you too and I admire you and your DH, hugely, not least for the wonderful care you both give to your fostered cats. Btw, thanks to your advice on my cat thread that DH and I have learned how to slowly introduce Snowy and Pumpkin to each other. So, all is going well...slowly but surely...They're both soooooo ADORABLE!!

Thank you, Phoenix. I am relieved to have your acceptance. I just can't believe that for a minute, I became one of "those people"! I always look forward to seeing all of your acquisitions (have you made any decisions re: Holly's reset?) and hope you continue to openly share. Your success despite any disadvantages early in life is remarkable and I am very proud of you! I'm guessing you're an inspiration to many others, which is more than the great majority of us can say.

I am interested to know how your kitties have been getting on and seeing some photos - you could start another thread on it?

 

[justginger]

I wouldn't turn down a few cases of THIS Spirit of Pricescope.

Adorned with diamonds, rubies and white gold.
Priced at £3.8 million ($6.2million), each bottle contains the Very Old Single Malt cask strength Islay whiskey and flaunts some 300 rubies, 8,500 diamonds and approximately two bars of white gold.

http://luxedb.com/the-new-most-expensive-whiskey-in-the-world-6-2-million/

Whoa.

You can have that whiskey, I'll just keep the ratty packaging.

 

[kenny]

Does it come in platinum?

Why, No! You Silly!

It's for poor people.