YIKES! Buying from ERD - need reassurance!!

[jarbatz]

OK I have posted only a handful of times here but have been lurking since January. I have finally, after tons of tons of reading, settled on the following setting:

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Engagement-Rings-By-Vatche-Grace-Collection-1540.html

Which is also owned by a PSer and can be seen here:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/engaged.78991/

Mark from ERD selected this cushion for me (the first and only one so far). He says its a beautiful diamond and eye clean, of course. But he sent the picture embedded in an email and I''ve asked for the picture in jpeg format so I can attach here. But in the meantime, got the GIA cert which I''ve summarized below...the picture looks good but it''s not the best picture.

Shape : Cushion
Carats : 0.91
Cut Grade : Premium
Color Grade : H
Clarity Grade : SI1
Measurement : 5.94x5.63x3.65
Ratio : 1.05
Depth : 54%
Table : 64.8%
Girdle : STK-VTK
Culet : None
Polish : Very Good
Symmetry : Very Good
Certification : GIA
Fluorescence : NO


Do I take the leap of faith and tell my BF to pull the trigger??

 

[jarbatz]

Anyone?? Thoughts?

 

[CrookedRock]

The cushions stats seem good to me! Besides, I wouldn''t question it if Mark told me it was a good one...
The setting is beautiful, I love the halo! I think it will turn out perfectly! Nice choice!

 

[neatfreak]

Cushion looks good from the numbers and Mark sure knows how to pick them. I wouldn''t hesitate to buy from him (again!) But just FYI: His picture skills are often a bit lacking!

 

[CDNinNYC]

Date: 5/12/2008 4:34:41 PM
Author:jarbatz
OK I have posted only a handful of times here but have been lurking since January. I have finally, after tons of tons of reading, settled on the following setting:

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Engagement-Rings-By-Vatche-Grace-Collection-1540.html

Which is also owned by a PSer and can be seen here:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/engaged.78991/

Mark from ERD selected this cushion for me (the first and only one so far). He says its a beautiful diamond and eye clean, of course. But he sent the picture embedded in an email and I've asked for the picture in jpeg format so I can attach here. But in the meantime, got the GIA cert which I've summarized below...the picture looks good but it's not the best picture.

Shape : Cushion
Carats : 0.91
Cut Grade : Premium
Color Grade : H
Clarity Grade : SI1
Measurement : 5.94x5.63x3.65
Ratio : 1.05
Depth : 54%
Table : 64.8%
Girdle : STK-VTK
Culet : None
Polish : Very Good
Symmetry : Very Good
Certification : GIA
Fluorescence : NO


Do I take the leap of faith and tell my BF to pull the trigger??

Hi jarbatz!

Are these numbers for the table and depth inverted? Usually the table has percentages in the 50s and the depth in the 60s.
Just wanna confirm.

 

[jarbatz]

Yes sorry, I was typing in so fast I messed it all up! table is 58% and depth is 64.8%. Sorry and thanks for responding!!

 

[CDNinNYC]

Date: 5/12/2008 8:48:21 PM
Author: jarbatz
Yes sorry, I was typing in so fast I messed it all up! table is 58% and depth is 64.8%. Sorry and thanks for responding!!

Ok, then, based on the numbers, it looks good! Looking forward to seeing the photos from ERD.

 

[dianne]

Date: 5/12/2008 8:11:16 PM
Author: neatfreak
Cushion looks good from the numbers and Mark sure knows how to pick them. I wouldn''t hesitate to buy from him (again!) But just FYI: His picture skills are often a bit lacking!

Ditto what neatfreak said...about everything. The pic I got looked so bad I didn''t show BF until it had been shipped and BF then asked me why I bothered to want such a ring...but we were shocked when we got it.....Maybe Mark does it on purpose...bad pics to make us really appreciate the real thing...lol....Mark has a great eye..you won''t be disappointed...Good Luck!

 

[LegacyGirl]

I love Mark and will continue to buy from him over and over again. He really knows how to pick them.

 

[CrookedRock]

Just wanted to threadjack and say hello to Legacy... I haen''t seen you around lately, or maybe we were just in different threads! How are things, have you taken your eyes off that gorgeous ring yet?

 

[jarbatz]

For those of you that have worked with Mark and had something custom made - how does the process go? How long does it take to get the rendering and once the rendering is approved, how long for the actual ring to be made?

Mark has been great but it''s hard to get him to answer all my questions via email. He originally made it sound like he was just going to get me the Vatche setting but since I want a band to fit flush with it, he''s making the ring himself now b/c the Vatche won''t allow it.

That was as of yesterday AM and I have heard nothing since....don''t want to bug him but at the same time I need to know!!!!

 

[SmoothOpr8r]

Mark and Gary are great to work with and they have very selective taste. Don''t worry.

 

[LegacyGirl]

Date: 5/13/2008 10:32:18 PM
Author: CrookedRock
Just wanted to threadjack and say hello to Legacy... I haen''t seen you around lately, or maybe we were just in different threads! How are things, have you taken your eyes off that gorgeous ring yet?

Oh my goodness! I''m so sorry I''ve missed this! I''ve been so busy with work and studying for the bar I haven''t been around much. I''ve been slacking off over at tPF too

. Hehe things are well and I still stare at my ring daily. I hope everything is well with you and congrats on your engagement!!!! I hope everything is ok with the ring. HUGS!!! We still need to do lunch eventually when I make my way down there again.

 

[thegoat]

Trust Mark.

I am purchasing my third EC from him. He is not only knowledgeable and helpful but professional and not pushy.

I''ve been to his office a few times and he is one of the nicest people to do business with in person, on the phone and by email.

As we speak, he is searching for my wife''s new ring (spoke to him this morning). I''ve purchased jewelry from everyplace from Canal Street in NYC to Macy''s and B&M stores...there is no comparing the knowledge and value you will get from dealing with him.

I trust him and he knows it....so feel comfortable working with him.

Good luck!

 

[jarbatz]

Date: 5/28/2008 8:19:18 PM
Author: thegoat
Trust Mark.

I am purchasing my third EC from him. He is not only knowledgeable and helpful but professional and not pushy.

I''ve been to his office a few times and he is one of the nicest people to do business with in person, on the phone and by email.

As we speak, he is searching for my wife''s new ring (spoke to him this morning). I''ve purchased jewelry from everyplace from Canal Street in NYC to Macy''s and B&M stores...there is no comparing the knowledge and value you will get from dealing with him.

I trust him and he knows it....so feel comfortable working with him.

Good luck!

Awesome - thanks Goat!!! My ring went into production today so I am very excited!! Everyone on here has pretty much echoed the same sentiments as you in multiple posts- that Mark is the best and I''ve got nothing to worry about!!! I think I was so skeptical that I just wanted to find one person that had a bad experience..but I was unsuccessful!

I will be sure to post pics when I actually get the ring (not sure when BF intends to give it to me!).....

 

[LegacyGirl]

I can''t wait to see what you come up with!