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A little vent

Fantspants

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Messages
22
Hi all,

Honestly it feels a bit weird having a vent on here as there are far worse things in the world going on but in my world this is getting me down....

I'm English, and my partner is Swedish. In Sweden the engagement ring is traditionally a plain band so when we got engaged and I said I'd like to go down the diamond ring route it was a big deal. We discussed it and decided to pursue one of the vendors on pricescope. Engagement rings are generally around 0.5 carats in the UK so the smaller side of expensive, but for us it is a lot of money.

Honestly I probably emailed every single vendor on Pricescope trying to work out what to get on my budget - and then brexit happened, the pound plummeted suddenly my budget lowered itself but my expectations stayed as high.

In mid October I started discussing getting a custom cut diamond with a known vendor, the reviews were all positive, that the company were friendly etc the money was transferred by the end of October and the process began.

I was so excited from following other peoples threads, they were so enthusiastic, they had pictures of the process!
I don't feel enthusiastic in the slightest, I have received 1 picture and that was after asking for it, currently I don't even know where it is 3 months on.
I feel so out of the loop. I know the sensible thing would be to email but even email responses seem like one word answers. I asked for the measurements of it yesterday and was told that they'd be requested and that it hadn't arrived yet. Which means it probably hasn't been to be certified. I don't feel appreciated in the slightest. Yeah it's small for a company that will sell huge diamonds, but it's important to me.

I contacted a vendor about getting a setting/mounting made, they're slow, which is frustrating, but there's only so much they can do without the diamond regardless.

I'll be going to New York in March with my mother as it's something we've always wanted to do and I was hoping to escort my ring back, but the rate everything is going I'm worried there isn't time for it.

Ugh just so frustrated :( I wanted to feel like this was a special and exciting journey with sparkles and excitement and honestly it's just stressful.
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,257
I'm sorry to hear about this Fantspants. I know custom cuts usually do take quite a while and I think it is typical that you
are somewhat out of the loop while its all going on. Other people who have had custom cuts have also gotten frustrated
for various reasons.

What kind of cut are you getting?
 

AprilBaby

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 17, 2008
Messages
13,249
I'm assuming you mean you are getting a rough cut to order? That sounds really exciting! I'm guessing it takes a while to get it perfect but that is no excuse for no answers to your email. Who is doing the work? How will it be set? Hopefully there is still time to finish before you arrive!
 

momhappy

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Mar 3, 2013
Messages
4,660
I'm sorry that you're dealing with this - it sounds frustrating. My suggestion would be to just make sure that you keep in contact with them on a regular basis. Communicate your desired completion date and then check in with them routinely about the progress. Good luck!
 

Fantspants

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Messages
22
Custom frustration

Just to update. The vendor got in contact with me, turns out they used a new cutter and the diamond did not turn out as per their strict specifications. I was sent a picture of the aset and yeah it wasn't up to scratch. The diamond was also less in weight than I had requested.

So since the end of October I haven't managed to get anywhere. I've sent several emails trying to work out if anything can be done by the end of March and not really received any concrete response. Once this is over, if it ever is I'll be writing a full review of this vendor as I am so disappointed with them and the custom process.

What would you guys do? Continue and hope for the best, ask for my money back? I have sent the money for a setting to be made as of last week thinking that the diamond would be at least on its way to get certified. (I've asked for this to be moved to rockytalky)
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,257
Re: Custom frustration

Fantspants|1486761697|4127233 said:
Just to update. The vendor got in contact with me, turns out they used a new cutter and the diamond did not turn out as per their strict specifications. I was sent a picture of the aset and yeah it wasn't up to scratch. The diamond was also less in weight than I had requested.

So since the end of October I haven't managed to get anywhere. I've sent several emails trying to work out if anything can be done by the end of March and not really received any concrete response. Once this is over, if it ever is I'll be writing a full review of this vendor as I am so disappointed with them and the custom process.

What would you guys do? Continue and hope for the best, ask for my money back? I have sent the money for a setting to be made as of last week thinking that the diamond would be at least on its way to get certified. (I've asked for this to be moved to rockytalky)


You never did say what cut you were having done??? Get your money back and notify the setting vendor to put the setting on hold.

If you tell us what kind of cut you were looking to have done maybe we could help you.
 

Fantspants

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Messages
22
Sorry tyty I feel awkward saying the cut as I don't like naming and shaming.

It's an AVR.
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,257
Fantspants|1486765876|4127258 said:
Sorry tyty I feel awkward saying the cut as I don't like naming and shaming.

It's an AVR.

Yes, I see...what size/color/clarity were you looking for?

These are probably all too big?
https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds?shape=old-european-cut&page=2

How would you feel about a real old cut (OEC)? Love affair Diamonds, Jewels by Grace and Old world Diamonds may have something
that works.
 

SimoneDi

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 19, 2014
Messages
3,811
Fantspants I am sorry for your disappointing experience so far. As others have said, custom cuts appear to take much longer and the timeline is not always predictable. I wonder if you can just pick something from their inventory at this time vs wait for another cut or start the process all over again. They seem to have two stones on the lower budget:

0.41ct/H/VVS2 - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/0.41-august_vintage_european-I-AGS-H-VVS2-diamond-stock-12900-cert-104075631001 - I would probably not pay for the clarity as that is the least important thing for me, but it may be important to you.

0.83/I/SI2 - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/0.83-august_vintage_european-I-AGS-I-SI2-diamond-stock-12902-cert-104075631002 - I actually really like that stone.The I color will still face up very white and the SI2 clarity provides a nice break on the price. It looks like an eye-clean stone, and you can ask the vendor.

In any case, I would ask the vendor for some additional discount on these due to your experience with them so far. They have a great reputation here and I am sure that they would want to make things right.

Good luck to you! I hope that you have your diamond in time!
 

Rivendell

Shiny_Rock
Joined
May 23, 2016
Messages
157
Don't they have a stone you like that's cut already? Then you'd be able to go ahead with setting straight away.
 

Rhino

Ideal_Rock
Trade
Joined
Mar 28, 2001
Messages
6,340
Hi Fantspants,

My sincere apologies that there was a delay in the process. When we're looking for a specific mm size, color range, clarity range etc. that isn't always the easiest to locate it can take some time which unfortunately is out of my control. Once my cutters locate the proper material they don't email me each day with updates which is why there is apparent silence while the job is being done. it's definitely not because we don't care. You and I have been in email/pm long before we even began and you know I will only deliver what it is you want, no compromise. I was away for a short period of time recently due to personal family matters but I'm on top of your job and will ensure it is done completely to spec. If you have any questions feel free to email me fantspants and I'll generally always have a response out to you within 24.

Kindest regards,
Jonathan
 

Fantspants

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Messages
22
Currently in talks with Rhino regarding this via email, he's being fantastic so far and hopefully we can get back on track and resolve this.

Thank you everyone for your input, feeling a lot less frustrated right now.
 
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