D & J Rare Gems, has anyone used them recently?

[Rhea]

Trying to help my mum with a ring. We've gone through the recommended vendors here and she really likes a gemstone on D & J Rare Gems' website. The problem is there is one ok photo only and their FAQs says they charge a $100 non-refundable deposit for additional photos.

It's not a very expensive stone, $500, so a 20% loss if she doesn't like it from the additional photos is a lot of money. She has a short list but the top fave is D & J.

Has anyone used D & J recently? My searches here only yielded older results.

 

[LilAlex]

FAQs says they charge a $100 non-refundable deposit for additional photos.

Too big a red flag for me. Never heard of such a thing. I know it takes time and energy to take and post photos. It takes time and energy to run a business.

 

[seaurchin]

I agree. I don't know of that company but that policy seems a bit hostile to me.

 

[lmyracle]

That would be a no from me. Perhaps we can help find similar? What is she looking for?

 

[JackTrick]

I went and looked up the policy myself. It reads as such:

“ 11. Due to the recent increase in the frivilous requests for additional images and certificates we now require a $100 US non-refundable deposit prior to filling these requests. The deposit will be applied towards the purchase price of the gem. “

Which, in the case of lab certificates, I can certainly understand.

I purchased an alexandrite from them sometime this year (I forget when exactly, 2020 has been a blur). I had requested some additional information, and (I think) a photograph or two over email, and John was an absolute sweetheart and was happy to provide.

 

[Rhea]

Yes, that's exactly what she found. Mum, in her 70s, is a very through reader of online policy which is good considering how much she shops online. They have a good return policy but I know she'd rather have a few more photos to lessen the chance of needing to return.

I'm glad someone has had a recent good experience! All I could find through forum searches was over 5 years old.

 

[Rhea]

That would be a no from me. Perhaps we can help find similar? What is she looking for?

Thank you. Maybe. I think at the moment she's happy lurking in the vendor thread I gave her and trying to narrow down what she wants and which vendors are affordable for her. If she gets stuck I may post on her behalf.