I’ve never posted here before (lurked for months) but just have to rave about my experience at Dirt Cheap Diamonds and show off my new ring!
First the story:
My hubby wanted to buy me my dream ring for our 10th anniversary but wanted me to pick it out. I selected the perfect semi-mount but needed to find the right center stone. I initially thought I wanted a 1 ct VS2 G GIA cert. within a budget of $8K. After only a little research (internet and hands on), I decided two more things: I wanted an AGS Ideal 0 cut stone and I didn’t want to pay retail for it! I started looking at online dealers and began emailing several about their stones. Most were cooperative but one company stood out among the rest -- Dirt Cheap Diamonds and Jim Schultz.
I picked a few stones from Dirt Cheap’s website (very user friendly) and asked Jim for his personal opinion. Since the stones I was interested in were from their Signature Ideal Series, Jim was able to examine each stone and give me specific details/recommendations for each one. I was surprised to find that the highest price did not always get the best marks and was impressed with Jim’s candor. After reviewing the caliber of stones that were available and based on Jim’s recommendations, I decided to decrease to SI1 quality so that I could increase to 1.25 ct and still stay in my budget. When I called Jim to tell him what I wanted (including specific dimensions), he said he’d just received the perfect stone for me and immediately sent me a pic. It was a gorgeous SI1 F AGS 0 1.24 ct for only $7200 and it was exactly what I was looking for.
Since I was very nervous about buying the stone online, I drove 3+ hours to meet with Jim and see the stone. Not only did Jim do everything in his power to make me feel comfortable with the purchase, he met with me mid-day on a Saturday. That’s customer service! The remarkable part is that I didn’t buy the SI1 that I thought was so perfect for me. Jim showed me two stones and after viewing/contrasting them in many different ways, sold me the most amazing SI2 for $1200 less! Since the two stones were almost identical in every other way and the SI2 was so clean, Jim felt it was a better value and I agreed but still can’t believe I bought an SI2! The end result is a diamond ring that has been described by those who have seen it as breathtaking, blinding, dazzling, unbelievable and even celestial (I liked that one). My experience with Dirt Cheap was so wonderful that I’ll be buying all of my diamonds from Jim and will be referring everyone I know who’s looking for diamonds. This was by far the best jewelry purchasing experience I’ve had and I’ve bought a lot of jewelry (both online and in stores). Many thanks to Jim and everyone at Dirt Cheap for making this such a wonderful experience and for helping me get my dream ring!
P.S. The SI1 is still available and it’s gorgeous too!
http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=6976759
And here''s my ring:
(ignore the dirt & lint – this stone is completely eye clean!):
Laboratory: AGS Ideal 0
Carat Weight: 1.244
Color: F
Clarity: SI2
Shape: Round
Depth: 60.4%
Table: 55%
Crown Angle: 34.5
Pavilion Angle: 40.7
Polish: ID
Symmetry: ID
Fluorescence: Negligible
Measurements: 7.00-7.04 x 4.24
Paul Winston Semi-Mount w/4 sidestones, 1 cttw, SI1/2 G/H (purchased locally for $2K)
First the story:
My hubby wanted to buy me my dream ring for our 10th anniversary but wanted me to pick it out. I selected the perfect semi-mount but needed to find the right center stone. I initially thought I wanted a 1 ct VS2 G GIA cert. within a budget of $8K. After only a little research (internet and hands on), I decided two more things: I wanted an AGS Ideal 0 cut stone and I didn’t want to pay retail for it! I started looking at online dealers and began emailing several about their stones. Most were cooperative but one company stood out among the rest -- Dirt Cheap Diamonds and Jim Schultz.
I picked a few stones from Dirt Cheap’s website (very user friendly) and asked Jim for his personal opinion. Since the stones I was interested in were from their Signature Ideal Series, Jim was able to examine each stone and give me specific details/recommendations for each one. I was surprised to find that the highest price did not always get the best marks and was impressed with Jim’s candor. After reviewing the caliber of stones that were available and based on Jim’s recommendations, I decided to decrease to SI1 quality so that I could increase to 1.25 ct and still stay in my budget. When I called Jim to tell him what I wanted (including specific dimensions), he said he’d just received the perfect stone for me and immediately sent me a pic. It was a gorgeous SI1 F AGS 0 1.24 ct for only $7200 and it was exactly what I was looking for.
Since I was very nervous about buying the stone online, I drove 3+ hours to meet with Jim and see the stone. Not only did Jim do everything in his power to make me feel comfortable with the purchase, he met with me mid-day on a Saturday. That’s customer service! The remarkable part is that I didn’t buy the SI1 that I thought was so perfect for me. Jim showed me two stones and after viewing/contrasting them in many different ways, sold me the most amazing SI2 for $1200 less! Since the two stones were almost identical in every other way and the SI2 was so clean, Jim felt it was a better value and I agreed but still can’t believe I bought an SI2! The end result is a diamond ring that has been described by those who have seen it as breathtaking, blinding, dazzling, unbelievable and even celestial (I liked that one). My experience with Dirt Cheap was so wonderful that I’ll be buying all of my diamonds from Jim and will be referring everyone I know who’s looking for diamonds. This was by far the best jewelry purchasing experience I’ve had and I’ve bought a lot of jewelry (both online and in stores). Many thanks to Jim and everyone at Dirt Cheap for making this such a wonderful experience and for helping me get my dream ring!
P.S. The SI1 is still available and it’s gorgeous too!
http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=6976759
And here''s my ring:
(ignore the dirt & lint – this stone is completely eye clean!):
Laboratory: AGS Ideal 0
Carat Weight: 1.244
Color: F
Clarity: SI2
Shape: Round
Depth: 60.4%
Table: 55%
Crown Angle: 34.5
Pavilion Angle: 40.7
Polish: ID
Symmetry: ID
Fluorescence: Negligible
Measurements: 7.00-7.04 x 4.24
Paul Winston Semi-Mount w/4 sidestones, 1 cttw, SI1/2 G/H (purchased locally for $2K)
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