I''m shaking in my boots!

[ello]

I''m shaking in my boots...

I''ve convinced my boyfriend that Internet buying is the way to go...now that it might become a reality and his leaning towards an Internet purchase, I''m really nervous. What if the we loose all our money - what if it''s a fake...What if the stone does not match the report. What if the reputable PS vendor close shop...

Any words of encouragement will be appreciated.

 

[pearcrazy]

I''ve purchased three diamonds online. Each transaction has gone smoothly and I got beautiful diamonds that matched the certification. There are a few favored vendors around here. Find what you are looking for and then ask around here for references on the vendor you are considering.

 

[ello]

We are thinking of Engagement Rings Direct. I''ve heard many wonderful things about Mark so I''m happy with the decision. Up until a few weeks ago I was 100% sure that online is the way to go but now that we are 90% ready to move forward, I''m nervous. It took many talks with my boyfriend to warm him to the thought and he finally agreed that it''s ''all my baby'' if that''s what I wanted, so I feel a little chicken at the moment. He believes in me and I would hate to let him down. I guess I''m being paranoid but a little wind under my arms here on PS might help me feel better.

 

[Lorelei]

Ries - Mark from ERD has a fantastic rep here. I know how you feel about handing over a huge chunk of change to an online vendor, but so many of us have done it with great results. You have done your homework and been around here long enough, I think you can be quite confident. Also don't forget you can get an independant appraisal done ( advisable in any case) and this will put your fears to rest about getting a fake or the diamond not matching the cert. Also the transactions with CC and bank wire are very secure so no worries there. It can be a leap of faith, but I am sure you will be fine - good luck!

 

[ello]

Thank you guys, I appreciate it. I feel silly because I spoke so highly of Internet vendors to my boyfriend that I almost started to convince myself - yet I still believe it''s the best service and value for our buck. When he finally said yes I started feeling nervous - even had a nightmare...

We are thinking of a CC payment if it''s possible - I''m waiting to hear back from Mark if VISA is an option for a large purchase.

Lorelei - regarding the independent appraisal. Since Mark is in NY and I''m in another country would you advice on a appraisal in NY. Also, once you purchase the center stone, what is our security while the stone is being set in a setting? Once we are the owners do they still take responsibilty while it''s being set?

I''m hoping that next week this time I''ll be able to post all the details and exciting stuff. I promise to post the goodies soon...

Thanks again...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

There are more horror stories about brick and mortar store vendors as far as I am concerned. All the ones I personally visited clearly had poorer quality stones at inflated prices. So I felt much safer buying from one of the respected vendors here.

 

[Lorelei]

Ries, the vendor you purchase the diamond from will normally assume responsibility if anything were to happen to the diamond while setting, but always ask to make sure! If you have another vendor or jeweller set the diamond they might not assume responsibility, in which case they should be able to advise you on insurance for the loose diamond to cover it. Either Chubb or Jewelers Mutual will cover a loose diamond I think - but am not sure....


I forgot you are in Canada. It depends on what you want to do regarding the appraisal. If you want to see the diamond before pulling the trigger, you could get it sent to an appraiser near you to make sure it checks out and you like it, then back to Mark for setting. Or you could get Mark to set it and send it and have it appraised mounted, not as accurate but would still give you peace of mind. Or alternatively, you could have it set and appraised near you if you know of someone whose work you like. It depends on which way you prefer. Have a talk to Mark about your best options, I have heard he is very nice and great to work with and I am sure he will advise you the best way to go. Check with Mark, I am fairly sure if he sets your diamond he will cover it should anything happen, but clarify first!

 

[ello]

NO LONGER SHAKING IN MY BOOTS!!!

I am so excited I want to hop, skip and trumpet....! We bought a diamond yesterday! YEAAAAAAAH! My boyfriend is so sweet - so generous, shame! I feel so lucky to be with him. He is the best part of every day. I wake up in the middle of the night to make sure that we are not suffocating our little dog and see them snuggling together... our Yorkie curled up so tight against his legs ...I feel so lucky to have them both. My little monsters!

My journey was long, stressful and sometimes just annoying. When I found PS I had Radiants on my brain...next came cushions, then rounds, then cushions and finally just before my boyfriend went nuts I came to a stand still and decided that a round is the best way to go. I was eyeballing the 2.6ct diamond on the forum for months - patiently waiting for my boyfriend to give me the thumbs up. Let''s just say there was a lot of foot tapping - LOL!

We decided to buy the diamond from Mark at Engagement Rings Direct. He is so knowledgeable, honest and patient – definitely the best decision we made so far. Mark arranged for the diamond to come to his office and inspected the diamond to make sure that the inclusions are eye clean and beautiful!

Unfortunately I will not have images for a while (2months) since the diamond is on vacation at Engagement Rings Direct - waiting for the setting...I wish I could hold my little diamond but at least I know it will be in safe hands. For now I attach the reports and one image sent by Mark.

Thank you all and PS for inspiring me and helping me to become an educated buyer and BIG DREAMER! LOL!

AGS cert
2.6ct
H, SI2, Pointed Culet, No Flor,
Depth: 59.9
Table: 57
crown: 33.9
pavilion: 40.7
Measure: 8.93 x 8.99 x 5.37

HOP! HOP! SKIP! JUMP!

 

[ello]

Pics will follow...

 

[ello]

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Excellent and congrats! Love your avatar, BTW!

cheers--Sharon

 

[ello]

 

[ello]

 

[dani13]

Looks awesome, Ries! Congratulations! Isnt Mark great? We bought our stone from him and loved him too! That stone is going to be a BEAUTY! Any ideas on how you will be setting it??? Congrats again!

 

[ello]

Thank you for the lovely comments - Mark is really great! I''m thinking of a 3 stone setting but I have to see if it''s affortable for us. We still have time...but I wish I could get my paws on that diamond LOL!

 

[genette]

Wow!!! CONGRATULATIONS on your stone. It looks beautiful. I can''t wait to see the final product and that sucker is going to be HUGE

 

[ello]

Thanks, I appreciate it. I''m super excited about the diamond. I hope it will look nice on my fat finger - 6.25...yikes!

Oh my goodness - I''m having a hard time concentrating today. The worst part is that I cannot mention it to any of my friends because we are not engaged yet. My boyfriend bought the diamond but he is not proposing for at least 2 to 3 months. It''s going to be crazy!!! What to doooooo?

 

[Mara]

ries i can''t wait to see your big honking ring! 2-3 month wait? that''s not allowed!!!

 

[KristyDarling]

Ries, this is going to be a blazing stone! Can''t wait to see it!

 

[ello]

Thanks Mara and KristyD- it means a lot coming from my PS hero-gals LOL!

I know - the wait will be terrible. I feel sick and it''s only been 24hrs. Mark is so busy - I cannot bug him for any more diamond pictures...Plus he''ll think I''m crazy...

I was thinking of either: THE Kristydarling 3 stone (LOVE, LOVE YOUR SETTING) - which will be difficult to afford (the deal is that I have to pay for the setting) or a basket pave with knife edge....the difference will probably be $1000.00. OH the agony!!!
What do you guys think? I''m Canadian so every penny counts.

The difficult part is that I''ll have to wait until Sept. 28th to receive the ring and then I''ll have to wait for the proposal which I''m sure will not take more than a month. Both my boyfriend and I are the kind of people that give each other birthday gifts a week before because we are too excited to wait. HA HA HA - You betcha I''ll sneak into the Safe to take pictures!

 

[ello]

JUST A DREAM!

 

[ello]

I was just curious if any PS members have the setting above? The basket setting with the knife edge pave? This way I can get an idea of the setting on a hand.

 

[dani13]

Ries-

Like I said, we bought my stone from Mark and his jeweler also made my setting. I have an EC solitaire (very thin plat band) with a pave basket...is that what you are thinking of doing? Because I dont think that the setting you posted is a knife edge....so I am a little confused..

 

[Kaleigh]

Ries,
Congratulations, your stone is gorgeous!!!

You must be thrilled. Can''t wait to see which setting you choose.

 

[mrssalvo]

hi Ries, the first leon you posted..the knife edge with pave and the pave basket was actually a setting I was considering having him make for my old stone. I went to a local jeweler and tried on a tacori ring that was the same style and I didn't really like it on me. Have you seen this style band in person? if not, I'd try to before spending the $$ on Leon. I sure do love how it looks in that picture though. also, are you planning on wearing a wedding band? The tacori i tried on had the matching knife edge wedding band and I didn't like that look on me either. Leon also recommends not wearing a wedding band with that ring because of the way the head is made and the gallery on the ring. I love Kristydarling's ring too

but the wedding band thing is an issue for her too. I think she wears her ring solo most of the time.

oh and can't wait to see your stone

 

[dani13]

Ohhh..so that LM is a knife edge- thanks mrssalvo!!! It doesnt look so knife-edgish to me, dont know why...maybe its just the picture?

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 7/26/2006 5:12:25 AM
Author: Dani
Ohhh..so that LM is a knife edge- thanks mrssalvo!!! It doesnt look so knife-edgish to me, dont know why...maybe its just the picture?

you''re right. When I asked Leon about it that''s how he described it too me and when I tried on the Tacori''s they were sharp knife edges...like LLL''s ring...

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/25/2006 5:22:43 PM
Author: Ries
Thanks, I appreciate it. I''m super excited about the diamond. I hope it will look nice on my fat finger - 6.25...yikes!


Oh my goodness - I''m having a hard time concentrating today. The worst part is that I cannot mention it to any of my friends because we are not engaged yet. My boyfriend bought the diamond but he is not proposing for at least 2 to 3 months. It''s going to be crazy!!! What to doooooo?

Congrats on that rock!

And 6.25 is hardly fat, that''s about average. Most B&M''s carry stock around 6.

Good luck on your setting search!

 

[ello]

Hi Dani - no worries - it''s a tricky picture. It''s not very Tiffany knife edge like, more a combo of pave and knife edge...could be amazing or really ugly - LOL!

MrSalvo - Thanks for the advice. I think you have a point...I have never seen the pave knife edge in person. Kind of a bummer that I''m from Toronto...the styles are so limited here. I also wonder about the width of the knife edge. Since my fingers are puffy I think it would look better if I have a thin band. It''s so difficult to decide on a setting. I adore the 3 stone pear setting but it might be too pricey for me. I was thinking of spending $2000 to $2500USD max on the setting since our Canadian dollar is not as strong as the US. Maybe I''ll try to visit the SHOW ME YOUR BLING section for setting ideas.

Please feel free to recommend a setting as well. I''m VERY open to ideas ladies! Please help me create a lovely ring.
I would prefer a double claw prong, basket setting OR a 3 stone setting with double claws.

 

[ello]

Bump for setting ideas...shower me with ideas please!