The End of an Era

[Wink]

Dear Friends, Associates, and Clients,

The time has come for me to bow to the insurmountable. Since last year, when the bombshell of fraud by my former diamond supplier against his partners in Belgium was dropped on me, I have labored mightily to continue my business. I persuaded the makers of Crafted by Infinity to continue producing and allowing me to sell their diamonds. I was given support and synergy by the wonderful company that made my settings for years. My team was ready to continue doing what we have always done. It should have worked.

Looking back, we were undone by confusion surrounding the brand and who was at fault for the changes which occurred. That confusion has killed my sales dead. I thought they would return but they have not.

The generous policies I sustained for years of normal sales are now no longer tenable. In fact, they are the reason I must announce that I am closing my business. I will return any diamonds that are in the buyback or upgrade process. I will deliver new jobs in progress but will not be taking new orders.

I know that this will disappoint many, and for that I apologize. I am personally devastated. I have dreamed for years of handing off my successful business to a worthy successor, now I must close it down.

Thank you to all who have supported and found delight in our products and service over the years. Thank you also to my worthy competitors. I have treasured my friendships with the heads of these companies and having them to compete with has made my business stronger and better than it would have been without them. To my loyal clients, I only ever intended to make you delighted. My heart breaks for disappointing you.

Sincerely,

Wink

 

[anangel]

Wink, I this is truly sad news. You’ve been a joy on this board, and your diamond education videos truly sparked a love for the sparkly in many. You will be dearly missed!

 

[DejaWiz]

So very sorry to learn of this, Wink!
I wish you all the best going forward and hope that you keep your head held high knowing that you have given so much to the diamond market: your knowledge shared as education to us all, your amazing diamonds that set a benchmark of beauty, and your willingness to make the retail side of things the best that it could be for your customers while setting standards for other sellers to aspire to and emulate. Hope to see you around the forums a lot!

 

[KristinTech]

I am still delighted by my rings from you, Wink!
My three-stone CBI makes me smile every time I look at it. I have not taken it off since I got it last year!

Please take some time for yourself, but stay here on PS with us. We have missed your stories and spirit! Thank you for all you have done for the industry and consumers!

 

[kah42]

I've had a CBI on my bucket list for quite some time, and if it came with a singing Wink video in the decision process, it would have been all the better. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you , but your love of your work just radiates from you in your posts. I'm sorry to hear this news, but hope to still see you around the forums.

 

[the_mother_thing]

This is sad news indeed! I’m so sorry that the entire debacle has resulted in this devastating outcome. You & your team are true gems who brought so much happiness to so many, not only by delivering quality diamonds but also kindness, knowledge & friendship.

 

[oldminer]

Wink;
Our relationship as business acquaintances and friends has been highly pleasurable. You are one of the few folks in our business that truly deserve trust and admiration. Knowing when to let it go is also very valuable. You brought your own twist to the search for diamond perfection along with consumer satisfaction at the very highest level. These are noteworthy achievements which will be difficult to duplicate.

I hope we will continue to see you participating in some way on Pricescope. You have a lot of experience that deserves to be shared. There is no shortcut to knowledge better than words from those who have spent years sorting through the mix of information that overwhelms newcomers.

Stay well!

 

[lovedogs]

I am beyond sorry to hear this, Wink. You are such an asset to the community, and I have loved our interactions over the years. Wishing you the best, always.

 

[chamois]

Very sorry to hear this, sad news indeed!

My thanks for all you have done over the years.

Best wishes to you and your family moving forward.

 

[Bonfire]

This is heartbreaking Wink! You have been an inspiration here with your integrity, knowledge and kindness. Please stay here on PS, you are such a valuable member here.

Wishing you the best

 

[MamaBear]

My heart sank upon reading your email. I am incredibly saddened to hear this news. I am fortunate to own CBI studs, eternity band and diamond hoops. I will continue to treasure them for many, many years.

 

[Tourmaline]

My goodness, I’m so sorry to hear this, Wink. I have resentment toward Pricescope for that unclear but destructive thread they posted but never discussed. It was cruel and unfortunate. You have been a bright light in the jewelry world, and I wish you great happiness with whatever comes next for you.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Dear Wink,
I am so sorry for all the difficulties you have faced in the past year! Please know that through it all, your immense character, integrity and positive intentions have never been called into question by those of us who love you.
Sincerely,
Michael

 

[HS4S_2]

I am so sorry to hear this. I wish you all the best moving forward.

 

[whitewave]

I am so sad for this, Wink. It is devastating and truly the end of an era.

My birthday was this past weekend and we went with friends who hadn’t seen my CBIs. I wore my sapphire and CBI diamond ring and it was absolutely showing off in the beach sunlight at dinner and they were amazed by it.

You know, I had thought once about upgrading my 1.09 K but it is so gorgeous and so white that I decided against it. It’s just too perfect.

i‘m very happy to be in the HPD-CBI (I would say Wolf, but I hadn’t bought under the Wolf name) collectors club.

i think while it’s so sad, you can remain proud that this is truly a collectors group of owners of heirloom jewelry.

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

My heart is breaking reading this. I am so so so glad I pulled the trigger 2 months ago on a CBI project. Although it’s still in the works, I have faith that it will still be finished. So sorry Wink

 

[DiaLuv]

Wink,

I wish you all the best in the next stage of your life. Because of you I have my beautiful CBI L, VS2, 1.87 diamond.

Please stay on PriceScope and continue to pass on your humor, and of course diamond knowledge.

All the best to you and your family.

Mary

 

[Karl_K]

This news sucks.

 

[Rockcollector]

I’m so sorry to hear this. I love my ring that I received less than a month ago. I have spoken to you on the phone and have nothing but respect for you.

 

[whitewave]

My goodness, I’m so sorry to hear this, Wink. I have resentment toward Pricescope for that unclear but destructive thread they posted but never discussed. It was cruel and unfortunate. You have been a bright light in the jewelry world, and I wish you great happiness with whatever comes next for you.

Replying because your post deserves to be seen and read again.

I basically stopped participating at PS after that destructive pinned post by admin.

 

[marymm]

Personally I thought it was a helpful consumer-oriented thread (though more details and status updates would have been even more helpful) -- as it turns out, people who bought CBIs from HPD/Wolf thinking they could utilize the buyback and upgrade policies they paid for are seemingly out of luck ...

 

[mk206]

My heart also sank as I read the subject line of Wink’s email this morning. Wink, I am so very sad and sorry to hear the outcome of this business which you poured every bit of your heart and soul into. You approached your work with integrity, passion, brilliance, and respect in a way I have never seen in any industry. The first time I filled out the contact form on your website you called me the same evening (a Sunday around 6pm) and thoroughly answered all of my questions in a way that was inviting, educational, and putting no pressure on me for a sale whatsoever. You have approached this forum for years with nothing but class and true character. I am so thankful to be a part of the Crafted by Infinity and High Performance Diamonds legacy. I wear my Crafted by Infinity diamonds proudly will treasure them for all the years to come.

I, too, feel heartbroken that the pinned post on Pricescope, with no room to remark on the matter, sealed Wink’s fate despite every effort he made. I felt sick every time I went on Pricescope, seeing that post at the top. I eventually decided to stop reading here altogether. I do feel that if things had been handled differently here on the forum that Wink’s business, including his most generous upgrade and buy-back policies, would still be in place. A very sad and unfortunate end to a business that approached every interaction with dignity, integrity, and respect.

Wink, Melissa, and Team - I wish you nothing short of the very best for all that lies ahead in your future. Thank you for providing the best possible customer experience from beginning to end. You will be dearly missed.

 

[JoJa12345]

Personally I thought it was a helpful consumer-oriented thread (though more details and status updates would have been even more helpful) -- as it turns out, people who bought CBIs from HPD/Wolf thinking they could utilize the buyback and upgrade policies they paid for are seemingly out of luck ...

I feel this is totally unnecessary. Completely poor taste.

ETA~
Wink, I wish you all the best in whatever your future holds. I can not imagine this was an easy decision for you to make.

 

[Texas Leaguer]

Wink,
Suffice it to say that your friends at Whiteflash are saddened by this news. Your genuine love for precision cut diamonds and the knowledge and enthusiasm you bring to the market is palpable and contagious. And your devotion to your customers has always been 11 on a scale of 10. You are a role model for an industry.

I hope you continue to participate in discussions on the forum. Your knowledge, sense of humor, and gentle nature are so needed in a business that can seem opaque and stressful to many consumers. We need more like you in the business, not fewer.

 

[LLJsmom]

Wink I am so sorry that it came to this. You have always acted with integrity and I am grateful for the time that you spent with me on my diamond search. I do think that CBIs are some of these most beautiful diamonds in the world. I wish you the best for your future.

 

[LLJsmom]

Personally I thought it was a helpful consumer-oriented thread (though more details and status updates would have been even more helpful) -- as it turns out, people who bought CBIs from HPD/Wolf thinking they could utilize the buyback and upgrade policies they paid for are seemingly out of luck ...

It is worth noting that no company, regardless of their trade-in/buy back policy, guarantees they will be in existence in perpetuity and that they can shutter their doors at any moment. Also, it would be hard to forsee a worldwide pandemic that would kill economies all over the world. So I think many of us are out of luck on many things...

 

[Lula]

Personally I thought it was a helpful consumer-oriented thread (though more details and status updates would have been even more helpful) -- as it turns out, people who bought CBIs from HPD/Wolf thinking they could utilize the buyback and upgrade policies they paid for are seemingly out of luck ...

“You don't stick a knife in a man's back nine inches and then pull it out six inches and say you're making progress" Malcom X​

 

[marymm]

Yes,@LLJsmom I wholeheartedly agree the worldwide pandemic did strongly affect the luxury market, including diamonds, including HPD/Wolf.

 

[BlingShopper]

This really sucks. My heart dropped when I first saw the news and stickied post here and again this morning reading my email.

@Wink - sent you a personal note as well but I do hope you can stay around these parts as well.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

I am very, very saddened by this news. I treasure my CBIs and will for the rest of my life. I treasure knowing Wink and his wife (they seem like family to me now after spending time with them.) I was looking forward to future trips to Idaho and future meals discussing a subject we all love -- diamonds. Wink is knowledgeable, kind and generous with his time.

I believe the closing of HPD/CBI is a great loss for everyone, even people who haven't purchased from them. Having multiple super-ideal vendors of the highest reputation, producing the best diamonds in the world is a win for all consumers of diamonds. We ALL lose without HPD/CBI, even the people who are devoted clients of the remaining three vendors.