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The End of an Era

RunningwithScissors said:
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 is a win for all consumers of diamonds. We ALL lose without them, even the people who are devoted clients of the other super-ideal vendors.
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Absolutely and well said and a very good point. I could at some point in the future be interested in getting a CBI and now I couldn’t buy that from Wink. It is very sad and a great loss to the diamond buying community as a whole.
 
I was really sad to see this email this morning. I was trying to write the right message, but others have said everything I want to - @RunningwithScissors' post expresses everything I'm thinking really beautifully.
RunningwithScissors said:
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 them, even the people who are devoted clients of the remaining two vendors.
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I'm so glad to have met Wink and his wife. And I'm so glad to have one CBI. Wink, whatever your future holds I hope it brings you as much joy and fulfillment as your years at the forefront of dedication to perfection in diamond form have. Please don't disappear.
 
Didn’t we have fun in Boise 2 years ago?! I’m so grateful to have had dinner with Wink and Resa and as I already told him, this isn’t goodbye but see you later. The memories we have made, the fabulous jewelry we own, the friends we have made ….. none of this goes away.
 
To one of the nicest guys in the business....WInk- so sorry to read that this is not how you had planned to proceed from the biz.....
Please remember how many people you've helped and inspired. You've certainly made a mark...
I'm super glad we've gotten to know each other for the past 20 years.
Sandra and I send our very best. I know you're the sort of persona who will make the very most of retirement .....the trout are waiting:)
 
Deeply saddening news, I can’t imagine how you must be feeling @Wink. What a heartbreaking decision to have had to make.

For what it’s worth, as one of your customers, any disappointment I may hold at losing the generous upgrade policy absolutely pales in comparison to the sadness I feel that you’ve lost this magical business to which you gave your heart and soul. It was buying from YOU which made the experience special and personal. You brought so many of us such joy. I wish you and your family every happiness and sincerely hope you’re able to grieve and move on from this.
 
Hi Wink,

I had the pleasure of meeting you and @Gypsy at the Wolf/CBI event this past summer in Houston. You were an absolute gentleman and treated my husband and I so kindly and we loved the enthusiasm and knowledge you shared with us about CBI diamonds. We definitely wanted to have a CBI for a future project. I am honored and glad I got to meet you after reading your informative posts for years here on Pricescope. We wish you the very best.
 
Wink,

I’m truly saddened to hear this news. I’ve counted you as a friend since the moment we went on an early morning walk and watched the sunrise in downtown Dallas. You probably don’t even remember it but I came back reminded that this is what jewelers are about. I bought my wedding ring from you, BECAUSE it was you, and I’m proud of my CBI every day. Please don’t be a stranger next time you’re ever in Denver. You know how to find me.
 
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Wink, I’ve always liked you and enjoyed your posts. I have a pair of tiny “BTD” studs that I bought from you probably 15 years ago or more. I have enjoyed watching your business grow over the years and I’m sorry to see it end like this. I do hope that you continue to post here...you have so much to offer.
 
This is such sad news, Wink. You are a man of integrity, kindness, and sterling character, and you deserved so much better. Wishing you and your family all the best.
 
glitterata said:
This is such sad news, Wink. You are a man of integrity, kindness, and sterling character, and you deserved so much better. Wishing you and your family all the best.
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+ a billion. Honorable and respectable. Wink is, quite simply, a very nice man. Pleasure to have a been a customer. You made it easy and oh SO beautiful!

cheers--Sharon
 
I too am very sorry to hear of this turn of events. I hope it is an example of one door closing and another one opening for you. You are a class act and I wish you the very best. Take care and please don't be a stranger!
 
I am also very sorry and surprised to hear this! I thought the collaboration with Wolf was a great step forward, but it sounds like the timing of the pandemic couldn't have been worse for business. Many luxury purchases were postponed due to health concerns or job uncertainty.

I know you have a dear wife, children, and grandchildren, Wink. You'll have more time to spend with them, travel, etc. I can tell you from experience that retirement can be filled with joy and new opportunities! Change can be hard or even disappointing at first. But I trust that you will be blessed with many happy days ahead!
 
@Wink,

I'm really saddened to hear this.

Over the years you've been a respected competitor for us. You've contributed so much to the community here. We've been enriched by your knowlege and your gracious responses. In my personal interactions with you, you've been nothing but kind and magnanimous.
I know you're going to be moving on to bigger and better things going forward.
Please continue to be a part of the community here. And if your travels bring you to Los Angeles, please give me a ring. I'd love to catch up over a cup of joe.

Kind regards,
 
Came home after lunch and opened up the Email from Wink :o Good luck @Wink and don't be a stranger. You know how to get a hold of me.
 
Wink said:
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
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Wink - this is awful news. You are a pleasure to work with and I’m terribly sorry to see you go. You are a gem and will be missed. My most precious beauties come from you! Be well.

CAF
 
Although I’ve never had the pleasure of working with you Wink, you sounded like a real gentleman, honest with integrity. Wishing you and your family all the best in your future endeavors. Take some well deserved time off as I’m sure you truly deserve it and know that there are many lucky owners of CBI diamonds around the globe that are fortunate that you were able to make their bling dreams come true.
All the best, take care.
 
Oh dear….. tears are falling……
I never owned a CBI diamond but I loved them from afar, literally too (Australia).
Such a sad time for many, dont say goodbye, never say never, please visit us here on Pricescope from time to time. We want to hear that though one chapter ended, another better, more beautiful one opened and the novel is far from finished.
Take care, shine on like a CBI no matter what.
 
Wink is a very classy guy. I spoke with him over the phone many times not once had he ever bad mouthed his competitors, in fact he had always spoke highly of his competitors. nod.gif
 
It is very obvious from the comments on this thread that you are much admired and respected @Wink, and although I haven’t bought from you, I have very much enjoyed seeing all the beautiful pieces others have.

Sending good wishes to you for the future.
 
@Winks_Elf @Wink Two of the most trusted people in this industry. All 4 projects managed with a distance of 5000 miles away. Only ever saw the final product each time. The due diligence, care and process was second to none.

All my Leon Mege settings used CBI diamonds. Try doing that with Leon using another vendors diamonds.

Don't need to say anymore what has already been said. Reading all the comments above Wink your are some guy and delighted more ladies than I could begin to imagine. Keep in touch and will call you later today.
 
I am not much into diamonds but I always enjoyed your posts regardless, because it is always enjoyable reading content from an expert who is full of passion for his work. I hope you can see that you have made an impact even if you did not manage to pass on your business.
 
@Wink I wish you the very best in the new chapter of your life. It says a lot to the kind of person you are when your competitors are sad to hear your news.….I really enjoyed listening to you describe the diamonds in your videos.
 
I don’t own a CBI (I wish), but I have purchased from Wink and he has the most integrity of anyone I have ever worked with. I was so sad to get the email. Is there no way to stay in business with another brand of diamond? I think Boise will suffer great loss without you! Please stick around on PS!
 
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