Your preference isn't their preference.

[John P]

John- all due respect but how is calling something a "ripoff" not matching orders?
...
Clearly I'm more in favor or your second answer

David, I presume you meant to type marching orders.

I gave two answers to illustrate the difference between responding with instructions (instructive) versus asking questions (interactive).

The first answer doesn't help PS or future readers. The second answer does.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Yes sir, I typed a bit quickly....
The answer I think we both agree is most helpful, and friendly was the

Interactive reply: "

There was a case a few days ago that I think perfectly sums up the issue.
Someone asked about a stone that was on the way to them- very informative answers were given, but it did turn into somewhat of bash fest. Then, as it turned out, we learned that the stone was a gift due to a personal tragedy.
The information could have been given in a far more sensitive manner. I know a lot of folks felt absolutely terrible- and it's related to this discussion

 

[John P]

Right David. Clarifying again; the first answer-example in that post was intended to be the negative example. The second was given as the positive example.

 

[Dancing Fire]

In all seriousness, kind and informative even if a little blunt is great.
To many consumers sounding like sales people is not a good thing.
But being kind is a great thing.

So lie?,... But how can I if a newbie is thinking about buying a MRB with 63% > depth?

 

[John P]

So lie?,... But how can I if a newbie is thinking about buying a MRB with 63% > depth?

I think that's where the interactive suggestion applies.

What if the newbie's intended is obsessed by math, her name is "Dee" and the guy's last name is "VonSwank II."? If he found a 1.314 ct D VS2 the three literals might be a hidden priority, and more important to him than depth %.

That's where my suggestion to interact applies. Rather than rejecting someone's suggestion outright, explore what they want and inform: Ask them if they are aware, with that depth, that their 1.01 ct diamond is only facing up like other well cut 0.95ct diamonds. Does that matter to them? And suggest they may wish to be sure it's accordingly priced.

 

[jewels2]

I think that's where the interactive suggestion applies.

What if the newbie's intended is obsessed by math, her name is "Dee" and the guy's last name is "VonSwank II."? If he found a 1.314 ct D VS2 the three literals might be a hidden priority, and more important to him than depth %.

That's where my suggestion to interact applies. Rather than rejecting someone's suggestion outright, explore what they want and inform: Ask them if they are aware, with that depth, that their 1.01 ct diamond is only facing up like other well cut 0.95ct diamonds. Does that matter to them? And suggest they may wish to be sure it's accordingly priced.

This made me laugh because it really hit home. I have been searching forever for an Ideal cut 1.64. Why? because my birthday is 6/1 my husbands is 6/4 and we were married on his birthday

 

[Bette]

I didn't see anyone suggesting that people lie to a consumer or tell them a bad diamond is great and they should buy it. My impression of this entire conversation is to maybe really read what the consumer is asking for, ask questions if you aren't sure and actually want to help to figure out what their priorities are, definitely educate them on cut (and color differences, clarity differences) etc, see what THEIR priority is, be it sparkle, fire, eye clean, mind clean, finger coverage, a big ol' honking stone, whatever, and then help them find the best they can given THEIR budget and THEIR preferences. NOT lie and tell them crap is good. I think if that's too much work or too much of a bother and it's easier to post 5 choices from whiteflash, obviously everyone is free to do that, but I think what I've seen and what newer posters are looking for (at least me) is education AND respect for our choices to find the best option should our main "C" be something other than cut (and I'm not even saying mine isn't cut). I just don't interpret that as head patting or lying and saying crap is good. There are terrible diamonds out there, decent ones, good ones, great ones, and Ideal ones. If a consumer is open to ideal AND great ones, knowing what they are sacrificing for each, then I wish more people would be open to suggesting both great and ideal ones. And not taking it personally or thinking the consumer is stupid if they ultimately don't choose the ideal one in favor of something with a "C" that makes them happier.

 

[Karl_K]

I think that's where the interactive suggestion applies.

What if the newbie's intended is obsessed by math, her name is "Dee" and the guy's last name is "VonSwank II."? If he found a 1.314 ct D VS2 the three literals might be a hidden priority, and more important to him than depth %.

That's where my suggestion to interact applies. Rather than rejecting someone's suggestion outright, explore what they want and inform: Ask them if they are aware, with that depth, that their 1.01 ct diamond is only facing up like other well cut 0.95ct diamonds. Does that matter to them? And suggest they may wish to be sure it's accordingly priced.

This time I agree with sir John more.
No don't lie, give an explanation of why your saying what your saying.
I doesn't have to be as polished as Johns example.
Since I help with fancies more than rounds, I would suggest looking at the MM measurements and comparing them to other similar diamonds.
Kind and informative.

If you recall at one time I was calling badly cut asschers woofers before I was in the trade and Paul called me on it.
Pissed me off big time at first, but thinking about he was right, just calling a diamond a woofer and forget it was not educational.

 

[nala]

Wish I had know myself a bit better before selling my first diamond. We got a great deal on it, and I felt it wasn't great bc it wasn't ideal so we sold it to GOG and bought an AVR. I miss my old stone-granted it was huge and I felt super self concious about it but had I never known about ideal cut rings (but somehow known about diamondbistro) i wouldn't have ever felt my stone was inferior and never would have sold it. Probably would have bought a band that was plain to wear down the road but now I'll never own a stone of higher color and clarity with near ideal standards again. I love my sapphire set don't get me wrong but something was super special about my diamond and vintage set that I'll never have again. All thanks to the idea I had in my head that only AGS 000 was what I should have. I've grown a lot since those days, and I can't really blame PS for those ideas other than that's all I saw and was recommended. I loved the idea of an ideal diamond-an ideal OEC. But really ideal was what I had! Live and learn!

I just wanted to comment that I appreciate your honesty in sharing this experience. It really resonates with me right now!

 

[nala]

Me too, I showed up here with a VG cut. But I do chime in about old cuts, because now I have them and know what to look for.

Niel, you know what my biggest worry is when I get new WF ACA studs? That i won't be able to tell the difference (to my eye and my social circle) from non-ideal cuts and I just shelled out more money! Why would I pay for "cut is king" best when it might not really matter in the long run. But I think I've been programmed to seek out that ideal stone because I've never seen it, KWIM?

Soxfan, I would love to know if you are able to tell the difference!

 

[whitewave]

Soxfan, I would love to know if you are able to tell the difference!

When I wear my CBI, people do notice it. Once even asked me point blank what was it about my stone that made it flashier and livelier than hers. She asked if she could compare them side by side (similar size stones).

This was at a party. You can tell. It's obvious IMO.

But it is about YOUR collection and what YOU want.

 

[soxfan]

Soxfan, I would love to know if you are able to tell the difference!

So I didn't get the WF stones but I did get ideal cut ones from IDJ- they are smaller-.30 each. And yes, compared to my old Very Good cut diamond I can definitely tell the difference. I am quite sure, however, that I could not tell the difference between an idea cut and super ideal cut. Maybe some day I will have a super ideal to compare