Allow me to guide you through the steps you will take as you work with us.
In case you weren't aware already, this is a huge decision and a significant purchase. We want to make sure you have total clarity and peace throughout this whole process. I know for myself, I like to speak to a human being on the phone even if all of the details are in my face. If that is you, we are happy to schedule a voice/video call with you.
The Diamond Process
Whether you are getting a moissanite, mined, or lab grown diamond, the center stone needs to be selected before we can move onto the setting. If you have not selected a specific choice from our website already, then you need to fill out this form.
From there we will email you with our recommendations.
Scenario 1: Stone IS in stock. If we have something in stock already, that is an advantage as we can easily clip a video for you to show you what it looks like before you check out and pay in full.
Scenario 2: Stone is NOT in stock, and you want a branded cut (August Vintage/Distinctive). We will have to custom cut this. Read the details about that here as there are some drawbacks such as commitment and time frame however we have been doing it with success for decades so if you are willing to wait, then it is worth getting what you truly want. The advantage here is that you know exactly what to expect visually since the optical design is kept consistent amongst our branded cuts.
Scenario 3: Diamond is NOT in stock, and you are open to whatever is available within your specific criteria. In this case we are going to scour the worldwide database for your perfect stone within whatever budget you have given us. If your budget is too low for what you are requesting, we will give you options. As a sidenote, you are going to have more options in lab grown than you will with mined or moissanite. Once we start searching through data, we can locate a winner for you based off of what we see. How so? Two reasons:
1) We are analyzing photos from the supplier. Because we have been photographing diamonds for so long, we are familiar with nuances in lighting set ups and how that impacts the diamond's actual appearance. So, because we are photography nerds, the single photo that the supplier provides on said database is enough for us to interpret how well the diamond is a) returning light as opposed to leaking light and b) if that returned light is bright as opposed to dark. We do not share any photos or specific details before a deposit is given as a means of protecting ourselves.
2) We always find the best within your parameters simply from decades of experience. We have been doing this long enough to know what to expect based off of certain details shown on the internet. Our reviews on Reddit and Pricescope testify to this. So, much of this process is based on trusting our word.
Once we locate the highest potential candidate, we send you a link to check out and pay a $1,000 deposit as some form of commitment. (If it is mined you will need to pay for the entire amount as the supplier will not ship it to us without a full cash advance.) Once we give the go ahead to have the diamond shipped to us, it will arrive within 24-48 hours and once it is here, we will provide you with our services which include the following:
Inspection for surface breaching inclusions that could compromise structural integrity.
Inspection of color gradation, i.e. slight brown hue/over-blue, particularly in HPHT grown diamonds.
Inspection for internal graining and stria, particularly in CVD grown diamonds.
Inspection of light performance via technologies used by AGS & GIA labs.
V360 high magnification video.
HD video under natural daylight, direct sunlight (if we have sun), and indoor light. This is so you can see the true nature of the diamond's appearance.
We have less than 5 days to decide if this is the one for you. If it is the one, you will pay for any remaining balance, and we will either ship it to you loose or build a setting for you.
Keep in mind, you are not locked into anything. If we tell you that we have found a winner that means that there is a 99.99% chance you are going to absolutely love what we ship in for you. In the .01% chance that someone is not happy or abruptly changes their mind, we will find for you the next best option available. Our highest goal is for you to be happy with the diamond and confident in what you are getting. In the case that you want to back out of this we will refund your money less roundtrip shipping which depends on the value of the stone.
Click here to see examples of diamonds we have hand-picked for our clients.
Next up: How The Setting Process Works