Anything or everything about De Beers

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

#31
You've always heard great things because they are and have always been the biggest advertiser on that forum. And you know the owners aren't about to let that relationship go down. The original founding members parting ways the way they did should say a thing or two about how things there went. Even the man with the all the talent couldn't handle the craziness anymore.

I was disappointed at the time by the work not living up to the hype, but back in the day when I bought the ring, the people on the forum got kickbacks and "Referral credits" for pushing the new members to buy from WF. Not long after I joined and purchased my ring from them, that went away, but I know for a fact I contributed a couple hundred bucks to one particular members many upgrades. I am so glad I have all my info and proof backed up on disk since my logicboard on my laptop died recently. I am also so glad I didn't sully up my new computer with the drama.
 
#33
They talked a great game. But when it came through, not so much. Many of the biggest WF cheerleaders on that board were made cheerleaders in the old days, when there were still "Referral Credits". Id like to say they've made strides in manufacturing since my ordeal, but a local girl just got her engagement ring from them and it's all kinds of screwed up, same problems mine had even, plus wonky unevenness (one side of the ring is damn near a full 1mm wider!). She just returned it and asked for her diamond back.

I have replaced it and gotten most of my money back, despite the serious legal drama that had to occur to get it. I just think it's fair to give people both sides, the raves and the sad and unfortunate honesty. And that's what will never happen on the other board. Everyone is so damn scared to upset the herd, and upset the kingpin vendor. I bet ole Debi is friggin livid that BGD is taking over her rank.

That all said--I gave them props in the beginning for trying to fix the problems. But when I wouldn't just take the defective product and rave about it publicly in spite of the issues with the piece, they turned on me.
 
#34
Of course it's good to hear both sides of the story. Like I said, I've never bought from them, so I don't have any experiences to share. Sounds like there is all kinds of drama though!
 
#35
If you really love the band and can't find another one you like as much, get it. It's a present and sometimes it is ok to overpay for something. Not everything has to be a bargain.

I have only dealt with Whiteflash one time many years ago. I ordered the petite Dreams of Africa pendant. It was a very smooth transaction, but it was not a custom piece.
I know that Pricescope has a LOT of favoritism, but there is still some good basic info there.
 
#36
Ditto...I'm sure there's favoritism, so I take vendor info with a grain of salt. But when it comes down to it, I learned so much about diamonds, cut quality, brilliance, light return, etc. The amount of knowledge and education there is great. At the very least it's a great place to learn.

Kitsunegrl said:
I have only dealt with Whiteflash one time many years ago. I ordered the petite Dreams of Africa pendant. It was a very smooth transaction, but it was not a custom piece.
I know that Pricescope has a LOT of favoritism, but there is still some good basic info there.
Click to expand...
 
#37
tiffanysilver said:
Honestly, I would always buy a piece of branded jewelry. It appreciates in value more and you kind of hedge your bets. If the price of the materials goes down, the name retains its value. If the maker loses its reputation, the quality material itself retains value.

If you simply like the style and want a small memento from loved ones though, consider the generic, such as Blue Nile. Their jewels will be even less expensive than your local jeweler.

I hope that helps a little.
Click to expand...

I recently sold 3 18k gold Tiffany rings. I took them to several jewelers for appraisal, and none were willing to offer me more than scrap metal prices. The Tiffany name didn't get me any more than my other non-branded jewelry did. In some cases the brand name may make a difference in down-the-road value, but for the most part this notion is a marketing ploy.
 
#38
Hi Barcreperie,

You might try selling them to a private party directly. I sold an 18 karat gold 1837 ring to pay for textbooks. I bought it in 2007 for $450 and then sold it in 2008 for $550. Not a huge profit, but when taking the taxes I originally paid into account, I broke about even.

I wore it every day, but at the same time, I'm obsessively aware of the jewelry on my body. Even when I'm active I don't scratch my jewelry. It came in like-new condition with all the original packaging and a receipt.

It also helps that in that span, the price of the metal shot up three times, and the ring now retails for about a thousand dollars.

Generic internet jewelers ie Blue Nile only make a profit of 10%-20% but their jewelry won't keep the general Tiffany 2/3 resale value rule.

It also depends on the piece, branded and nonbranded. I would personally go through Costco or Blue Nile for diamonds. Those places have the best value.
 
#39
Was browsing the debeers website (as you do..) and stumbled across the debeers aura cushion cut engagement ring! Instant love :love:
Wondering if anybody here has real life photos or modeling photos of this ring, or if anyone could possibly provide a rough price?
I noticed that it starts with a .7ct centre stone which is perfect as i have small hands!
:ty:in advance! xoxo
 
#43
Good old gold has something similar. The august vintage cushion in a tacori setting.

Here is a video of the ring: http://http://www.vimeo.com/6401615
and another:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMB6pJ_Tv0o
I don't know how much the tacori is, but here is a stone from GOG...larger than what you said, but still:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7138/
or for much less money, here is a standard cushion
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4921/
I looked online and it looks like the tacori is in the $2500-$3800 range depending on diamond size and whether it's 18k white gold or platinum.
 
#45
I was looking at the promise ring from debeers, I think for the 1ct sizes they start in the roughly $15-18k range depending on the diamond. I can't be 100% sure because that was a few months ago and I think they just had a price increase or are planning one. I'm assuming though that the cushion has a lot more sidestones/pave so will be more expensive. But the overall price should be comparable to Cartier and slightly more pricey than Tiffanys. My best guess is to use the sola price for reference and then maybe +5 to 10%. So for a .7ct, maybe.... I want to guess $16k but that's just a full on guess because the cushion has a lot more pave detail. But just to be sure, I'd call.

I agree with SK to pick a designer setting and your own cushion. The ring will be more personal and probably more affordable. If you don't 100% love the Tacori, maybe something like Beverly K? or from briangavin?
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beverley-k-jewelry/rings/
http://briangavindiamonds.com

I was also considering the Tacori 2620 for a .7ct round is going to be about $2500 for the 18k white gold and about $3200 for the platinum. I was looking at the nonpave versions and the 18k was around $1900 and the platinum was $2810. But they have a price increase monday that will jump prices by 10% :sad:

Also, cushion diamonds hold the majority of the carat weight in the body so a .7ct will look smaller than a .7ct round if that is what you are using for comparison. I was tricked by this when I was looking at cushions I needed to get a 1.5ct to get the same coverage as a 1ct round roughly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top