Not all biddable aside from DBL are fugly

[ah2bqat]

I admiti it.  I like sites with open bidding.  I adore looking for fuglies.  Ok have to admit, tho, while looking for fuglies, I actually found something that warmed my heart.  For one, it was an entirely natural necklace - no GIA certs, for sure; but at least no color enhanced, and no clarity enhanced bs. It didn't stop with the sparklies half way up the neck. It went all the way to the clasp.  It's not the greatest work, but it's an honest try, with probably a pretty reasonable reserve price.  I'm proud of these guys - but I still only plan to buy sizable colored sparklesl from David, as Mr. Why-can't-we reuse- coffee-filters permits.

[ah2bqat]

I shouldn't come down on the DH too hard, I'm actually Mrs. Why-don't-we-refill-the-ink-jet-cartridges, myself  - A match made in heaven, no doubt.

[saqsay1]

i think i like that necklace............. very pretty

[Diamondsbylauren]

ah2bqat- I agree, it's fun to look at a lot of stuff online!
But my experience has been very thorough in this area.
If a company is offering items at $1 ( or any other ridiculously low price) there's a scam going on. If you look at the realities of business, there's really no room for anything else.
Why do these companies not just post the price they want?
The answers are are not good.

It bothers me a lot because I have seen a lot of people being misled by such sites.
They see a $1000 item listed for $10, and bid $100. When they "loose" and are mysteriously outbid at the last moment, they feel like they actually lost something.
To me that's just cruel- especially since these sellers have no intention of selling anything below cost.
Actually, they probably would never even sell at their cost. It's likely that the actual prices charged are not that great at all.
Sellers engaging in this type of behavior are also a giving good indicator that you can't trust the "natural" nature of the diamonds ( they very well might be treated)- the actual weight- or any hard facts.

The picture looks pretty- but that tells us very little, as it seems to be photoshopped out the kazoo.

I really do;t want to rain on any one's parade, but this stuff is important- and we've come up against it almost on a daily basis......

[ah2bqat]

  Thanks, DBL.  Cautionary advice from you is indeed, well placed.  You definitely know more than I about how items can be overly represented, as you hit a few highlights I've never considered.  Still it was nice to see M-O color recognized, and not touted as Wesselton white.

The price on that necklace was suggested at 85k with 117cttw. It will sell for less than 8, I'd guess.  I think your 5.5 ct necklace with each stone in its own milgrained setting would be much more beautiful and a much better bargain.

The reasons I hang here, are multi-fold.  Your photography and movies, the straight talk between senior members, real prices,  and the camaraderie.  I had that once at a jeweler's in Texas - he had a devoted clientele, and for the same reasons it appears that you do.  His prices were real, his designers impressive, and his diamonds predominantly loose and certified, with more than 100x magnification machinery to examine a stone if you aren't comfortable with a loupe.

I am oozing into the market for a piece or two that I hope will last the rest of my natural life, or my DH throws me under a bus, whichever comes first.  The more I see of your loose inventory, the more I see of the pieces you create, and the more I read what your forum members say, especially those hero members, give me more and more confidence that this may indeed be the right place to be when it's time to purchase.

and I use the word 'ooze' gently.  We won't take any steps towards a church wedding until my Dad passes.  Bless him, he's 97 and healthy as could be, but his mind is gone.  My Mom still takes total care of him, and she's 84.  So my parents can't travel.  We're willing to wait until we get the custody and housing issues relating to my DH's 2 kids settled with his ex-box, and when my Mom can rejoin the family at our big occasions without worry. 

So I truly do thank you for caring enough to caution me.     It is fun to look online at the auction houses, especially for my beloved fuglies; but no place I'd choose to make a decent sized purchase. TNSTAFL, indeed.

[Diamondsbylauren]

ah2bqat- you are so welcome- and thank you for being so gracious!

Having been through a mom with Alzheimers, I can really appreciate where you are at.
Your family will be in our prayers.

[ah2bqat]

David,

Thank you.  Just let me play in your forums and enjoy your clientele and chat.  You have such a wonderful, supportive group of people here.  They remind me of the annual Christmas party at my Texas jeweller's, only every day.  That's where Phong, my jeweler's wife, once quipped ' it only looks gaudy on somebody else' finger'.  She was wearing a 10 ct canary headlight at the time.

You ease my heart, and keep me honest. 

[Diamondsbylauren]

I think your posts are awesome!
I love to look at this stuff too!