Thank you!

[oldmancoyote]

Thank you to all posters, moderators, DBL staff, and - of course - David for making this forum a sensible place.

I have been browsing recently through a number of other diamonds forums. I cannot believe the amount of spite, bitterness, bullying and backstabbing that is going on there. I also cannot believe the pettiness of people discussing about whether 57.3% table is better than 57.4%, or whether a halo set with 1.3 mm melée is more delicate than 1.0 mm, or whether the master jeweller should have set the stones with round rather than crescent-shaped beads, and using such things as cause for withholding payment - without actually having seen "in the flesh" the stone or the jewel under such close scrutiny.

Apologies for the venting, but some things really irk me. Or am I being unreasonable?

Mods - feel free to delete the whole thread if you think I am.

[Mrs Mitchell]

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all! Each to their own I suppose, but there are some unfriendly sites out there for sure! Hard to fathom.

[Mikla]

I haven't seen too many other sites, other than those which may pop up when I do a Google search for something.  They've been pretty sterile, but at the same time, didn't seem to have many knowledgeable members posting.  I do hate it when people get very catty and attack others.  In my view, people should feel free to state their opinions publicly, with respect for others' views, of course.  It will happen from time to time that someone will write something and not realize that it will hit a nerve in someone else.  Sometimes it is hard to tell what a person really means solely based on their words.  You don't get that real person-to-person feedback to know whether they are upset, joking, confused, being ironic, or maybe just don't have a way with words.

Regardless, this forum has a lot of give and take.  People feel free to ask for and offer advice.  From time to time, people can get their backs up, but they move on.  I certainly don't think you're being unreasonable in expecting people to take the high road.

Mikla

[Diamondsbylauren]

OMC- you are so very welcome- and indeed- you're part of why I am so very proud of this forum.

I'm a veteran. Over the years, when I saw people writing complete and utter rubbish as fact- things like a computer program that tells you if a diamond is well cut ( it can't)...or other ridiculous "fact" purported by other sellers- or people not in the trade speaking as though they were.
When confronted with this garbage, my nature would not allow me to remain silent.
Many times correcting someone in these situations leads to a lot of animosity.

So I've been booted from forums.

Recently, someone who'd purchased a diamond from us went to another forum to get "advice".
She mentioned our company, and out of the woodwork they came.
"Oh, the cut of his stones are 'hinky'  (their word, not mine)"
"None of his Si diamonds are eye clean"

On and on it went- till finally someone who'd actually seen one of our stones came out to put in a good word.
Didn't matter as the buyer was so shaken, they decided not to purchase the original diamond.
They did buy another stone- but the fact that morons who know little or nothing about diamonds- and especially diamonds they'd never seen- were so eager to trash a stone that, in my opinion, is totally unique, and extraordinarily well cut.
But what do I know?
I'm only looking at the actual stone and have been doing this for over 30 years.
Having been banned from that forum I could not even defend myself- but even if I could...it would have been like discussing philosophy with a collie.
Make as many points as you want, the debate is meaningless....


So thank you to everyone reading this- and especially those that participate here.
I am so very proud to be associated with all of you!

[Awestruck]

Oh I don`t know David, there might be a few collies knocking about who know a bit more about diamonds than THEY do 

[GIAGirl]

Don't even get me started about those sites.  Some of the people on there are evil.  If you call them out on it they go crazy and turn it around on you.   I think some of their husbands got talked into the "perfect" 1/2 carat and they are bitter. 

[Sanchica27]

hahahah, love it!  i seriously agree about other places, seeing as i have been a victim of an angry person or two on them...

[GIAGirl]

hahahah, love it!  i seriously agree about other places, seeing as i have been a victim of an angry person or two on them...

Angry?  More like personality challenged. 

[grateful_diamond]

This place is... hands down, the best!  I have learned so much from this forum and its wonderful members.

I live in Canada and I would only buy a diamond from DBL!

[Mikla]

Oh, where in Canada?  I was born in Toronto and have relatives in Sault Ste. Marie, Belleville, Kingston, and Ottawa.

Mikla

[Sanchica27]

true on the personality disorder, lol. 

i can say though, for all of the er "upgrades" i have had, i will never trade in my er from david.  i would just get alternates instead, lol!  i just got her back after david did a repair for me and i missed the ups man.  i had an emergency root canal this morning and i was so upset that i missed my ring that i had my dear hubby drive me to the central ups distribution center just to get it!!!

this is one ring that i would never trade in because it's just perfect.  i never felt that way about my first er, to many problems with the design.  a big thanks to all of the supportive non-judgmental wonderful people that we have here,  it makes it a really nice place to be! 

[grateful_diamond]

Oh, where in Canada?  I was born in Toronto and have relatives in Sault Ste. Marie, Belleville, Kingston, and Ottawa.

Mikla

Hi Mikla,

Small world!  I was born in TO and lived in the High Park area.  Now I'm just 20 min. north/west  of the city.  Are you still in Canada?

Linda

[robin]

Oh I don`t know David, there might be a few collies knocking about who know a bit more about diamonds than THEY do 

You mean like this little collie-flower? 



He spends all night lying next to my jewelry box, so maybe he does know a thing or two.... 

[Trinkette]

Robin! 

[Trinkette]

OMC, coming from someone as gracious as you, not to mention as educated and passionate about gems and jewelry as you are, I'd say that your comment is mighty-high praise for CDI. We're fortunate to have you here. And, it is a regrettable loss for the forums that have disappointed you. Thank YOU for all you contribute to CDI.

Unfortunately, as we all know, there are spiteful, bitter, bullying, backstabbing people everywhere... they don't ALL roam on diamond forums!  (Really, I've seen some ex-wives and folks on photography forums be REALLY wicked to one another). But, it is a shame that the internet seems to "enable" this type of sorry behavior.

And, there are petty people, and people concerned with the finite minutiae of gems and jewelry all around the world. This fact will never change.

In all fairness, some of the petty discussions CAN be marginally informative for people new to gems, and, certainly, these types of discussions seem to entertain many.  At the very least, it is a place to start for some. And, many of us have started out online with stupid comments or by participating in silly conversations that seem monumentally important at the time but, in the end, only serve to take up cyber space. I know that I have.  Hopefully, some of the people invloved with these types of conversations will take something from the discussion, learn something new (for better or worse), and move on to bigger, better, and bolder ideas.  For the rest, well, may they enjoy/destroy each other's company, for surely, they have found their perfect mates in cyberspace.

There is a place for everyone... it just may not be the SAME place. 

[Mikla]

Oh, where in Canada?  I was born in Toronto and have relatives in Sault Ste. Marie, Belleville, Kingston, and Ottawa.

Mikla

Hi Mikla,

Small world!  I was born in TO and lived in the High Park area.  Now I'm just 20 min. north/west  of the city.  Are you still in Canada?

Linda

No, not anymore.  We live in central Florida, on the east coast.  I do miss Canada, but not so much in the winter!

Mikla

[GIAGirl]

OMG!  ROBIN!  He looks so pleased with himself.  I love it. 

[Awestruck]

LOL Robin
Great pic !

[oldmancoyote]

Thanks again.

Robin: I'd be happy to discuss philosophy with my border relative anytime, should he ever feel so inclined. Dogs have great wisdom to share at times.

[Mrs Mitchell]

Don't even get me started about those sites.  Some of the people on there are evil.  If you call them out on it they go crazy and turn it around on you.   I think some of their husbands got talked into the "perfect" 1/2 carat and they are bitter. 

I just about choked on my toast laughing at this! Seriously, I think you've hit the nail on the head!  Whn I have spare time, I do like recommending DBL on other sites. I mean it sincerely but I also know it will grate a little with some, for reasons I dislike, so it's always a pleasure! Plus, it might just help someone find their perfect stone, which is always worthwhile.

[titania]

Robin  -- Have I ever seen a more hilariously perfect picture??? NO!!! What a sweetie-pie!

[Diamondsbylauren]

In all fairness, some of the petty discussions CAN be marginally informative for people new to gems, and, certainly, these types of discussions seem to entertain many.  At the very least, it is a place to start for some.

I know, I'm obsessive, but I have to disagree here.
We've all heard the old saying- A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
In this case, "alarming" someone that bought an Asscher with 58% depth is exactly what we're talking about.
The person being "warned" does not really understand diamonds, so having someone ( who also does not understand diamonds, but acts as though they do) make statements using numbers that seem credible, is, in my mind, quite dangerous.
Of course this is our livlihood- so carefully examining this stuff is what we need to do....

[Trinkette]

Yup. You are a bit obsessive! That's ok, I understand where you're coming from (and the obsessive part is why we LOVE for you to build our sparkly stuff).  And you are right. But, you will never stop people from "alarming" others.  Honestly, sometimes I think it is a simple power trip for the "experts!"  Anyway, I'm speaking in more general terms, not really about any particular recent discussion.  And when I say "marginally informative" I mean just that... heck, it could be that someone had no idea that a diamond even HAS a depth measurement. And this stuff is good to know about.  People just need to take it a step farther and not allow themselves to be "spoon fed" information.  It is just common sense. Do your homeowork and use more than one source.

My view is, the internet is just like ANY other form of media, be it a book, newspaper, radio, television, movie, video... whatever.  Simply because someone writes or says or prints something, does not - by any means - mean the statement is true or correct, regardless of his/her "experience" or the media platform. It is up to each of us to inform ourselves before making decisions.  Sometimes it takes a mistake (and it can be expensive) before we "get it."

Oh shoot, school's out. I've got to run....

[Trinkette]

I just hate it when I'm in the Dog House... 

[djm195]

How did I miss this one Robin? That is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!