Fairy Tales of a Diamond Ring

All my respected and trustworthy colleagues share the same experience and we all try to

understand why so many requests are so unrealistic.

I personally believe that most originate from four sources:

1) Social Networks where ladies exchange fantasies

2) Pinterest, Etsy, AliExpress and other such web sites

3) Dishonest intentions

4) Ignorance

I will illustrate each with very explicit pictures and real examples of e-mails I received. In

red the required budget.

Requests:

2ct and budget 12 to 15,000 Euro / 40,000 Euro

1.50ct and no budget then requesting 2ct and still no budget then asking for the price of a

3ct ring still no budget…

4ct D Loupe clean and a budget of 400,000 US$ but… refusing to mention any time

schedule for the project.

1.30ct to 1.50ct and budget 7-8,000 Euro / 15,000 to 22,000 Euro

3.00ct budget 12,000 Euro / at least 40,000 Euro

1ct budget 3,500 Euro / at least 6,600 Euro

I could go on for pages and pages full of such examples NONE of which ever result in

any kind of happy ending for the Lady…

Lower budgets like 2,500 to 3,500 Euro are no less problematic as even here the

expectations are all too often unrealistic.

When confronted with reality some react in a very illogical way like trying to purchase

from locally more expensive sources than Antwerp resulting in a lower value for money.

Others simply never respond, bad manners, lack of courteous respect for the help we

provide in avoiding to fall into the tourist traps and dishonest web sites

.

Some of my colleagues have long ago decided not to reply to any such unrealistic e-

mails. I have always responded, explaining objectively where the mistakes originate from

and what the realistic alternatives can be.

We will now examine the pictures gathered form the Internet:

Dishonest advertisements:

This diamond is advertised on a “bargain hunting “ web site as shown here above, for 159,000 Euro

It’s a low quality cut, low quality finish grade, strong fluorescence diamond certified back in 1998

This certificate is outdated and such a diamond is sold professionally with a huge discount.

In the worst case it should be sold for 59,000 Euro… not 159,000 Euro !!!

The potential victim will be offered a “big discount” and in the end he’ll still be cheated.

Celebrity rings. These people are used by very high profile jewelers to advertise their “products” and they very often

get paid to wear them!!!

Such rings require budgets of hundreds of thousands of dollars but ladies dream... while the partner has nightmares!

Social Networks where jealousy games prevail.

The next two pictures are the result of a request for a 3ct diamond ring but with a budget of 12,000 Euro only.

I show the customer’s own picture then the realistic alternative, within budget.

Web sites like Pinterest where illusions and bad taste examples are plentiful:

Even GIA sets a bad example too with totally out of budget rings:

The colour of pink gold is here totally wrong, the oval is a huge diamond, the design tacky and unpracticall to

wear.

Ignorance is understandable as we can’t expect everybody to be a diamond or jewelry

expert. Trying to become one after a couple of hours of Internet browsing and self-

education is the most common mistake that will result in confusion and bad choices.

If I need to buy an amplifier or build a house I’ll listen to expert advise and will show respect for the

professionals who will honestly inform me. Those customers who are just like myself willing to accept such

guidance always enjoy a magnificent result, within budget and here are some of their very appreciative

compliments we regularly receive:

Hi Harold

We received the ring this morning.

I am so pleased with it, it is just so beautiful and the aquamarine stone is really accentuated by this new

setting. It is totally transformed!

Once again thank you very much for you advice and guidance and professionalism.

All the best and I hope to be in touch with you again!

Lourda

Hi Harold,

I hope you are keeping well in Antwerp. You made my engagement ring for me last year when I was living

in Brussels which I am still in love with and it's still sparkles just as much! I am back living in Ireland now

however and the time has come for me to enquire about a wedding band from you :)

Jane

Hi Harold,

The rings arrived to my home address last Friday. We got a chance to pick them up and see them yesterday.

We are both delighted with our rings! They are stunning!!

Thank you so much!!

Kind regards,

Lisa and Ciaran

Hi Harold,

Thanks so much - the ring looks brilliant and great that it came in at such a good price.

Many thanks, Alan Hello,

…writing to tell you that the ring is beautiful.

Actually yesterday I proposed, she said yes and she likes the ring very much :)

The ring is definitely art and I would be happy to write up a formal recommendation.

Thanks,

Lucian

Information is all about the quality and reliability. We can proudly say that we are second to none !

We are here to advise, not to push any sale but to help you maximize the result of your budget.

www.philippe-harold-jewellers.be