How I Saved Her From a $125,000 Online Shopping MISTAKE!

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another By Bonnie blog, where we talk about all things diamonds! Today, I'm excited to share a chilling story that sheds light on the downside of online ring shopping and the importance of avoiding mass production.

Do you remember that a while ago I made a video on a client who purchased a ring online and had a disappointing experience? 

Well, her journey continues, and today, we're going to uncover every detail of what happened to her. You can see the full video and read the full story on my "Why You Should Avoid Mass Production" blog and YouTube video.

Truthfully, this story is a cautionary tale that reveals the dark side of some online platforms and the false promises they make. From claiming to deliver impeccable craftsmanship to offering stunning designs, not all of them live up to their words. As we go through this client's experience, you'll see why it's important to avoid online ring shopping and understand why I'm passionate about emphasizing the value of custom-made jewelry.

Our client had already purchased a diamond through a well-known online platform that claimed to be a middleman for the best deals. While she was okay with the diamond itself, she was never happy with the setting and had attempted to reset it elsewhere with no luck. Frustrated with the craftsmanship, she decided to start anew and find a beautiful diamond to create her dream ring.

This is where the drama unfolds. She came across a diamond at a seemingly unbeatable price and thought she hit the jackpot. They even claimed to have “real life gemologists” online to chat with potential customers. But here's the truth – those "live gemologists" often only analyze the diamond’s certificate, not the diamond itself. They lack the vital information that you need to make an informed decision. 

Curious about the diamond's quality, this client reached out to me. Upon reviewing the video she shared, I noticed something strange – a brown tint in the stone. This of course wasn't disclosed to her, and it could impact the stone's appearance, especially in the halo setting she had in mind. 

I explained to her that transparency is vital in the diamond trade and compared it to buying a car with a salvage title. You'd want to know about any potential issues upfront. If you buy it without knowing and later on you realize it had a salvage title and problems start to arise, you’d lose any trust whatsoever with the buyer. 

She was presented with two other options, both with alluring videos and enticing prices. It's no surprise she was tempted to buy. I mean, whenever a girl sees a diamond ring on sale, the only thing we can think about is to buy it - no questions asked! Luckily she contacted us, with a bit of investigation, we confirmed the diamonds had a brown tint - saving her from making a six-digit mistake! 

You know what? Sometimes, if you're aware of all the factors and you're fully informed, making a purchase online can be fine, and it's your call. No problem at all! But let me tell you, after getting such a large stone, my client faced another challenge – finding a jeweler willing to set it for her. Why?

Well, it's a whole other ballgame when you're asking someone to set a diamond they didn't sell you. There are liability issues for the jeweler, and insurance might not cover certain aspects if the stone gets damaged during setting. 

Naturally, we at By Bonnie wanted to ensure everything was perfect for her stunning diamond, and I explained the process we follow at private jewelers like us. And guess what? I managed to source an even better diamond – absolutely gorgeous and without any issues! The end result? She couldn't have been happier. 

Now, she's about to pick up her ring, and it looks absolutely breathtaking, especially when paired with the wedding band. Seeing her so thrilled made all the effort worthwhile.

In the end, it's okay to be well-informed and work with a jeweler who genuinely cares about your satisfaction. We navigated through the hurdles together, and she's now overjoyed with her beautiful diamond ring. It's all about finding the perfect piece that fills your heart with joy, and I'm so glad I could be a part of her journey to happiness!

After this long but exciting journey, the client was super happy with how the ring turned out, and I'll admit I was very happy too! This huge 5.75ct round cut diamond ring (looks 6ct or 7ct with the diamond halo) came out amazing in its French pave with halo setting. She didn't want a thin band, and we delivered! We found the perfect in-between and settled on a 2.5mm width for the band which looks absolutely stunning in proportion to the gem, it's slightly tapered so it looks even better.

Another important thing we upgraded was the tinge! Her previous ring had a brown tinge to it, and with the halo setting it was going to be very noticeable because of the contrast, so I made sure I sourced a tinge-less diamond for her and it was definitely worth the effort because it looks crystal clear. An H colored diamond with a VS1 clarity is always very satisfying to look at. And to wrap it all together, a beautiful platinum cathedral style to make the stone look even bigger than it is. Isn't gorgeous?

The takeaway here is that you have plenty of options when buying a diamond ring. I always emphasize this in other blogs and videos because it's true – there's something for everyone out there, based on your preferences, budget, and beliefs.

But the key is to be educated and know the right steps to take, especially when making high-value purchases. This client's journey taught her the importance of not blindly trusting online platforms when it comes to exquisite, high-end pieces like this. She learned the hard way that contacting someone you trust and working with a reputable jeweler is crucial.

Craftsmanship is huge, even more than the stone itself. We took great care to ensure every stone was perfectly matched, the cuts were impeccable, and the overall design was breathtaking. It's the little details that make all the difference in creating a stunning piece like this.

I know I say this over and over but, it’s so important to do your homework when buying such a magnificent ring. Working with a trusted, experienced professional who understands your vision is vital. This stunning ring is a significant upgrade for our client, and its perfection is the result of meticulous craftsmanship and stone selection.

As always, I'm here to help and answer any questions you may have. Thank you for allowing me to share this story, and I hope it serves as a valuable lesson for others. Stay informed, work with someone you trust, and let craftsmanship shine through in every aspect of your diamond journey. Until next time, take care and see you in my next blog!