Subject: Verify reference...
This message was originally addressed to ZORUBA@INSNET.COM
and a carbon copy was sent to you.
----------------------------------------
Hello Sergio, you asked . . .
Z>Hi Mike,
Z>I just saw one of your messages posted as a reference on the web page. Could you be kind enough to verify this. I'm
>planning on buying a diamond for my girlfriend, but am skeptical about
>buying over the internet sight unseen.
Yes, I did buy from Ray. I have not checked their
page lately so I'm not sure which of my many e-mails was posted.
I must say, I was VERY pleased with my purchase, as was my wife.
The diamond I bought was a 1.00 ct brilliant stone with near
perfect geometry, E color and SI1 clarity. This was all verified
by the GIA Gem Trade Lab certificate that came with the diamond.
The diamond is stunning. Ray recommended going for better
geometry and color, and less in clarity. He is right - this
diamond is both very "bright" (reflects the maximum amount of
light) and has tons of "fire" (shows a lot of color flash). My
wife and I have not seen another quite as nice to the eye.
Along with the diamond I purchased a matched set of 5mm trillian
Ceylon sapphires which were mounted along with the diamond in a
3mm platinum comfort-fit band. The whole thing is drop-dead
gorgeous! I could not be more pleased with the quality of the
stones or the workmanship. But that is not all . . . (sorry if
this is beginning to sound like an advert - it's not - I'm just
one very happy customer!) I then had it appraised for insurance
purposes . . .
I first looked for a GIA trained gemologist. I found a guy here
in Cleveland with a company called GLG Trading - they specialize
in this type of work. He did a very detailed analysis and
provided a very detailed report. When he first saw the ring he
commented on its general beauty and the outstanding quality of
the workmanship: "Now this is how a ring should be made - where
did you get this?" was his first reaction. He was especially
impressed with the way the stones were mounted - "very wearable
and robust" or words to that effect.
I *did not* give him the GIA Lab report and did not mention that
I had one. In his professional opinion, the diamond was BETTER
than certified by the GIA Lab. He came up with: 1.00 ct, E
color, VS1 clarity(!), and excellent proportions. The sapphires
were some of the cleanest he has seen - he thought that they
might have been "manufactured", but under magnification and with
UV light he found the inclusions which verified their natural
origins. Several days later I received the report by mail - the
appraised value came out at 1.8 times what I had paid! Based on
what I read on Ray's site, I expected it to be more, but almost
double? I was impressed.
Sorry for being long-winded, but I too was very apprehensive about
wiring thousands of my hard-earned savings to some guy on the
other side of the country, and I wanted you to know just how
pleased I am with the whole experience. Sorry for the delay, but
I've not looked at my "home" e-mail in a few days - the weather
has been too nice (It's pouring now as I type . . .)
Cheers, and good luck.
Mike Balistreri
cc: Ray Elsey
Ray - Thanks again, I never did get back to you on
the appraisal - just been too busy. (Married-off my daughter,
took a little vacation, did a little business travel, etc.) If
you have any questions on the above - e-mail! -MAB
cc: RAYLC@TELEPORT.COM
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