Dear Merle:
Yes you brightened my day and my finger!  As I told you, the ring setting and stone are beautiful.  Thanks for all your patience as I changed my mind from day to day.  You found exactly what I wanted and kept within my price range. 
 I’ll keep, you in mind for the future and will also pass your info to my friends and family.  The photos really show off the setting, but do not do justice to the diamond.

Thanks again.  Gail from Delaware

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                Hi Merle,  I have a busy schedule but I wanted to give  some nice feedback.   I had the diamond mounted and I have been dealing with this jewelry store for a number of years and know one of the owners.  The store is more upscale here in des Moines.  I also asked or an appraisal.  No surprise, everything came out as listed,  ie  D  SI1 AGS 0   but the nice news is that they appraised the diamond at $37,500.  I asked her if this was an inflated appraisal for insurance purposes and she said "no" if she soldthe stone in her store this would be the price  but for me she would knock"some" off  I think some is probably 5K for me.  Anyway, thought I would let you know.  Will try to call but busy schedule.  take care. Jerry from Iowa

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Merle

Hi Merle.  Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.  Work has been hectic.  I will recommend you to any friends or family looking for gemstones.  Please find a testimonial below.

 

Merle found us the most beautiful diamond we have ever seen.  The stone exceeded our expectations and then some, the setting was perfect, and her knowledge was exceptional.  Our transaction was a complex one which involved a problem with the shipping company, which Merle handled with more attention than any client could possibly expect.  The diamond arrived safely, looking more beautiful than my fiancé and I could have possibly imagined.  Every part of our transaction which concerned Merle was perfect.  Her knowledge, professionalism, and desire to please her clients are beyond compare.  I would use Merle in the future.  In fact, I wouldn't even consider using or recommending anyone else.

   --Tom D. - Georgia

 

Thank You.  It was a pleasure.  We are both very pleased

 

Tom

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Hi again,

 

When I put in to pick up the stone on Monday, I found that they have extended hours now, and I just got home with my package.

 

The stone looks better than I expected, and I am sooooo excited!  I am going to take it to my jeweler tomorrow just to verify that this is the stone on the cert, and that no damage has happened to it since the cert was created. I don't foresee any problems :-) I'll let you know when I get home tomorrow.

 

Thanks again for all your help with this!!!  Tracy from Michigan

Hi again,

 

Everything went fine with the jeweler. I am having it set into a custom platinum mounting. I know what you mean about the jewelers, I've had that happen in the past. If the local jewelers had better prices, they would get my business, but the reputable stores are ridiculous in pricing, and the reasonably priced places are con artists who will lie to your face to make a sale.

 

I appreciate all your help in making this purchase, and I have left positive feedback for you. It's been a pleasure!   Tracy from Michigan

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Hi Merle,

The gorgeous diamond arrived today and yes, I love it!  It's the perfect
size stone for me and will fit beautifully into my setting.  Thanks and
it's been a pleasure working with you also.  Hope you're feeling better
and that the clean Idaho air brings you good health.

Suzy from Michigan

Hi Merle:  Thank you so much again for finding the perfect stone for me.
 My new diamond looks absolutely   incredible in my ring and my jeweler
appraised it for over $12,000.00.  It was a pleasure working with you
and I'm sure we'll get together again on another diamond search.  Have a
great summer!

Suzy from Michigan

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Hi Merle:

Remember me?  Well, I finally did it and I am engaged.  Thank you for
working with me and for all your help in picking out the right stone and
setting for me.  I will soon be in the market for a wedding band and was
wondering if you could help me out with that?  I chose the Tiffany's 6 prong
setting from the pictures that you sent me.  Do you happen to know the width
of that setting.  I am looking at spending around $1000 or so on the band
and want to get one surrounded by diamonds.  Here is one on ebay that I
found and wanted to get your take on the price and quality and if you could
do better.  Of course, the one listed is in white gold and I would want
platinum.  If you cant get these, can you at least give me your professional
opinion on the wheter the band in the link below is a good deal, and if you
think it will look good with the engagement ring that I bought from you. 
Let me know.  Thanks.

Tony

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Hi Merle:

 The ring and stone look beautiful.  Thanks.  I'll let you know what she thinks of it...Mark

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Dear Merle,  A million thanks.

Sincerely, Ray

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Hi Merle,

 

Yes I did....it is beautiful!!! Thanks again for all of your help and assistance.

Patricia from California

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Merle,

 I meant to call you before I left for Chicago.  I was gone until yesterday and I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I am very happy with my new stone and setting.  The craftsmanship is beautiful.  I will be calling to have another band made soon.

                The center stone is fabulous.  I love the cut and it sparkles beautifully!!!!!

Thankyou so much for everything.  We will talk to you soon.

Merle,

Will Fax certs later this evening.  I just got back....yes the ring arrived on time and the trip and engagement went well.  The ring is fabulous and I am very pleased....very nicely proportioned for her hand and the size and look is perfect.  I really appreciate all your help with this process and your hard work.

Please expedite the appraisals ASAP since we want to set up insurance quickly.

I will pass your name to my friends with a high recommendation as well as I might be contacting you again as additional gifts are inevitable!

Thanks again, Joe from Wisconsin

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Hi Merle!

I got the ring!  it looks beautiful!!!  i got it at work, so i wasn't able
to take my time to look at it, but just from a quick glance, it is gorgeous!
  thanks a lot merle!  you did not disappoint, i'll remember to leave
feedback.

thanks again! Sy from California

Hi Merle!!!
 i tried to leave feedback to your ebay store but was unable to since we
didn't complete our transaction through ebay.  But since my
friend/coworker just got a stone from you, he informed me that you gladly
accept feedback through email!

Just to remind you, i purchased a three stone platinum ring that was
similar to the scott kay design, only i asked for a comfort fit band, not
the knife edge that it usually comes in and received it early december.

Let me just tell you that I really appreciated how patient you were with
me and informative after i barraged you with emails about questions about
diamonds and my indecisiveness of what type of mounting i wanted to go
with. To be honest, i was really hesitant about getting a ring that i have
never seen in person and purchasing such a big item online.  Luckily my
brother bought several items from you before and assured me ( along with
the numerous feedback you sent me) that you stand behind your products.  I
received the ring and was so excited that it came out exactly how i
envisioned it!!!  I also got the ring appraised to squash any doubt i
might have and found that the ring was valued well over the price i paid.
Needless to say, I proposed very shortly after receiving the ring (partly
because i couldn't keep it away from my fiancee too long)  and she loves
it!!! she couldn't stop looking at it for days and whenever we go out to
meet friends, i catch people staring at her finger.  Although it was kind

of on the smaller size, it demanded attention with its brilliance and glow
in any light!  Thank you again for your expertise and I'll be sure to
think of you when i purchase any jewelry.  I continuously refer you to any
friends looking for diamonds!
By the way.. now that we are engaged.. do you also sell wedding bands?thanks again!!!
Sy from California

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Hi Merle The rings are AWESOME the diamond is so much nicer than any I had looked at... Truly Awesome.

I am speechless which is very unusual for me. I am so happy.

Charles from California

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Hi Merle,

I just wanted to let you know that I received the ring.  I am very pleased
with the diamond, but, not as thrilled with the ring.  It really lacks an
edge like the tiffany has.  Depending on what my girlfriend says when I give
it to her, I may need to get a different setting.  What can we do about
that? Shawn from Wisconsin

Hi Merle,

She does think it is comfortable, she thinks the diamond is beautiful.  Thanks,  Shawn from  Wisconsin

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hello Merle,

I'm love the wedding band set, and the diamond is better then i hoped for. Thank you for making this so easy.  Ben from Texas

*********************************** 

Hi Merle,

You know I highly recommend you. The only thing that I regret about the transaction is that you don't live here. I'm so happy about it, I would give you a hug.

Following is a letter of recommendation that I would be happy if you found useful. Thanks so much for finding me and my girl the best diamond.

Matt

I highly recommend Merle Stone. I am very happy with my diamond purchase and the way the transaction worked. I had been looking for rings for a few weeks and was very frustrated. Blue Nile has a great selection, but the customer service did not know anything about the diamonds when I called with questions. I had gone downtown Chicago to the Jeweler's Row to meet with a jeweler that was referred by a friend. She was very nice. The whole time I felt like she was trying to sell me something. When the cut that I wanted based on the research I had done was not available, the manager came over and explained that the polish and symmetry of very good was essentially the same ideal. I had decided on ideal cut, finish and polish. This is a big purchase, I hope my future wife keeps the diamond in the family forever. For them to try and sell me on something else was frustrating.

I came across Merle on E-Bay. I was frustrated from my last trip to the jewelry store and looking on E-Bay as a last resort. When I spoke to Merle she was very straightforward. She took the time to listen to what I wanted. Not once did Merle try to sell me on anything. She advised me and asked for my business. I told her my price range and the features that I really wanted and the features that I was willing to sacrifice on. Merle called me back a few days later with a few suggestions. She was able to e-mail the certificates to me along with advice on each of the diamonds. I picked the diamond that Merle thought had the best cut for sparkle.

After making the decision on the diamond, I was still skeptical. It was a great deal and exactly what I was looking for. What was the catch?  I called Merle's bank before I sent a wire and they confirmed her information. After sending the funds, the diamond was set and available for me to pick up at a jeweler downtown 2 days later.  This diamond is the most fantastic diamond that I have seen. The cut is so good that it sparkles at all times. I had the diamond with me after I picked it up and looked at it all day. When I got home that night, I sneaked a peek before I went into my house. The diamond was sparkly even when it was dark outside.

I have yet to give the ring to my future wife. We will be going out of town for the special event. I have showed the ring to a few friends and they all have been amazed. I am definitely not a jewelry fan, but I love this ring and this diamond. It is exactly what I want and perfect for my future wife. Merle did a great job of listening to my needs and then going out there and finding exactly what I wanted to give to my future wife.  Good luck with your search. I highly recommend Merle.   Matt from Chicago

*********************************** 

Hi Merle...

 

I wanted to write to you after all this time.  I bought the diamond from you back in January 2006.  I have finally proposed to my girlfriend and she said yes of course.  I really wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your help in finding the “right” diamond.  I have always been told that when the right diamond comes along, it speaks to you.  Well, my diamond and I have had quite a bit of dialogue.  LOL.

 

I lived in LA and have done a lot of looking/searching of diamonds in the jewelry district over the years.  All my efforts were futile because you were able to find what I’ve been looking for.  The diamond is gorgeous.  I feel like the character in the Lord of the Rings....”I wanted it for myself.”

 

More importantly than finding the right diamond is making a new friend.  I have good faith in your good heartedness in helping others in my position.  You have made a good friend in me.  I have to admit buying a diamond from someone I didn’t know and on the internet was quite nerve wrecking.  However, you have always done the things you said you’d do.  You have exceeded my expectations.  I felt quite at ease once our transaction began.

 Should you ever need someone to vouch for what you do, drop me an email.
Charles C. W from Los Angeles

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Thanks Merle....I love it.  You've been great.  And the stone looks gorgeous.....can't wait to figure the setting and put it all together.

Sincerely,

Tim from California

***********************************

Hi Merle, yes you guessed correctly… my brother and his fiancé absolutely loved the ring!  The stone is so brilliant and really stands head and shoulders above other rings I see women wearing.  You can really see the difference a quality cut makes.

Sorry I didn’t write back to you sooner, but I’ve been really busy as of late.  Please pass on my best wishes to Adam for crafting the perfect setting.  We were worried it wouldn’t fit because we had simply guessed the size, but the size we picked was an exact match!

I have another brother who will be getting engaged soon, and I may be not that far around the corner.  I will also refer you to my friends when they need to purchase the perfect rock.  Glad doing business with you,

Ryan from Canada

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THANK YOU MERLE STONE FOR THE NICEST RADIANT I'VE EVER SEEN
I write this thank you with hesitation, only because I don't 
want everyone to buy Merle's diamonds, because once you've 
seen the quality of her stones and the pleasure of dealing 
with a true professional, you'll be hooked and impressed as 
am I. Earl from Port WashingtonNY in the Jewelry trade

***********************************

Hi Merle:

I just wanted to thank you again for working with me on the ring.  It is absolutely beautiful and I couldn't be happier.  Sorry again for the hassles with the timing and paypal, but all's well that ends well and I hope I didn't make your life too difficult in the process.

 

If it would help you for me to write a note for your references let me know.  Not being on Paypal I'm not sure if it has to go through there or not but I'd be happy to do whatever I can.

Have a happy New year and call for any reason

Paul  from Chicago

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Merle,

It's here and it DOES look AWESOME!!!
Steve from Minnesota

 

Merle,

Hi!  I just wanted to give you an update.  Seems that giving a ring also begins the process of
planning a wedding, so we've been pretty busy with that one.  Anyway, Cathy is always getting
compliments on it and they seem really impressed when she said that I picked it out without any of her help.
We've had a few interesting comments like "Wow, it's so shiny, is it new?" --> like any diamond can really
be called "new".  Kinda funny.  Anyway, just wanted to thank you for all your help and patience and say that
the ring was exactly as we hoped it would be. 

Right now Cathy is thinking she might not want a wedding band since she thinks
the ring is perfect as it is, but tradition says you need a wedding band so thought I'd ask you what it would be like.
We have a date of September 8th picked for our wedding, so we have plenty of time.  But, if you wanted to ask Adam
about a matching band, that would be great.  I'm thinking it would be a match with the current band width, size 4, in platinum
with same Pave stones covering the entire top 1/2 of the ring.  Only thing that is a little wierd is it might have to bend around
the center stone to join together right.  But, maybe there are different options of how that would work.
Thanks again,
Steve from Minnesota

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 We got the stone Merle!!! and it's GORGEOUS!!! It just sparkles!!!! We really cannot thank you enough!!!!!  Ann from California

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 Merle

Just a note to confirm our gratitude to you for the excellent job you did in finding the “perfect“ diamond for Judy’s engagement ring.  It is awesome, and Judy gets continuous compliments on how gorgeous the ring is.  The “fire and sparkle“ are greater than any I have ever seen.  Thank you again for the superb job and we certainly will come back to you for any of our diamond jewelry needs in the future.  Don and Judy from Oregon

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Merle Sounds good.

And, in case I forget to mention it, I really appreciate all your help. 
Everyone else I have tried to buy from has jerked me around so much and
given me such BS answers to my questions that I gave up on them.

And I appreciate that you are a "straight shooter".  I know the diamond
market is too active for anyone to give "outragous" deals on diamonds.  You
are the first guy to just basically say, "here is the best price.  Its a
good price and a fair price on a quality diamond, no more, no less".  I have
been able to verify your claims by looking at on-line sellers of quality
diamonds ( Blue Nile and others).

I also appreciate that you have high standards for the diamonds you sell.  I
agree with you.  Why would I spend $8,000 to get an "OK" diamond when you
can sell me a great looking diamond for just a few thousand more.  This is a
lifetime investment and I want my wife to look with pride on this ring for
50+ years (God willing).

I look forward to speaking with you on the phone.  Tonight will be good for
me.  In fact, if you want to phone around 5 MST at work, that would be
great.  My cell phone sometimes gets bad reception and cuts out (as these
phones are want to do). 2^nd email after receiving his ring  from Robert  from Utah

 

Looks like you are right.  I have searched websites (like Blue Nile and
other) and used their diamond selectors, using parameters close to my
diamond.  $10,000 is always about the lowest and usually the lowest is in
the $11K's.  Prices will usually go up into the $13K range (1.5 - 1.6 carat,
F, S1, Excellent (Ideal) cut).

I sure can't go wrong with this stone.  We did go over the insurance
appraisal, etc.  There is a guy here local that will do it for $65 I think.

 I haven't had a chance to get the diamond insurance appraised yet.

I must say, since this ring arrived, I have been looking at engagement rings
of other women in my office.  Mine is much better than all of them.  The
ring has such wonderful sparkle.  Even without direct light.  With direct
light, you almost need to shield your eyes!!

Thanks for finding me such a nice stone and a great setting.  I am sure this
will make Heather very happy for many years to come.

I can see how your business grows by word of mouth.  I am sure that anyone
who sees this will be asking me where I got it.  I will send them all to
you  Thanks much!!!  Robert from Utah.

 

Merle:
I haven't popped the question, but plan to soon.
I was wondering (if for any reason it would be necessary) can the ring be resized?

Also, I must say that my ring is "night and day" superior to ANY OTHER
engagement ring I have looked at in the past month (some are so cloudy that
I can't see how anyone would buy such things).  Clearly I am a novice and
know nothing of rings.  Thanks for leading me through this bizarre and
complecated world and getting me fair value for my money.  I can't tell you
how much I appreciate dealing with an honest and caring seller (rare today).

Thanks again.  I will let you know how things turn out (when they do).

Robert from Utah.

*********************************** 

Merle

Yes we received them, they are beautiful!
Thank you so much!!  Jenny and Dan from Maine

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Dear Merle,

I want to thank you for going above and beyond your call of duty for the construction of my engagement ring. Your efforts were tireless as much as they were precise. The quality of your refined taste exceeds normal expectation and you will settle for no less, for which I am ever grateful for. You work with great dignity and pride to deliver excellent products to your clients. I am confident anybody who ever was, is, and will be your customer in the future will share the same sentiment as my fiance and I. I explained my dream engagement ring to you and you made it a reality, customized to the very last intricate detail, with precise accord. You work with quality craftspeople and I have the product you created for me to prove it.

Thank You and Good Luck with all your future endeavors!!!

Helen from New York

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 Just wanted to thank you for the fast service and great looking ring. She loves the ring…

 Thanks again…Roozy from California

 

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WOW~!!!

The ring arrived today and looks AMAZING!

How many cuts does this one have. It looks like alot.

I cannot thank you enough.

Thanks again,

Todd D from Florida

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Merle,

I am loving the diamond set!  Very nicely done!  They look like they have been cut
from the same set of rock. 
I am very pleased.
Thank you,
Neil from Iowa

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Good afternoon, Merle.

 I picked up the Fedex package an hour ago. I am excited and enthralled by the quality of the ring!  It really sparkes and shines in the light!

 Thank you for finding the diamond and setting up everything!

 God Bless,

 C.J. Lee from Chicago

***********************************

Merle,

Hello.  I received the ring earlier this week.  It looked beautiful as you said it would.  I took it to a GIA certified gemologist and they confirmed the findings in the GIA report.  Thank you once again for finding this stone for me.  I'm sure my girlfriend will be extremely happy.  Also thank you for the education on stones.  As aformentioned, I have two brothers who will be looking for engagement rings in the future.  Without a doubt I will refer them to you for all of their needs.  Thanks once again for a pleasant, seamless transaction.

Sid

***********************************

Just to let you know the stone arrived, and we thought it was lovely.  Took it to a long-time jeweler without showing him the paperwork, and he oohhed and aahhed within seconds of looking at it under the microscope.

We are beyond satisfied.  Thank you again for all your assistance in tracking down the best stone for us!

Mara from Arizona

***********************************

 Good morning Merle—the eagle has landed!  The rings are absolutely beautiful! I cannot wait to surprise Donna with them later today (I sneakily told her yesterday they were just now getting to the appraisal and the rings would probably not be here until early next week).  I certainly hope and think she will be thrilled.  A couple of items: the rings did not come with the AGS Cert or in a ring box (in case you were wondering).  Will you be sending me the AGS Cert?  Also, can you and/or Castinghouse give me any guidance on how and how frequent the stones and rings should be cleaned and if there is any other recommended maintenance we should do (i.e. take to a jeweler to check the settings every so often, etc)?  I’ve read a number of varied opinions on how to clean and how not to clean that are quite conflicting and confusing.  I’ll follow up with an email of Donna’s reaction.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Kevin from Oklahoma

 

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It is in my hands this morning and it is beautiful… thanks for all your help!

                                                                        Bob from Virginia

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Dear Merle,
Just wanted to drop you a line to tell you I got to scope my new stone today; and was I happy! I have NEVER saw a VS2 look so clean under 10x and 20x. Heck it was hard for me to see the two very small feathers and a small dot by the girdle, at 30x! That said, the color F and "excellent" GIA rated cut, polish and symmetry makes this 1.01 carat diamond a true gem stone, and something I will treasure forever!
I will send you a picture of the stone set in a beautiful custom platinum mounting. This stone was to beautiful to set in mere gold! LOL!

Thank you so much for your assistance in this acquisition.
Harry from Indiana

***********************************

 

Hey Merle.  Wife loves the ring.  I've been sick past few days and haven't been able to get to some of the things as this.  I'll get a picture sent to you, just may be a bit before I get it done as I am going out of town for four days and will be back to work next Monday.  Just an FYI, my wife went in to a higher end jeweler (for our area at least) where she is going to get the ring appraised and will be dropping it off there tomorrow.  Guess they keep it for three or four days.  They had said that the ring size was just a bit under 7 and 3/4 which would explain why it is loose on her finger.  Should we just have this jeweler size it?  Didn't know how much was involved with this or if you have any ideas?  Thanks.  Jeff from South Dakota

***********************************

merle,

it looks perfect! thank you so much! we'll take it to our jeweler and confirm that everything's great and i'll let you know on the final, but it looks like a keeper!

thanks again, David from New York

 hi merle,

thanks very much. looks like we'll be keeping the beautiful stone you sent us. i'll recommend you to friends!
David from New York

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Hi Merle!!!!

I've got the diamond!!! IT IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!

THANKS SO MUCH!!!!  Carmen  from California

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Hi, Merle, just wanted to let you know I was very pleased with the stone and so was Chad (it's for his girlfriend).  Thanks so much for all your help.  I will try to take it next Wed. to get it set. 

Thanks,    Vickie L.  from Houston Texas

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Hi Merle,
 I received my diamond today. Thanks for all your help! The diamond looks very nice and, if all checks out with the gemologist, the stone will be good to go into the engagement ring I have chosen.
 
Thanks again and I will let others know about your business when purchasing diamonds!
 Sincerely,
Robert from California

***********************************

Thank you, Merle for the helping make the process and the acquisition of the gift of a diamond, be informative and painless. Your customer service and price was better than I could have done in my own home town. This is how all business should be run – with the satisfaction of the client at the top of the list. I’ll let you know how far her socks are knocked off when she sees it. It’s beautiful.

Thanks again, Reed From Oregon

***********************************

Hello Merle,

Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you with this. Well the stone is beautiful and my fiance loves it. You made it incredibly easy for me to make this happen. I really appreciate all the help that you gave me in my search for the ring as well. I would not have gotten very far on my own. Working with you on this was so easy and so simple. Thanks again!

Kevin from Montana

Hello Merle,


All I can say is thank you.. no other words can explain my appreciation to you.. I will definitely come back for all my diamond needs.. hopefully you are getting over your cold.  

  HI,MERLE:
 
I HOPE YOU REMEBER ME, EVERYBODY ITS AMAZED WITH MY BRILLIANT IN MY TOWN, SO ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS ITS VERY INTERESTED IN ONE OF THEM SO I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME HE'S LOOKING FOR A CUSHION OR SQUARE EMERALD WITH EXCELLENT CUTS SO HE WANTS A GOOD COLOR AND NOT A VERY GOOD CLARITY LOOKING FOR A GOOD PRICE.
 
I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THAT AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR TIME.