How did you get started in the jewelry business?
My father David who learned how to cut diamonds in South Africa, started Liberty Diamonds in 1982 as Orange County’s premier Diamond cutters and wholesalers. As the years went by my father with the help of my mother started the retail side of Liberty Diamonds by selling fine custom-made jewelry and diamonds to the public at prices better than the LA diamond district here in the heart of Orange County. Shortly after I moved home from college in 1999, my father offered me a job. Then soon after I took a Diamond Grading class through Gemological Institute of America which I excelled and was #1 in my class! I absolutely loved looking at diamonds and right then I knew I found my calling! Then I concluded my studies and became a G.I.A. Graduate Gemologist! The rest is history!!!
What is your role at Liberty Diamonds?
My job title is Vice President and GIA Graduate Gemologist. I manage our remote location in the Los Angeles Diamond District, which I opened in 2002. As well I’m the main diamond buyer and work directly with our suppliers (making sure all our diamonds are “Conflict Free”)! As well I work hand-in-hand with my clients to custom create one-of-a-kind designs with CAD-cam technology and teach them how to purchase the right diamond for their budget! Not to mention I’m an appraiser and can value any jewelry item or at least tell you what it is!
What is the reason people should come to Liberty Diamonds over any other jewelry store for an engagement ring?
At “Liberty Diamonds” it’s “Our Mission” to provide you with the best customer service, quality hand-picked diamonds and offer all the services the big mall stores do, at literally a fraction of the cost! We are on your side when it comes to finding the best value for your money and we provide our clients with an educational approach when selling diamonds, utilizing the latest technology available in the diamond business! Such as a Sarin diamond scanner, ASET camera light tracing technology, and Dyno Micro-scopic camera. As technology does not lie, it makes shopping with Liberty Diamonds an experience rather than a chore.
What is the best piece of advice you can give someone who is looking for an engagement ring?
“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a good price is forgotten”
Is the 3x your salary rule a good rule?
Yes it is, so try to stick to that budget! In rare cases if you always hoped for a certain size and quality or she hinted at it? You might need to save a bit longer!
Thanks Troy! If you want to find the perfect engagement ring, stop by Liberty Diamonds and tell them we sent you. If you want to plan the perfect proposal, The Heart Bandits help you come up with the best proposal idea and then plan it for you STRESS FREE. Also, our clients are always asking us how to hide their bulky engagement ring box on the day they propose. The answer is, buy a thin engagement ring box!! Ring Stash offers a .5 inch ring box that will help you keep your proposal a secret until you are ready to reveal it.
