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Voltaire Diamonds

  • 23-07-2012 5:29am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 151 ✭✭


    Hi All

    Sorry I just looking for people who have purchased from Voltaire Diamonds and how happy they are with their ring

    Newly engaged and will be looking for a ring in the next few weeks, I kinda have my heart set on getting one made but the OH is a bit skeptical about this. After looking at Seamus' interview on TV3 he states that the rings he has in his office are not diamonds (cubic seconia) so basically you only get to the actuall cut / clarity / carat when the ring has been made for you?

    I know he has all diamonds certified but Im just wondering if after time people are still as happy with their rings?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,131 ✭✭✭RentDayBlues


    Didn't get my engagement ring from Seamus but got our wedding bands and he also replaced a diamond that fell out of my engagement ring

    Really happy with service - quick, professional and a lot less that some of the shops we looked at. Going back to him shortly for an eternity ring


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,690 ✭✭✭Whyner


    Bid08 wrote: »
    Hi All

    Sorry I just looking for people who have purchased from Voltaire Diamonds and how happy they are with their ring

    Newly engaged and will be looking for a ring in the next few weeks, I kinda have my heart set on getting one made but the OH is a bit skeptical about this. After looking at Seamus' interview on TV3 he states that the rings he has in his office are not diamonds (cubic seconia) so basically you only get to the actuall cut / clarity / carat when the ring has been made for you?

    I know he has all diamonds certified but Im just wondering if after time people are still as happy with their rings?

    Why wouldn't people? No different to buying it elsewhere. She has her ring just over a year and all good.

    I actually only lodged the money into his account after collecting the ring. No deposit was required. He's an old rogue. Sure make an apt with him and see how you go, no harm.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,137 ✭✭✭artyeva


    we got my engagement ring and both our wedding rings over 2 years ago from seamus and couldn't be happier. not sure i understand the question really. why would your happiness with a ring decrease over time, if it's what you really wanted in the first place? there's no pushy sales patter with seamus, quite the opposite in fact.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 151 ✭✭Bid08


    I just mean it keeps it original standard and no faults appear in the ring / diamond over time


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,137 ✭✭✭artyeva


    faults in the diamond? no. inclusions can't suddenly start 'growing' in a diamond. inclusions and colours and clarity and all that jazz are laid down in the diamond when it's formed. a diamond can't 'deterioriate' over time. they can be damaged, but if your hand ever meets that level of impact that it damages the stone, believe me, the diamond will be the last thing on yer mind ;) the setting on my ring is such that the bottom of the stone can get a bit manky with hand creams or just general dust [the only time i do take it off is when i'm cooking] but a small baby's toothbrush and some water and two or three light rubs and it's clean again. don't mean to be rude here but if that is your level of worry you should maybe do a bit more reading up on diamonds before you buy so you know exactly the questions you want to ask seamus when you meet him.

    faults in the ring? well that depends on the metal. my rings are 18ct white gold, so they do need to be plated with rhodium every so often to keep them looking brand new. how often is a personal choice. after 2 years i reckon it's time to get them done, but it wouldn't bother me if i waited another 6 months. my husband got a palladium ring because he wanted it to dull and wear over time and didn't want anything shiny. again, maybe you need to read up on different metals to use in the setting and how they wear.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 151 ✭✭Bid08


    there has been posts previously where people have had cracks appear in the rings and such so I just wanted to ensure that not many have had such issues with Voltaire


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,137 ✭✭✭artyeva


    the internet is awash with people who claim that they suddenly notice a crack or some such in their diamond, but it';s usually after they let it fall or whack it off something or leave into a jeweller for cleaning or resizing or something. my own opinion of that is that the vast, vast majority of cases they're simply noticing a flaw that has always been in the diamond, they're just looking at it now expecting it to be damaged. not all cases, but the vast vast majority. ask to see the diamond with the 10x loupe before you buy, see if when you get the certificate they've plotted the location of any flaws. then you'll have something to compare against if you do ever notice something amiss later on. diamonds are harder than you think. yes, they are brittle, but any damage to the stone is more likely to be on the surface rather than inside, if that makes sense. i'm not a jeweller, but i did take the time to do a lot of research and reading before we spent money on our rings. i'd put more faith in published articles from reputable sources than boards ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,042 ✭✭✭will56


    We got her Engagement ring and our wedding bands from Seamus.
    Very happy with the service, and the value is hard to beat.
    There is no hard sell, he even encouraged us to go off and try other shops before we buy from him.
    18 months on her ring is still perfect, it 18ct gold so had to be plated before the wedding but there has never been any problems with the setting or anything else.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,725 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    Got my wifes engagement ring and both our weddings rings off Seamus.

    Just married and heading off on honeymoon tomorrow.

    couldnt be happier with the service and quality tbh


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,137 ✭✭✭artyeva


    Got my wifes engagement ring and both our weddings rings off Seamus.

    Just married and heading off on honeymoon tomorrow.

    couldnt be happier with the service and quality tbh

    congratulations mr and mrs helimachoptor, enjoy the 'moon :)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,413 ✭✭✭pooch90


    Got our E-ring from Voltaire.
    Not a single bad word to utter about the service or craftsmanship.
    Great to deal with.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 952 ✭✭✭bills


    Got my engagement ring from voltaire nearly two yrs ago. Would highly recommend voltaire . Still love the ring & no issues after wearing the ring for nearly two years. Go for it! Congrats by the way


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 151 ✭✭Bid08


    Thanks All,
    I rang yesterday and he is on annual leave till 13th August so Ill have to wait till then to book an appointment

    im ragin as we had planned on going next weeking looking but sure suppose I can still check out other jewellers in dublin and then arrange to back up to Voltaire another day


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 389 ✭✭LisaLee


    Just sticking my oar in too! My fiance got my ring from Seamus at Voltaire Diamonds, been wearing it every day for 9 months and it still looks like new. People still comment about it and ask if it's new! Himself said Seamus was great to deal with, not at all pushy and we'll be knocking on his door when we're wedding ring shopping. Good luck! :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,069 ✭✭✭ronn


    We didnt deal with Seamus, We dealt With Stacey, Couldnt fault her, no pressure what so ever, Defo go back to them:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 151 ✭✭Bid08


    There seems to be quite a good bit of hangling to be done with Jewellers but is there hangling with Voltaire from anyones experience?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51 ✭✭Adrienne13


    Hi i was in with Seamus recently looking at rings. I loved the selection that he has but i was slightly concerned by the fact that he doesn't have certifiates for all of his rings. In my research on buying diamonds one of the most important factors has been certification. I'd just be worried that they might be conflict diamonds or not of the quality that he is saying they are. Has anyone bought a ring from Seamus that wasn't certified and had problems or found out the ring wasn't what it was valued at?
    Thanks


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 14 macbookair


    Most jewellers sell both certified and uncertified diamonds. Also, depends on size of stones, smaller stones are rarely certified due to costs. I'm sure if your require certification a jeweller will source a certified stone and it will be built into the selling price.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26 Nimi85


    collected my ring from voltaire last night! Its everything i could have wished for and more. Seamus is such a gent, cant recommend him highly enough.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,069 ✭✭✭ronn


    The rings are fake so he doesn't get robbed, You order your ring he gets it made up, then you get your cert and insurance valuation, :D


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51 ✭✭Adrienne13


    ronn wrote: »
    The rings are fake so he doesn't get robbed, You order your ring he gets it made up, then you get your cert and insurance valuation, :D

    Yeah but not all the rings are certified. Youve to pay an extra 300euro if you want a cert.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 709 ✭✭✭frogstar


    ronn wrote: »
    The rings are fake so he doesn't get robbed, You order your ring he gets it made up, then you get your cert and insurance valuation, :D

    Yes I know that now but I asked to buy the exact display model (as in not being made up) and was given a price to buy it there and then

    I assume cost is the main reason for not holding real gems ((it would be hundreds of thousands) but a consumer should be told straight away. The fact he has said this on xpose makes me think he is disclosing this now


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 709 ✭✭✭frogstar


    To be honest adrienne I think certs are a bit of a con. My diamond is certified and yes it does give me comfort but part of me still thinks it's just a bit of paper

    After speaking with my jeweler in Antwerp who is not a fan of certs (but gets them as customers want them). He argues that one person might say it's a d colour, another an E. I think a cert goes through about five people though. He said he has seen a dew diamonds come in and he disagrees with the cert.

    But In glad I have mine. I don't know who grades voltaires diamonds

    Sorry another thing I didn't like, he arranges the insurance valuation. Independently of course, they come back with a higher valuation. I just think that's conflict of interest as the valuer and Voltaire want the bigger price for repeat business.

    This thread will prob be removed as it's negative but that's my two cents!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51 ✭✭Adrienne13


    frogstar wrote: »
    To be honest adrienne I think certs are a bit of a con. My diamond is certified and yes it does give me comfort but part of me still thinks it's just a bit of paper

    After speaking with my jeweler in Antwerp who is not a fan of certs (but gets them as customers want them). He argues that one person might say it's a d colour, another an E. I think a cert goes through about five people though. He said he has seen a dew diamonds come in and he disagrees with the cert.

    But In glad I have mine. I don't know who grades voltaires diamonds

    Well thats what he said to us that its just a piece of paper but i think like you id feel more at ease having one. So you went to antwerp to get your ring then? How did you find that?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 709 ✭✭✭frogstar


    Yes we went to Antwerp. The ring I had in mind is unusual and I couldn't find it in Dublin. Funny though, Voltaire had it in their display, the one I got a price on.

    I was engaged about two months before we decided to over as I couldn't find it here. I did lots of research (you sound like you are doing that too!) so I knew what prices to expect etc...

    There are tons of shops in Antwerp but only five registered with th ADJA, the Antwerp diamond association so we stuck with these and visited four. Luckily the last shop had it on display and gave us a great discount. I got a bigger and better diamond that I though I could have got.

    I can email you pics / prices etc... If you want to pm me your email address


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,547 ✭✭✭City-Exile


    Just back after our wedding.
    Voltaire helped me get the perfect engagement ring, to surprise my now wife.
    She was so happy with it, we both got our wedding bands there.
    The diamonds sparkle so much, it's like a disco in our house some evenings.

    You pick the style, you pick the metal & your budget determines the stones.
    Everything is explained very clearly to you & you don't hand over the cash unless you're totally happy.
    I'm not comfortable going to a snobby jeweller, who looks down his nose at me because I didn't bring the woman with me, while trying to pawn off any old rubbish on me, telling me that they know what women want.

    I'm a technical guy & dealing with Voltaire was easy because everything was explained & it made sense. I got the ring that I wanted.

    I'd say Voltaire will have a few more customers after our wedding, judging by all the compliments on our bling. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 toriamos


    Hi,
    First time poster as my future hubbie recently popped the question.
    I 've read up alot on Volitaire Diamonds but just wondering how their prices compare to say the like of the highstreet in Dublin or even Antwerp?
    Some of the prices in the main shops in Dublin are crazy.
    We are thinking of going to Brussells on cheap ryanair flight.
    i.e if you know exactly what your looking for , then get a price of Volitaire and maybe contact some jewellers in Antwerp?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,547 ✭✭✭City-Exile


    toriamos wrote: »
    Hi,
    First time poster as my future hubbie recently popped the question.
    I 've read up alot on Volitaire Diamonds but just wondering how their prices compare to say the like of the highstreet in Dublin or even Antwerp?
    Some of the prices in the main shops in Dublin are crazy.
    We are thinking of going to Brussells on cheap ryanair flight.
    i.e if you know exactly what your looking for , then get a price of Volitaire and maybe contact some jewellers in Antwerp?

    Like I said in my post, Voltaire make the ring to suit your budget.
    You will get a proper valuation certificate with your ring.
    Talk to them & see what you think.
    It doesn't cost anything to talk.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 toriamos


    thanks city-excile, might do.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,547 ✭✭✭City-Exile


    toriamos wrote: »
    thanks city-excile, might do.

    If you're like me, you might just want to suss things out via e-mail, before you meet up. I didn't want to be wasting their time, but after a few e-mails I had the ring designed & the price. Once I was happy with all that, I gave to go-ahead to get it made & didn't pay for anything until I collected it. I wouldn't give advice about something so important, if I wasn't so certain that the quality is top notch.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭Babooshka


    I got my Engagement ring from Voltaire diamonds. Seamus is a good guy and won't put you wrong, his major concern is that you're happy with the ring you get. I actually went back to him today as I wanted his opinion on something I thought I noticed about my ring I hadn't before. Turns out it was a facet I was seeing under strong spotlights, which put me at ease as all I was concerned with is that it wasn't a serious flaw, which I doubted anyway as it's certified and looks amazing, but being new to it all, better to ease your mind. I love my stone, but he told me if I'm not a hundred percent happy and it's annoying me, he'd be more than happy to source another stone in the same spec for me.

    It would be a very good idea to do your homework before making an appointment though, as I was quite new to diamonds and had no previous knowledge, on my first visit I was quite overwhelmed with all of the information you need to know before making a decision on size to fit budget and cut etc. I am happy with the service, Seamus is very approachable, will clean your ring every few months for free when you feel it needs a clean, and charges a very good price for white gold plating, when it's needed. My ring is so sparkly, I still have to slap myself not to look at it when I'm driving my car!!

    It may be cheaper to go away but for me, the cost of the trip for both of us along with the fact I get my ring cleaned for free and Seamus is there if I ever want to go into him and ask him anything about it won me over to get my ring here. But it is all personal choice though... Happy hunting :D


  • Administrators, Business & Finance Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 16,978 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Toots


    Folks, just a reminder that if you want to post a recommendation or criticism of a company, you must either be a member of Boards.ie for over 2 months, OR have 20+ posts.

    All the forum rules are contained in the 'Charter' sticky at the top of the forum.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 54 ✭✭jojo2


    Have to highly recommended Voltaire. My fiance got my engagement ring there a year ago and he says Seamus was great in helping him choose the ring. Of course I still love it and it looks as sparkly today as it did then! We just picked up our wedding rings last week and we're so happy with them. Couldn't fault the service at all.
    Seamus has got real diamond rings at his office, I'd imagine it would do his business serious damage if he was caught selling a fake ring! I'd advise anyone looking for a ring to make an appointment with him, at least then you can compare his prices with other shops and make an informed decision.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7 tomphar


    Is there a lifetime warranty on the rings supplied by Voltaire diamonds? What is the aftercare service available?

    Can anybody can tell me about their experience?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51 ✭✭mrbad


    A life time warranty? Are u serious :) what car , jumper kitchen appliance cames with a life time warranty? I am sure the cover is as per every jewellery shop , but if you bash it and mark the ring or knock out a stone, you are likely to have to pay yourself.


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  • Company Representative Posts: 80 Verified rep Voltaire Diamonds: Seamus


    Hi tomphar,

    Many thanks for your question.

    We have a fully serviced workshop in Dublin City centre so all our resizings, polishing, rhodium plating etc are carried out there. All work generally has a 24 hour turnaround time.

    Please get in touch with me if you have any further questions on info@voltairediamonds.ie

    If you are just starting your search for an engagement ring please visit our website, youtube channel and facebook page to view lots of styles. If you have a specific style we can have it handmade for you.

    www.voltairediamonds.ie
    www.youtube.com/voltairediamonds (over 450 videos of rings)
    www.facebook.com/voltairediamonds

    Many thanks
    Séamus


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 151 ✭✭Irishmale


    I got my ring from Natashasherling.ie. is a similar operation to voltaire I suppose. Has done all the GIA study and all herself. Got on really well with her and was very pleased. would recommend.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1 lauraluxbyrne


    Hi tomphar,

    Many thanks for your question.

    We have a fully serviced workshop in Dublin City centre so all our resizings, polishing, rhodium plating etc are carried out there. All work generally has a 24 hour turnaround time.

    Please get in touch with me if you have any further questions on info@voltairediamonds.ie

    If you are just starting your search for an engagement ring please visit our website, youtube channel and facebook page to view lots of styles. If you have a specific style we can have it handmade for you.

    www.voltairediamonds.ie
    www.youtube.com/voltairediamonds (over 450 videos of rings)
    www.facebook.com/voltairediamonds

    Many thanks
    Séamus


    hi seamus.

    what do you mean by 24 hour turn around? the ring is ready in 24 hours?

    thanks.


  • Company Representative Posts: 80 Verified rep Voltaire Diamonds: Seamus


    Hi Lauraluxbyrne,

    Many thanks for your message.

    All our repairs/rhodium plating/resizing can be carried out with a 24 hour turnaround.

    With regards engagement rings, we have a wide range of styles that are available immediately.

    Please email me on info@voltairediamonds.ie if you have any further queries.

    Kind regards
    Seamus


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1 Damogreer


    [SNIP]

    Posters must have either 20 posts or been a member of Boards.ie for over 2 months before they can post a review of a business or service on this forum. Please read and familiarise yourself with the charter before posting.

    Thanks


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51 ✭✭mrbad


    What happened?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,564 ✭✭✭✭whiskeyman


    Have a budget of roughly €2k. Is this enough to consider a ring from Voltaire?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,069 ✭✭✭ronn


    I'd say so. Not everyone has 20k to spend on a ring. And I reckon you'll get the same service as if you were spending 20k.


  • Company Representative Posts: 80 Verified rep Voltaire Diamonds: Seamus


    Hi Whiskeyman,

    Many thanks for your question.

    We supply engagement rings from any budget above €1200. You will get a lovely ring for your budget.

    Please visit our website for some of our styles:

    www.voltairediamonds.ie

    Please also visit our Youtube channel where you will see over 500 engagement ring styles that we have supplied:

    https://www.youtube.com/user/VoltaireDiamonds/videos?view=0&flow=grid

    Many thanks again
    Seamus


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,413 ✭✭✭pooch90


    whiskeyman wrote: »
    Have a budget of roughly €2k. Is this enough to consider a ring from Voltaire?

    Yep!
    Ours was only slightly more than this.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31 RetailChick


    We got our engagement ring from Voltaire and we would highly recommend them! My OH proposed at the start of the year with his great great grandmothers engagement ring as a proposal ring and so the search for my engagement ring began.

    We did the usual high st trying on but having done so much research on diamonds we felt more knowledgeable than the sales assistants who just kept referring to the rings as "Oooohh look aren't they sparkly"!! We noted cost etc but most rings weren't certified and they could tell us little about even the basics such as the 4 C's. TBH I already had a ring in mind and we found a very close one to it in Weir and Son but it was €9K...........ridiculous money to us to spend on a ring.

    I found out about Voltaire and arranged an appointment. We set a budget of 3.5k as we thought that was reasonable also my OH had spent nearly 2k putting real diamonds in his grandmothers ring to propose with. (It was also a gift to me, with his mothers blessing as he has no sisters, in time it will be passed to our little girl). We had a chance to view both fake and real diamonds on the day and sure enough there was my dream ring (real diamonds :)!) It was 1.5k over our set budget so Sarah who was a pleasure to deal with emailed us a couple of days later with the spec of ring we could get for our budget, it would have been made exactly the same only a smaller carat, clarity etc.

    As a surprise my OH went in a got the ring I had originally tried on, he said Sarah wasn't a bit pushy and kept asking about the budget and if he was sure. I think that just proves Voltaire aren't out to try sell the bigger diamond but really take into account what their client wants. I am so happy with my ring and have received so many compliments. Also the very similar ring I had tried in Weir and son for 9k was a smaller carat, a J colour vs the G colour of my ring and a poorer clarity........so yes very good value!! Looking forward to getting our wedding bands from Voltaire next year!


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