Bought a pleasant paua unisex ring. Took the opportunity to Post this review:
SERVICE: Overall, service is "ok", although, no question that, in today's age, standard delivery is way too long but that's what is offered. Setting aside subjective opinions about the quality of gems being sold nowadays (as opposed to 5 or so years ago), the complete lack of variety and design in your normal ranges, the noticeable increase in re-constituted, coated or diffused topaz/quartz items, the significant drop in gold weight proportionate to the designs and the evaporation of the sense of "family" and "ethics" (when was the last time Steve came on and auctioned Samburu tribe pieces for example), there are two things that can be addressed immediately (and have been raised time and time again on reviews) that have nothing to do with Gemporia's decisions on commercial direction:
1. Showcase hours ALWAYS ALWAYS are 20, 25 minutes or half an hour late or don't really start because of inane chatter and hand-waving repeated phrases. Gone are the days when Scott or Rachel would actually get up and give a ten minute talk about facts (maps, specimen samples, treatments etc).
and
2. There is now a VERY noticeable use of the light box or recorded video presentation of an item. Oddly, the Outlet is now the best channel to see an actual item up close, all the way around and in context of the hand or neckline (Nick Davies is brilliant at this). This comment has been made hundreds of times in reviews. The video does indeed show up the item up close but it is now being used instead of showing the item in the studio. We would all agree that videos have their place in presenting an item to sell but not as a complete substitute.
Gemporia still makes lovely items but, as one reviewer has commented in a similar vein very recently, far less "Ooh, lovely, got to have it" and more "Mmm, nice but let's look it up and check all the details before deciding". Having lost that warm "family" feeling to the whole operation and having educated your early audience (for which we are very grateful), a purchase decision is now far more likely to be a hard-nosed commercial one, with comparisons with your online and on-screen competitors.
PRODUCT: Not yet posted but I referred to fact that the ring was made in China, not by Gemporia and that Lynn J proudly (and rightly) used to say that Gems didn't "scoop out" the metal in the ring shank. This ring had all the metal scooped out!
SERVICE: Overall, service is "ok", although, no question that, in today's age, standard delivery is way too long but that's what is offered. Setting aside subjective opinions about the quality of gems being sold nowadays (as opposed to 5 or so years ago), the complete lack of variety and design in your normal ranges, the noticeable increase in re-constituted, coated or diffused topaz/quartz items, the significant drop in gold weight proportionate to the designs and the evaporation of the sense of "family" and "ethics" (when was the last time Steve came on and auctioned Samburu tribe pieces for example), there are two things that can be addressed immediately (and have been raised time and time again on reviews) that have nothing to do with Gemporia's decisions on commercial direction:
1. Showcase hours ALWAYS ALWAYS are 20, 25 minutes or half an hour late or don't really start because of inane chatter and hand-waving repeated phrases. Gone are the days when Scott or Rachel would actually get up and give a ten minute talk about facts (maps, specimen samples, treatments etc).
and
2. There is now a VERY noticeable use of the light box or recorded video presentation of an item. Oddly, the Outlet is now the best channel to see an actual item up close, all the way around and in context of the hand or neckline (Nick Davies is brilliant at this). This comment has been made hundreds of times in reviews. The video does indeed show up the item up close but it is now being used instead of showing the item in the studio. We would all agree that videos have their place in presenting an item to sell but not as a complete substitute.
Gemporia still makes lovely items but, as one reviewer has commented in a similar vein very recently, far less "Ooh, lovely, got to have it" and more "Mmm, nice but let's look it up and check all the details before deciding". Having lost that warm "family" feeling to the whole operation and having educated your early audience (for which we are very grateful), a purchase decision is now far more likely to be a hard-nosed commercial one, with comparisons with your online and on-screen competitors.
PRODUCT: Not yet posted but I referred to fact that the ring was made in China, not by Gemporia and that Lynn J proudly (and rightly) used to say that Gems didn't "scoop out" the metal in the ring shank. This ring had all the metal scooped out!
