I recently purchased an engagement ring from the Upper James location. I dealt with a younger guy named Zachary. The boss was in and out of the conversations to provide his expertise when needed. My purchase was well researched. I started looking for a ring about 4 months ago and I could have ended my search earlier if I had just gone to H Williams first. I had a top notch experience and I highly recommend this place to the guys out there looking for an engagement ring.
I had gained a bit of knowledge in the diamond category before going in so I knew what I wanted. They showed me several diamonds over the course of two days. I honestly made them show me every option, and they did it without so much as a huff and puff. Very willing to show me all my options and look out for my best interests.
I went to all the regulars before H Williams (People's, Michael Hill, etc., the name brands) and not only were they overpriced because of the branding, but the diamonds were honesty nothing I would put on my fiancées finger. My price range was between $5-10,000, so I wasn't looking at low grade diamonds for her. Not only did the big brand names fail to show me a good combination of cut, clarity and colour, all of their diamonds seem to be cut to 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 carats. If you know anything about buying diamonds then you know this his how a diamond is most profitable (when cut to the 1/2 carat increments) for the company because the value of the diamond shoots up exponentially going from 0.99-1.0, opposed to going 0.98-0.99 carats.
Seriously do your research before going anywhere. That ring you are giving to your future wife is something you will have to look at your whole life, and she will have to wear and show the world what type of diamond you got. Now that I know what I know about diamonds, large thanks to H Williams for additional education, I see what my friends bought their wives and I know they didn't do the following:
A) enough or any research, just went in with a price in mind and bought a diamond ring at that price
B) didn't look at the diamond with a loop before purchasing (just ask any jeweller for a loop to look at the diamond you want to buy). It is important because then you will see the characteristics of the diamond they are making claim to. Such as inclusions when looking at an SI2 or 1 diamond, especially when looking at I2 and I1's (you want to know where the inclusions are and if they can be hidden by the setting).
C) they didn't go to H Williams for their ring buying experience.
Honestly, I'm not a guy that you would look at and say: his budget is $5k+. The day I went in I had just installed a fence at home, was kind of sweaty and dirty from it, but they treated me with utmost respect. They didn't blow smoke up my @$$ and they sincerely looked out for my best interests. I had almost settled on a diamond with a very small (but noticeable under a loop) needle inclusion. They pointed it out and made sure I saw it and was okay with it. I was not okay and if I had bought it I would have been upset with myself. They directed me to some amazing diamonds and offered me a very good deal because I paid cash. I had the ring appraised 2 times since then and the value is consistent between the two appraisers, and also close to double what I paid for the whole setup.
Very happy customer. Will be a repeat customer for sure as I also collect watches and they have a very interesting selection from Citizen and Bulova to Rolex and Omega.
Thanks Zachary for the help. I recommend you ask for this new jeweller to the industry. He has a good eye for detail and style.