Frequently Asked Questions
It is an exciting process to buy something as complex as a diamond on the web. It can also raise many questions about the process and general concerns. We understand and appreciate your concerns and will do our best to calm any nervousness you have and answer all of your questions. We believe in getting questions answered, curiosities explored and providing information and education to assist you in your decision making.
Below are some of the questions we often hear. We know there are others, so if your question is not answered here, please visit our contact us. We will get back to you with an answer as well as post it for others to read.
Q: How can I do business with you when I don't live near your store?
A: All the education and “right” choices mean a lot. AND bottom line is you want a diamond or jewelry that looks great and are good values for your money. We offer an inspection period so you can SEE how our diamonds perform. By getting a first hand look at items sent on approval, you can be assured of getting exactly what you are looking for. For details of how this works, visit our Terms and Conditions section under Guarantee.
To make your choosing easier, I send designs via e-mail, as well as photos of the item. When you have chosen a design, I can send you a wax to try on for approval. I get your approval every step of the way and do nothing until you say it is the way you want it.
Q: What kind of customer service can I expect?
A. We have been in business for over 30 years with our sole means of advertising being reputation and word of mouth. We take great pride in helping our customers get exactly what they want, and also by letting them know up front if we cannot provide what you are looking for. We believe in customer satisfaction and service and will answer concerns and be sure we are talking about the same thing every step of the way. We pride ourselves in being successful in the “people” business as well as the “jewelry” business. We are successful when you are happy. It is as simple as that.
Q. Boise doesn’t seem like a jewelry Mecca. Why Boise, Idaho?
A: Wink loves to kayak, hike, camp, and just plain enjoy being out of doors and away from the maddening crowds, as does his wife and children. We can take advantage here of availability and access to wonderful products worldwide and yet live in a place that supports our other interests. Lifestyle has a lot to do with Wink’s being so happily married for more than 30 years.
Q: How do purchases through you work?
A: Very easily. We take PayPal, personal check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express, debit cards or cashier's check. Once funds are in our bank, we’ll send diamonds and gems for a twenty-one day inspection if so desired. Mountings carry our 60 day “we’ll make it right or your money back” guarantee. Once you approve sale of the stone, it IS yours! One of the ways we can offer such great prices is because I act as a broker without carrying huge inventory for you to pay for while it sits idle in a display case. I select and buy stones specifically for each person’s criteria. We do not wish to have to raise prices by keeping a large inventory.
Q: If you are purchasing specifically for what I want, doesn’t that take longer to get the stones?
A. This answer requires two parts. 1) Because I have been in the trade for so long and have WONDERFUL relationship with my suppliers, we can usually have stones in next day if we don’t have exactly what you are looking for in stock. We do carry a nice selection of stones in house as well – generally the result of fabulous offers on parcels of high quality goods from my suppliers or as a result of personal buying trips for great selection of quality rough for expert cutting directly from the sources 2) The second part of the answer is yes, sometimes that takes longer if you are wanting something very specific that may require cutting. The good news is that by having personal connection to some of the finest cutters of diamonds and gemstones in the world, you will end up with something truly remarkable as a result of your wait rather than something someone had to move off their shelves to turn inventory. .
Q: If you don’t carry a large inventory, does that mean I have only a small selection from which to choose?
A. We have a long history with our suppliers who are diligent in providing only the type of high quality goods we sell. We work with suppliers dedicated to getting requests to us next day so our selection can be responsive to individual needs.
Q. What is your guarantee?
A: We offer a five star guarantee. For specifics, visit our Guarantee section. .
Q. How can I insure my jewelry?
A. We can help you with insurance through Jewelers Mutual, a company that works exclusively with jewelers. The rates vary state to state, but are usually lower than your homeowners. Once every two years you have the jewelry inspected by a store who works with Jewelers Mutual and resubmit your premium for another two year's coverage. This is information we provide without compensation so we have no vested interest in offering it to you.
Q. What documentation do I need to insure my jewelry?
A. Every diamond and gemstone purchase from Winfield's is accompanied by a written appraisal with descriptions, measurements, gradings, if applicable, and a photo that you can use either with Jeweler's Mutual, or with your homeowners’ policy if you prefer. Most insurance companies require at least part of this information.
Q: How do I know you are going to be there tomorrow?
A: Wink has been here all of his life except for eight years with the Marine Corps that took him to Vietnam, and Brazil where he became enamored of the gem trade. He will be here as long as he lives. Winfield’s can be checked out with the Better Business Bureau or the Chamber of Commerce, neither of which has ever had a complaint filed.
Q: Why are your prices so much better than others?
A: Because our thirty years in the trade have enabled us to find out who are the best suppliers, and to gain their trust and confidence. Our word is our bond in a wonderful business that is still done on a handshake. Wink is known both nationally and internationally by people he can count on to provide us with the best product at the best values, so that we can pass those tremendous values on to you!
Q:Why are you so easy to buy from?
A: Quite frankly, because we love what we do. Wink gets up every morning excited that he gets to help people like you pick out the glorious gem that will become the symbol of the love and honor with which you regard the recipient. Take a look at a few of the many testimonials we’ve received and you will know what keeps our batteries charged!
Q: Many sites have a much larger selection of jewelry than yours, why is that?
A: We’re really glad you brought that up. We specialize in making jewelry to fit your stones. We have at least two designers working with us at all times for your complete customization of jewelry. We also work with several catalog houses whose designs you can choose to have made to fit your stones. We find this more efficient than having large quantities of finished jewelry where you are stuck with something I have already made. This allows us to have made a piece that fits the stones you choose. Doing it this way helps us to keep our costs low. We will be constantly in the process of putting examples and approximate prices up on gold and platinum section of the site so keep checking back.
Q: I have some nice jewelry but would like it updated. Can you help?
A, One of the wonderful things about stones is they can take on several lives. We are happy to bring new life to old jewelry by refurbishing, redesigning, resetting, or re-cutting stones for better light return. Give us a call if you have something you might like to redo and take from the bottom of the jewelry box so you can wear it and enjoy.
Q: I have some ideas of what I’d like but haven’t seen a match from your suppliers. I wish someone could take my ideas and draw a picture for me without costing an arm and a leg to work with a custom designer. Can you help with that?
A. I have training in a wonderful computer program that allows us to take your ideas and create a design for pendants, rings, pins or other jewelry. This allows us to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. The program allows for 360 degree views of a piece on your monitor. By emailing the design to you, we can tweak and tune it BEFORE going to a bench man to create. These CADs can then be used by the craftsmen to carve waxes and cast designs. It is also a great tool to use if you are undecided about stone shape, size and color as all can be easily changed.
