Client Spotlight: Allison & Sam's Engagement Ring Journey
It’s not every day that your best friend gets engaged, let alone when you get to be an integral part of the process. This special story is about our clients, Allison & Sam, who also happen to be long-time friends of our Marketing Director, Claire. Though Claire isn’t in sales, her knowledge about diamonds, settings, and engagement rings helped guide her friends on a path that led to Allison’s dream custom engagement ring from Buchroeders.
The Beginning of Allison & Sam's Journey
Allison and Sam met while studying engineering at the University of Missouri. They started as friends, but over time, they realized they were a perfect match. While they might seem similar on paper, their personalities complement each other beautifully. Allison had always joked with Claire that she spent more time dreaming about her engagement ring than her actual wedding — and we can totally relate to that!
When the time came to find the perfect ring, Allison and Sam were open-minded. They had a budget but were ready to explore their options to discover what fit them best. Allison initially came into Buchroeders by herself and enjoyed playing "engagement ring dress-up" with Claire. She had her heart set on an oval diamond—until she and Sam visited the store together.
Exceeding Expectations
During their visit, Claire presented a variety of diamond shapes, including stunning round brilliants. Allison was particularly drawn to one round diamond we call an “ideal value diamond.” This type of diamond offers the perfect combination of size, brilliance, and quality, allowing Allison and Sam to maximize carat weight while staying within their budget without compromising on beauty. Even though the diamonds' paper grades might have suggested limitations, the stones' brilliance and eye-clean appearance exceeded their expectations — a perfect example of why we always recommend seeing diamonds in person.
Despite being detail-oriented engineers who loved the GIA data, they were still surprised by the stunning beauty of these diamonds when viewed up close. They had expected the GIA reports to tell the full story, but seeing the diamonds in person was an eye-opening experience. And, to their delight, they were able to stay within budget while choosing a larger, more brilliant diamond than they initially thought possible.
Keeping the Surprise
Though Allison and Sam were deeply involved in the ring selection process, Sam wanted to preserve some surprise in the final details. After carefully considering their options, Sam made the final diamond choice and collaborated with Claire on the custom design. He trusted Claire to take the reins on the mounting, adding an extra layer of excitement.
Together, Claire and Jesse, our in-house jeweler, created a custom piece that perfectly reflected Allison and Sam's style. The final design was a stunning round natural diamond set on a 3mm yellow gold band with a classic four-prong white gold head, blending timeless elegance with a touch of individuality.
Why the Experience Matters
Buying a diamond can be an intimidating process, but having someone you trust can make all the difference. That’s what Claire was for Allison and Sam, and it’s what we strive to be for all of our clients at Buchroeders.
We aren’t just here to sell you an engagement ring — we’re here to be your jeweler for life. Since 1896, we’ve focused on building relationships, cultivating trust, and ensuring that every client feels like part of the Buchroeders family. Whether you're working with a jeweler or a diamond consultant, our goal is to make your experience as special as the moment you’re preparing for.
Allison’s dream ring wasn’t just about the diamond or the setting; it was about the personal journey of creating something unique, and we were honored to be a part of it. Just like we’re honored to be a part of every client’s journey toward finding the perfect piece.
Ready to create your own story? We’re here to help — every step of the way.
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