[Bethann]

Hello,

I do not know where to post this, but I hope the mods will move it to the proper forum.

I have been reading this forum for a while. I love it, but never posted. It has helped me understand pearls and their rare beauty.

I have also been a member on Pricescope for about 5 years. I posted there as Ann. About 6 mos. ago I mentioned this forum on PS to a member asking a question about pearls. Then early last week I provided a link to a pearl vendor for PS member that was looking for pearl earrings. I have been banned for trying to help - can you believe it.

The first infraction of mentioning this forum, the mod on PS said this forum was spamming Pricescope. Well, I had no idea what spamming is, still don't. Then, last week, I posted a link to a vendor who posts here.

I truly meant no harm. I had several e-mails back and forth with the mod and he said I violated the policies. I didn't read anything in the policies about not mentioning pearls. There have been questions posted on PS about pearls, but not many. Why would the mod even allow the question to be posted if he didn't want any pearl info on his forum? Surely some PS'er would answer, then wham, you are banned.

I hope those of you who read this forum and also participate on PS head the warning. Just don't even mention pearls if you want to continue being a member. I am thankful this forum seems to allow open discussion of pearls. Thank you all for being here. I look forward to more pearl reading now that my diamond education has come to a halt.

[Casey.R]

Hi Bethan, I'm on pricescope too as Innerkitten. I'm sure we have posted on the same topics there a few times. I'm sorry to hear about the bad experience that you had on PS. In the last couple of years they have banned quite a few people over minor issues.

As far as talking about pearls being against the rules, I think that was added in the last year or so. I hadn't been on the forum for a long time and when I got back I tried mentioning a pearl vendor once and also posting some pearl photos there and they were removed. But for some reason I didn't get banned.

This is a great place to talk about pearls and there are some other gemstone and jewelry forums out there too. Two that come to mind are diamondtalk.com ( which I think is also called diamondring.com and gemologyonline.com.

I hope you stick around.

[jshepherd]

Spamming means placing ads or links. No one here has done that on Pricescope. But Pricescope has been called out many times here for banning people who disagree with their opinions. They banned me personally for discussing akoyas. The reason they hate this forum is because I posted my experience about them.
You can read all about it on this thread, the thread that draws the most feedback from any thread on this forum (from people who have also been banned).
PriceScope Members

[Bethann]

Thank you both for your replies. I am still at a loss to describe the way I feel. Maybe something akin to a criminal!! I tried to explain my posts to the PS mod, but apparently I violated their pearl policy twice. What I don't understand, is what about the clueless ones who post a pearl question and poof, thay are gone! They probably have posted questions in other sections (like myself), that have either been removed or left to die off. What a terrible way to run a so-called educational forum for consumers.

Casey R., I am amazed you did not get banned for those posts! Good to see a familiar name here.

jshepherd, thank you for that link, very interesting. Unbelievable how that forum is managed!

[richipat]

Bethann -- so sorry to hear this, very disappointing.

I glad you gave me the heads up becasue I am sure would have posted something myself. I did not know about the pearl policy at all -- so many other types of jewelry are described/discussed there.

It is just puzzling - - pearls in no way replace or interfer with a person's love of diamonds. However, so far (I am a new member) I am finding this forum very interesting and informative.

Love thoose pearls.....

[Casey.R]

Hmmm today I can't seem to log in over there. Weird.

[Casey.R]

I guess it was for posting here? I'm not really sure but I just got an email saying I bashed them on another forum. I wouldn't really consider what I said earlier to be bashing though. Now I'm bummed!

[Bethann]

I'm so sorry Casey.
The mod at PS is very heavy handed. Totally crazy. I hope he reads this.
His tactics are questionable and certainly don't reflect well for his site. Why ban the discussion of pearls?
Surely he knows we are going to discuss it, but then again PS is huge and he probably doesn't care. His loss, for sure.

[Satine De La Courcel]

Originally Posted by Casey.R

I guess it was for posting here? I'm not really sure but I just got an email saying I bashed them on another forum. I wouldn't really consider what I said earlier to be bashing though. Now I'm bummed!

VERY interesting indeed! <scratches head in puzzlement>

Cheers
Ash

[Kevin Canning]

its pretty pathetic really (are you reading this price scope?), what do they think is going to happen if people start talking about pearls?

Oh and if anybody mentions diamonds on pearl-guide I'll ban you Kidding of course.

[Caitlin]

Well,well, well.

It is obvious you must choose a different name for posting over here and do not reveal your pricescope name, if you want to post over there. This won't work if they have a way of checking everyon'es IP over here then ban it over there. I wonder if they do.....

I find it interesting that they check out this forum- AND PUNISH PEOPLE FOR MENTIONING PS OVER HERE!!!!!. They may have a keyword search so they only notice if PS is mentioned-spelling it out of course. It may be a good idea to misspell it a little if you want to post over there.

The first time this problem erupted I went over there and all it was was people comparing diamonds and exclaiming over other people's diamonds. Borrrrr ing. And shallow.While we do some of that re pearls over here, we are also invested in education.

Since we know they are reading this... Hey, lets not stop at mentioning Pricescope, lets trash diamonds! We have not discussed what a rip off diamonds are for a while. They are a ripoff. because they are

1. severely price controlled, no "free trade" there. Or "trickle down" either, unless you talk about inheritance) If they truly reflect their value, they would be cheaper than any other gemstone, maybe even cz!

2. Diamonds are as common as dirt. They twinkle,yes, but so does broken glass strewn by the roadside. Sometimes the roadsides out here on the desert look like diamonds are scattered for miles and miles. I happen to love glitter, but I do it in a kitschy (sp) way. I use rhinestone, glitter dust, marcasites, anything to avoid diamonds. I think white sapphires make a very nice substitute for diamonds, too.

3. Diamonds have the worst history of exploitation and bad karma of any gemstone, ever. Maybe of any business ever.

4.Diamonds are a product of a carefully developed Mystique. Time to trot out the reference to the article that explains it?

Here is some evidence. This is an easy read even though long. It is an excellent introduction in the creation of Mystique around an object, a money-making concept that the great pearl companies like miki and paspalry have learned well.

Meanwhile don't feel bad if you have or love a diamond, just realize that there is more there than meets the eye and it ain't good.

5. Diamonds are not worth what you pay for them they are worth what you can sell them for, which is pennies on the dollar. This precisely why the Diamonds are forever thing got started. THEY DO NOT WANT YOU TO TRY TO SELL YOUR DIAMOND, cuz you'll find out the truth. They are bad, bad, bad, for investment puposes; don't fool yourself!

So Pricescope is also invested in keeping you away from the truth of your diamond...

[Bethann]

Wow, I have really stirred up the hornet's nest!

I do hope the mod at PS reads this - I'm sure he will. I want him to know
other members on PS do know what is happening and are cautious about any post now. So, Mr. PS Mod, what a shame and how sad your "guests" have to limit their thoughts and exchange of ideas just to suit your ego.

I look forward to furthering my pearl knowledge and exchanging ideas here.

[Caitlin]

Welcome Bethann. We have a wealth of good pearl information here.

[Bethann]

Originally Posted by Caitlin Williams

Welcome Bethann. We have a wealth of good pearl information here.

Thank you,
I promise to be a good girl

[Aycee]

As soon as Casey said I can't seem to log in at PriceScope I was thinking Oh Oh...
But then I read again what she had posted and said nah can't be, not for this, not for someone who has over 1600 posts at PriceScope, but I guess it can after all.

Well we know now that someone from PriceScope is dilligently reading all posts over here to see if they include PriceScope in them.

Caitlins suggestion of never mentioning your PriceScope username and using a different one over here is a very good one imho.
I don't think anyone from PriceScope would be able to see your IP here unless they have Admin powers.

I've never registered at PriceScope and I don't think I ever will.
On the other hand GemologyOnline looks very interesting.

Alain

PS: note my subtle use of the word PriceScope so I would set off all the keyword alerts