LF: Online store to buy DIAMOND

[Smoothie]

I'm looking for an online store to but a loose diamond. I'm having the setting made locally. I've done some searches and have looked at
BlueNile
Whiteflash
BrianGavin

And have had the best luck, so to speak, at James Allen. I like that I can see the photo of the actual stone, plus they have the AGS or GIA reports to view. They seem to have the best prices, especially when you use the Pricescope discount. I'm a little nervous buying from a report only, although when I went to a local store, I couldn't tell the difference between an si2, G colour and an VVS, E colour.

Where else should I consider to buy a loose stone? Looking at the 1ct weight.

[GSRee]

When I bought from Whiteflash I narrowed it down to a few diamonds and they were more than willing to pull them out of the vault and get the opinion of the staff in the office. The experts on PS are also more than willing to give their interpretation of the various images (IdealScope, etc), so they'll let you know if they see something obviously wrong.

So bottom line is you don't need to go by the report alone.

[amz155]

When I bought from Whiteflash I narrowed it down to a few diamonds and they were more than willing to pull them out of the vault and get the opinion of the staff in the office. The experts on PS are also more than willing to give their interpretation of the various images (IdealScope, etc), so they'll let you know if they see something obviously wrong.

So bottom line is you don't need to go by the report alone.

+1 except that finacee got mine at Brian Gavin Diamonds. The stone is nicer in person than I expected it to be. My stone is an H, SI1 (eyeclean). I was a bit nervous about the H (wanted a G) but it faces up so crispy white that it makes me wonder homw much bigger of a stone I could get if I got down to an I:D And as Lesley at BGD told me when I asked her opinion on the stone, I would be crazy to be worried about it being an SI1. I tried long and hard and cannot see an inclusion (and I look at my stone A LOT!).

[GSRee]

And as Lesley at BGD told me when I asked her opinion on the stone, I would be crazy to be worried about it being an SI1. I tried long and hard and cannot see an inclusion (and I look at my stone A LOT!).

SI1 H is what I bought my wife as well. And in a weird way, it's a benefit going SI1 (so long as it's eye clean) since I know we'll never have the diamond swapped out on us while the ring is in for cleaning/re-plating/whatever. A quick look at the diamond through a loupe shows the inclusion, so it's almost like a fingerprint.

[Winkle]

Two of my friends and I have purchased engagement rings from Blue Nile and basically we have nothing but great things to say about them. Price-wise you can probably still get cheaper than them if you look hard enough but they are cheaper then typical b&m places, but I consider it worth it as I got some real great service from them and rapid-quick shipping.

I believe all or most of their rocks are assessed by GIA who also laser-etches a serial number into the diamond on the girdle. Mine came with a GIA and GCAL report, I also got it appraised after I got it and the specs from the appraiser matched exactly what was in the reports.

[pottery]

Bluenile is a great place to get a diamond. Especially with the low USD right now.

You can even ask them to check if it's eye clean.

[Alex89]

Check out this one:

http://www.carats.com/

I used to work in the same building as their office,
World Trade Centre in Vancouver, and often see NHL players going there. In fact, when you walk in their office there are lots of pictures of the owner taken with NHL players.

[GDood]

This past Saturday I put a deposit down at Spence for a .8,J,SI1,excellent cut with a 14 carat white gold ring for 5800 total. Went on RFD AFTER (stupid me) and found out about Blue Nile. The same diamond at Blue Nile was 2100 while the diamond alone at Spence was 4700. Needless to say I ordered from Blue Nile today a .77,H,VS2,signature ideal cut with platinum ring for 4600 after taxes, duty, and shipping. Should be here in a few days, I'll let you know how it looks.

Went to Spence tonight to get my deposit back and i got the impression that it happens a lot.

[Sweet Sparrow]

There are many, many online diamond vendors. The ones that I've heard of and seen around the longest are niceice.com, goodoldgold.com, superbcert.com, diamondbrokersoffl.com, and whiteflash.com. Most of them have been around at least since the late 90s selling and discussing diamonds online and even longer in business. Brian Gavin came out of the Whiteflash group quite a few years ago.

Good Old Gold still seems to provide the most information online and they really do provide you with a "book" of information on your stone after purchase. They also have most of the machines that the other online vendors do not and if you don't see a report for a stone you're considering, they can run it and email it to you.

Whiteflash seems to have a better selection most of the time.

I'd say most if not all of the vendors will take the time to pull out stones and compare for you. They'll email you photos and honestly tell you about the inclusions.

[GSRee]

Went to Spence tonight to get my deposit back and i got the impression that it happens a lot.

I did the same thing, and have seen several other RFD users say they've done it, so it probably does happen alot. Unfortunately, for every time this happens, there's probably 100 or 1000 times where the person doesn't do any research and actually goes through with the Spence purchase... :(

[Azer]

I had an amazing experience with Whiteflash buying my fiances diamond last month. They treat you so well before and after the purchase and I felt comfortable spending $8500 on an online purchase. Not once did I get the feeling I wasn't going to get what I was paying for.

The diamond arrived the day after I sent the purchase order and looks incredible. It is a 1.03 round, hearts and arrows cut VVS1, H color and it gets compliments wherever she goes. I am sure you will be satisfied no matter what online retailer you choose just make sure you are spending within your budget, you are comfortable with the sales process and that it comes with all the required certificates.

[GDood]

The ring came today!! Ordered on Wednesday at 6pm and was here this morning at exactly 11:05am. To say I'm impressed is an understatement. The ring is even more beautiful than I was expecting. All the paperwork was included, GIA, GCAL, appraisal, cleaning and care instructions etc.

I ordered from Spence on July 10 and delivery was going to be Jul 24. How about that eh??

I HIGHLY recommend Bluenile.ca to everyone.

I just hope the size is right otherwise I'll be doing a review on the return process as well.

[setell]

No worries as Blue Nile offer 1 free ring resizing the last time I checked so you're good to go! Good luck with the engagement and hope she loves it! :D

[Smoothie]

Thanks for the help everyone! I've had great service from a few online retailers, I think I've narrowed it down to two stones. Both are round 1.1ct, ideal cut.

One is vs2, I colour, the other is si1, H colour. Both score well on the HCA and are eye clean, which would you choose and why? Or is it splitting hairs at this point.
Thanks!!

[amz155]

Thanks for the help everyone! I've had great service from a few online retailers, I think I've narrowed it down to two stones. Both are round 1.1ct, ideal cut.

One is vs2, I colour, the other is si1, H colour. Both score well on the HCA and are eye clean, which would you choose and why? Or is it splitting hairs at this point.
Thanks!!

I would pick the one that is cheapest, which I'm guessing is the SI1. Reason is that both will be eye clean. So why pay more for something to be VS2 when you will never see the difference. As for the colour, if both will face up white. Are you looking at a round brilliant? Hearts & Arrows?

[setell]

Thanks for the help everyone! I've had great service from a few online retailers, I think I've narrowed it down to two stones. Both are round 1.1ct, ideal cut.

One is vs2, I colour, the other is si1, H colour. Both score well on the HCA and are eye clean, which would you choose and why? Or is it splitting hairs at this point.
Thanks!!

You should pick what your gf will like vs ask us what we prefer. If she's anal with imperfections then I would go with the VS2 so that it is guaranteed to be eye clean (fairly rare for a VS2 to be visible to the naked eye without a loupe). A well cut diamond will appear whiter than it is so the I colour should be ok. Another thing is that she will most likely look at the diamond a lot and may over time see the imperfections if she really looks at it (assuming you get the SI1 and not totally eye clean - her definiton of eye clean not yours as everybody's definition is different). Now, if she is the type that loves white white diamonds then I would get the SI1 H diamond as it's probably more her preferences. Personally I would never buy anything lower than a VS2 nor lower than a G in colour too. I rather a smaller stone than a lower clarity or colour stone so my answer to your question is that I wouldn't buy either stones.

[rf134a]

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[Sweet Sparrow]

If it's truly eye-clean, and both are ideal, I'd pick the H, SI1. I'm a bit colour sensitive, but it would depend on the girl receiving it and her preference.

[Winkle]

If both are eye-clean then you're kinda splitting hairs but I would suggest the SI1 H-colour... colour can be more noticeable, plus clarity rating is one of the less important C's as inclusions/blemishes can be very hard to detect even with a loupe unless you know what you're looking for.

[amz155]

Keep in moind that BOTH the stones will show colour from the side. If she's colour sensitive, the colour will be more apparant to her. Even a G will show colour fromt he side. The difference between the H and the I will be small but if you put the stones side by side you may notice the difference from the side. Some ladies LIKE some warmth to their stone so she may prefer the I anyway. Mine's an H and I can detect some colour from the side but it faces up surprisingly icy white. I almost wish I woulda gone to an I for a bit of a bigger stone. That's what upgrades are for, right?:lol:

[setell]

Keep in moind that BOTH the stones will show colour from the side. If she's colour sensitive, the colour will be more apparant to her. Even a G will show colour fromt he side. The difference between the H and the I will be small but if you put the stones side by side you may notice the difference from the side. Some ladies LIKE some warmth to their stone so she may prefer the I anyway. Mine's an H and I can detect some colour from the side but it faces up surprisingly icy white. I almost wish I woulda gone to an I for a bit of a bigger stone. That's what upgrades are for, right?:lol:

Screw 'upgrades' I'm going for a replacement for mine that's cooler (of course much larger stone!) so I can have both :lol::lol: hahaha 'sigh' hanging around PS too long at times....:D

[amz155]

Screw 'upgrades' I'm going for a replacement for mine that's cooler (of course much larger stone!) so I can have both :lol::lol: hahaha 'sigh' hanging around PS too long at times....:D

Exactly!

What's the difference between and upgrade and a replacement? I meant upgrading my 1.215 SI1, H (there is NOTHING wrong with it and I love it) to a bigger stone in a few years (same specs, just bigger).

[Sweet Sparrow]

Repeat after me...stay away from PS....stay away from PS. You don't need a bigger rock. :) Well, until the mortgage is done anyways. :P

And there is nothing wrong with a 1.21 ct stone. But admittedly, I do secretly nag myself for not going after the eye clean 1.80 E SI1 when I had the chance. ;D

[Smoothie]

Another option I have is an ideal cut, ideal sym amd polish. 1ct, si1, I colour. From the GIA report there are clouds in the middle, but the rep said they pulled it and found it to be eyeclean.

It is med blue fuoro, would that help make it look whiter than the I colour normally? The others habe no fluro.

Thanks again!!

[rommelrommel]

Fluorescence isn't going to do much for the colour in most light.

I dealt with whiteflash.com and ended up buying an eyeclean SI1, H&A cut, F colour, 0.755 carat stone set in platinum. I was shooting for SI1 G/H but this stone came up and was a trivial amount more money. If you're going white gold or platinum I would personally stop at G. Yellow gold is more flattering to a H/I stone. Paying for cut is definitely worth it above all else. This thing sparkles like nuts compared to a good percentage of the stones I see.

And whiteflash was awesome to deal with, highly recommend. I bought by credit card because I wanted the miles and the card's insurance, but bank wire is obviously the best price.

[amz155]

Repeat after me...stay away from PS....stay away from PS. You don't need a bigger rock. :) Well, until the mortgage is done anyways. :P

And there is nothing wrong with a 1.21 ct stone. But admittedly, I do secretly nag myself for not going after the eye clean 1.80 E SI1 when I had the chance. ;D

LOL. Well we just bought our house last year, so I don't think waiting for the mortgage to be paid off is an option :) Of course there is nothing wrong with a 1.21 stone. But when I see my setting set with a 2ct stone....gadzooks!!!

[setell]

Exactly!

What's the difference between and upgrade and a replacement? I meant upgrading my 1.215 SI1, H (there is NOTHING wrong with it and I love it) to a bigger stone in a few years (same specs, just bigger).
I want a new ring with a new diamond (I currently fancy a August Vintage Cushion or a H&A cushion vs my current modern cushion:lol::lol:) and of course a Leon Mege setting....:o:D:D:D When I think upgrade I just think of a new stone vs a totally new piece.


Repeat after me...stay away from PS....stay away from PS. You don't need a bigger rock. :) Well, until the mortgage is done anyways. :P

And there is nothing wrong with a 1.21 ct stone. But admittedly, I do secretly nag myself for not going after the eye clean 1.80 E SI1 when I had the chance. ;D
But but I like dreaming till mortgage is done then it's happening!! :twisted::twisted:

LOL. Well we just bought our house last year, so I don't think waiting for the mortgage to be paid off is an option :) Of course there is nothing wrong with a 1.21 stone. But when I see my setting set with a 2ct stone....gadzooks!!! Tell me about it....dang those pictures make you drool too much!!!!