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1.5c Whiteflash Bangle or 2.0c I.D. Jewelry Bangle?

3

3girlsmom

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 28, 2014
Messages
12
I'm turning 40 soon, and I'm feeling the need to assuage the pain of the milestone with a new sparkly!
So. Here's the dilemma. I'm coveting the oval, shared prong bangle with one row of diamonds that I've seen around here. I love it; so clean-lined and modern, yet blingy.
I can get the Whiteflash one that's 1.5 carats. I've never purchased anything from Whiteflash before, but I know the quality is outstanding. It's $2800. That's more than I wanted to spend. I really want more weight than 1.00 carat though.
Or, I can buy a 2.00 carat bangle from I.D. Jewelry. They don't make a 1.5 carat; it's not an option at all. The 2.00 carat would cost $2550. It's described in the email as "eBay quality." SI clarity (which can mean anything) and not excellent cut. No description of color at all. The stones are .05. At any rate it isn't "Pricescope quality." It would be $2900 (way more than I want to spend) to get a 2.00 PS quality bangle from IDJ. But I know that a lot of people buy jewelry from IDJ and are happy with the quality of the stones they use.
I know many of you won't feel the same way, but I'm leaning 2.00 carat IDJ non PS quality. It's both the most economical and the biggest carat weight. I was thinking I'd ask for more information about the color and clarity and see what they say. Does anyone know if there are ever sales or specials? I'm not in a big hurry; my birthday isn't for another 3 months.

What would you do? Does anyone have anything with melee from IDJ that isn't "Pricescope quality"? I'd really appreciate any input.
 
My DH and I had a similar dilemma 1.5 years ago. We ended up going with IDJ because the price difference was huge. In your case, I'd choose the WF bangle though since the price difference and carat difference isn't as big. In no case would I go for "eBay quality" or "non-PS quality" from IDJ though, since the price difference between an IDJ PS quality bangle and a IDJ non-PS quality bangle is only $350. It's worth the extra few hundred in my mind to get better quality diamonds.

Here are my threads on this issue:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/which-one-would-you-choose-whiteflash-or-idj-bangle.195504/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/which-one-would-you-choose-whiteflash-or-idj-bangle.195504/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/idj-ftw-4-5ctw-platinum-hinged-diamond-bangle-x-2.196915/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/idj-ftw-4-5ctw-platinum-hinged-diamond-bangle-x-2.196915/[/URL]
 
Don't mess around with the Ebay quality stones. Pricescope quality only, and make sure Yekutiel is on the job.

I'd keep pushing IDJ on price. Make a reasonable offer, pay in cash, start some dialogue. There's usually not too much room to negotiate, but a hundred or two off is possible.
 
I would always go for the better quality, so for me, that would be Whiteflash on a pieces such as a diamond bracelet.
 
diamondseeker2006|1431527116|3876047 said:
I would always go for the better quality, so for me, that would be Whiteflash on a pieces such as a diamond bracelet.
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A woman after my own heart. I would rather have "best rather than bigger". I like that always-on sparkle and knowing each stone is well cut.
 
Pricescope quality only; why spend a lot of money on diamonds that don't sparkle your socks off?
 
Something else to take into consideration - F/G excellent cut versus H/I excellent cut melee from IDJ - ask what the price difference is.

I also would solicit a quote from brilliantly engaged. The price for their excellent cut melee jewelry falls in between IDJ and Whitefash in my experience.
 
3girlsmom, what a fun dilemma to have, congrats on your upcoming birthday, bling is a great present. :appl:

I wonder this: have you seen an ACA diamond in real life? If you haven't seen a WF ACA diamond before, its hard to justify the increase, & I can understand the hesitancy re the price difference. I'm telling you--the ACA will knock your socks off. Seriously.

When I think about the bangle, it has a thin line of diamonds. To me, you'd want as much sparkle a you can get, which would mean the better quality. Just MHO. Since I've discovered the ACA line, I'm a huge proponent of quality like so many others here, & for good reason. Have fun--the thinking, deciding & looking is so much fun!
 
I first need to say that ID Jewelry is a great jewelry vendor. They offer value for the money. It is comparing apples and oranges, though. The WF stones are top cut quality and higher color and clarity. The IDJ diamonds used as PS quality certainly may be excellent-very good cut, but often they are lower in color and clarity. So naturally that will cost less. Basically you get what you pay for. There have been a few people unhappy with their SI clarity melee, too, so if I went with them, I'd go with VS2.

You just have to decide what aspects are most important to you!
 
This is a 3ct ACA bangle from WF... :love: I have also bought two (same style) 1ct bangles from BGD... :love:

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Wow, killer bracelet, DF! I forgot you had bought a large one for your wife. It is gorgeous!
 
Dancing Fire|1431583906|3876491 said:
This is a 3ct ACA bangle from WF... :love: I have also bought two (same style) 1ct bangles from BGD... :love:
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Oh wow, that is insanely gorgeous.
 
I have a 2 ctw whitefish bangle and it really is my favorite piece of jewelry that I wear everyday. You will absolutely love it. The little sparklers will knock your socks off. I get the most compliments on it.
 
diamondseeker2006|1431609596|3876632 said:
Wow, killer bracelet, DF! I forgot you had bought a large one for your wife. It is gorgeous!
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For my mistress.. ;))
 
Dancing Fire|1431583906|3876491 said:
This is a 3ct ACA bangle from WF... :love: I have also bought two (same style) 1ct bangles from BGD... :love:
Click to expand...
jaw drop!
wow za
 
I really appreciate the input. I'm still contemplating, but the responses here definitely convinced me that in the long run, I wouldn't be as happy with lower quality stones. I guess I need to spend a bit more than I'd planned to get what I want.
The thing I like about the IDJ bangle as opposed to the WF one is that the stones cover about 50% of the IDJ 2.0 ct bangle. On the WF 1.5 ct one, it looks as though about 2/5 of the bangle are diamonds. However, the stones in the WF bangle are larger, at .06, and there are 24 of them; the IDJ stones are .05. That's the tradeoff: WF bangle=slightly bigger stones (though I don't know if I'd be able to discern the difference), higher quality stones, but less diamond coverage. IDJ=slightly smaller stones, more diamond coverage, more carat weight. Yekutiel said he would make it "Pricescope quality," SI1 stones with maybe some VS too, F-G color, and excellent cut. They sent me some photos of the 2.0 ct. bangle in yellow gold and with Lucida stones so I could get an idea. It would cost less than the WF 1.5 version too.
Hmmm.....
 
IDJ's Pricescope quality F/G SI melee is very good. My wife's eternity ring and halo ring has this kind of melee, and she gets complimented on her rings by strangers all the time. It's really bright stuff.

I'm certain the WF ACA melee is better, especially under a loupe, but IDJ's melee is unbeatable as a budget option.
 
You will be VERY pleased with the sparkle of the IDJ stones. They are just as good as the WF stones in my opinion, with better value.
 
chicam|1431726891|3877236 said:
You will be VERY pleased with the sparkle of the IDJ stones. They are just as good as the WF stones in my opinion, with better value.
Click to expand...

What size stone did you use for your side-by-side comparison?
 
Okay, I'm switching gears. After reflecting on all the advice here, I think I'm going to get the 2.0 ct Whiteflash bangle. I really want this to be a piece that I will love forever. Also, I have three daughters, and two other diamond pieces of jewelry that are heirloom-worthy (2.32 ct diamond inside-out hoops and a diamond pendant/DBTY). With this bangle, they would each have a piece of more or less comparable quality/blingage.
I don't wear anything on my left hand, where this bangle will live, which is why I wanted it to be significant but not over the top. 2.00 ct will dress it up sufficiently, I think!
One thing I considered carefully was the poster who asked if I had ever seen any ACAs. I haven't, but I think I'm just going to take your words for it.
 
I love it.
Three girls three beautiful heirlooms to pass down.

I have a feeling this bangle will be -so- classy and classic.
:appl:

We will have to wait a while for photos but looking forward to them.
 
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