A little bit skeptical

[Jonnyv]

I am 25 years old, never been engaged or thought of being engaged until now. I''m a bit confused on the price listings that sites such as bluenile.com give because they seem soooo cheap compared to the local B&M stores. I live in rural Arkansas so there is a chance that it is because vendors do not have the ability to receive the stones in more bulk fashion to save money.

For instance, I''ve been looking at 1 ct. radiance cut diamonds in the G-H color range with the Si1 clarity level. The best vendor around here that I have found let me look at a G 1.04 ct. and an H 1.04 ct. diamond with the H diamond + ring + setting coming to around $4500 and the G color rating coming to around $5500, the setting is a plain white gold ring with tulip prongs and he said that the ring and setting were around $400. The difference in the two diamonds overall brilliance was very noticeable and after seeing the G rated diamond I couldn''t bring myself to consider the H, even though my price range is around $4500 tops. (I''m finishing my master''s right now and am starting my new job in January so I won''t be making any "real" money until then! However my parents would front the money and I could pay them back if I cannot receive financing)

The other three jewelers I went to in the area had very similar prices.

Looking online I can find "very good" cut, 1.01 ct., F color, Si1 clarity diamonds with acceptable depth/table %''s, (in the range of 68-70% for each which is what the G color diamond had) no fluorescence, "good" symmetry, and no ring/setting for $3908 from bluenile.com. Another example is a F color, VS2 clarity, 1.01 ct., good symmetry, very good polish, very good cut, no fluorescence, and around the same depth/table/girdle for 4400$

Why is this F color rating over a thousand dollars cheaper than the G color rated diamond that I found at the store and should I just buy the loose diamond via the internet or stick with the local guys? The majority of the negative opinions I''ve found on using bluenile.com and such came from people that received the wrong ring size so I figured that I would just buy the loose diamond and have it set locally.

Sorry for the lengthy post but as many of you know this is a really big decision for me! Any help is appreciated.

 

[somethingshiny]

For most of us, the internet has proven to be a more affordable option. You may want to try the PS vendors here is the list. Most of these vendors also have setting options very similar to what you''ve described.

Good Luck! and Welcome to PS!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I have bought from both Good Old Gold and WhiteFlash and wouldn''t buy a new diamond any other way. I tried the local shopping and couldn''t get the same quality or price that I could online. I''d recommend using someone like GOG or WF who has in-house stones or who can call in a stone that meets your specifications and can evaluate it for you. But it certainly makes more sense to me to get more for your money by buying from an online vendor. And I do think that increased volume of sales does allow them to lower prices.

 

[BigDiamonds]

Internet prices are cheaper, that''s why so many PSers shop online. If you choose a good stone from a reputable vendor, you can get a BETTER diamond for less than you would get something "comparable" at a B&M. Most local jewlers sell good color/clarity but mediocre cut for an inflated price. Online, you can easily get IS and ASET images to ensure you have a top-notch cut for maximum sparkle, and you can do it all for less than the same color/clarity in a B&M.

For comparison, my 1ct H&A RB was about $2k less online than the same stone with a mid-range cut in my local jeweler. Also, sales tax can be another consideration in buying online.

 

[sera]

I''m new to this buy-a-diamond-online thing and I was totally skeptical! I scrutinized a LOT of posts and I looked at stores locally; I researched a lot and came to a conclusion: I can get a MUCH better diamond for MUCH less if I buy online.

The average mall store diamond is not so good. It can sparkle and it can seem like a good deal... but when you compare it to the diamonds you can get through the vendors here... wow, no comparison!

So, just take your time, do your research and you will be happy you did because you will be able to get more for your money through here.

I went with Good Old Gold for my diamond (Princess of Hearts shape), but was also looking at Whiteflash and Engagement Rings Direct... those are who I would recommend buying a diamond from depending on what shape you want and if there is a setting. You can buy them loose and have them shipped to where you buy your setting, but these vendors also have settings you can check out.

 

[Jonnyv]

Thanks for all the info!

I''ve taken a look at a few of the websites and I''d like some opinions on the diamonds I''ve found.

Diamond #1

Diamond #2

There is about a $30 difference between the two diamonds, however they both have their pros and cons.

Diamond #1
Pro: The biggest pro is the ratio because I know that my girlfriend prefers a more square shaped radiant. The next pro is that it is an E rather than an F like diamond #2. Lastly, the girdle is slightly thick rather than very thick (on #2)
Cons: The clarity grade is SI1, however I''ve seen SI1''s and they are very acceptable in my eyes. I am very seriously considering this one! Exciting huh?

Diamond #2
Pro: The clarity is a VVS1 so I''m sure it''s immaculate.
Cons: The color is slightly lower rated than Diamond #1, I know that people have said that you can barely tell between two grades of a color rating, but today I saw 2 G''s and 1 H and I could tell a definite difference, however I''m pretty particular. The ratio is 1.21 rather than being closer to a 1 which I would prefer. The girdle is very thick which I figure may make the carat of the diamond be weighted more in the girdle than the rest of the diamond.

Sooooo after listing everything I think Diamond #1 is the one I would be more happy with, however if anyone has any comments on what I might be missing, please tell me!

Also I noticed that Blueline.com''s cut ratings only went up to "Very Good" while engagement ring''s direct went up to "excellent", what is the reasoning behind this? The first jeweler''s that I went to today that showed me the G and H side by side told me that the G colored diamond was a better cut, but not what the actual rating was.

Also thought of something weird, but when I saw the second jeweler figure out a price, he didn''t hide his calculator. Well I''m getting my master''s in accounting so I just watched him figure out the cost. He did it pretty fast but I do know that the last thing he put into the calculator was "x 1.45" so was this guy really taking a 45% cut or was it maybe I didn''t see it correctly and it was a 1.15.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

Date: 10/5/2007 3:48:50 AM
Author: Jonnyv
I know that people have said that you can barely tell between two grades of a color rating

the difference visibility of varying color grades consist of various factors. Color grades are not a single point but a range of color. thus you can have high ends and low ends--so obviously a high end F and a low end H are pretty far apart.

But one of the most signifcant elements is how light plays with the diamond. In a round diamond when you are looking down on it from the top it is often going to be very brilliant and returning alot of white light. It will also be reflecting alot of color in the environment and sparkling a lot which will mask or at least distract you from the natural color of the stone itself.

Thus, face up two diamonds 2 color grades apart will often look very similar, if they are both performing well enough.

but, fancy cuts perform differently. Often in fancy cuts the whole diamond is not reflecting as much light at any given time as ideal cut rounds do. While the fancy cuts can still reflect alot of light and can be gorgeous, from my experience, they often allow the diamond itself to appear without any light reflecting fairly frequently. This means that as segements of the diamond flash from reflecting light/colors to not reflecting as much light and color the natural color of the diamond itself will then become apparant.

It is a very real possibility to see 2 color grades of difference face up in a round, and in fancy shapes the differences will be more significant than they would be in a round, meaning that many of those comments you read MIGHT not apply to the particular diamond you choose--in the end it will come down to its individual light performance and character.

Because of this you often read about recommendations for higher color when picking a fancy color, especially if you are not going to see it before buying it. The truth of the matter is that it is a personal issue--some eyes see color differently than others, but since you are picking for your fiance''s eyes I personally recommend erring on the side of caution.

and you certainly seem to be erring on the side of caution, which I now see on looking at the diamonds you choose a little more closely....hum...have you had the guys down at ERD look at them for you? whats that guys name? one of you ladies tell him who to ask for...


and I am REALLY tired nwo so I am sorry if I said something inaccurate in all that lengthy mess. If I did I am sure plenty of people will be ready to pull me off my horse though off to bed with me....

 

[Lorelei]

Also I noticed that Blueline.com's cut ratings only went up to "Very Good" while engagement ring's direct went up to "excellent", what is the reasoning behind this? The first jeweler's that I went to today that showed me the G and H side by side told me that the G colored diamond was a better cut, but not what the actual rating was.

Some vendors use labels such as Ideal Cut, Premium Cut, Very Good etc. Some determine this by their own ideas as to what makes these grades, but some feel it is better to evaluate each on a case by case basis, easier with round diamonds as there are fairly proven proportions that can work together to find you a great cut, along with Idealscope images and some other aids - not so easy with fancy shapes. There it can be helpful to use technologies such as an expert vendor's eyes who actually have the diamond in house along with technologies such as ASET and ultimately your own eyes and preferences.

I see the last 2 radiant diamonds are with Mark at ERD, this guy has a fantastic reputation and can help you every step of the way.

 

[Jonnyv]

So I should call Mark and have him personally look at the diamonds to make sure everything is up to par with them before making a decision?

Thanks again for the info so far.

 

[chrono]

Please do not buy the diamond without at least seeing the pictures. I trust Mark so give him a call and ask:
1. Are these 2 stones still available?
2. Please "hold" the stones as you are thinking about them
3. Have Mark "eyeball" the stones and give you his opinion
4. Have Mark take pictures of the stones so YOU can see if you like what you are seeing.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/5/2007 11:16:05 AM
Author: Jonnyv
So I should call Mark and have him personally look at the diamonds to make sure everything is up to par with them before making a decision?

Thanks again for the info so far.

Definitely - ask him to talk you through them and let him know what you are hoping for with your Radiant, then get him to email you some pics so you can get an idea for yourself how they look.

 

[niceice]

Internet vendors work on a much more reasonable mark-up than traditional B&M retailers because we compete in a global market as opposed to merely competing against the few retailers that may be located in our own backyards. The name of the game is quality and volume. Quality that exceeds that found in most retail jewelry stores and Volume that makes up the profits we lose by not marking a single item up 300% over the course of time with lots of sales with lower profits that stack up over time. The average jewelry store only sells a few one carat diamonds a month, the average internet dealer sells several per day, this enables internet dealers to charge lower prices AND to obtain better prices from their vendors. Volume = Better Discounts for all. PS has an excellent and extensive search engine located on the first page of the site which places the global diamond inventory at your fingertips, the same inventory that is probably used by many of the local jewelers in your area to search for the diamonds they bring in for their customers, take a few minutes to search it for the diamond of your dreams!

The ring size issue is easily resolved, mention your concern to whoever you decide to work with and stress it''s importance. Ask the person you work with to personally confirm that the ring size is correct before shipping your order. Obviously this only resolves the issue if the ring size you request is the correct ring size worn by your fiance'' and the ring will need to be resized locally if that information is incorrect. However most rings are easily sized with minimal expense.