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ACA, Blue Nile Signature, etc.

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kathleen

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 10, 2006
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Hi everyone,

It''s me again. Yesterday, I thought I''d narrowed it down to two diamonds, a Blue Nile Signature Cut, and a great one from GOG. I''m also still waiting to talk to Bill Pearlman about 2 that he has. But now I''ve found several ACA''s from Whiteflash. One is a 2.060 E, and the other is a G 2.320. I was REALLY hoping for the DEF color range, and 2.3-2.6 carat size. Of course I want the best cut available.

So, now the question. Is WF ACA the absolute best cut possible? Does a Blue Nile Signature compare? What about one from GOG that apprears to have great proportions? Just because something is labeled ACA, is it REALLY more sparkly, etc.?

I spoke to Celina today at WF, and she''s speaking to Brian about the availability of something a little closer to what I wanted. But I''m wondering, do I settle for one of the ACA''s available now (because I know it''s an ACA and will be beautiful), or do I go with the Blue Nile Signature because it appears "on paper" to be exactly what I want (D color, 2.43)???

I guess I could always start ordering, and returning, but it seems like such a waste of time for everyone. What would you guys do??
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Personally, I would stick with WF or Good Old Gold because they have the stones in-house. Blue Nile has a virtual inventory. I just don''t like that. I like seeing all the information provided by GOG and WF. So if it were me, I''d stick with them. But to answer your question, no, an ACA is not "better" than an equivalent cut stone from another vendor. You want a stone that has AGS0 cert of GIA excellent with AGS0 light performance. I have the utmost confidence in the stones at GOG and WF.
 
DS, I think BN Signature is their only in house. I know people have mentioned before that other vendors cannot get the signature b/c it is their own.
 
Oh my gosh!! That''s the one I''ve been looking at!! Tim from GOG says it''s stunning!! So this could be every bit as nice as ACA''s, and BN Signature??
 
Date: 10/27/2006 9:25:01 PM
Author: kathleen
Oh my gosh!! That''s the one I''ve been looking at!! Tim from GOG says it''s stunning!! So this could be every bit as nice as ACA''s, and BN Signature??
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Of course! I bought my new diamond from GOG and I was only looking at excellent hearts and arrows stones. I''d surely love to have that stone if I had your budget! F VS1 would actually probably be my number one pick if I could get the size I wanted!
 
Ohhhh....you are so sweet!! I just love this site. I''m so glad I found you guys!!
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Kathleen, truly, it is a really fun community and very easy to get hooked! I came on here back in January when my husband said I could look for a diamond for our anniversary and I have been here ever since! Lol! Over time I developed a preference for Good Old Gold and WhiteFlash because of their outstanding diamonds, and I eventually found mine at Good Old Gold. Jonathan there is just exceptional and has gone above and beyond in helping me.

You are in good company here if you like diamonds! The neat thing is, there are really a lot of nice people around here, too! So welcome!
 
"Blue Nile has a virtual inventory."

actually the blue nile signature is in house, although they also sell from a virtual inventory as well. Its ironic, because whiteflash does the same thing, but for some reason people always make the mistake of saying blue nile just sells virtual diamonds, but never do the same for whiteflash....

kathleen, given how much money it appears that you are looking to spend on this stone, why not fly out and see them? A few hundred dollars in airfare seems like nothing relative to what you have to spend.
 
Date: 10/27/2006 10:25:53 PM
Author: Arcam
''Blue Nile has a virtual inventory.''

actually the blue nile signature is in house, although they also sell from a virtual inventory as well. Its ironic, because whiteflash does the same thing, but for some reason people always make the mistake of saying blue nile just sells virtual diamonds, but never do the same for whiteflash....

kathleen, given how much money it appears that you are looking to spend on this stone, why not fly out and see them? A few hundred dollars in airfare seems like nothing relative to what you have to spend.
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Are you sure about that? Blue Nile used to be all virtual, I thought, but maybe it has changed. I do know their prices are generally higher than GOG or WF for comparable stones.
 
Date: 10/27/2006 10:25:53 PM
Author: Arcam
''Blue Nile has a virtual inventory.''

actually the blue nile signature is in house, although they also sell from a virtual inventory as well. Its ironic, because whiteflash does the same thing, but for some reason people always make the mistake of saying blue nile just sells virtual diamonds, but never do the same for whiteflash....

kathleen, given how much money it appears that you are looking to spend on this stone, why not fly out and see them? A few hundred dollars in airfare seems like nothing relative to what you have to spend.
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Arcam,

It seems like one difference between BN & WF (I guess they''re both fundamentally 2 letter companies), is that their reputation is built on one set of diamonds, versus another. For WF, although they do sell diamonds from a virtual inventory...I clearly have the impression that their main product, and they have become known for diamonds crafted themselves, and which they own, and are part of their existing inventory. These are diamonds that, having been available, are photographed via idealscope, and these, also known by either ACA or Expert Selection, are visible on databases specified on their own website, or marked here on either or both a search by cut or in-house db. Alternately, BN is known for a massive inventory that is transparently theirs, but actually virtual, not available to be seen by them before you, so not filtered for evaluation purposes by anyone but you, before it leaves the wholesaler who possesses the stone, but who has supplied BN with its associated data. Incidentally, I guess they have a signature series of in-house stones, and these are "massaged" into their larger inventory. Yes, WF makes similar (but different) stones available too, also visible on the big db here (along with BN), but lately, I rarely look at that db when considering options for shoppers, and still with the search by cut db.

For odd sizes, or value shopping, that db is and can be quite helpful, and frankly, I dont know that what may have been a premium for BN is any longer the case. Also, if you regard AGS0 as the "good enough" arbiter of what you want, you might do well to let that be the equalizer, and shop broadly.

But, there is something to be said for the value added services companies like WF & Gog have become known for. Gog, too, sells virtual options, and reportedly will be request shop broadly. But their more individualized services even there, providing evaluative services after an outside option is brought in, can only be regarded positively.

Just some thoughts, in defense of two pretty big, but still littler guys.
 
i don''t know if this is relevant to anything, but if you call Blue Nile with a question about the appearance of a stone, they contact the supplier for a visual examination and then pass the info along to you. So even if the diamond you like is not in house, you can get someone to look at it for you. i''ve asked for an inspection because i was concerned about the inclusions. they were great about it.

Also, as for the BN Signature cut, there are other stones that are in their inventory that perform just as a Signature would. The reason it would not be a signature is because it was cut by someone else, not their own cutters. I personally would not buy a BN signature, because i feel like you''re just paying for the name.
 
Would you buy an ACA from Whiteflash?
 
Arcam is correct- Blue Nile''s Signature diamonds are in-house just like WhiteFlash''s ACAs. Both sell virtual diamonds as well, and probably the exact same virtual diamonds.
 
Oh my goodness!! So much information!!

Anyway, Arcam, I would LOVE to fly around and look at these stones, however with three little kids, a husband, a business, etc. it''s just not possible. But, you''re right, it would be a great idea.

It sounds like GOG and WF (and don''t forget Bill Pearlman!) will be the way to go. With a purchase this big, it''s nice to get the personalized service!!

Thank you everyone for all of the input. I couldn''t do this without you guys!!!
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"It seems like one difference between BN & WF (I guess they're both fundamentally 2 letter companies), is that their reputation is built on one set of diamonds, versus another"


i'm quite aware of the difference, I actually purchased a stone through GOG. I just wanted to make the point that people consistently and incorrectly label blue nile as only a drop shipper, while that has not been the case. Its has to be in the top 5 things that is consistently stated incorrectly on this board (next to people thinking you can rank stones on the HCA with a scores under 2.0)

" I guess they have a signature series of in-house stones, and these are "massaged" into their larger inventory"

actually the Signature series can be searched seperated, I wouldn't call this massaged at all. It sounds like you haven't visited their site, because its very easy to look at their in house collection.

Kathleen, have you ever thought about having a couple of these stones send to an independent appraiser and decide there before you purchase. I know WF/GOG will send some stones to certain appraisers having to pay for them, (although you would have to pay for shipping back to WF/GOG if you don't select the stone).
 
Arcam-

That''s a great idea. I know that WF will do that, but will GOG also?? I''m in Oregon, and there is one appraiser that I pulled up on PS in Oregon. I wonder if they''d send them to her...........hmmmm.......this is sounding interesting!!
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Kathleen,
You''ll have to check with WF and GOG and Pearlmans (if he''s still in the mix) to see who''ll they will send their stones too. Just b/c the appraiser is on the PS list doesn''t necessarily mean any vendor will ship to them. I believe they have some type of approved appraiser list they work from. I could be wrong of course, but definitely something to ask about.
 
If you''re in Oregon, you might want to stop by the storefront of NiceIce.com. They handpick their diamonds and have a nice selection.
 
Date: 10/28/2006 12:06:09 PM
Author: Arcam
''It seems like one difference between BN & WF (I guess they''re both fundamentally 2 letter companies), is that their reputation is built on one set of diamonds, versus another''


i''m quite aware of the difference, I actually purchased a stone through GOG. I just wanted to make the point that people consistently and incorrectly label blue nile as only a drop shipper, while that has not been the case. Its has to be in the top 5 things that is consistently stated incorrectly on this board (next to people thinking you can rank stones on the HCA with a scores under 2.0)

'' I guess they have a signature series of in-house stones, and these are ''massaged'' into their larger inventory''

actually the Signature series can be searched seperated, I wouldn''t call this massaged at all. It sounds like you haven''t visited their site, because its very easy to look at their in house collection.

Kathleen, have you ever thought about having a couple of these stones send to an independent appraiser and decide there before you purchase. I know WF/GOG will send some stones to certain appraisers having to pay for them, (although you would have to pay for shipping back to WF/GOG if you don''t select the stone).
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Well, I''m just going to have to tell you that I emailed a PS vendor today to ask about Blue Nile having the signature diamonds in-house and he was not sure. So he took the time to look up a BN signature diamond and THEN checked the suppliers for the diamond. And guess what? The diamond is at the supplier and available to any vendor! The signature stone was NOT in-house! Now he didn''t spend 30 hours going through every single BN diamond to check, but don''t make the assumption that everyone who says this is wrong, because at least some of the BN signature diamonds (and maybe all?) are NOT in-house.
 
Kathleen, I''m sure you''d have to pay the shipping to an from a vendor for any stones sent, plus pay the appraiser to look at them presumably. So this could run into a LOT of money if you chose to have a few sent. I''d narrow it down to the top two at the most. Or you can do like I did and just have one at a time sent to you and return it if you don''t like it. But I think the only thing to really decide is size and color, because all of these ideal cut diamonds will be beautiful.
 
In my opinion what WF can offer that GoG is a newline cut diamond. These diamonds have beautiful color light. Some like it, some don''t.

Regardless, the stone you have chosen from GoG is gorgeous and unless you are looking to burn extra money that you have, I really do not see a point in moving up in color or clarity. Your eyes under no circumstances will likely be able to tell the difference. Nor would your eyes with a 10x loop. In fact, an "H" could possibly appear just as white face up given that it was cut properly.
 
"The signature stone was NOT in-house!"

can you link an exanple of such a stone? I''m curious to see a one which has a GCAL report and a blue nile laser inscription on it. As a business model, I don''t see why blue nile would go through the process of having their signature series laser inscribed (which i know is easy enough to remove) and getting a GCAL report only to have someone else sell the same stone.

Kathleen, GOG will ship stones to certain appraisers with a refundable deposit of $500 (less shipping if you return it). Now given what you are spending, WF and GOG might have a different policy, but I had both vendors ship a stone to an independent in NOVA without any problem.
 
Date: 10/28/2006 6:16:28 PM
Author: Arcam
''The signature stone was NOT in-house!''

can you link an exanple of such a stone? I''m curious to see a one which has a GCAL report and a blue nile laser inscription on it. As a business model, I don''t see why blue nile would go through the process of having their signature series laser inscribed (which i know is easy enough to remove) and getting a GCAL report only to have someone else sell the same stone.

Kathleen, GOG will ship stones to certain appraisers with a refundable deposit of $500 (less shipping if you return it). Now given what you are spending, WF and GOG might have a different policy, but I had both vendors ship a stone to an independent in NOVA without any problem.
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I did not ask the vendor to identify the stone he found, but I have emailed him to ask. But it obviously may be next week before I get a reply to that email since it is Saturday evening. But I am positive from what he told me that he really did check and was able to locate the exact diamond at the supplier. James Allen is the same way. His photographed diamonds are not in-house either.
 
Date: 10/28/2006 12:30:44 PM
Author: kathleen
I''m in Oregon, and there is one appraiser that I pulled up on PS in Oregon.
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HI:

As previously mentioned, little closer to your home is www.niceice.com in Roseburg, OR, and a slight bit out of your way is Winfields in Boise, ID www.winkjones.com. If you wanted to view in person, before buying, you might investigate these options as well. Happy searching!

cheers--Sharon
 
It will be interesting to get to the bottom of this Blue Nile mystery!!
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At any rate, I''m anxious to take a look at the GOG stone.

One question for Davidwolf, what is the Newline cut from WF?
 
Do a search on the forum. There are a ton of descriptions, but at the end of it. You need to see both side by side to truly be able to compare. This probably isnt the answer that you wanted, but it really is the truth. What my eyes see is that the new line cuts are more colorful under soft lighting conditions. Some also say that they are close to the eight star cuts.
 
Date: 10/28/2006 6:23:19 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

I did not ask the vendor to identify the stone he found, but I have emailed him to ask. But it obviously may be next week before I get a reply to that email since it is Saturday evening. But I am positive from what he told me that he really did check and was able to locate the exact diamond at the supplier. James Allen is the same way. His photographed diamonds are not in-house either.
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DS, I'm afraid this information is incorrect.

1. JA owns over 3,000 diamonds that listed as "in-house"
2. These diamonds reside in the company safe.
3. They are available for overnight shipping
4. Listings are synchronized with availability (i.e. when a stone is sold or sent on memo it is removed from JA site the same moment and from PS "in-house" listings next day)
5. JA in-house diamonds are listed with crown and pavilion angles, scanned grading report and magnified photograph

This qualify them as "in-house" diamonds.

The problem I see here is some vendors teach their customers that their way of doing business is the only right way. At the same time, there is nothing wrong with a businesses offering diamonds with 30 day unconditional money-back guarantee, when you can check it with whoever you want to - independent appraiser or another jeweler.
 
Date: 10/28/2006 7:11:18 PM
Author: Pricescope

Date: 10/28/2006 6:23:19 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

I did not ask the vendor to identify the stone he found, but I have emailed him to ask. But it obviously may be next week before I get a reply to that email since it is Saturday evening. But I am positive from what he told me that he really did check and was able to locate the exact diamond at the supplier. James Allen is the same way. His photographed diamonds are not in-house either.
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DS, I''m afraid this information is incorrect.

1. JA owns over 3,000 diamonds that listed as ''in-house''
2. These diamonds reside in the company safe.
3. They are available for overnight shipping
4. Listings are synchronized with availability (i.e. when a stone is sold or sent on memo it is removed from JA site the same moment and from PS ''in-house'' listings next day)
5. JA in-house diamonds are listed with crown and pavilion angles, scanned grading report and magnified photograph

This qualify them as ''in-house'' diamonds.
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I''m sorry, PS. Apparently I was told incorrect information. Many vendors do have scanned grading reports without owning the diamonds, so that doesn''t always tell us for sure if a vendor really has the stone. What about Blue Nile?
 
This may be a silly question, but how do I find the New Line Cut on WF''s website?
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