Blue Nile Sig Ideal vs. Whiteflash

[HoyaSaxa]

Hey all, long time lurker ... first time poster. So I''ve read the tutorials, scanned the forums and am now finally ready to take the plunge. I''ve found a couple of really nice rounds, and I''ve narrowed it down to two -- one at Blue Nile and one at Whiteflash.

I''m also at the point where my head hurts from thinking about this so much ... so I thought I''d ask the forum for advice. Which one should I choose?

Here are the specs:

Blue Nile Stone (located here: http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-signature-ideal-cut-g-color-si1-clarity_LD01372814)

1.52 G SI1 GIA / GCAL
Price: $11,687
Table: 57%
Depth: 61.6%
Sym / Pol: Ex/ Ex
Crown Angle: 35.1 deg
Crown %: 15.1%
Pavillion Angle: 40.7 deg
Pavillion %: 42.9%

Whiteflash Stone (located here: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2231255.htm#)

1.502 G SI1 AGS
Price: $12,462
Depth %: 61.5
Table %: 54.9
Crown Angle: 34.4
Crown %: 15.3
Star : 53
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Pavilion %: 42.9
Lower Girdle %: 78
Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
Measurements: 7.34-7.38X4.53
Light Performance: 0
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal


So they''re very close in size and cut, I think ... but there''s a $1,000 difference. Any help here is appreciated. And of course, I''ll post a pic when I make the buy ...

Cheers!

 

[stone-cold11]

Depends on if you/gf intends to trade up in the future, BN do not have that policy so you will be stuck with that stone or make a loss. Also, for a H&A stone, which BN SI is said to be hence the premium over their Ex cut, I would want to see a Hearts image and BN will not be able to supply it.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Exactly...

1. If you want to know for sure that it is a heart & arrows diamond (and worth the premium) you need the image which BN doesn''t have)
2. Check all their policies b/c they may have value for you

Personalyl I would go with WF, but many people on this site have gotten great Sig Ideal diamonds from BN...

 

[HoyaSaxa]

Both good points. I''ve thought about the trade up option. Definitely nice to have, but I''m not sure I''d use it. I know I didn''t use it with my ex-wife (haha).

As for the hearts image, you''re right. And that''s part of why I''m struggling with this decision. I want to buy the best stone I can, but the $1k difference is forcing me to think about the tradeoffs.

 

[stone-cold11]

Ya, that you will have to decide yourself.

Have you tried JA''s TrueHearts H&A?

 

[HoyaSaxa]

I did look at JA''s inventory ... I''d prefer to deal with a PS vendor. Unfortunately, they don''t have anything in stock that''s close. Must be the valentine''s rush.

 

[stone-cold11]

OIC, wait or are you also rushing for valentine''s day too?

 

[swingirl]

For me it would be hands down on an ACA from WF over BN. I have purchased from them, talked to them on the phone, visited their office and like all their policies and customer service. BN is a drop shipper and doesn''t have the services available that I want, such as images.

 

[tyty333]

Date: 1/27/2010 5:14:17 PM
Author: HoyaSaxa
I did look at JA''s inventory ... I''d prefer to deal with a PS vendor. Unfortunately, they don''t have anything in stock that''s close. Must be the valentine''s rush.

James Allen is a PS vendor

. (I know it doesnt matter since they dont have what you are looking for).

 

[earth]

Date: 1/27/2010 5:14:17 PM
Author: HoyaSaxa
I did look at JA''s inventory ... I''d prefer to deal with a PS vendor. Unfortunately, they don''t have anything in stock that''s close. Must be the valentine''s rush.

If u go to White Flash via Pricescope site.... the price of your diamond become $11,838.90

I do not have much knowledge about diamonds yet...but hope i solved your $600 problem though still little expensive than BN. But i also liked the BN diamond... their GCAL cert along with GIA does have many images...i dnt knwo if that is what everyone is talking about.

 

[swingirl]

The ACA is $150 more.

ACA is $11,838.99

BN is $11,687.00