BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS-000

[ShinySearcher]

Trying to choose between these two; expert opinions and thoughts much appreciated for these similar approx 9k stones? Links listed first and then details. Both are in house stones with certs and images.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD03493449

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.14-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-84643

BlueNile Sig
$8973
1.16 CT (6.75-6.78 x 4.16mm)
GIA XXX
F
Si1
No Fluor
Twinning Whisp - Small Feather
HCA score 1.5 X, X, X,VG
56% table
61.5 depth
35 crown
40.8 pav

JamesAllen True Hearts
$8780
1.14 CT (6.68-6.72 x 4.15mm)
AGS 000
G
Si1
No Fluor
Cloud-Feather-Crystal (table) - looks eyeclean from 40x and rotating image
HCA score 1.3 (X,X,X, VG)
55.7 table
61.9 depth
34.5 crown
40.8 pav
I already requested 3 other idealscopes for other stones from JamesAllen so I cant request one on this. Plus on AGS cert it has light performance plot.

 

[ecf8503]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

You need an idealcope image for that GIA BN stone, which they don't provide, to assess light performance. If the JA stone is 000 it's already been proven to have ideal light performance. No brainer - the JA, as long as it is eye clean.

 

[ShinySearcher]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

You need an idealcope image for that GIA BN stone, which they don't provide, to assess light performance. If the JA stone is 000 it's already been proven to have ideal light performance. No brainer - the JA, as long as it is eye clean.

The bluenile is a signature stone with a GCAL they graded excellent and a excellent 1.5 HCA score. The JamesAllen stone is a G and looks like its a low G from the pictures especially if you look next to an F. I am thinking the bluenile stone looks better.

 

[smilligan]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

You need an idealcope image for that GIA BN stone, which they don't provide, to assess light performance. If the JA stone is 000 it's already been proven to have ideal light performance. No brainer - the JA, as long as it is eye clean.

The bluenile is a signature stone with a GCAL they graded excellent and a excellent 1.5 HCA score. The JamesAllen stone is a G and looks like its a low G from the pictures especially if you look next to an F. I am thinking the bluenile stone looks better.

First, the GCAL report is a nice addition, but isn't really that important. A BN grade of "signature ideal" is just a term. What are the qualifications for this grade? If you look closely at the photo micrograph on the GCAL report, you will notice that the arrows are poorly formed (it's not H&A). That may not matter to you, but the JA stone is very symmetrical. It also looks really clean. I would ask if it's eye clean. As to the color, the JA videos always show more color because they are close ups and they show the pavilion. How do you know the BN stone is better without a pic? I would choose the JA hands down. If you don't like it, return it.

 

[diamonds-are-friends]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Both have good return policies. If you have the cash, buy both and compare and then return one.

 

[LetItShine]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

My 2 cents...I have a Bluenile Signature Ideal and it is crazy beautiful! True, no idealscope but they are hand selected based on the proportions and carried in-house. I think the GCAL cert is just a poor picture. I see arrows...the picture quality is just bad. Bluenile does claim that their Signature Ideal stones are "hearts and arrows". I bought based on the proportions, HCA score, and made sure my stone fell within AGS ideal parameters. They have excellent customer service and a good return policy...

 

[cleanandclever]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Without hesitation: I will choose the signature from bluenile. Better color. I prefer twinning wisps as inclusion in SI1 b/c it is the hardest to spot them as inclusion. the measurement is slightly bigger then the JA one. the JA cert is dated back in year 2011. It either means a second head stone or just no one buys it after 2.5 years of selling. Neither sounds good to me.

However, this is just my personal opinion.

Thanks.

 

[ShinySearcher]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Thank you for your input, I am thinking the blueNile as well.

My problem is that I am also considering a local stone (cert pics below) but it will only be held until tomorrow. I am getting a ring locally as well and I need everything within 2 weeks. So if I ordered the blue nile and didnt love it I would miss out on local stone and wouldnt get money back in time to purchase new one.

The local is a 1.21 CT GIA Excellent cut, Ex Polish but VG Symm, G color, Si2 with grade setting feather and scores excellent on HCA with 1.1 (x,x,x,vg). I have viewed it several times in person and its beautiful and eyeclean even though its Si2.

Its 7900 plus tax so it ends up being 8500 which I feel is a bit high but it is 1.21 CT. Also after I viewed it outside in sun (looked amazing) it seemed kind of "dark" inside the store. Its hard to explain and I had another post on this but it just seemed a little dark looking, like black shadow or something which I didnt understand since in other light and outside it looked perfect. Anyway if you have input on this stone please let me know.

 

[kaoms352]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Trying to choose between these two; expert opinions and thoughts much appreciated for these similar approx 9k stones? Links listed first and then details. Both are in house stones with certs and images.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD03493449

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.14-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-84643

BlueNile Sig
$8973
1.16 CT (6.75-6.78 x 4.16mm)
GIA XXX
F
Si1
No Fluor
Twinning Whisp - Small Feather
HCA score 1.5 X, X, X,VG
56% table
61.5 depth
35 crown
40.8 pav

JamesAllen True Hearts
$8780
1.14 CT (6.68-6.72 x 4.15mm)
AGS 000
G
Si1
No Fluor
Cloud-Feather-Crystal (table) - looks eyeclean from 40x and rotating image
HCA score 1.3 (X,X,X, VG)
55.7 table
61.9 depth
34.5 crown
40.8 pav
I already requested 3 other idealscopes for other stones from JamesAllen so I cant request one on this. Plus on AGS cert it has light performance plot.

Or this one is better and cheaper...

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.142-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104067973015

 

[CharmyPoo]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

How about these ones?
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3016682.htm
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.124-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-104064814004

 

[Smith1942]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Between the Blue Nile and the JA I would choose the Blue Nile stone in a heartbeat due to the better colour and the beauty of the Sig stones. The BN Signature line is super-ideal cut with hearts and arrows. All the info, including parameters for the Sig cut, is on the BN website. I had Signature Blue Nile studs and the sparkle was incredible. I have bought at least 40 items from Blue Nile and frankly they're an amazing company with the best customer service I've ever experienced, anywhere, and I have ten items from JA/WF/BGD so am qualified to compare.

I have heard GCAL described by at least one trade member on here as a very reputable and well-respected lab.

 

[ShinySearcher]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Between the Blue Nile and the JA I would choose the Blue Nile stone in a heartbeat due to the better colour and the beauty of the Sig stones. The BN Signature line is super-ideal cut with hearts and arrows. All the info, including parameters for the Sig cut, is on the BN website. I had Signature Blue Nile studs and the sparkle was incredible. I have bought at least 40 items from Blue Nile and frankly they're an amazing company with the best customer service I've ever experienced, anywhere, and I have ten items from JA/WF/BGD so am qualified to compare.

I have heard GCAL described by at least one trade member on here as a very reputable and well-respected lab.

Thank you for the feedback, especially with your first hand experience.

 

[Daisyoz]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

I am not sure if BN Sig Ideal diamonds are super ideal, the term is used loosely these days (BE has their own superideal category that include diamond of HCA 3). But they are definitely not true heart and arrow diamonds. BN recently started selling 'heart and arrow cushions" the GCAL cert of which state specifically they are heart and arrow and even have images to boot. However, none of GCAL certs of rounds has this statement. If they are true heart and arrow RB, the GCAL cert would have stated that they are.

 

[ShinySearcher]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Thank you, yeah someone else commended saying from the GCAL it didnt look like Hearts and Arrows. The 1.21 CT GIA Ex cut, Ex Polish, VG symm, G color, Si2, HCA 1.1 that is local shows very clean hearts and arrows although I dont really know how to know for sure if its true H&A. I am honestly leaning towards this local stone now even though its same price and is rated lower color/clarity/symm I know its beautiful and dont have to worry.

 

[Smith1942]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Well, Blue Nile says that its Signature diamonds have perfectly symmetrical hearts and arrows. See here:

http://www.bluenile.com/signature-ideal-round-diamonds?track=NavEduSigRound

Blue Nile is about the most solid, reliable and reputable online jeweller around today, selling more engagement jewellery than Tiffany according to Forbes. I have always found them to over-deliver on their diamonds. I am very sure that they would not claim to sell perfect hearts and arrows were that not true; for a start, it's easy to prove otherwise with the measuring tools out there today like ASETs and Idealoscopes.

I don't think the lack of the term on the GCal certs means anything. Perhaps BN has only just started to put that term on.

 

[Smith1942]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Thank you, yeah someone else commended saying from the GCAL it didnt look like Hearts and Arrows. The 1.21 CT GIA Ex cut, Ex Polish, VG symm, G color, Si2, HCA 1.1 that is local shows very clean hearts and arrows although I dont really know how to know for sure if its true H&A. I am honestly leaning towards this local stone now even though its same price and is rated lower color/clarity/symm I know its beautiful and dont have to worry.

The reason it doesn't look like hearts and arrows is because it's just a close-up ordinary photograph and you need specialist tools to see hearts and arrows properly. If you look at the optical analysis (the colour pic) on the GCAL you can see very strong arrows. If the diamond was photographed with ASET or Idealoscope use, you'd see symmetrical hearts and arrows, I'm sure of it. BN just wouldn't be able to get away with claiming perfect hearts and arrows if it wasn't true.

 

[smilligan]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Thank you, yeah someone else commended saying from the GCAL it didnt look like Hearts and Arrows. The 1.21 CT GIA Ex cut, Ex Polish, VG symm, G color, Si2, HCA 1.1 that is local shows very clean hearts and arrows although I dont really know how to know for sure if its true H&A. I am honestly leaning towards this local stone now even though its same price and is rated lower color/clarity/symm I know its beautiful and dont have to worry.

The reason it doesn't look like hearts and arrows is because it's just a close-up ordinary photograph and you need specialist tools to see hearts and arrows properly. If you look at the optical analysis (the colour pic) on the GCAL you can see very strong arrows. If the diamond was photographed with ASET or Idealoscope use, you'd see symmetrical hearts and arrows, I'm sure of it. BN just wouldn't be able to get away with claiming perfect hearts and arrows if it wasn't true.

I disagree. Businesses get away with lying all the time. Look at the pavilion view of the photomicrograph. The small arrows are all smushed and uneven and the hearts don't look great, either (though it's hard to tell for sure). I'm not saying that it won't be a beautiful stone, but it doesn't look like a "super ideal" H&A to me.

 

[Smith1942]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

A photomicrograph won't show H&A properly like the other tools available, and the arrows look perfect in the colour analysis. There are many bad companies out there who may lie but I honestly do not believe that BN is one of them. They are so reputable, and have always over-delivered in my experience. It would be a pity for the OP to miss out on what is in all likelihood a stunning diamond. I guess we cannot know about the H&A of this particular diamond unless we purchased it and got ASETs and Idealoscopes done on it, but I trust BN after long experience with them.

 

[smilligan]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

A photomicrograph won't show H&A properly like the other tools available, and the arrows look perfect in the colour analysis. There are many bad companies out there who may lie but I honestly do not believe that BN is one of them. They are so reputable, and have always over-delivered in my experience. It would be a pity for the OP to miss out on what is in all likelihood a stunning diamond. I guess we cannot know about the H&A of this particular diamond unless we purchased it and got ASETs and Idealoscopes done on it, but I trust BN after long experience with them.

That's a fair assessment based on your experience, but it's still an opinion (not meant to be disrespectful). I agree that BN has gotten some great reviews, but it also has some poor ones. I can't speak from personal experience, though. Either way, they (apparently) have a great return policy, so it's definitely worth checking out. I think that the BN diamond will be a stunner, regardless.

 

[Daisyoz]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Well, Blue Nile says that its Signature diamonds have perfectly symmetrical hearts and arrows.

I don't think the lack of the term on the GCal certs means anything. Perhaps BN has only just started to put that term on.

You mean BN can influence content of GCAL cert? And they just started to put that term on GCAL cert for their cushions?

This is a bit contradictory. You said above that GCAL is a reputable company. In fact the point of GCAL cert is a third party certification of the stone like GIA cert. So how could BN have any say in what GCAL put on their certs? And if BN does have influence on what GCAL says, then is there any value in GCAL cert for customers?

I think the fact is just clear that though they can be beautiful stones, and some do exhibit H and A pattern, BN Sig Ideal stones are not true superideal H and A, at least not in the way HOF, WF ACA or BG Sig stones are.

 

[Smith1942]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

A photomicrograph won't show H&A properly like the other tools available, and the arrows look perfect in the colour analysis. There are many bad companies out there who may lie but I honestly do not believe that BN is one of them. They are so reputable, and have always over-delivered in my experience. It would be a pity for the OP to miss out on what is in all likelihood a stunning diamond. I guess we cannot know about the H&A of this particular diamond unless we purchased it and got ASETs and Idealoscopes done on it, but I trust BN after long experience with them.

That's a fair assessment based on your experience, but it's still an opinion (not meant to be disrespectful). I agree that BN has gotten some great reviews, but it also has some poor ones. I can't speak from personal experience, though. Either way, they (apparently) have a great return policy, so it's definitely worth checking out. I think that the BN diamond will be a stunner, regardless.

Yes, of course it's an opinion, albeit an informed one. As I said above, we are not to know the facts unless we were to purchase this diamond and do ASETs and Idealosopes on them.

 

[Smith1942]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Well, Blue Nile says that its Signature diamonds have perfectly symmetrical hearts and arrows.

I don't think the lack of the term on the GCal certs means anything. Perhaps BN has only just started to put that term on.

You mean BN can influence content of GCAL cert? And they just started to put that term on GCAL cert for their cushions?

This is a bit contradictory. You said above that GCAL is a reputable company. In fact the point of GCAL cert is a third party certification of the stone like GIA cert. So how could BN have any say in what GCAL put on their certs? And if BN does have influence on what GCAL says, then is there any value in GCAL cert for customers?

I think the fact is just clear that though they can be beautiful stones, and some do exhibit H and A pattern, BN Sig Ideal stones are not true superideal H and A, at least not in the way HOF, WF ACA or BG Sig stones are.

Blue Nile Signature stones are in-house at Blue Nile, although they are a drop-shipper for most of their other stones. They are sent to GCAL for certs, and BN has a contract with GCAL to produce certs on those stones which already belong to BN. It's not as if they are certed before BN buys them from a third party. So, it's quite possible that BN has only just started to request H&A on the cert as an informational tool - as long as GCAL do find that to be true, of course. Or, perhaps it's the other way round - perhaps GCAL has only just started offering H&A as a designation for stones that do indeed fit that bill.

You say that BN's superideal Sig line is inferior to HoF, WF, and BGD, but I don't see how you can possibly know that as a fact, although you state it as a fact. BGD currently has a Signature E diamond of 1.5 carats which misses every single "Excellent" grade on the HCA and comes out as a 2.2. It's also not eyeclean. Here it is: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.504-e-si2-round-diamond-ags-104064814013

Another thing about the BN Signature range: All the stones are guaranteed to be eyeclean. This is not the case with BGD. On the BGD website, in the Si category, stones which are eyeclean have that designation ("eyeclean") under the stone image, and those that aren't, don't. So BGD accepts visibly included stones for their Signature line, which BN does not. BN's returns policy is also a lot more flexible.

It seems that none of the superideal lines are totally consistent - which is why you have to use the HCA on all stones.

Regarding comparisons between HoF, WF, BGD and BN: My engagement ring is a Hearts on Fire, and I own eleven pieces from WF, BGD and James Allen. All of the stones in those pieces are the H&A/Signature/True Hearts/whatever you want to call it top lines. In addition, I have owned BN Signature stones in the past (which I don't have now as I upgraded and got the Ideal line to max on size and colour).

So, based on all the stones I have owned from all these lines, I can say that BN's Signature stones in this group were the same in terms of fire, sparkle, brilliance, everything, as the other stones from the other top lines. My Sig BN stones were absolute crackers and in no way inferior to any of my stones from those lines.

You will also find other customers on here who rave about the fire and beauty of their BN Sig stones.

Of course, everything we're saying here is personal opinion. Without buying up every single Sig stone in all these lines and opening our own lab to run tests on each stone, facts cannot be offered here. I have long experience with BN and I also have stones from all those other lines. They are all absolutely gorgeous, and I see nothing to indicate that BN is in any way inferior to those other brands, having owning stones from all. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, of course. But I just want to say that the opinion that BN's Sig line is inferior to all the others makes no sense to me at all, in the light of my own experiences.

 

[Smith1942]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

To the OP: I really wouldn't buy a diamond for an engagement ring that only has a GIA rating as "very good" for symmetry. The HCA doesn't measure every facet and angle, of course.

On the other hand, you have seen this stone and you say you like it. If you really love it, then it's a safe buy. But the fact it misses the top grade for symmetry would make me a little nervous, and remember that you've only seen it in the jewellery store lighting, I think?

Perhaps ask for some other expert opinions on here about Very Good symmetry before you buy. Also, have you seen the super-ideal stones in real life? Because this local one may look great to you now, but you might be able to see a difference if you were to put a stone with Excellent symmetry and only Very Good symmetry side-by-side.

 

[Smith1942]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Well, Blue Nile says that its Signature diamonds have perfectly symmetrical hearts and arrows.

I don't think the lack of the term on the GCal certs means anything. Perhaps BN has only just started to put that term on.

There is no such thing as perfect hearts and arrows, the tolerances for cutting and scanning do not make this possible.
Bluenile is not necesssarily lieing, they are marketing using imprecise and vague language. Exploring some examples I found Bluenile includes some moderately steep deep combinations in their selection for signature line and also that they do not prove their "puffed up" claim of perfectly symmetrical hearts and arrows. The GCAL cert does not provide definitive proof their standard for hearts matches other vendors here, it very likely does not.

I am not a diamond cutter so I know nothing about tolerances and scanning and other technical points that only a cutter would know about. But if it's impossible to cut perfect hearts and arrows, then Hearts on Fire must also be lying.

From their website: "Hearts On Fire diamonds all boast a perfect ring of eight hearts on the bottom". They then go on to describe perfect arrows except they call them Firebursts.

And BGD also claims H&A perfection, five times in one paragraph! From their website: "The perfectly shaped hearts are formed when the main pavilion facets are cut at the correct angles and polished with such perfection in symmetry that their reflection results in a perfect heart pattern. Once the perfect heart pattern has been attained, the perfect arrow pattern in the crown results."

If BN is lying about claiming perfection because perfect H&A are impossible, then all the others must be lying too.

I don't think that any of them are lying, though. I suspect that although there are differences due to the rough and the way the cutter's machinery is calibrated, I also suspect that these differences are so minute and so non-visible (assuming the stone is a top cut) that companies are within their legal advertising rights to say the H&A are perfect, again assuming a given stone is a top cut, not poorly cut.

However, I am not a diamond cutter or a marketing expert or a legal expert, and I cannot allow myself to keep guessing about areas which are technically beyond me in order to prove some point or to be backed into any more corners. I simply speak as a consumer of diamonds who has found BN's Sig line to be every bit as good as all the other top-line diamonds I've owned. I do not think that BN is "lying", or at least not any more than any of the others. I am also not paranoid that all companies are lying to me, like many consumers seem to be. I know when I am dealing with a good company, and BN is one of those.

OP, I'm afraid I cannot spend any more of my time defending BN. No one on PS likes BN because they are not a PS vendor although they do advertise here. I defend them till I'm blue in the face and it makes not one jot of difference; consumers are reliably steered towards a PS vendor and usually end up buying from them. Just know that the consistent, reliable lack of enthusiasm for BN on here is rooted in politics. It's a fabulous company which sells more engagement jewellery than Tiffany and has a startling success story, with good reason.

I hope this discussion has given you some valuable input and that you do not miss out on a potentially beautiful stone due to all the BN-bashing. Good luck with your choice!

 

[ShinySearcher]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

To the OP: I really wouldn't buy a diamond for an engagement ring that only has a GIA rating as "very good" for symmetry. The HCA doesn't measure every facet and angle, of course.

On the other hand, you have seen this stone and you say you like it. If you really love it, then it's a safe buy. But the fact it misses the top grade for symmetry would make me a little nervous, and remember that you've only seen it in the jewellery store lighting, I think?

Perhaps ask for some other expert opinions on here about Very Good symmetry before you buy. Also, have you seen the super-ideal stones in real life? Because this local one may look great to you now, but you might be able to see a difference if you were to put a stone with Excellent symmetry and only Very Good symmetry side-by-side.

Hi and thank you for all your input, this is a great read. I went with the local 1.2 GIA Excellent Cut/Polish but Very Good Symmetry, G color, HCA 1.1 and most scary to me Si2. But its completely the best eyeclean Si2 I have seen including probably 20 stores throughout southern california. Its eyeclean in all lighting Ive seen such as store lighting, spotlight, back of store fluorescent, outside cloudy, outside sunny, outside direct sunlight, and now in my house, bathroom, bedroom. I have a pretty good eye I feel and I went back to view this stone probably 10 times before purchasing.

I was also very concerned with VG symm and to be honest I dont know how it got that grade as it shows very precise hearts and arrows under the viewer and the measurements are 6.85-6.89mm. Im not sure if this is part of symm grade, but most stones within .04mm in diameter get excellent grade. I figured because of this and the H&A I saw, and the excellent overall cut grade that I was safe.

I did compare it to some super ideal triple 000 and triple XXX with similar traits and this one looked better to me other than one that was 15k more money and E color VV. When I had it on hold in store I personally saw two couples come in a view it (because it was an eyeclean Si2) and both wanted to buy it if I didnt. That seemed like a good sign.

Either way its mine now and they do offer 100% trade up guarantee with no requirement for buying something twice as expensive or anything. So, if she didnt see what I saw then I could go back and trade for a new one.

Hope I made the right call. Thank you all.

 

[Smith1942]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

To the OP: I really wouldn't buy a diamond for an engagement ring that only has a GIA rating as "very good" for symmetry. The HCA doesn't measure every facet and angle, of course.

On the other hand, you have seen this stone and you say you like it. If you really love it, then it's a safe buy. But the fact it misses the top grade for symmetry would make me a little nervous, and remember that you've only seen it in the jewellery store lighting, I think?

Perhaps ask for some other expert opinions on here about Very Good symmetry before you buy. Also, have you seen the super-ideal stones in real life? Because this local one may look great to you now, but you might be able to see a difference if you were to put a stone with Excellent symmetry and only Very Good symmetry side-by-side.

Hi and thank you for all your input, this is a great read. I went with the local 1.2 GIA Excellent Cut/Polish but Very Good Symmetry, G color, HCA 1.1 and most scary to me Si2. But its completely the best eyeclean Si2 I have seen including probably 20 stores throughout southern california. Its eyeclean in all lighting Ive seen such as store lighting, spotlight, back of store fluorescent, outside cloudy, outside sunny, outside direct sunlight, and now in my house, bathroom, bedroom. I have a pretty good eye I feel and I went back to view this stone probably 10 times before purchasing.

I was also very concerned with VG symm and to be honest I dont know how it got that grade as it shows very precise hearts and arrows under the viewer and the measurements are 6.85-6.89mm. Im not sure if this is part of symm grade, but most stones within .04mm in diameter get excellent grade. I figured because of this and the H&A I saw, and the excellent overall cut grade that I was safe.

I did compare it to some super ideal triple 000 and triple XXX with similar traits and this one looked better to me other than one that was 15k more money and E color VV. When I had it on hold in store I personally saw two couples come in a view it (because it was an eyeclean Si2) and both wanted to buy it if I didnt. That seemed like a good sign.

Either way its mine now and they do offer 100% trade up guarantee with no requirement for buying something twice as expensive or anything. So, if she didnt see what I saw then I could go back and trade for a new one.

Hope I made the right call. Thank you all.

The stone sounds absolutely perfect, ShinySearcher! Many congratulations on your purchase and on your pending engagement!

 

[bliss_cathy]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Hi Smith1942

Thank you for all the information you provided. I too also noticed a while ago how anti BN everyone here was

I agree, I would have suggested the BN stone, but didn't have the energy to have everyone on PS arguing with me, so I avoided posting. That's how deep rooted the anti BN campaign here is!

Could you please elaborate what is the difference between a PS Vendor and a PS advertiser? And what politics makes PS not like them?

 

[smilligan]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Smith - I don't think that anyone is "bashing" BN or saying that their signature stones aren't attractive. I was merely addressing the point that the symmetry seems off and that I don't think it meets the criteria for H&A. That said, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from BN, given the right conditions. Also, the difference between VG and excellent symmetry is usually imperceptible to the naked eye (per videos I've watched). And as for the BGD stone linked, the HCA score is meaningless for an AGS 000. I think this thread has gotten off track. Either stone would look beautiful in real life, but my personal choice would be the JA stone. Of course, that is my opinion and doesn't necessary mean that it's a better stone. We're really splitting hairs when it comes to different H&A lines.

 

[Smith1942]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Hi Smith1942

Thank you for all the information you provided. I too also noticed a while ago how anti BN everyone here was

I agree, I would have suggested the BN stone, but didn't have the energy to have everyone on PS arguing with me, so I avoided posting. That's how deep rooted the anti BN campaign here is!

Could you please elaborate what is the difference between a PS Vendor and a PS advertiser? And what politics makes PS not like them?

Hey Cathy, a PS advertiser simply advertises here - see the changing banner at the top, for example. A PS vendor has their stones listed on the PS database for sale.

PS vendor really means two things: the description above, and also in colloquial terms, a group of tried-and-true fantastic vendors. They tend to be James Allen, Whiteflash, Brian Gavin Diamonds, Good Old Gold mainly. Then there's a subgroup such as ERD, OWD, B2C, and probably others I'm forgetting.

So sometimes when the term PS vendor is used, it can mean the strong favourites, which are mostly WF, BGD, and James Allen. There is a strong preference for those and newbies are routinely, firmly shepherded towards them.

They are great vendors. They have wonderful products, absolutely stunning diamonds, and I own eleven of their pieces myself. But Blue Nile is treated like it's something less when it's a terrific company. Regular posters here are unfailingly gloomy about BN picks by newbies, and they usually end up paying more and going with a PS vendor. However, Blue Nile does have a different business model than the favoured PS vendors. It's a drop-shipper, meaning that BN doesn't buy the diamond until you buy the diamond. All the savings associated with not outlaying that capital, not storing, not shipping, not photographing all those stones - with BN, those savings are passed on to you, assuming you choose wisely from the inventory. So BN can often be significantly cheaper than a PS vendor for a specs-equivalent stone.

The PS vendors have lots of images. These are nice to have and provide further info. But using angles, stats and the HCA I've always had excellent results with BN at some really wonderful prices. I don't think you necessarily need those photos if you are using other resources. As I've found out, tiny variations in cut often don't translate into visible differences, at least that's what I was told by the experts here when buying my studs. Those savings over PS vendors, when buying bigger stones, have enabled me to go up in size and/or colour. It's obviously costly for the PS vendors to own those stones and carry out all those tests, resulting in prices that can be significantly higher than BN, between equivalent stones.

On the other hand, it's greatly reassuring to have all those images of the stones, and particularly nice for a piece of engagement jewellery. Horses for courses, there is room for both. Some people want all the tests and images, others would rather put every penny into the stone itself, and buy from a drop-shipper for a cheaper price but less info.

So the two business models are very different, serving different needs and different levels of price sensitivity. They are equally valid and there is room for both. For example, whenever I look at marquise stones I tend to use James Allen not BN because I really want to see a marquise before I buy it - bowtie effect, for one. For rounds I use BN, although I'd love to get my paws on a nice large 2ct BGD Signature diamond because they are stunning too.

Although there is room for each business model and they serve different types of customer, this balanced approach to BN versus PS vendors is not generally found on Pricescope. Partly it's because BN doesn't sell their stones through PS, and partly it's simply the crowd effect.

Clear as mud??

 

[Smith1942]

Re: BlueNile Signature GIA-XXX vs JamesAllen True Hearts AGS

Smith - I don't think that anyone is "bashing" BN or saying that their signature stones aren't attractive. I was merely addressing the point that the symmetry seems off and that I don't think it meets the criteria for H&A. That said, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from BN, given the right conditions. Also, the difference between VG and excellent symmetry is usually imperceptible to the naked eye (per videos I've watched). And as for the BGD stone linked, the HCA score is meaningless for an AGS 000. I think this thread has gotten off track. Either stone would look beautiful in real life, but my personal choice would be the JA stone. Of course, that is my opinion and doesn't necessary mean that it's a better stone. We're really splitting hairs when it comes to different H&A lines.[/quote

There is an entrenched, consistent negative attitude towards BN on PS. That's what I meant, not you specifically. See my post to Cathy.

An example would be the negativity towards BN's Sig line earlier in this thread and the assertion that they are inferior to all the other Sig lines.