Bluenile vs James Allen?.......

[Jaxxx]

Hi, I'm in the process of purchasing my first engagement ring and been looking between the two sites.

Can you guys give me some feedback on the customer service, shipping, and return experience between the two.... I hope to get some this week.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would personally choose James Allen due to the fact that the diamond photos are extremely helpful, and once you see those, you'll realize that you won't want to choose a diamond without them. They will also provide idealscope images on three stones which will show you the light return. I wouldn't buy a diamond online without that much information.

Stick with GIA Excellent cut and AGS Ideal cut stones only (if looking at rounds).

 

[distracts]

Ditto Diamondseeker.

 

[iheartscience]

Another ditto for DiamondSeeker's answer! I LOVE looking through all the pictures on James Allen! Plus James Allen offers a decent Pricescope discount and I don't think BlueNile does. If you do a search through PS and click on a James Allen diamond the discount will show.

 

[2023]

I just did a search of a 0.60 VS2 triple x no flour GIA James Allen which was 2560, at Blue Nile a 0.6 VS2 triple x GIA no flour was 2071. I've suggested this before as I have no idea what the reason is but I believed the price difference was because they have diamonds in house and take images, hence the overhead. I think the workmanship on James Allen jewellers looks better, but in terms of loose diamond prices I can't help but notice a price difference. There is a 30 day return policy on BN too. I just haven't had a solid answer as to why there is a difference in prices, my suggestion was that they held inventory and took images, hence the extra value add, but the price difference was disagreed with in a previous post, but no explanation.

I see they give an extra benefit of the photos and charge a bit more because of it. Seems the common vendors that come up are GOG, James Allen, BGD and IDJ. Just a pattern I have seen which makes me simply think BN is not a vendor on the PS site

 

[YoungPapa]

I just did a search of a 0.60 VS2 triple x no flour GIA James Allen which was 2560, at Blue Nile a 0.6 VS2 triple x GIA no flour was 2071. I've suggested this before as I have no idea what the reason is but I believed the price difference was because they have diamonds in house and take images, hence the overhead. I think the workmanship on James Allen jewellers looks better, but in terms of loose diamond prices I can't help but notice a price difference. There is a 30 day return policy on BN too. I just haven't had a solid answer as to why there is a difference in prices, my suggestion was that they held inventory and took images, hence the extra value add, but the price difference was disagreed with in a previous post, but no explanation.

I see they give an extra benefit of the photos and charge a bit more because of it. Seems the common vendors that come up are GOG, James Allen, BGD and IDJ. Just a pattern I have seen which makes me simply think BN is not a vendor on the PS site

Hi 2023,

I'm limited on how much opinion I can share in this discussion, but I think I'm okay if I add a little fact. I just did a search on our own website vs a certain unnamed competitor, and as of 11:25EST the least expensive GIA G-VS2 X/X/X No fluor 0.60ct+ we have to offer is $2,130 (PS cc price) and the most comparable option by the "other" company is $2,116. That does confirm we're more expensive, but not by as much as you found in your example above.

I am sure that with more research either of us could find examples that prove one company is more or less expensive than the other. That being the case, the discussion generally evolves from one of price to one of value.

 

[2023]

I didn't expect to get a response direct from James Allen - I'm glad you were upfront about being James Allen though and did not post as a normal forum poster...as that would be unfair marketing and biased advice on what is generally believed to be a consumer forum. I have no affiliation to any company - I just put a post up on what I saw in a simple search, and in a few searches I have noticed James Allen to be a bit more expensive in general, maybe it's something to do with the search engines... so maybe if the database is searched more thoroughly a comparative diamond can be found, also I don't know what the PS discount is so I didn't include that.

I simply plugged in those parameters and that's the prices that popped out.

Anyhow, I have no preference to either company, just want people to get the best value for their money...so if thats the case that prices are comparable, its great news for everyone vendors and consumers included - especially in this economy...

 

[TitanCi]

I just did a search of a 0.60 VS2 triple x no flour GIA James Allen which was 2560, at Blue Nile a 0.6 VS2 triple x GIA no flour was 2071. I've suggested this before as I have no idea what the reason is but I believed the price difference was because they have diamonds in house and take images, hence the overhead. I think the workmanship on James Allen jewellers looks better, but in terms of loose diamond prices I can't help but notice a price difference. There is a 30 day return policy on BN too. I just haven't had a solid answer as to why there is a difference in prices, my suggestion was that they held inventory and took images, hence the extra value add, but the price difference was disagreed with in a previous post, but no explanation.

I see they give an extra benefit of the photos and charge a bit more because of it. Seems the common vendors that come up are GOG, James Allen, BGD and IDJ. Just a pattern I have seen which makes me simply think BN is not a vendor on the PS site

I doubt that's why there is a $500 price differential. Stones are sold for what they're worth. A 60 pointer VS2 XXX is not the same as the next nor the one after that. A 0.5 deg difference in CA or PA can change the stone significantly, which subsequently, changes the price. You have to account for everything about the two stones, not just carat, clarity, cut, color. It's highly competitive online, and things down to the most critical aspects of the stone will make or break the price.

 

[2023]

That makes A LOT of sense, and would explain the differences.

 

[TitanCi]

^That info was given to me from one of our trusted vendors. He stated things down to the PA or CA or LGF or whatever can really change the price because, obviously, the look of the stone/performance can change.

If you look at stones for say, 1.00 ct H VS1 on JA's site, you'll see ugly ones going for less, if you only consider the 4 main Cs.

Ugly XXX (more $$$)
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1482470.asp

Nasty faced, super fugly step child XXX, (less $$$)
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1463310.asp

Check out the numbers on the report... apples to apples, sorta.


This one is strange... it's a well cut stone for less!!! Could be a low H color or something, there's no fluor.. so I wonder what's up? 3 VG's on the HCA???
Here's a freebie if anyone is lurking, as the price seems pretty good for an "ideal" GIA XXX (JA is calling it ideal), scores a 1.8 on HCA. Someone is bound to snatch it up soon! You know the IS should be next!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1505695.asp

 

[tampabull]

Without going into why one stone is less or more compared to another (there are way too many variables), I'll say that I've been really impressed with JA's customer service, and have 3 stones on hold right now awaiting idealscope images.

I started looking at other sites, but once I figured out what my criteria was, I would find a half-dozen stones that met my criteria close enough to be considered. I counted a few out based on the photos from JA which I wouldn't have been able to do at other sites.

When I was ready to reserve, the service and follow-up by the reps at JA was very nice. Hoping the scopes come back well so I can make a purchase!

 

[2023]

I agree that stones a great price!!! And a great cut!!!

 

[Jaxxx]

So I found a stone I likely James Allen, how long would it take to get to me on their simple setting to be delivered?

 

[aron42486]

I bought a diamond and setting through Blue Nile. To answer your first question, the customer service with them is great. They are easy to get a hold of and talk things through with. Shipping was next day air. I had my diamond sent loose so that I could inspect it. Shipping it back registered mail cost me $26 and took about 4 days, but was worth it to see it in person. After having it set, they shipped it back next day air. From ordering the diamond loose, sending it back, having it set, and then shipped back to me the whole process took about 10 business days. I had a great experience with Blue Nile.

That being said, the downside to Blue Nile is that they do not have in-house inventory so no pictures or other images. My diamond was one of their AGS Signature Ideal cuts. The AGS report had a ASET image and the added GCAL report that BN does on their Signature series gave me a pretty good idea about the symmetry and brilliance. I did take a gamble on a stone without idealscope images or actual photos but I am happy with what I came out with. The only reason I didn't go with a site like James Allen is that they did not have any setting styles that I liked.

 

[rubybeth]

So I found a stone I likely James Allen, how long would it take to get to me on their simple setting to be delivered?

You can call or click the 'Chat Now' button and ask. It's going to depend on whether or not they have the stone in-hand or if they have to get it from somewhere (but I've heard of stones being literally walked from one place to another in the diamond district, so it could be very, very close by), but I have a feeling they would do everything in their power to get it to you ASAP if you have a deadline.