CBI and ACA in NYC

[KirstLWA]

Hi all

Thought when I was in the US in a few weeks I’d try and look at some CBI and ACA diamonds side by side.

Are there any vendors in NYC that I can do this? Get both types of stones?

It would be interesting to see the difference between these stones and the stones we get at home, which are largely GIA. We don’t get any AGS here really!

Am looking at 2-2.5ct so would be nice to see what they look like!

Thanks

 

[rockysalamander]

You could speak with WF, but I don't think they have any store-fronts or retailers and I don't see any CBI dealers in New York. But if you can afford it, you can select what you want, they can send the stone to a reputable jeweler. Maybe ID Jewelry could do this for you. They have great setting.

 

[MollyMalone]

Bill Scherlag @ 608 5th Avenue in Manhattan is CBI 's NYC dealer. More, and recent, info about him from John Pollard here:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/super-ideal-vendor-in-nyc.232619/#post-4200215

 

[OoohShiny]

AFAIK there are no dealers that stock both CBI and WF stones - I think one has to purchase both and compare them, then return the less-desired one!

This thread might be useful
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...nfinity-wf-aca-and-james-allen-gia-3x.235609/

 

[whitewave]

Contact @Wink @Winks_Elf to see what they can do with CBI.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Whiteflash stones can be ordered with a return policy and you could take it to the CBI jeweler in NYC. That's the least expensive way. But I think HPD has the full list of available stones listed, but each individual jeweler will only have a few in stock. So if there was a particular stone you wanted to see, they'd have to know in advance to get it in.

Every stone has a different cut, so you have to keep in mind that you might prefer certain angles over others. So in one comparison you might prefer the WF stone and another time the CBI stone. I might prefer one WF stone over another WF stone. That's the advantage of being able to go to where all the stones are located, which would be possible in the case of WF in Houston. But I would think a CBI jeweler could call in your top prospects from the full inventory list, too.

 

[rockysalamander]

Whiteflash stones can be ordered with a return policy and you could take it to the CBI jeweler in NYC. That's the least expensive way. But I think HPD has the full list of available stones listed, but each individual jeweler will only have a few in stock. So if there was a particular stone you wanted to see, they'd have to know in advance to get it in.

Every stone has a different cut, so you have to keep in mind that you might prefer certain angles over others. So in one comparison you might prefer the WF stone and another time the CBI stone. I might prefer one WF stone over another WF stone. That's the advantage of being able to go to where all the stones are located, which would be possible in the case of WF in Houston. But I would think a CBI jeweler could call in your top prospects from the full inventory list, too.

Ideally, I'd have the jeweler also have a few GIAXXX or AGS000 within PS parameters and screening to give you a good comparison.

 

[whitewave]

This is fun!

 

[yssie]

I believe CBI’s SITBI (See It To Believe I) policy will allow you to have a stone sent out for viewing without payment up-front. WF does not have a comparable policy, however you might be able to have an ACA sent to a well-reputed independent appraiser - contact WF and find out what they might be willing to arrange. An appraiser may have suggestions re. your request to also have some non-branded stones available for comparison.

 

[cflutist]

HPD's SITBI policy

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonds/diamonds-home

 

[Texas Leaguer]

I believe CBI’s SITBI (See It To Believe I) policy will allow you to have a stone sent out for viewing without payment up-front. WF does not have a comparable policy, however you might be able to have an ACA sent to a well-reputed independent appraiser - contact WF and find out what they might be willing to arrange. An appraiser may have suggestions re. your request to also have some non-branded stones available for comparison.

Thanks yssie,
Yes, we do provide that service and have a list of vetted independent appraisers around the country who are pre-approved to receive our diamonds and provide showing/consultation prior to purchase. You can find them at the link below. If a desired appraiser is not on that list, we may be able to make arrangements with them if they are willing and they meet our requirements for credentials, industry standing, security, and insurance.

https://www.whiteflash.com/about-di...flash-recommended-jewelry-appraisers-1127.htm

 

[Drizzle]

Thanks yssie,
Yes, we do provide that service and have a list of vetted independent appraisers around the country who are pre-approved to receive our diamonds and provide showing/consultation prior to purchase. You can find them at the link below. If a desired appraiser is not on that list, we may be able to make arrangements with them if they are willing and they meet our requirements for credentials, industry standing, security, and insurance.

https://www.whiteflash.com/about-di...flash-recommended-jewelry-appraisers-1127.htm

Oh man, I wish I had known about this when I just went through pretty much the exact same process comparing the James Allen, WF ACA, and CBI in person before making a final decision. There's totally someone in my city too It's too bad because I had specifically asked about this to the representative I was working with from Whiteflash and she firmly said that Whifeflash does not offer anything like this. So we bit the bullet and wired the money...and now biting another one shipping it back. Who knew registered mail with insurance can be so expensive? lol