Iceman_India
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2018
- Messages
- 14
I have been using these forums, mostly as a read-only user for a few weeks, and have found them extremely useful. Appreciate all the pros and semi-pros who take time out to help noobs like me!
This is a long post, because I am also hoping to clarify my own thoughts as I write this down, and look for advice. I also want to share the good and the bad of the process, for anyone else going through the same thing.
The TL;DR version for those looking to help is that I am trying to choose between the 2 diamonds linked at the bottom of the post.
The long version:
I am in the market for an eye clean, 2 carat or better, colorless-to-the-eye diamond with the best possible cut, with a budget of about 20-22k or so.
Because I have read these forums, and about 'super ideal' diamonds, I was keen to work with vendors such as Whiteflash or HPD (or BGD). In addition, I did some digging to find decent stones on James Allen as well (though their customer service ensured that some of the ones I picked were sold before I could put them 'on hold' which was annoying).
To take the guesswork out of online purchases, I decided I need to compare these diamonds in real life. Being in NYC allows for that, to some degree, with the James Allen store and the HPD merchant not far from each other on 5th avenue.
And while WF does not have a similar setup here, I worked with Brittany to pick out the stone I liked the most, and ordered it ahead of time, with a view to compare it side by side at my visits to JA and HPD.
As an aide -- For anyone nervous about bank wire transfer to Whiteflash (as I was), don't be. The process was handled very professionally and seamlessly (though my bank did decline the transaction at first). Would also note, for others in the market, that working with Layla at HPD has been an incredibly smooth and efficient process, and I would recommend her very highly even before I have actually bought anything. She is responsive and active seemingly at all hours of day or night, and seems genuinely interested in helping the customer (me).
So finally today, I had both appointments. My experience at the 2 appointments was like night and day:
-- The James Allen store in NYC basically has only jewelry store like lighting. In addition, they do not allow you to take out any diamonds you bring with you. So the viewing was a bit of a waste, as all 3 diamonds I looked at sparkled a lot in the very bright light, and I could really not even tell the difference between them. This was despite one of them being a supposed 'hearts and arrows' diamond, and one having significant white areas in the Idealscope image. The H&A diamonds also seem overpriced vs WF and HPD.
In any case, this store experience, alongside the less than stellar customer service has ensured that I am not really considering the JA diamonds anymore.
-- On the other hand, the HPD retailer in NY (Diamonds One) has a very well set up office. They have regular lighting, but also a large window to look at the diamonds in truly natural light. In addition, the proprietor (Bill) comes across as a really helpful and honest person. We looked through the diamonds Layla had helped me select, and narrowed down to the one that seemed to be the best, considering all parameters including price.
I then compared it side-by-side with the Whiteflash diamond, and I honestly could not tell the difference.
The diamonds in question are:
WF: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4000701.htm
HPD: https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9784
Even though they seem different enough, my eyes could not tell the color apart (face up), or the clarity. Both also shone very brightly in all types of light I looked through, such that it was very hard to tell them apart. They are also basically the same price.
My current thoughts are as follows:
-- The WF stone is bigger, and has 3 grades better clarity (though both are eye clean)
-- The HPD has a better color, and my experience with the people has been wonderful so far
-- The WF stone seems to have some fluorescence under UV light, but it's marked negligible on the report
-- The pavilion angle for most ACAs seems to be 40.8, but this one has 40.7 (and all HPDs apparently have 40.
. Does it make a difference at all? I would think not, but it did come up, so want to ensure I am not missing something.
Anything else I should be aware of/think about? Advice appreciated.
This is a long post, because I am also hoping to clarify my own thoughts as I write this down, and look for advice. I also want to share the good and the bad of the process, for anyone else going through the same thing.
The TL;DR version for those looking to help is that I am trying to choose between the 2 diamonds linked at the bottom of the post.
The long version:
I am in the market for an eye clean, 2 carat or better, colorless-to-the-eye diamond with the best possible cut, with a budget of about 20-22k or so.
Because I have read these forums, and about 'super ideal' diamonds, I was keen to work with vendors such as Whiteflash or HPD (or BGD). In addition, I did some digging to find decent stones on James Allen as well (though their customer service ensured that some of the ones I picked were sold before I could put them 'on hold' which was annoying).
To take the guesswork out of online purchases, I decided I need to compare these diamonds in real life. Being in NYC allows for that, to some degree, with the James Allen store and the HPD merchant not far from each other on 5th avenue.
And while WF does not have a similar setup here, I worked with Brittany to pick out the stone I liked the most, and ordered it ahead of time, with a view to compare it side by side at my visits to JA and HPD.
As an aide -- For anyone nervous about bank wire transfer to Whiteflash (as I was), don't be. The process was handled very professionally and seamlessly (though my bank did decline the transaction at first). Would also note, for others in the market, that working with Layla at HPD has been an incredibly smooth and efficient process, and I would recommend her very highly even before I have actually bought anything. She is responsive and active seemingly at all hours of day or night, and seems genuinely interested in helping the customer (me).
So finally today, I had both appointments. My experience at the 2 appointments was like night and day:
-- The James Allen store in NYC basically has only jewelry store like lighting. In addition, they do not allow you to take out any diamonds you bring with you. So the viewing was a bit of a waste, as all 3 diamonds I looked at sparkled a lot in the very bright light, and I could really not even tell the difference between them. This was despite one of them being a supposed 'hearts and arrows' diamond, and one having significant white areas in the Idealscope image. The H&A diamonds also seem overpriced vs WF and HPD.
In any case, this store experience, alongside the less than stellar customer service has ensured that I am not really considering the JA diamonds anymore.
-- On the other hand, the HPD retailer in NY (Diamonds One) has a very well set up office. They have regular lighting, but also a large window to look at the diamonds in truly natural light. In addition, the proprietor (Bill) comes across as a really helpful and honest person. We looked through the diamonds Layla had helped me select, and narrowed down to the one that seemed to be the best, considering all parameters including price.
I then compared it side-by-side with the Whiteflash diamond, and I honestly could not tell the difference.
The diamonds in question are:
WF: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4000701.htm
HPD: https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9784
Even though they seem different enough, my eyes could not tell the color apart (face up), or the clarity. Both also shone very brightly in all types of light I looked through, such that it was very hard to tell them apart. They are also basically the same price.
My current thoughts are as follows:
-- The WF stone is bigger, and has 3 grades better clarity (though both are eye clean)
-- The HPD has a better color, and my experience with the people has been wonderful so far
-- The WF stone seems to have some fluorescence under UV light, but it's marked negligible on the report
-- The pavilion angle for most ACAs seems to be 40.8, but this one has 40.7 (and all HPDs apparently have 40.
. Does it make a difference at all? I would think not, but it did come up, so want to ensure I am not missing something.Anything else I should be aware of/think about? Advice appreciated.
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