Dirt Cheap vs Whiteflash

[dkennedymi]

I am considering buying a diamond from either Dirt Cheap Diamonds (probably Signature collection) or from one of Whiteflash''s Expert Choice Selections. Anyone have any unbias comments about how these two vendors compare?

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 4/30/2006 12:29:09 PM
Author:dkennedymi
I am considering buying a diamond from either Dirt Cheap Diamonds (probably Signature collection) or from one of Whiteflash''s Expert Choice Selections. Anyone have any unbias comments about how these two vendors compare?

i bought frm DCD/James Allen but I dont think you can go wrong either way. They both have pretty stellar reputations for quality and customer service

 

[aljdewey]

Both have excellent reputations here and many satisfied customers, so you cannot go wrong with either one.

There a minor differences in their policies.....DCD's return period is longer than WF (30-day vs. 10-day), but WF's trade-up policy is better than DCD (lifetime trade-up vs. 5-year trade-up). Also, on trade-up, WF offers 100% for any AGS/GIA stone; DCD only offer 100% if you pick a Signature Series diamond; all others are only 80%.

One huge plus: WF's ACA and ES stones are all inhouse. I'm not sure if the same is true for DCD's signature collection. When I phoned on some of their signature line, they had to get more info from dealers, so I don't believe they are inhouse stones. If I'm not right on this, hopefully someone will chime in.

I think WF has the edge for your situation based on inventory. I've seen in your other post what you are looking for (4500-5500, G/H, SI stone). I just looked through DCD's signature series and WF's inhouse stones....DCD had only 2-3 stones in your range; WF had at least double that.

I ended up buying from WF for the same reason; DCD didn't have much in my range and WF did. I'd buy from either one, but having more to choose from was a factor for me.

Best of luck.

 

[mrssalvo]

I agree, i don''t think you can go wrong with either vendor. I''d pick the one who had the stone in my pricerange that I was looking for.

 

[dkennedymi]

I appreciate all of the feedback. I have heard excellent things about Whiteflash but am not too familliar with DCD. Anyone have any opions on SI2 vs SI1. Whiteflash has several SI2 stones in my range bot not so many SI1''2.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 4/30/2006 10:03:24 PM
Author: dkennedymi
I appreciate all of the feedback. I have heard excellent things about Whiteflash but am not too familliar with DCD. Anyone have any opions on SI2 vs SI1. Whiteflash has several SI2 stones in my range bot not so many SI1''2.

SI2s are my favorite.....if they are eyeclean. To me, they represent the best value.

That said, I think that''s why I''m so partial to vendors who actually have the stones inhouse. They can see the stones themselves, so they can tell you what they see and whether or not it''s eyeclean. With virtual stones, it''s possible to end up paying to ship them in only to find out they aren''t eyeclean.

My SI2 from Whiteflash is completely eyeclean, and I know Mara''s present SI2 from them is as well. I found them to be really forthcoming and honest about what they saw. In fact, when I bought my SI2, I actually had called about an SI1 that was more expensive, and they candidly told me that the cheaper Si2 was actually cleaner than the more expensive SI1.

If you do work with a vendor who has stones inhouse, I would absolutely consider SI2s and ask about them. If you can get a clean one, it''s a sweet deal. I was able to go from 1 ct. to 1.24 carat for the same money just because of the drop from SI1 to SI2 when we bought a few years ago.

 

[dkennedymi]

What about the I VVSI at Whiteflash in the Expert Selection for $5,685? Is I color good enough?

 

[solange]

I bought an SI 2 from Whiteflash that was not in house. Lesley was able to get an accurate description and assruance from the dealer that it was eye clean before she had it sent to them. She also said that if the stone did not meet their approval, I wouod not have to pay for the shipping.

Dealers are usually honest with the Pricescope vendors about a stone they are sending out for approval since thereis no advantage to sending out stones and takeing them out of circulation only to have them returned. If you deal with any onf the highly regarded vendors here, they will send for the stone and examine it to make certain that it is as described so I would not be concerend if the stone is not in house.

 

[pebbles]

Is this the I, VVS1 at Whiteflash that you are referring to?

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1732650.htm#

If it is, I personally wouldn''t pay for VVS1 clarity. I have a VS1 clarity stone right now and I wish I had dropped down in clarity to get a bigger size. Have you seen an I colored diamond in person? I personally love the G-H-I range, but color is a very personal choice.

All 3 (yes, 3!) of my stones prior to this last one were SI1 in clarity. All were eye clean so to me it was great that I didn''t have to pay for the higher clarity. I would go with another SI stone in a heartbeat as long as it was eye clean.

What is your price range again?

 

[dkennedymi]

My range is about $5,000 with $5,750 my upper end.

 

[JulieN]

AGS0: http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00315614&filter_id=0
http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00419495&filter_id=0

does this qualify for borderline steep-deep? should probably still look great: http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00902247&filter_id=0

opposite end, on the shallow side. it''s big, though: http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00960206&filter_id=0

Ok, so they''re all AGS0 ideals, i''ve checked the proportions for you, H/I VS2/SI1. just minor things like flour and inclusions I didn''t look at.