First time purchase online, I pickup my stone, now what''s next?

[AppleTree]

First time purchase online, I am really nerves; could use some advices.

I finally picked my stones from BN, two 0.4 carats stones, H, SI1, ideal cut, plan to have them set on 18k white gold for stud earrings.

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-h-color-si1-clarity_LD01009221
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-h-color-si1-clarity_LD01593488



The issues is that, can I just trust BN and all the numbers, have them set, shipped to me without seeing them before hand? I know if it''s a big purchase, I would have them appraised independently, but for small stones, do I still need to go through all the check-and-balances? Will the certificate alone (without in person examination)be enough to guarantee the quality? My only requirement is that they need to look brilliant,like a quality stone.

My second question is that if they come, don''t meet my expectations, can I still return it? I guess I should email BN to get an answer, but if you have first hand experience I would like to hear it too.

For this reason, I was thinking to buy pre-set one. But they only have them in 75 points tw or 1 ct tw only, nothing in between. Plus you don''t know the exact quality you are getting.

I am just so clueless, any advices are appreciated!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 12/15/2009 10:27:01 PM
Author:AppleTree
First time purchase online, I am really nerves; could use some advices.

I finally picked my stones from BN, two 0.4 carats stones, H, SI1, ideal cut, plan to have them set on 18k white gold for stud earrings.

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-h-color-si1-clarity_LD01009221
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-h-color-si1-clarity_LD01593488



The issues is that, can I just trust BN and all the numbers, have them set, shipped to me without seeing them before hand? I know if it''s a big purchase, I would have them appraised independently, but for small stones, do I still need to go through all the check-and-balances? Will the certificate alone (without in person examination)be enough to guarantee the quality? My only requirement is that they need to look brilliant,like a quality stone.

My second question is that if they come, don''t meet my expectations, can I still return it? I guess I should email BN to get an answer, but if you have first hand experience I would like to hear it too.

For this reason, I was thinking to buy pre-set one. But they only have them in 75 points tw or 1 ct tw only, nothing in between. Plus you don''t know the exact quality you are getting.

I am just so clueless, any advices are appreciated!

BN has a great 30 day return policy (double check the terms), I don''t think you need to worry there. For such small stones I also don''t think I would bother with a full appraisal. BN is a very reputable vendor. But you an always have an appraiser check to see they are the diamonds on the cert, which is easiest to do using the inclusions plot. The numbers on the diamonds look good, they should have great optics. With small stones like that you also probably don''t need to worry about the inclusions being visible to the eye.

Just wait and get them and send them back if you don''t like them!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I just noticed that you can have BN set them for you.

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-earrings?first_step=style&forceStep=STYLE_STEPhttp://www.bluenile.com/diamond-earrings-white-gold_3924?shape=RD

I would just do that before you have them shipped. It is easiest and safest since then it is BNs problem if the diamonds are damaged during shipping.

 

[yssie]

Ditto dreamer.


BN returns are really no hassle, I've bought and returned a couple of things - you call and say you want to return or exchange, they send you an authorization within a day, you ship.


ETA: local jewellers will sometimes have microscopes that you can use to check girdle inscriptions, and you can purchase your own loupe and plot the inclusions.