Hi everyone,
I wanted to share my experience with purchasing my ring online. My search started two months ago. Like many others I started out focusing only on colour and clarity and didn’t know anything about cut. After spending many many hours on this forum, I was able to nail down what I was looking for. I also short-listed NiceIce, Abazias, and WhiteFlash as companies I wanted to deal with. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
The following is what I learned that might help others:/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
1)As I was purchasing from Canada, I inquired about any additional fees that may be incurred over and above duties and taxes. Make sure there’s no hidden charges and that any “fees” are justified./www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
2)Sites like Abazias and WhiteFlash have an extensive database of diamonds. I wasted my time going through numerous searches only to find out that the diamond was sold. I highly suggest contacting these companies directly with your requirements and they will do the leg work for you. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
3)Inquire about diamonds that have GIA certs with a sarin report or an AGS cert. You need this information so you can generate an HCA score./www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
4)Check the Price Stat section on Pricescope to ensure that your stone is not being offered for a lower price. Your vendor of choice should match the price. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
5)Know what you are comfortable purchasing (cut, colour, clarity & carat) within your budget so that you can make a quick decision to buy once you find a diamond that matches your requirements. I’ve missed out on several stones because I hesitated. That being said don’t buy if it doesn’t feel right. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
6)Create a spreadsheet – I know this is not for everyone but a spreadsheet made my decision MUCH easier. I created a spreadsheet containing all the information that I needed to know about the diamond (ie. vendor, item#, ctw, colour, clarity, cut, price, price per carat, cert., polish, symmetry, table, dept, crown, pavillion, culet, girdle, HCA score, DIY cut grading, & notes). Creating a spreadsheet allows you to understand quickly how diamonds are priced. It’s amazing how systematic it is. You also understand which companies charge more per carat and if that additional cost is justified. If a diamonds is priced so low beyond the average price per cart for an equivalent diamond then it’s too good to be true or there’s an undesirable characteristic (ie. thin girdle, strong fluorescence, clarity enhanced etc.). You only will know this if you create a spreadsheet and/or have years of experience in this industry. Being Canadian, the spreadsheet can also convert the U.S. figures to Canadian dollars. I love my spreadsheet!/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
7)Check the vendor’s qualifications and business history. Check the Better Business Bureau, Jeweler’s Vigilance, BBB Online Reliability Program, and any other organization that help regulate the jewelry business. E-mail some of their customers who have posted testimonials on Pricescope./www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
Before wiring any money, call the vendor’s bank just for your piece of mind. You want the bank to confirm that the vendor you are dealing with has a long history with the bank and that they are in good standing. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
9)View diamonds in stores with similar parameters as your online diamonds. See as many diamonds as you can so you get comfortable with seeing differences in quality. At the start I could not tell the difference in appearance between a poor cut diamond versus an excellent cut diamond. It’s an issue of seeing enough diamonds and learning what is beautiful to you. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
10)Get your diamond evaluated by an independent appraiser. As soon as you know you’re getting diamond, book an appointment right away. These people are busy! /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
So who did I ended up buying from?/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
I could have easily bought from any of the vendors I’ve listed but it came down to availability and their response time to my inquiries. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
I want to thank Judi and Brain from WhiteFlash for being so incredible!/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
Judi was extremely responsive with my e-mails and calls. I always felt that I was first on her priority list. She over communicated everything, which I love and appreciate. She would leave messages for me on my work number, cell phone and e-mail. Both Judi and Brain understood how important this purchase was to me and was respectful and patient in dealing with me. Though WhiteFlash may not have some of their diamonds in-house, Brain the cutter would review any diamond that you select. For those of you who don’t know, Brain is the creator of the Cut Above branded H&A diamond. With his background I was very confident that he would be able to tell me about my non H&A diamond selection. He was super friendly and very knowledgeable. Speaking to Brain was great because he gave me lots of information to consider, both good and bad. My goal speaking to Brain was to confirm that there weren’t any negative qualities or issues that would make the diamond a bad purchase. My worries were gone after my half hour conversation with him. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
At the end of this post are some pictures of the ring. These pictures were taken by WhiteFlash and sent to me via e-mail so I knew what my ring would look like in advance. I was thrilled with the ring when I finally open the box. It’s bright and fiery as Brain indicated on my conversation with him. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
The diamond is an ideal cut 1.05 carat H colour, eye clean SI1 set in a platinum cathedral sleek line solitaire. I would highly recommend this setting for those who have girlfriends with small fingers. It’s so elegant and highlights the diamond. The ring is a size 4.25. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
How I proposed to my girlfriend./www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
This pass weekend in Canada was a long weekend so my girlfriend and I spent it in Niagara Falls. On Sunday morning I woke her up early and told her that we had to go somewhere. She’s not a morning person so this was hard to do. It was a perfect sunny day with a clear blue sky. We drove about 5 minutes out of Niagara Falls to Niagara Helicopters Limited. She was so excited when she realized that we would be taking a helicopter tour of the falls. Then she asked me if I really wanted to do this, as I’m terrified of heights. I said yes. Earlier in the week I phoned a head to arrange that we would have a helicopter to ourselves and that we had special headsets with microphones so we can talk. While above the Horseshoe falls, I proposed. And she said Yes!! She was completely taken back and in shock. It was perfect! We were both on natural highs after the helicopter landed. Afterwards we had Sunday brunch in the Rainbow room over looking the falls. Just perfect. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
Sorry for long post. I found these posts helpful for me and I just wanted to contribute my story. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
3Richmond
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
I wanted to share my experience with purchasing my ring online. My search started two months ago. Like many others I started out focusing only on colour and clarity and didn’t know anything about cut. After spending many many hours on this forum, I was able to nail down what I was looking for. I also short-listed NiceIce, Abazias, and WhiteFlash as companies I wanted to deal with. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
The following is what I learned that might help others:/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
1)As I was purchasing from Canada, I inquired about any additional fees that may be incurred over and above duties and taxes. Make sure there’s no hidden charges and that any “fees” are justified./www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
2)Sites like Abazias and WhiteFlash have an extensive database of diamonds. I wasted my time going through numerous searches only to find out that the diamond was sold. I highly suggest contacting these companies directly with your requirements and they will do the leg work for you. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
3)Inquire about diamonds that have GIA certs with a sarin report or an AGS cert. You need this information so you can generate an HCA score./www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
4)Check the Price Stat section on Pricescope to ensure that your stone is not being offered for a lower price. Your vendor of choice should match the price. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
5)Know what you are comfortable purchasing (cut, colour, clarity & carat) within your budget so that you can make a quick decision to buy once you find a diamond that matches your requirements. I’ve missed out on several stones because I hesitated. That being said don’t buy if it doesn’t feel right. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
6)Create a spreadsheet – I know this is not for everyone but a spreadsheet made my decision MUCH easier. I created a spreadsheet containing all the information that I needed to know about the diamond (ie. vendor, item#, ctw, colour, clarity, cut, price, price per carat, cert., polish, symmetry, table, dept, crown, pavillion, culet, girdle, HCA score, DIY cut grading, & notes). Creating a spreadsheet allows you to understand quickly how diamonds are priced. It’s amazing how systematic it is. You also understand which companies charge more per carat and if that additional cost is justified. If a diamonds is priced so low beyond the average price per cart for an equivalent diamond then it’s too good to be true or there’s an undesirable characteristic (ie. thin girdle, strong fluorescence, clarity enhanced etc.). You only will know this if you create a spreadsheet and/or have years of experience in this industry. Being Canadian, the spreadsheet can also convert the U.S. figures to Canadian dollars. I love my spreadsheet!/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
7)Check the vendor’s qualifications and business history. Check the Better Business Bureau, Jeweler’s Vigilance, BBB Online Reliability Program, and any other organization that help regulate the jewelry business. E-mail some of their customers who have posted testimonials on Pricescope./www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
Before wiring any money, call the vendor’s bank just for your piece of mind. You want the bank to confirm that the vendor you are dealing with has a long history with the bank and that they are in good standing. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
9)View diamonds in stores with similar parameters as your online diamonds. See as many diamonds as you can so you get comfortable with seeing differences in quality. At the start I could not tell the difference in appearance between a poor cut diamond versus an excellent cut diamond. It’s an issue of seeing enough diamonds and learning what is beautiful to you. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
10)Get your diamond evaluated by an independent appraiser. As soon as you know you’re getting diamond, book an appointment right away. These people are busy! /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
So who did I ended up buying from?/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
I could have easily bought from any of the vendors I’ve listed but it came down to availability and their response time to my inquiries. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
I want to thank Judi and Brain from WhiteFlash for being so incredible!/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
Judi was extremely responsive with my e-mails and calls. I always felt that I was first on her priority list. She over communicated everything, which I love and appreciate. She would leave messages for me on my work number, cell phone and e-mail. Both Judi and Brain understood how important this purchase was to me and was respectful and patient in dealing with me. Though WhiteFlash may not have some of their diamonds in-house, Brain the cutter would review any diamond that you select. For those of you who don’t know, Brain is the creator of the Cut Above branded H&A diamond. With his background I was very confident that he would be able to tell me about my non H&A diamond selection. He was super friendly and very knowledgeable. Speaking to Brain was great because he gave me lots of information to consider, both good and bad. My goal speaking to Brain was to confirm that there weren’t any negative qualities or issues that would make the diamond a bad purchase. My worries were gone after my half hour conversation with him. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
At the end of this post are some pictures of the ring. These pictures were taken by WhiteFlash and sent to me via e-mail so I knew what my ring would look like in advance. I was thrilled with the ring when I finally open the box. It’s bright and fiery as Brain indicated on my conversation with him. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
The diamond is an ideal cut 1.05 carat H colour, eye clean SI1 set in a platinum cathedral sleek line solitaire. I would highly recommend this setting for those who have girlfriends with small fingers. It’s so elegant and highlights the diamond. The ring is a size 4.25. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
How I proposed to my girlfriend./www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
This pass weekend in Canada was a long weekend so my girlfriend and I spent it in Niagara Falls. On Sunday morning I woke her up early and told her that we had to go somewhere. She’s not a morning person so this was hard to do. It was a perfect sunny day with a clear blue sky. We drove about 5 minutes out of Niagara Falls to Niagara Helicopters Limited. She was so excited when she realized that we would be taking a helicopter tour of the falls. Then she asked me if I really wanted to do this, as I’m terrified of heights. I said yes. Earlier in the week I phoned a head to arrange that we would have a helicopter to ourselves and that we had special headsets with microphones so we can talk. While above the Horseshoe falls, I proposed. And she said Yes!! She was completely taken back and in shock. It was perfect! We were both on natural highs after the helicopter landed. Afterwards we had Sunday brunch in the Rainbow room over looking the falls. Just perfect. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
Sorry for long post. I found these posts helpful for me and I just wanted to contribute my story. /www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]
3Richmond
/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]