Going With Blue Nile

[SparkleGrind]

I get the hesitation everyone here shares with BN and I have been back and forth on this for weeks now, scoped inventory at all the big hitters (WF, GoG, JA, BG) in the end the price of BN cant be beat. I get that there is a risk that I dont see the stone first, and my plan is to buy 2, bring to an independent appraiser (recommended here) and choose 1 to keep. Hopefully one of the 2 is acceptable otherwise I will have to return both.

Is there anything wrong with this strategy? Any other stories of successful or unsuccessful purchases at BN?

 

[pfunk]

Have you looked at enchanted diamonds? I think their prices are typically in line with Blue Nile and they have a price match policy. They likely have access to a lot of the same stones. Difference being they have images of lots of stones and they don't drop ship, so they bring the stone into their office to look at it before sending it to you. They also cover the return shipping costs if you are going to be shipping stones back.

 

[pfunk]

Edit: I see you had a thread going earlier with a whole mess of stones I had listed from Enchanted and James Allen. Were none of them what you were looking for?

 

[drk14]

I have no experience with BN. There are definitely positive accounts on PS, among them I recall this level-headed post by mrs-blop.

I did, however, want to provide some input on your plan, as I did something very similar (I did a head-to-head comparison between 1 diamond from GOG and 2 diamonds from JA). My main suggestion would be to have the diamonds shipped directly to (and from) the appraiser, assuming he/she agrees to such an arrangement. One benefit of this is that the stones would be securely stored in the appraiser's safe prior to your appraisal appointment, and they would be covered by the appraiser's insurance while in his/her possession. A second benefit in my case was that with GOG, the vendor was comfortable shipping the stone with just a deposit payment from me (I did not have to purchase the stone outright in order to have it sent to the appraiser for evaluation). With the JA diamonds, I did have to put down the full purchase price, and I imagine BN wold have a similar policy (but worth asking if they'll make an exception).

I also recommend having a formal appraisal made of the loose diamond that you decide to keep (this will get you better insurance protection during the setting process, and also ensure that the final appraisal of the ring includes an accurate description of the center diamond -- trying to appraise a mounted diamond can result in discrepancies). Ask the appraiser if they can offer a package deal if you get appraisals of both the loose stone and the finished ring -- in my case, appraisal of the finished ring was free (included in the price of the diamond appraisal).

Hope this helps & good luck!

 

[RockyRacoon]

I get the hesitation everyone here shares with BN and I have been back and forth on this for weeks now, scoped inventory at all the big hitters (WF, GoG, JA, BG) in the end the price of BN cant be beat. I get that there is a risk that I dont see the stone first, and my plan is to buy 2, bring to an independent appraiser (recommended here) and choose 1 to keep. Hopefully one of the 2 is acceptable otherwise I will have to return both.

Is there anything wrong with this strategy? Any other stories of successful or unsuccessful purchases at BN?

Your strategy is sound, since you have the time and budget to ship, inspect, return, re-ship, until you get a stone that meets your needs.

 

[Madison2]

I have learned that you have to go with your gut because that never steers you wrong. Go ahead a look at the diamonds from blue nile and you can choose which one speaks to you and return the other one.
Good Luck and please let us know how you made out.