Hearts & Arrows diamond help??

[diamonddizzy]

I''ve been looking for a diamond ring for a few weeks now and I must say that I am shopped out. I''ve tried to do a lot of readings on diamonds in general and shopped in some stores to learn a much as I can. I think I want to get a hearts and arrows diamond. However, there are apparently different types of H&A diamonds. Can anyone whether Hearts on Fire is truely different from the H&A diamonds from other places like Whiteflash? I see that the arrows pattern, or the "starburst" pattern is one distinction, but is it worth paying the premium for the "Hearts on Fire" name? Also, is there a big advantage in buying from a chain store, like Jared, as opposed to buying from Whiteflash? I know that the price difference is big.
I appreciate anyone''s input. Thanks.

DL

 

[Rank Amateur]

Welcome to PS!

The price premium for a HoF stone is absurd and I would never pay it, nor would I make such a purchase at Jared's.

Whether or not a stone which returns an H&A image is "worth it" is up to you. There are many vendors here on PS who deal primarily in the creme do la creme of diamonds and you'd do well to purchase from one of them. Many also deal in fine stones which are not quite so carefully cut but are still very beautiful. These stones can be had at a slight discount compared to an H&A stone.

Only you can decide if buying over the internet is for you. Maybe that face-to-face contact gives you the comfort level you desire, or maybe you will find that same comfort level with a vendor who contributes to PS regularly.

A couple people from Whiteflash post here regularly (on DT too, and we don't even hold it against them ). You won't find too many posts from the bigwigs at Jared's.

 

[diamonddizzy]

Thank you for your reply.

I feel that the ability to take the ring back to the store if anything happens to it (whether to get it fixed, cleaned, etc) is reassuring. It is like an insurance policy against accidents. My fiancee is a pharmacist and works a lot with her hands. I don''t have any experiences with even wearing any rings. So, I don''t know what are the chances for ring damage. With online stores, I don''t think, or at least I haven''t come across any vendors that will, provide such a service. I guess I can find a local jewelry store to get that service?
I guess I am just trying to be very cautious in not only choosing the right ring and not getting ripped off, but also getting the reassurance of maintaining the ring in good condition. After all, a diamond is forever, but what I am concerned about is the rest of the ring.
Am I being too paranoid?

I have noticed that Jared''s Hearts on Fire diamond is so expensive compared with other online vendors found on PriceScope. It''s amasing. But just curious, is the Hearts on Fire diamond better than the other H&A diamonds like Eightstar and the H&A from Whiteflash?

Thanks again.

DL

 

[valeria101]

Date: 12/11/2004 3:494 AM
Author: diamonddizzy

But just curious, is the Hearts on Fire diamond better than the other H&A diamonds like Eightstar and the H&A from Whiteflash?

If they are, then... shouldn't the seller be able to show this somehow ?

The H&A pattern is supposed to be identified under a special viewer: so if HOF are H&A than there should be some evidence of this. Especially since the quality of that H&A symmetry are expected to be graded under magnification. And they must be able to provide some sort of proof that those diamonds have good light return - something that the H&A pattern comes close to indicate, but not quite. (example down this page)

Not that I am the greatest fan of H&A, but those diamonds are sold at a premium for their optical symmetry and brilliance, so... there must be a way to know you get what you have been asking for.

The price tag is not evidence of much, IMO.

At least the Eight Star company seems well respected among sellers - there wasn't any criticism against their diamonds that I know of, except that their price is quite high and the looks of the diamonds comes close to the usual Ideal H&A's more than the price does... You cna find more detail on this by running a search around here - there have been plenty of talk on the very same question you ask.

Hope the 0.2 helps.

 

[JohnQuixote]

DD,

Welcome to PriceScope. In my opinion, the biggest difference between buying from most large chains as opposed to an internet vendor or B&M like those found on PS is the amount of education and information provided. Once you have done some research you can decide on the level of quality that suits you. The "knowledge" menu on PS has a lot of information.

Here is a link to the PriceScope H&A tutorial.

For further info on standards for Hearts & Arrows cut, look at the bottom of this link.

Best,

 

[solange]

I have diamond rings that are 50 and 100 years old(inherited). I have never had to have a repair or prongs tightened.

Most jewelers will offer to clean your rings free if you are browsing. Or you can buy your own steam cleaner. I just use Windex and a soft tooth brush. Sometimes I soak them overnight.
If you have a local jeweler you like and trust and he has a good selection at competitive prices with the online vendors, by all means go there.
But if you are thinking in terms of repairs, most jewelers can tighten prongs and usually the lifetime service guarantee involves bringing it in for inspection every six months which I would find to be a nuisance. You can also check for loose prongs with a loupe. You just make certain that the prongs are touching the stone.

If it is a serious problem, you will probably want to take it up with your insurance company so your local jeweler will probably not be involved.

I bought on line from Whiteflash. I am sure that if you have a serious problem, GOG, Engagement Rings Direct, Nice Ice or any of the reliable vendors you buy from on this site will advise you as to what to do.
Brian, at Whiteflash, even offered to repair a beautiful old platinum setting from a ring I did not even buy from them. A jeweler had snipped off a prong because I wanted to replace the stone.

 

[Rank Amateur]

I am guessing that Whiteflash and Eightstar diamonds every bit as carefully cut as an HoF stone.

I''ll also guess that Brian and Richard think their stones are BETTER than HoF stones!