how does WF have good deals since its a B&M...

[Diamond916]

...I thought B&M were a no no?

 

[Regular Guy]

B&M''s certainly can be a yes yes

WF is not a B&M

All diamond sellers are entities...even internet ones like WF. They are not at all routinely set up to see customers, but would do so, and have done so, by appointment.

 

[neatfreak]

Some B&M''s are great, but unfortunately they seem to be few and far between. WF is not a B&M, i.e., they don''t have a showroom. You CAN visit, but only with an appointment to meet with someone privately. Think of it more as a service that they offer to local clients. But you are essentially going to their office, NOT to a store.

 

[onedrop]

Like Ira said, B & Ms can be a "yes-yes." However I think most on PS would agree that you need to find the right one. What most find is that some chain stores tend to have a mark-up on diamonds, and some of those have a mark-up on lower graded stones that would not have as much of a mark up as say GOG or WF or ERD.

 

[jpk1102]

It is true that Whiteflash is not a B&M, however, they will meet with potential buyers by appointment. My son and I met with Brian Gavin by appointment on Friday 9/23 to compare and select a diamond for an engagement ring.

Our visit with Brian was WONDERFUL! He explained in depth to us his standards for their ACA (A Cut Above) and Hearts & Arrows. He gave us wonderful firsthand insight about selecting a diamond, optimum measurements, angles, light return, etc. Then my son inspected the diamonds using an Ideal Scope, Hearts & Arrows Viewer, as well as checking the diamonds in various lighting situations.

We considered 7 diamonds, 6 ACA and 1 ES (Expert Selection). Each one a fabulous diamond, and a fantastic value. Each one was a sparkling beauty, simply superb in every way. Since all of the diamonds were within our price range, we simply eliminated them, one at a time until we had two. We then inspected each specifically, and made our decision, which turned out to be the ES stone. It was beautiful and such a value.

Brian also helped us to find a setting just right for our diamond and within a very tight budget. They are setting our WF diamond and also mounting two smaller family diamonds in the ring.

Our purchase was not "big ticket", but Brian teated us like our purchase and satisfaction was very important to him\ spending 3 hours with us answering all our questions and explaining so we had information needed to make our decision..........I''ve never had that level of service and time with ANY retailer in any industry. As Brian said, "When you buy a diamond at Whiteflash, you buy my expertise." After seeing firsthand Brian''s high standards, and the imcomparable quality of Whiteflash diamonds, I would have no hesitation to buy a WF diamond, either an ACA or ES over the internet, sight unseen. From my experience, I just don''t think you can''t go wrong!

Whiteflash, all the way.... I''m a customer for life!!!!

 

[Diamond916]

wonderful post. I really like the this setting...

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Divisi--by-WF_1068.htm

but since I live in NYC everybody is saying go see Mark...I''m just a little up in the air. Is it possible to go wrong with ACA diamond from WF? I almost just want to go with one of them because they set high standards for the diamond to meet....so it has to be all good right? my budget is 6-7 grand total. I was hoping to buy this setting...1200 roughly and then 5-6 grand for a 1 carat, g-h, SI1-2, ACA round. Or should I try for an expert selection and get a little bigger rock etc...so many choices!

 

[Diamond916]

what do you think of this stone?

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-179738.htm#

 

[Gypsy]

1.5 Cut advisor. Which is great. Idealscope looks good. Aset has something in the middle that I can't interpret, but otherwise looks good.

If it's eyeclean, it's a nice find... and the inclusions look white, so it's worth asking. But they are clustered in the middle... and there is a feather right there I would ask about, since it's an ACA I doubt it breaks the surface or is dangerous, but I would ask nonetheless. Price is good, spread is good. I'd definitely do a follow up. How do you want to set it? LOL.

 

[onedrop]

I think that if you are leaning toward White Flash''s selections, maybe just give them a call? In my experience they were very helpful in trying to balance my wants with our budget. If it doesn''t click with them or you just feel more comfortable with going to a vendor near where you live, then definitely give ERD a chance. I think in this process you have to go with what feels most comfortable for you.

 

[jpk1102]

I agree with onedrop, give Whiteflash a call and tell them what you are looking for. They will be able to give you suggestions. As I said, we looked at 7 Diamonds ACA and ES and there wasn''t a bad one in the bunch. Brian Gavin''s standards for ACA are stringent. Give them a call on the stone you are looking at and they will gladly answer questions. I just don''t think you can go wrong with them. We were very happy.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 9/26/2007 12:03:44 AM
Author: Gypsy
1.5 Cut advisor. Which is great. Idealscope looks good. Aset has something in the middle that I can''t interpret, but otherwise looks good.

The green / reddish center is because the ASET scope has a border of red and green and this stone has a pavilion angle that is directing light precisely to that border.

At about 40.8 pavilion you get red and 40.7 pavilion you get green.
So it is good, and not a problem at all.

 

[Maisie]

Date: 9/25/2007 10:23:39 PM
Author: jpk1102
It is true that Whiteflash is not a B&M, however, they will meet with potential buyers by appointment. My son and I met with Brian Gavin by appointment on Friday 9/23 to compare and select a diamond for an engagement ring.

Our visit with Brian was WONDERFUL! He explained in depth to us his standards for their ACA (A Cut Above) and Hearts & Arrows. He gave us wonderful firsthand insight about selecting a diamond, optimum measurements, angles, light return, etc. Then my son inspected the diamonds using an Ideal Scope, Hearts & Arrows Viewer, as well as checking the diamonds in various lighting situations.

We considered 7 diamonds, 6 ACA and 1 ES (Expert Selection). Each one a fabulous diamond, and a fantastic value. Each one was a sparkling beauty, simply superb in every way. Since all of the diamonds were within our price range, we simply eliminated them, one at a time until we had two. We then inspected each specifically, and made our decision, which turned out to be the ES stone. It was beautiful and such a value.

Brian also helped us to find a setting just right for our diamond and within a very tight budget. They are setting our WF diamond and also mounting two smaller family diamonds in the ring.

Our purchase was not ''big ticket'', but Brian teated us like our purchase and satisfaction was very important to him spending 3 hours with us answering all our questions and explaining so we had information needed to make our decision..........I''ve never had that level of service and time with ANY retailer in any industry. As Brian said, ''When you buy a diamond at Whiteflash, you buy my expertise.'' After seeing firsthand Brian''s high standards, and the imcomparable quality of Whiteflash diamonds, I would have no hesitation to buy a WF diamond, either an ACA or ES over the internet, sight unseen. From my experience, I just don''t think you can''t go wrong!

Whiteflash, all the way.... I''m a customer for life!!!!

I live in the UK and was having some wobbly moments about buying a diamond from WF. Not because it was an internet purchase (I had already bought one stone from WF and was upgrading it) but because I was having some conflicting advice about the stone I had chosen. Brian spent an hour explaining things to me at their expense. He is a lovely man who goes out of his way to help customers.

I can wholeheartedly recommend Whiteflash.

 

[jpk1102]

Maisie, I agree Brian is simply exceptional. No worries buying with WF.

 

[Ellen]

Diamond916,

While ACA''s are indeed gorgeous, there are other stones out there just as nice. Give Mark a call and find out if he''s got any AGS0''s in your range. If so, it couldn''t hurt to go look, that''s a luxury many of us are not afforded, to pick with our eyes.

If he doesn''t, you can always go with a WF stone. And yes, ES stones are gorgeous as well, and may afford you to go slightly bigger.



*small threadjack*

jpk, hope you''re going to do a thread on your son''s stone!

 

[jpk1102]

Yep, Ellen, it''s in the works.........