Internet vs Star 129

[what's happening?]

After looking for a diamond at B&M establishments I have started to look more seriously at the prospect of an internet purchase. Most of the sales people I have dealt with leave me with the feeling that: I know more after following pricescope and reading a few books than they do after their XX years in the diamond business, or I have insulted them by asking questions and not buying the first 3 diamonds I have been shown. I am also starting to question the real benefits that an established store gives to you vs. the price savings over the net. Does anyone agree or not? I have seen some positive posts regarding Whiteflash, and I am wondering if anyone has had any problem with returns, etc. from Whiteflash? Comparing prices with comparable diamonds I have looked at, there seems to be a significant difference.

Also, I read with interest the posts from 11/03 on the Star 129 diamond. Does anyone have any new insight on this cut? Looking at it from a novice's standpoint it does seem to jump out at you when compared to a conventional 58/59 cut. I have a hard time being the first on the block to have something that is not tried and true, especially when you consider the price tag, although the increased brillance does have me considering it.

 

[ame]

I hope this question was answered elsehwere for you but I was going to say that I have one and its awesome. The light return and the brilliance of it just blows me away. Every jeweler who has seen it has just marveled at it and commented on how great the cut is. It was well worth it to me to go with a branded cut, and the price difference verusus ar regular RB cut was negligible, Im sure we paid only a few hundred extra. We were able to buy a bigger stone because the H color was so freaking white I thought it was dumb to go higher. The SI2 clarity makes me giggle. But its gorgeous.

I have no idea about buying one online at a better savings though ebec last I saw, Jonathon was going to try to check some out and consider carrying them. I beleive thats who it was.

As far as B&M versus Online, the better savings, and sometimes better service, are definitely online as far as Im concerned.