James Allen alternatives?

[RVM_84]

Hi all

I have spent the last ~6 months researching diamonds (mainly pulling from Beyond4Cs) and was pretty set on getting a diamond and a setting from James Allen - planning to propose in June...

However, I have slowly been noticing changes on JA's website that concern me. First they dropped the ability to search CanadaMark diamonds, now I can't see GIA certificates without contacting them?! Googling to see what was going on directed me here.

I'm kind of stuck as I had picked out the setting I wanted, knew the specs of the diamond I wanted, but now don't really feel like I can trust them (either to follow through on my purchase or to be around as a company in 2 years). I read the other thread, and none of their responses inspire confidence in them as a company, and so I don't want to trust the most important purchase of my life so far to a company that seems to be obfuscating the provenance of their diamonds (or have to get on the phone with them to see a GIA certificate when it's not exactly easy to make this purchase covertly).

What other online vendors would you recommend? I'm prioritizing diamond quality over size (looking for something in the 0.75 - 1 carat range, D-F, VVS1-IF, Ideal-True Hearts cut, Excellent on all other characteristics, Table % 54.0% to 57.0%, Depth % 61.0% to 62.5%, Crown 34.0° to 35.0°, Pavilion 40.6° to 41.0°) and had been looking at this setting so will now need to find something close to that wherever I purchase.

Quality, reliability of the store, and great customer service is what I'm looking for. I've heard decent things about White Flash and Blue Nile, but I don't love any of the White Flash settings. We are doing a trip right around the proposal time and so I would also love to find somewhere with a longer than 30 day return guarantee (in case she doesn't like the setting I pick or I size wrong) so that I can buy the diamond a bit more in advance of the trip.

Any advice? Sorry, hope this is the right forum, I'm a newbie here!

Thanks all!

 

[sledge]

Given the fact you were okay with JA's TH line that I personally believe is price bloated and usually (but not always) as high quality as other H&A stones, I'd have to limit my search to one of these:

• Whiteflash = WF
• Crafted by Infinity/High Performance Diamonds = CBI/HPD
• Brian Gavin Diamonds = BGD
• Victor Canera = VC

The setting you seek may not be readily available from any of these vendors, but you could always talk to them about making you a custom setting. Or perhaps purchase the setting from JA and ship to one of the other guys to have them set the stone.

 

[RVM_84]

I'm not particularly bought into their TH line, more it seemed to correlate fairly well to other performance characteristics - very open to going my own way and self-educating more to get a good diamond. How are Blue Nile?

 

[bmfang]

BN are ok. Their Astor range IMHO is not up to the same level as BGD, WF, CBI or VC.

You could also take a look at B2C Jewels. They seem to have vids and ASETs on a fair number of stones listed with them.

 

[fenestrate]

I can't think of anywhere that will give you more than 30 days, though if you are highly specific about an extension up front before purchase and give reasons why, they may be able to accommodate you (and get it in writing). If not, Whiteflash have the trade in policy so you could swap (the stone only) for something of equal or higher value at any point as long as the company in its current form is extant. They can also call in some settings not on the site, the whole Stuller range for example.

I think you can purchase the James Allen setting alone and ship it to your diamond vendor. (Alternatively they [used to? Not sure now] set outside stones for a $100 fee, but you'd have to make sure you insured your loose stone with Jeweler's Mutual or similar prior to shipping and setting).

Why that setting? Has your intended dropped any hints?

Why D-F, IF-VVS1?

IF-VVS1 in particular, unless for cultural or other specific reasons, is indistinguishable with the naked eye from most diamonds down to VS2.

Color is another matter and highly specific to the viewer. For some, F is overkill; for other sharp eyed individuals (albeit not that many), F is tinted.

 

[kmoro]

Whiteflash ... and I assume other vendors as well ... can source settings not listed on their website.

Maybe have a look at some other sites, like Stuller.com and see if you can find a setting there. WF can source Stuller for sure ... others would require an enquiry. I love a lot of settings on Gabriel too.

Another option is to get the setting from JA and send it to your diamond vendor for setting. WF charges $100 to set a diamond in a customer setting.

 

[sledge]

Just a reminder, you should check with each vendor on the SETTINGS policy. Currently, the only vendor I know to offer a trade in of any sort on a setting is WF who gives you half if selecting a designer piece.

The DIAMONDS upgrade policies are a different story. WF and HPD have the most flexible programs. Spend the same or more money and get 100% trade in, no other requirements. VC is similar with the caveat that a custom cut stone is excluded from the program. BGD is still good, but not quite as generous as they require $1 more + upgrading 2 of the following 3 C's: carat, color or clarity.

I bought my wife's stone from BGD and ultimately ended up doing a custom setting with David Klass (DK). Prior to deciding on DK, I was considering BGD for the custom setting and they made a generous offer to place the stone in a basic solitaire so I could propose and then she could be part of the design process. Once the custom ring was built, we would ship in the solitaire and they would set the stone in the custom setting and credit me back for the original solitaire "temporary" setting.

Basically, a have your cake and eat it too solution which I thought was very generous of them. I never took them up on the offer but its stuck with me their flexibility and willingness to work with me.

Things like that is why I like these super ideal vendors. Yes, they have awesome hearts & arrow precision cut stones but their upgrade programs, transparency with data and images and awesome customer service is IMO superior.

I've heard lots of stories of these other vendors doing special things like this for other customers.

While you may not get am extended return policy, there is a chance one of them may work with you in a similar fashion I described above. I'd just talk with them and have an honest conversation and see what solutions they may offer you.

 

[tyty333]

I dont blame you for dropping JA. I've done the same.

BlueNile has some engraved settings
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...ing_21019?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...ing_44710?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...old_44707?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...num_21021?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample

You can go here and see some of the settings that are made for customers.
https://www.bluenile.com/engagement-rings/recently-purchased-engagement-rings?track=NavEngRecent

Unfortunately, 30 days is a long return policy. We consider that pretty good. I dont know of anyone who does longer than 30 days.

Bluenile has quite a few astor ideals in your specs.

Also, Whiteflash has several depending on your budget. Starting at $4400 on up...
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4027057.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4107638.htm

I would enquire at WF if you can purchase one of their flat sided solitaires and have them engrave it. Of course this would end up being custom
and not returnable. Something like these. We, Pricescope, could help you pick out engraving for the side depending on your GF's taste.
https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...ni-1rz7241-solitaire-engagement-ring-3991.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...ni-1rz7242-solitaire-engagement-ring-3996.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/promettre-solitaire-engagement-ring-4581.htm

EDIT - FYI...here is a ring WF made and did engraving on the side of the shank (I know you want it
on the top of the shank).

 

[kmoro]

Again, if your heart is set on the JA setting, just buy it and get the diamond from someone else.

 

[RVM_84]

This was EXTREMELY helpful everybody. Thanks so much. I really appreciate how helpful the community has been. Sounds like the next step might be to reach out to some of the ideal vendors and see if I can figure out some sort of accommodation Thanks again - I might come back in to ask for advice when I'm selecting a diamond if you're all game to coach a newbie!

 

[doberman]

WF and HPD/CBI are probably the most recommended vendors for superideal on this site. They are the best to go to if upgrading is at all a possibility. I will say that BN Astor diamonds should not all be dismissed as inferior. I have one that is an AGS0 and it is gorgeous.