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James Allen or Whiteflash?

T

triga22

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
18
Im buying my first diamond engagement ring and I cant decide which site. Personally I like white flashes pictures better, but James Allen offers a lifetime warranty, rhodium plating, prong tightening, and polishing included with the purchase. Would I be best off to post some of the diamonds on here to have your expert advise and go with James Allen?
 
Do you live near James Allen that you could go easily and have those services done? If so, by it from there. Doesn't WF offer warranty? Truthfully, if you have to mail back and forth for rhodium plating it will be a pain. Both have brilliant pictures of their diamonds. Post a few of each and let the experts help choose. Both are wonderful vendors. I have a strong preference for the ACA so I am biased.
 
I have gotten lovely diamonds from both. My favorite is a WF ACA.
WF offers a different trade up policy than JA. With JA you have to double the price to trade up, with WF you trade up for any stone than cost more than your original. As far as service on the ring, those things can be done by your local jeweler. I'm not sure I would make that a criteria for vendor choice. I would find the diamond I like best and take the policies into consideration.
 
Actually, building from what Jimmianne has said, with certain diamonds they actually have a shared inventory. Ie, under WF's virtual selections you may find a stone that JA actually has in stock. I based my decision on which vendor I could get the setting I wanted.
If you saw my thread it did go a little pear shaped however so far WF have proven that they do care about your satisfaction and will follow up any concerns which is promising.
 
No I don't live close to JA to so I would be mailing the ring to be plated and tightened. How much would local jewelers charge for this? Personally, I haven't bought diamonds before so take this with a grain of salt, but I think that White flashes diamonds look better. They seem to provide more information on the diamond, especially the cut. However, the setting from white flash is double what the setting I would get from JA. What if I bought the setting via JA and Diamond via WF. What would a local jeweler charge to set the diamond? Bad Idea? Sorry for all of the questions but this is the second largest purchase/decision I have made. Thanks

Also I thought that WF warranty was only for a year?
 
You service your ring locally. But why would you have your ring continually rodium plated what do you intend to buy I think WF is a great option I think that there customer service and products are great from the reports here on PS . JA on the other hand has the fun 360 to see the stones. I just get the impression that WF has amazing quality stones.
 
triga22|1397428369|3652907 said:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7092

or

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/petite-diamond-engagement-ring-773.htm
Click to expand...

My personal preference is the James Allen style. I don't like the way the head is set on the WF with the gap between the head and the pave. It looks "incomplete" and also looks as though it might catch on sweaters. etc.


Just my 2 cents.

ps. what is your budget and what shape, color, clarity are you considering?
Maybe we could suggest some diamonds - or do you have some picked out already?
 
Id love for you guys to pick me out one, but I am not ready to buy yet. Over the summer I will be. My budget is about 3500 for the diamond and setting. I was thinking either 14k or platinum. Id like around a 3/4 carat princess cut. Basically the best white flashy appearing diamond for the money. Thats why I liked WF diamonds because it was easier for me, a noob, to pick out a nice looking stone. But with yalls help JA would work too
 
I am definitely biased because my diamonds are from WF. I don't think that JA and WF is quite apples to apples. My WF diamonds are ACA, which is ideal + then being symmetrical as well. It is just more visually appealing to me. For WF this applies to their ACA and in house diamonds.
 
So what would it cost to get a WF diamond put in a JA setting?

Would I have to worry about someone doing a poor job since I didnt get the diamond or setting from them?
 
triga22|1397444196|3653042 said:
So what would it cost to get a WF diamond put in a JA setting?

Would I have to worry about someone doing a poor job since I didnt get the diamond or setting from them?
Click to expand...

$100 plus shipping.
That is the policy for both JA and WF.
No, you would not have to worry about a poor job.
What you will want to know is if you want the diamond set high, medium or low.
Then be very specific..."I want the arrows lined up, I want the girdle inscription to show, I want the prongs perfectly aligned with the head", etc. Chances are it will be set correctly anyway, but being specific assures you of an outcome that will make you happy.
 
triga22|1397439117|3653003 said:
Id love for you guys to pick me out one, but I am not ready to buy yet. Over the summer I will be. My budget is about 3500 for the diamond and setting. I was thinking either 14k or platinum. Id like around a 3/4 carat princess cut. Basically the best white flashy appearing diamond for the money. Thats why I liked WF diamonds because it was easier for me, a noob, to pick out a nice looking stone. But with yalls help JA would work too
Click to expand...


When you are really ready to buy, come back and the experts will help you.
 
I checked out many vendors before I bought my diamond I thought these were the two best. I like how WF offers idealscope images that you can instantly see right on their website and I like how JA has the 360 degree photos to better show any blemishes or marks on a diamond that sometimes the WF face up photo hides.

I ended up buying from JA only because I was interested in their longer return policy (60 days vs 30 days) and I also find JA stones to be slightly more affordable.

I bought my stone online and had it set at a local jeweler in my own setting for about $90, but cost of those services would vary depending on where you are located. Call around and you'll get a feel for the cost to service your ring locally.
 
Thank you all for the replies! You guys are very helpful! So I guess my Mother had been talking about me getting engaged and she talked to some of her girlfriends and some of them can get me into the "diamond district" in Atlanta. Apparently they can get great deals and they offered to take me with them. Should I take advantage of this? I really don't want to buy a junky diamond without the advice of an expert. (One of the girlfriends has helped quite a few people pick out rings that they loved)
 
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