Journey Necklace: Why is Amazon.com 1/2 price?!?!

[David0722]

Very similar stats - except for the price! I emailed JamesAllen and asked for more details on the diamonds, the price is a big difference even if it''s a grade up on clarity and color. Anyone have any insite? TIA!!

Amazon.com $379
http://www.amazon.com/White-Journey-Curve-Pendant-Clarity/dp/B000LDAGFU

JamesAllen $650
http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_84-1650.asp

 

[decodelighted]

Certified diamonds vs. Non-certified is probably the biggest factor. The stones in the Amazon one are listed as I1 clarity grade and w/o a cert from ANY lab they could be very visibly included (so much so as to made them non-brilliant ... i.e. - dull). Also, I'd find out if the Amazon piece's stones are TREATED in some way. I inquired about some diamond earrings on Overstock.com & found out that they were clarity enhanced (and an I1 clarity grade AFTER enhancement ... OV VEY!!!

... enhancements don't last forever and that could look pretty darn icky)

Not sure what to make of the James Allen version as they don't have much listed about the color, clarity, cut grade of their stones.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 9/20/2007 11:11:51 AM
Author: decodelighted
Certified diamonds vs. Non-certified is probably the biggest factor. The stones in the Amazon one are listed as I1 clarity grade and w/o a cert from ANY lab they could be very visibly included (so much so as to made them non-brilliant ... i.e. - dull). Also, I''d find out if the Amazon piece''s stones are TREATED in some way. I inquired about some diamond earrings on Overstock.com & found out that they were clarity enhanced (and an I1 clarity grade AFTER enhancement ... OV VEY!!!

... enhancements don''t last forever and that could look pretty darn icky)

Not sure what to make of the James Allen version as they don''t have much listed about the color, clarity, cut grade of their stones.

I agree with what Deco says, except the certified part...without JA specifying they''re certified, I doubt they are...nor would anyone expect these smaller diamonds to be, I don''t think.

Agree mostly with the highlighted part, too...since...if they''re a better color & clarity, answer provided, I think.

Also, maybe there''s just big possible volatility for sub $1K items. This one I''ve always liked on Jim''s site routinely costs 1/2 or less than what seems to be the same item on BN.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 9/20/2007 11:25:40 AM
Author: Regular Guy
without JA specifying they''re certified, I doubt they are...nor would anyone expect these smaller diamonds to be, I don''t think.

JA does say they are certified diamonds ... or at least implies it in the title bar of the page in the link ... "Rich choice of diamond pendants, all with certified diamonds"
**shrug** that''s why I assumed they were certified....

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 9/20/2007 11:51:13 AM
Author: decodelighted

Date: 9/20/2007 11:25:40 AM
Author: Regular Guy
without JA specifying they''re certified, I doubt they are...nor would anyone expect these smaller diamonds to be, I don''t think.

JA does say they are certified diamonds ... or at least implies it in the title bar of the page in the link ... ''Rich choice of diamond pendants, all with certified diamonds''
**shrug** that''s why I assumed they were certified....

Any chance this is anything like...what the meaning of IS...is?

Should it mean anything but...each comes with a cert?

But they don''t, do they?

 

[denverappraiser]

It’s hard to imagine that JA would have lab exams done on the stones in a piece like this but it would certainly account for the price differential if they did. His COST on GIA lab work for little stones like that would be $53 each plus shipping. That’s over $400 right there. I agree with Regular that this is very unlikely to be responsible for the difference. Small differences in grading can turn into pretty big differences with it comes to pricing the finished piece and I1 is a big category. A ''generous'' I2 and a ''harsh'' SI2 are worlds apart. Amazon is a pretty good outfit and there are deals to be had there on all sorts of things but it will depend on who their supplier is. With most items they sell they are acting as a listing service for some 3rd party vendor and there are some significant differences between the suppliers both in the quality of the merchandise and the terms of sale. This one is listed as ‘amazon.com collection’. I have no idea who that is or even if it’s Amazon themselves. Call them up and ask. In the case of JA, the same questions hold. Ring them up and ask them to defend their prices and their products. I’m sure they’ll be happy to discuss the matter with you.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Jewelry Appraisals in Denver

 

[David0722]

Just got an response from JA (friendly people!):

Good Afternoon David,
Thank you for taking the time to consider Jamesallen.com for your diamond and jewelry needs. Our style# 9121 is a beautiful diamond pendant that is sure to look lovely on any wearer. The diamond carat total weight for this pendant is 0.56ct. These diamonds are G/I in color and I-1 in clarity however, face up completely white and clean to the naked eye. This pendant comes in both 14KT white gold and yellow. Order and delivery time is about 2-3 business days. This pendant will come with a complimentary insurance appraisal and lifetime warranty. Please feel free to contact our office with any further questions and have yourself a wonderful day!

 

[decodelighted]

Hmmmm ... I think I''d get the Amazon one then & just see how it looks when it gets there. They have a generous return policy IIRC.

Could JA be buying the pendants from Amazon & *reselling* them??

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 9/20/2007 2:05:03 PM
Author: decodelighted
Hmmmm ... I think I'd get the Amazon one then & just see how it looks when it gets there. They have a generous return policy IIRC.

Could JA be buying the pendants from Amazon & *reselling* them??

Agree again with Deco....and Denver.

Here's BN's version, at $700. Now...although they claim SI2...I'm betting...and I really don't know how this works...that each and every one of these is as identical as the other as randomness will allow, and each one comes from the same darn rack of Journey Necklaces, in the same warehouse, serving all of them.

To have them make one up for you to spec...say with G diamonds (or J!) at VS2 or SI1...I'll bet the separate labor for creating the piece would cost a lot more than any of these as presented do.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

I would get the WF one for 1200...or call them and ask about a 1/2 ct version?

oh, and if JQ happens to read this which he probably won''t there is a typing error on the website for your Journey necklaces. it says

(7-0.75ctw consisting of 1-0.12ct, 2-0.11ct, 2-0.10ct, 1-0.09ct, 1-0.85ct</b<; Color: F/G, Clarity: VS)

Obviously the bold diamond should be .085

or it would be a pretty funny looking journey necklace

but if it were true, I wish I had bought that necklace instead of my Ering, and just taken that last diamond off

stupid me

 

[stebbo]

Date: 9/20/2007 5:50:24 PM
Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards
oh, and if JQ happens to read this which he probably won''t there is a typing error on the website for your Journey necklaces. it says

(7-0.75ctw consisting of 1-0.12ct, 2-0.11ct, 2-0.10ct, 1-0.09ct, 1-0.85ct</b<; Color: F/G, Clarity: VS)

Obviously the bold diamond should be .085

or it would be a pretty funny looking journey necklace

but if it were true, I wish I had bought that necklace instead of my Ering, and just taken that last diamond off

stupid me

There will probably be someone ringing up right now demanding the 0.85ct - have that policy ready John.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

Date: 9/20/2007 11:03:50 PM
Author: stebbo

Date: 9/20/2007 5:50:24 PM

Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards

oh, and if JQ happens to read this which he probably won''t there is a typing error on the website for your Journey necklaces. it says


(7-0.75ctw consisting of 1-0.12ct, 2-0.11ct, 2-0.10ct, 1-0.09ct, 1-0.85ct</b<; Color: F/G, Clarity: VS)


Obviously the bold diamond should be .085

or it would be a pretty funny looking journey necklace

but if it were true, I wish I had bought that necklace instead of my Ering, and just taken that last diamond off

stupid me

There will probably be someone ringing up right now demanding the 0.85ct - have that policy ready John.

What policy would that be?

 

[stebbo]

Date: 9/20/2007 11:22:59 PM
Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards


What policy would that be?

Just the typical one you see on any sensible site waiving responsibility for misprints.

I hope you didn't have your eye on it?

Then we'd have to call you WorkingEasyforBigRewards

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

Date: 9/21/2007 12:40:48 AM
Author: stebbo

Date: 9/20/2007 11:22:59 PM

Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards




What policy would that be?

Just the typical one you see on any sensible site waiving responsibility for misprints.


I hope you didn't have your eye on it?

Then we'd have to call you WorkingEasyforBigRewards

Now that put a smile on my face.

 

[David0722]

PROPS TO JAMESALLEN.COM!!!! Just received this honest email regarding the topic of my 1st post:


Good Afternoon David,
You are most welcome! Regarding the pendant found on Amazon, my only guess could be that the overall quality of the I-1 diamonds used in this setting may not be as nice as the diamonds used in our pendant. The I-1 diamonds used in our pendant have inclusions that are primarily white in color and are very difficult to see. The slightly larger carat weight can also add to the difference in price. In all honesty, it may be worth checking out their pendant to see for sure. If it faces up as nicely as ours, whom am I too sway you away from it. However, our pendant does come with a complimentary insurance appraisal and a lifetime warranty. Please feel free to reach me with any further questions and have yourself a wonderful day!

As much as I''d like to buy from such an honest company, I''m getting married in 2 weeks and need to save all the $$ I can!

 

[David0722]

Late update:

I purchased the Amazon necklace and it''s beautiful! Extremely white eye clean diamonds and a nice chain. Easily saved $271!

 

[CdnBlingGal]

WoW! What a great purchase an savings.