New Member: I am ready to pull the trigger! I found the right women, need the right stone.

[Skrill]

So I have done far too much research on the subject (as I tend to do with all my larger purchases). Including doing a ton of research on www.diamondchitchat.com and here.

I have ruled out local diamond merchants and jewelers. I don't have access to a local diamond exchange (like in NYC or LA), and retail stores are just not competitive with online offerings.

Carat weight and cut are my two most important C's in my mind. Color and clarity matching "Tiffany minimum standards" (Color I or better, VS2 or better) are fine for me.

I am looking for 2ct+ Princess cut with the following specs:

GIA certification (if not more certs than that)
Ideal/Premium cut quality
I color or better
VS2 or better
1.05 length/width ratio (or better -- 1.0 being ideal)
Polish of Very Good or Excellent
Symetry of Very Good or Excellent
Budget of $15,000 for stone

I have found diamonds meeting all these requirements at BlueNile, James Allen and several other online retailers.

I have used BlueNile and trust them and their quality. However, it seems that they now they have a slight price premium compared other online retailers (still thousands less than Tiffany's and other high-end jewelers).

Have any of you used any of the other online retailers?

Using a really nice site (www.diamondpriceguru.com) I have located some even better specs and prices at other online traders. Does anyone have experience with these?

Adiamor.com
JamesAllen.com
DanforthDiamond.com

Any others that are recommended??

Man -- this is a big purchase -- I just want it to be the right one.

I understand that there is a Pricescope member discount (5%) how do I get that?

I found this diamond on JamesAllen ... it looks really nice

2.23ct Princess

 

[Skrill]

Freudian slip perhaps -- but I meant to say "woman".

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome!

Many of us have used vendors such as Good old Gold, Whiteflash, James Allen, Wink Jones and Engagement Rings Direct with great results. The vendors are experts and often have in house diamonds they can advise you on. Also the cut analysis has often been done on these diamonds, so that can make finding a well cut diamond easier. Also some of these vendors have a trade up policy which can be very useful in case that is ever a consideration, to the best of my knowledge, BN doesn't offer this service. If this might be applicable, read the upgrade policies on each website for varying terms and conditions.

Just a thought, you could even consider dropping to an SI1 clarity if eyeclean and well cut, just a thought, but of course this is a personal preference.

Here are the websites.

www.goodoldgold.com

www.whiteflash.com

www.jamesallen.com

www.winkjones.com

www.engagementringsdirect.com

 

[pixley]

Date: 4/10/2008 11:24:26 AM
Author: Skrill
Freudian slip perhaps -- but I meant to say ''woman''.

Hehe!

I would check out Whiteflash''s website - LOTS of PS posters have found phenomenal stones from them. They also provide detailed reports and photos of their stones - and they have A Cut Above (ACA) Princess cuts, which are the counterpart to their ACA rounds.

Another place that has great photos and lots of information about their stones is Good Old Gold. Both places have access to more than what''s displayed on their website if you don''t see what you''re looking for. Also - both sites have great upgrade policies, not that anyone needs to upgrade a 2 carat stone

, but it''s nice to know you can.