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Please give advice on diamonds from BN/JA/WF

R

Roy84

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 7, 2012
Messages
13
Dear Everyone,
I am looking for a 0.8+ct diamond with excellent optical properties, F-G color, SI1 clarity, round brilliant cut, Max. budget $5000, I searched from BN. JA and WF. For the price: BN < JA < WF. For the stone info, BN, just can see GIA cert, no more photos, IdealScope, Hearts and Arrows scans, ASET. JA, has GIA cert and Stone photo, no IdealScope, Hearts and Arrows scans and ASET. WF is better, has GAS cert, stone photo, IdealScope, Hearts and Arrows scans and ASET.

I know WF is best, more photos, very clear and beautiful, but the price is higher (like this one http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2777291.htm). stone photo from JA is not clear and symmetry seems not good (but it is also EX symmetry) like this one http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1419902.asp,,, is it just bad photo quality? BN is cheaper, If I want to buy a stone from BN, since no photo, ASET, and idealscope, just check HCA <2, and AGA/NAJA = 1A, is it enough to determine to buy or not? any risk? I afraid the IdealScope, Hearts and Arrows scans, and ASET is too bad......For the clarity, I will ask BN to check is it eye clean or not.

any advices about the vendor? and any suggestions about the stone, budget around $5000.......thanks.
 
In this case I'm biased toward the vendor that can give you the most objective information since you cannot see the stone before you purchase it. Therefore I'd eliminate Bluenile. Personally, I have gone with WF and have been very happy with their customer service (I've purchased a couple of stones and sent them back no problem--to only get one that I ultimately love) Saving a few bucks in this case probably wont cover you "mind clean" issues, so go with the one that you're most confident in, even if its not the lowest $ it may be the best value in the long term.
 
The thing about BN is, you do have to do more leg-work in your search - honestly I think if you keep to VS clarity and you find an AGA 1A / HCA >2 diamond it is probably a beautiful diamond and worth buying... and BN has an excellent no-questions-asked 30-day return policy. Your dollar might stretch a bit further at BN in terms of very slightly larger carat weight or perhaps keeping to F color.

But, as someone who purchased from BN and from WF, if your priority is excellent optical properties, I would go with WF's AGSO Ideal Light Performance stones in their ACA or Expert Selection inventory. As a PS member you do get a price discount at WF, and right now if you register with the WF site and it is your first purchase, you get an additional $75.00 off. And with all the photos and images that WF provides, you can more comfortably drop down to SI1 (or even SI2). WF also has an excellent no-questions-asked 30-day return policy.

I personally do not favor JA as a vendor due to some frustrating experiences with them, but I am aware a number of PSers have had positive experiences with JA.

I think your $5K budget and your diamond priorities/preferences are compatible and you should be able to find a gorgeous stone at one of your selected vendors. Have you chosen a ring setting yet? If one of the vendors has the setting you prefer, I'd suggest finding a stone there too. Good luck!
 
I took a look at the JA diamond and tried to view the AGS cert on the website. It appears the girdle inscription has been taken out as well as the AGS cert # so unable to verify.

Is this true of all JA diamonds? What the heck...
 
Yes, it does seem odd. I am gonna guess that it had a GIA cert number inscribed, then it was recerted at AGS on Feb. 08, 2012. Perhaps the cert number was polished off later. Perhaps this diamond was traded in and then the new owner decided to send it to AGS rather than GIA. I think AGS is a little faster in turnaround time. Time is money. Very unusual! :o
 
The .0812 ct from WF would be my pick. It's guaranteed to be a beauty being an AGS. I would be fine with an SI1 (as long as WF confirmed it to be eye-clean). Ravinmad's JA stone is nice, too. But I would prefer an ACA.

Another to consider if budget is a concern.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9321/
 
swingirl|1336243717|3188237 said:
The .0812 ct from WF would be my pick. It's guaranteed to be a beauty being an AGS. I would be fine with an SI1 (as long as WF confirmed it to be eye-clean). Ravinmad's JA stone is nice, too. But I would prefer an ACA.

Another to consider if budget is a concern.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9321/
Click to expand...
that is a nice SI2 stone if eye clean,beautiful proportions... :love:
 
I meant that the girdle inscription and area where the AGS certificate should list the report number were obviously photoshopped out of the copy that is posted online... which is.... strange to say the least!
 
lapelirroja|1336266018|3188382 said:
I meant that the girdle inscription and area where the AGS certificate should list the report number were obviously photoshopped out of the copy that is posted online... which is.... strange to say the least!
Click to expand...
That link is gone. JA must have been in the midst of making changes.
 
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