Sam''s Club "Ideal Cut" diamonds?!

[Mikesgirl]

I know that I may not be typical, but when I saw "Leo" in the mall, it led me to do a google search, which led me to H&A, which led me to threads that talked about 8* and vendors here, and helped me to form an opinion. If I were going to be an H&A purist, I'd be looking for a vendor that brings them over from that lab in Japan that actually certifies H&A. Eight star nuts think they have the creme-de-la-creme. I'm just glad that terms, like H&A, even if misrepresented, are out there so that those who want to learn might be led to research and learn more.

 

[pricescope]

Re: H&A standards. Brian outlined his standards here:



* Grading The Hearts

* Grading Arrows

 

[Mikesgirl]

An interesting read, Leonid. Kind of makes the argument for the expert branding, though I'm not that much of a connoisseur yet. Perhaps by the time I purchase my next diamond I will feel the need to go that far.

 

[magna2]

Just as that a AGS 0 graded diamond does not guarantee a great performer neither does a H&A designation. I, for one, commend Walmart/Sam's for leaning towards better cut diamonds. It can only help make the diamond biz a little nit more competitive and per chance lower the ridiculous mall store prices.

Many people can not afford the best in cut so having another distribution channel for better cut diamonds albeit not true H&A should be welcomed. Would it put the local mom & pop jewelry stores out of business like many of the other Walmart competitors - probably not because the Walmart/Sam's counter person would know diddly squat about diamonds.

 

[saucee]

Hi:
I am hoping for some advice. My husband and I are looking for a replacement wedding ring for me. I have searched high and low in the malls for months and didn''t find anything I either liked or if I liked it - could afford. I went to Sam''s Club and found a 2 tone diamond ring for $3100 that is absolutely gorgeous - have visited it several times in the past 2 mos. Question are Sam''s Club diamonds bad? I found the setting for this ring on ebay but the ebay seller had their log in ability pulled ( possible fraud) but I can still post the pic here its just missing a center stone. I have even gone to a jewelry manufacter her and gave them the pic and asked them what they would charge to make up the ring- they never got back to me.... I am thinking about just going and buying the Sam''s Club ring and being done with it- Have been married for 3 years w/o a ring !
Opinions Please!

http://images.andale.com/f2/108/126/10805013/click2enlarge/1091467562695_1091462473756_R91.jpg

 

[Superidealist]

As was mentioned, it's not that there is no standard but that there is no definitive standard. Many differing "standards" exist. Brian's was presented above, Japan's CGL standard may be seen here (pdf). Zenhokyo has its own standard as well. The IGI apparently has its standard. How these standards compare might make interesting fodder for discussion.

My take on this is the same as Garry's. I'm glad to see hearts and arrows (in any form) brought to the masses. It can only serve to raise awareness of the importance of cut.

Author: Mara


Because there are no definitive H&A standards...there is a huge gray area where people can easily slide and sell H&A when in reality many of the online vendors who are strict about their standards would not even consider them.

This gives the false impression that only online vendors sell diamonds that conform to strict hearts and arrows standards. Let us not forget the many bricks and mortar operations whose standards are equally strict.

 

[goldengirl]

Interesting points, all.

Personally, I do not shop at Walmart or any of its affiliates, so I would not buy a HOF from Sam''s Club if it was a true, branded HOF and half the price of anywhere else. I see the benefit of lower-quality stores (we''re talking Sam''s Club, but let''s include everybody) offering better-quality stones for sale; after all, if the public doesn''t know any better, the public''s not going to buy any better. And frankly, if you walk into a store and ask for some education, you''ll get something biased towards that store''s merchandise. If Suzy Smith doesn''t understand the difference between Whiteflash and Zales, she''ll go to Zales...because she''s seen them around, she remembers their commercials, and because one time she got her mom a pair of diamond earrings from there for $99. Do you believe that?? $99!!!! So obviously Zales offers convenience, comfort and value. So she shops there.

Now, if Zales were to keep its current lackluster inventory and add some HOF stones, she''d be able to see the two of them side-by-side in the case and she''d see the difference in performace and then have a heart attack at the price. Curious, she''d go home to do a little research and find out why the HOF costs so much more, since she didn''t really understand what the saleslady was talking about. Which then leads her to Whiteflash, whose prices are reasonable, and suddenly she realizes she can get that beautiful, amazing diamond for the same price she was going to pay for the other, less-brilliant one. And voila, she''s a Whiteflash customer.

I believe this is why the mediocre stores will only ever sell mediocre diamonds.

But, if one of them starts the trend, maybe some others will follow!

 

[Patty]

Date: 11/17/2004 3:12:54 PM
Author: saucee
Hi:
I am hoping for some advice. My husband and I are looking for a replacement wedding ring for me. I have searched high and low in the malls for months and didn''t find anything I either liked or if I liked it - could afford. I went to Sam''s Club and found a 2 tone diamond ring for $3100 that is absolutely gorgeous - have visited it several times in the past 2 mos. Question are Sam''s Club diamonds bad? I found the setting for this ring on ebay but the ebay seller had their log in ability pulled ( possible fraud) but I can still post the pic here its just missing a center stone. I have even gone to a jewelry manufacter her and gave them the pic and asked them what they would charge to make up the ring- they never got back to me.... I am thinking about just going and buying the Sam''s Club ring and being done with it- Have been married for 3 years w/o a ring !
Opinions Please!

http://images.andale.com/f2/108/126/10805013/click2enlarge/1091467562695_1091462473756_R91.jpg

saucee, Sam''s carries their Regal Collection which are ideal cut stones. I believe that they have a GIA certificate on them and if you request, they will get you the Sarin information (angles, percentages). Also, they will call in a stone for you if you don''t find what you want in stock. Their Regal Collection are at least VS2 and I color. What I''ve seen in the store is almost always an I color.

Read up here on what constitues an ideal cut, and especially pat attention to the AGS standards for ideal cut stones. Then you can check out Sam''s stones and decide for yourself if they meet ideal criteria. So far, it sounds like your eye is telling you that the ring is beautiful. From what I''ve seen, the Regal collection at Sam''s is a much better quality than what most mall stores carry.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Happy Anniversary to this year-old thread

Not everyone will want a Hearts & Arrows diamond, but I believe there is a strong need for a set of established criteria to divide standards in diamonds marketed as Hearts & Arrows for those who do have an interest in this type of cut.

After typing my response I realize it’s not at home here, so I have started it as a new thread for anyone interested.

Hearts & Arrows: How to label different standards?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

i do not think Saucee is asking about H&A's?

And if I am not wrong - many people have said their own diamonds sparkle more in sams lights than anywhere else?
Or was that Walmart?

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 11/17/2004 8:44:27 PM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
i do not think Saucee is asking about H&A's?

And if I am not wrong - many people have said their own diamonds sparkle more in sams lights than anywhere else?

Or was that Walmart?

Garry - Righto. 2 of 3 replies to Saucee referenced H&A (no doubt due to the H&A focus of the bulk of this thread from days of yore). Thus, my steerage towards another thread for further cussin' and discussin'.

I have seen the spotlighting at Wal-Mart. It is very diamond-friendly. Since Sam's and Wal-Mart have the same origins (Sam Walton,1918-1992), I imagine lighting in both stores is similar.

 

[bar01]

This was an interesting discussion - I have never been to a Sams Club and had no idea they would have 5 ct diamond rings for close $100,000 on their web site