WF star rating

[Phoenix]

Does anyone know how this works?

I've emailed WF (don't want to mention any name here

) more than one time asking about how WF assigns the number of stars, ie. on what basis do they give 4 stars as opposed to say 1 star and I've had no reply. I am curious because some of the stones which *I* would consider beautiful are assigned 1 or 2 stars, whereas some not so beautiful (IMHO) are given 4 stars. I have to stress though that I am very much a novice (still - despite the number of hours I've clocked up both on PS as well as looking at diamonds both IRL and online) so maybe what I think is beautiful really isn't and vice versa. My definition of "beautiful" is (again, novice's opinion) is something which is beautifully cut (based again on what little I know about *ideal* or *excellent* cut (the criteria for which vary according to shape).

So I'd like to hear what PS'ers think abt the WF star rating. It'd be good also to hear it directly from WF.

 

[neatfreak]

I think 1 or 2 stars simply means that they don''t have it in their inventory and thus haven''t seen it themselves? But I could be wrong, I just remember hearing that once...

Maybe Allison D. from Whiteflash will answer this definitively. *bump!*

 

[gwendolyn]

Huh, I always thought the 1 or 2 star ones were just not as good as the 3 and 4 star.

 

[Lexie]

The following link explains the Whiteflash Diamond Ratings: click here

 

[Maisie]

Date: 5/10/2008 10:29:32 AM
Author:Phoenix
Does anyone know how this works?

I''ve emailed WF (don''t want to mention any name here

) more than one time asking about how WF assigns the number of stars, ie. on what basis do they give 4 stars as opposed to say 1 star and I''ve had no reply. I am curious because some of the stones which *I* would consider beautiful are assigned 1 or 2 stars, whereas some not so beautiful (IMHO) are given 4 stars. I have to stress though that I am very much a novice (still - despite the number of hours I''ve clocked up both on PS as well as looking at diamonds both IRL and online) so maybe what I think is beautiful really isn''t and vice versa. My definition of ''beautiful'' is (again, novice''s opinion) is something which is beautifully cut (based again on what little I know about *ideal* or *excellent* cut (the criteria for which vary according to shape).

So I''d like to hear what PS''ers think abt the WF star rating. It''d be good also to hear it directly from WF.

I sometimes have this problem.... The Whiteflash spam filter sometimes eats my messages. Its best to call if you want a quick answer if they don''t get back to you

 

[nolongeralurker]

Date: 5/10/2008 4:47:32 PM
Author: Maisie

Date: 5/10/2008 10:29:32 AM

Author:Phoenix

Does anyone know how this works?


I''ve emailed WF (don''t want to mention any name here

) more than one time asking about how WF assigns the number of stars, ie. on what basis do they give 4 stars as opposed to say 1 star and I''ve had no reply. I am curious because some of the stones which *I* would consider beautiful are assigned 1 or 2 stars, whereas some not so beautiful (IMHO) are given 4 stars. I have to stress though that I am very much a novice (still - despite the number of hours I''ve clocked up both on PS as well as looking at diamonds both IRL and online) so maybe what I think is beautiful really isn''t and vice versa. My definition of ''beautiful'' is (again, novice''s opinion) is something which is beautifully cut (based again on what little I know about *ideal* or *excellent* cut (the criteria for which vary according to shape).


So I''d like to hear what PS''ers think abt the WF star rating. It''d be good also to hear it directly from WF.

I sometimes have this problem.... The Whiteflash spam filter sometimes eats my messages. Its best to call if you want a quick answer if they don''t get back to you

I have also had a couple of emailed questions go unanswered at WF. While it isn''t a huge deal to call up instead, I don''t think that should even be an issue with a company that deals strictly with online customers. That being said, I still plan on purchasing my stone from them.

 

[sna77]

Date: 5/10/2008 10:29:32 AM
Author:Phoenix
Does anyone know how this works?

I''ve emailed WF (don''t want to mention any name here

) more than one time asking about how WF assigns the number of stars, ie. on what basis do they give 4 stars as opposed to say 1 star and I''ve had no reply. I am curious because some of the stones which *I* would consider beautiful are assigned 1 or 2 stars, whereas some not so beautiful (IMHO) are given 4 stars. I have to stress though that I am very much a novice (still - despite the number of hours I''ve clocked up both on PS as well as looking at diamonds both IRL and online) so maybe what I think is beautiful really isn''t and vice versa. My definition of ''beautiful'' is (again, novice''s opinion) is something which is beautifully cut (based again on what little I know about *ideal* or *excellent* cut (the criteria for which vary according to shape).

So I''d like to hear what PS''ers think abt the WF star rating. It''d be good also to hear it directly from WF.

The funny thing is, there is no 3 star rating... I''ve asked specifically about this a few times with WF and never got a response, which is odd, because they are usually very responsive... I think its just some automated system based on cut that ranks them...

l think this is how it generally goes:

5 star= ACA (in-house)
4 star = either Expert Selection in-house or well cut virtual stones (generally 0-2 on HCA)
2/1 star = poor cut, dont even bother...


I''ve bought 3 stones with the 4 star rating from them (2 for a pair of studs, and 1 for an engagement ring)... All were virtual diamonds that they brought in house...



I''d say about 50% of the time the have the GIA / AGS cert listed on the site for the 4 star, virtual diamonds, so its possible to run an HCA... For the ones where the cert was not listed, you can usually pull it off someone else''s site and run the HCA from there... Kinda tedious if looking for a pair of studs, not so bad if looking for the main ring... There are some really good values at the 4 star level... Some AGS0 and AGS1 stones there for a great price...

 

[honey22]

Firstly, after dealing with WF for about 6 weeks during which my ering was being made, they responded straight away to my many (MANY!!) emails. I even spoke to Lesley and Brian at the office when I was awake here in Australia - which meant they were discussing the pros and cons of taking off 0.2mm of my ering band at 12 midnight their time, so I can assure you they service is excellent and I don''t believe they would be deliberately ignoring you.

I am sure it''s more a case of not actually getting the email, maybe if Alison sees this post she can pass it on, or the best bet is to give them a call.

As far as star ratings go, the 5 star is their ACA line, top of the cuts, best they have. 4 star are ES selection, they have only narrowly missed out on the ACA brand, still fabulous stones which offer a discount on the ACA premiums. Good value for money. These stones are in-house (and cut by them?) so they can provide lots of info on these, IS AEST Hearts etc etc.

The other star ratings mean that these stones are from the virtual inventory, they are not located at WF. They have less stars because they can''t do a full analysis on these stones as they physically don''t have them to do IS images etc. They can still be killer stones, you need to bring them in based on numbers, criteria etc and they will be analysed for you. Some of these stones when brought it would be really great ideal cuts, and would not have the premium associated with ACA or ES. If you are happy not to have branded cut, then this might be the way to go. I am not 100% sure, but I believe there trade-up policy only applies to ACAs? Not sure about ES.

Now, this is what I believe to be true, I have had confirmation from around here, so don''t quote me, but I am 99% sure this is the case.

If you can find an ACA or ES in your budget, colour clarity range etc, you are much safe IMHO going for one of these stones. Brian has looked at each one of these and given them his personal tick of approval - what more could a girl want hey? I have never heard of someone not being happy with their ACA

If you still can''t find something in your budget etc, you can pick one of the virtual stones with really great numbers etc and have them call it in.

Good luck with the search!!!

 

[elle_chris]

My e-ring stone was rated 4 stars but it wasn't in house and needed to be called in. So aside from their ES selection being rated 4 stars I'm really not sure what else constitutes that rating.

 

[Allison D.]

Date: 5/10/2008 7:28:10 PM
Author: sna77

I think its just some automated system based on cut that ranks them...

l think this is how it generally goes:

5 star= ACA (in-house)
4 star = either Expert Selection in-house or well cut virtual stones (generally 0-2 on HCA)
2/1 star = poor cut, dont even bother...

The info sna77 relayed about is essentially correct.

5 stars are the best of the best - ACAs.
4 stars are either ES stones OR stones from virtual inventory that have been identified by dealers as top make stones

Outside that, most are either 1 or 2 because we don't have the grading reports on the stones, so we don't have enough information to determine if it would earn a higher rating.

Most folks who come to us do so because they're looking for top-make stones, but the list is available for those whose preferences may vary from the norm.

Thanks to Lexie as well

for pointing out where to find this information: http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds_info/t/all_about.aspx?articleid=349&zoneid=21

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 5/10/2008 9:38:30 PM
Author: Allison D.

The info sna77 relayed about is essentially correct.

Allison,

Neatfreak and Gwendolyn posed two different ideas, sna77 sided with one you agreed with him, and then described the other.

I say...consider doing a twofer. Have a 5 or 4 star in the bag when taking advantage of WF, and then consider asking for their expertise in shopping for a virtual 1 or 2 star. Further...ask them to compare, for value, at least (if you''re considering those 4 star Expert Selections) the two against the other. If they prefer the cheaper one without ambivalence...consider you''re both winners.

 

[Phoenix]

Thanks, everyone, for your reply.

I was aware that the ACA was awarded the 5 stars (sorry, should have been more specific in my Q), but I do appreciate all the infor given and the links, make sense.

 

[Allison D.]

Date: 5/10/2008 9:48:33 PM
Author: Regular Guy

Date: 5/10/2008 9:38:30 PM
Author: Allison D.

The info sna77 relayed about is essentially correct.

Allison,

Neatfreak and Gwendolyn posed two different ideas, sna77 sided with one you agreed with him, and then described the other.

Ira, I quoted sna becuase he provided precisely the right information about what qualifies a 5-star and what qualifies a 4-star. A few have thought that 4-star rating was limited to ES stones, and that''s not so. sna77''s post was spot on.

The only correction I made was this: a rating of 1-2 stars doesn''t necessarily mean "poor cut, don''t bother"; it may also mean we don''t have enough information about that virtual stone.

This lack of info may render them into the ''don''t bother'' category anyway, but more as a matter of economics. Most folks don''t want to pay unlimited shipping charges to bring in a ton of diamonds, so when dealing with virtual inventory, they tend to focus more on the stones with more info/better likelihood of performing well.

The 1-2 isn''t because they''re an identifiable fault in quality; it''s more lack of info to predict anything promising about quality.

 

[cwj]

Date: 5/10/2008 8:45:27 PM
Author: honey22
Firstly, after dealing with WF for about 6 weeks during which my ering was being made, they responded straight away to my many (MANY!!) emails. I even spoke to Lesley and Brian at the office when I was awake here in Australia - which meant they were discussing the pros and cons of taking off 0.2mm of my ering band at 12 midnight their time, so I can assure you they service is excellent and I don''t believe they would be deliberately ignoring you.

I am sure it''s more a case of not actually getting the email, maybe if Alison sees this post she can pass it on, or the best bet is to give them a call.

As far as star ratings go, the 5 star is their ACA line, top of the cuts, best they have. 4 star are ES selection, they have only narrowly missed out on the ACA brand, still fabulous stones which offer a discount on the ACA premiums. Good value for money. These stones are in-house (and cut by them?) so they can provide lots of info on these, IS AEST Hearts etc etc.

The other star ratings mean that these stones are from the virtual inventory, they are not located at WF. They have less stars because they can''t do a full analysis on these stones as they physically don''t have them to do IS images etc. They can still be killer stones, you need to bring them in based on numbers, criteria etc and they will be analysed for you. Some of these stones when brought it would be really great ideal cuts, and would not have the premium associated with ACA or ES. If you are happy not to have branded cut, then this might be the way to go. I am not 100% sure, but I believe there trade-up policy only applies to ACAs? Not sure about ES.

Now, this is what I believe to be true, I have had confirmation from around here, so don''t quote me, but I am 99% sure this is the case.

If you can find an ACA or ES in your budget, colour clarity range etc, you are much safe IMHO going for one of these stones. Brian has looked at each one of these and given them his personal tick of approval - what more could a girl want hey? I have never heard of someone not being happy with their ACA

If you still can''t find something in your budget etc, you can pick one of the virtual stones with really great numbers etc and have them call it in.

Good luck with the search!!!

Does anyone know exactly what WF''s trade up policy is?

 

[Allison D.]

CWJ, all the details are here: http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds_info/t/confidence.aspx?articleid=10&zoneid=3

The abbreviated run-down:

Any AGS/GIA graded diamond purchased from us is eligible for trade-up. Trade up equals 100% of purchase
price (less shipping) and must be traded undamaged and accompanied by original grading report.