Where to get the best value for a >.50 ct stone?

[fuzzers]

Hey all, some questions from a newbie...

I''m looking for a center stone that would probably be in the .40 to .45 ct range. Where would you recommend I buy one? I am not extremely picky. My biggest priority is excellent cut, but not one that marks up the price too high (we''re just poor students!). I have a soft spot in my heart for Blue Nile. I have a few items from them already and love them all. Their prices seemed to be very competitive, when I looked at small stones with Ideal cut, G-J color, VS to SI clarity (though I am a little afraid to get an SI diamond from them since they do not have their diamonds on site). It just seemed to me that Blue Nile has the best value for these smaller, "imperfect" stones... correct me if I''m wrong please!

However, I am in love with Whiteflash settings. I get the feeling that Blue Nile rings'' prongs will be too prominent for a small stone, and I think Whiteflash settings are more elegant allover. Which leads me to another question... can I get a stone from Blue Nile and have it set by Whiteflash? If so, how?

Thank you in advance!

 

[fuzzers]

Pardon me... the title should say: Where to get the best value for a <.50 ct stone?

 

[stone-cold11]

If you are not going for a branded H&A stone, then JA has the best price, largest selection.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/advanced-diamond-search.asp

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I''ve purchased three WF stones between .41-.42 and all have been amazing! Two are ACAs and one is an Expert Selection. In just checking, it looks like the BN ideal (not signature - didn''t check those prices) are only about $50 less than what I paid for my WF stones - and the WF are upgradable. WF also provides more info about the diamonds.

 

[fuzzers]

How much should we expect to pay for a .40 to .45 stone? I found a .42 round at Blue Nile with the specifications above for $509. I also plugged the stats into HCA. I have looked at JA and Whiteflash and haven't found something that quite compares to that. They seem slighty more expensive. Again, please correct me if you need to!

I do plan to upgrade in the future, but will not trade in my origional stone. So that's not important to me.

Btw, thank you.

I am in need of some guidance!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

What is the color and clarity of the stone?

 

[fuzzers]

It was J color, VS2 clarity, EX polish and symmetry, and I believe it scored 1.3 in the HCA. It was $507.

 

[stone-cold11]

Well, BN has a bigger inventory, so in this case they have the stone available. JA has a PS discount and upgrade policy.

 

[chrono]

If you think you might ever upgrade down the road, JA might be a better choice. But with rounds, BN has decent pricing as well.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/10/2009 7:47:08 PM
Author:fuzzers
Hey all, some questions from a newbie...

I''m looking for a center stone that would probably be in the .40 to .45 ct range. Where would you recommend I buy one? I am not extremely picky. My biggest priority is excellent cut, but not one that marks up the price too high (we''re just poor students!). I have a soft spot in my heart for Blue Nile. I have a few items from them already and love them all. Their prices seemed to be very competitive, when I looked at small stones with Ideal cut, G-J color, VS to SI clarity (though I am a little afraid to get an SI diamond from them since they do not have their diamonds on site). It just seemed to me that Blue Nile has the best value for these smaller, ''imperfect'' stones... correct me if I''m wrong please!

However, I am in love with Whiteflash settings. I get the feeling that Blue Nile rings'' prongs will be too prominent for a small stone, and I think Whiteflash settings are more elegant allover. Which leads me to another question... can I get a stone from Blue Nile and have it set by Whiteflash? If so, how?

Thank you in advance!

fuzzers


If you find a diamond on BN for sale, check out the virtual listings as it might be available to WF also, that way they could call it in for tests for a shipping fee to see if it meets their approval, if so you could purchase it and have them set it, this would avoid having to risk having it set where the vendor wouldn''t usually assume responsibility for a diamond they didn''t sell should it get damaged whilst setting. This is rare but not unheard of.

 

[Lula]

I agree with Lorelei. If you like WF''s settings, work with them to find your stone. It''s much easier to work with one vendor. WF will work with your budget and you will be assured that the stone you pick is the best quality for your money.

 

[fuzzers]

Thank you all for your help!

 

[Lorelei]

Most welcome!