Since its launch back in 2017, Blue Nile’s Astor diamond collection has been the apple of many buyers’ eyes. But what is it that draws people towards this collection, and what are the things you should know before committing to your Astor by Blue NileTM purchase?
In this blog, you’ll find answers to these and other questions, including:
- What is Astor by Blue NileTM?
- What’s the Difference between Astor and Other Ideal Cut Diamonds?
- Is Astor Ideal Worth It?
- How Does Astor Ideal Measure Up to Other Diamonds in the Blue Nile Inventory?
- Astor by Blue NileTM — Not Like Other Branded Diamonds
What is Astor by Blue NileTM?
It has long been understood that cut quality is the most important of the 4Cs, as the cut is what determines the brightness and sparkle of the chosen stone.
With the average buyer now having a greater understanding of cut quality, more information at their fingertips than ever before, and greater insight into diamond anatomy thanks to ever-developing technology, it’s unsurprising that super-ideal cut and in-house specialist diamonds are becoming increasingly desirable with buyers all over the world.
Astor by Blue NileTM is an exclusive diamond collection that’s been expertly curated to showcase the very best cut diamonds in Blue Nile’s extensive inventory. Selected as such due to their brilliance, fire, and scintillation, Astor cut diamonds are amongst the best at reflecting light, therefore providing maximum sparkle in round, princess, or cushion cut configurations.
What’s the Difference between Astor and Other Ideal Cut Diamonds?
Diamonds selected for Blue Nile’s Astor collection need to meet a number of strict selection criteria in order to qualify, so you can be assured that when shopping in the Astor range, every diamond will meet or exceed the standards you’d expect for a high-quality, premium cut collection.
When compared with Blue Nile’s standard range, there are a number of ways Astor ideal diamonds stand out:
Brilliance
Owing to their specific dimensions that allow for maximum light reflection and performance, Astor ideal diamonds offer a stronger and more visible level of brilliance when compared with very good or ideal cut diamonds from Blue Nile or other providers.
Proportions
A diamond can still be graded with an ideal or excellent cut whilst having proportions that are slightly suboptimal. With Astor, this isn’t the case. Expertly curated, the Astor range features only those with ideal proportions — with diamonds that are too shallow, deep, wide, narrow, or asymmetrical not making the cut.
Symmetry
Optimal light reflection, sparkle, and brilliance is achieved through a combination of several quality factors — one of which is symmetry. A diamond can only be selected for the Astor collection if it has perfectly aligned and symmetrical facets.
Understanding these selection criteria provides great peace of mind when shopping from Blue Nile’s Astor collection, as you can rest assured that any diamond you select from the range will have been expertly assessed, saving you time in the research process.
See the Sparkle for Yourself
Is Astor Ideal Worth It?
A key selling point of the Astor collection is that, when shopping within this range, most of the hard work in terms of assessing and comparing the 4Cs has already been done for you, as only the best diamonds in Blue Nile’s impressive in-house inventory make the cut. Another big selling point is that each Astor ideal diamond is double graded, firstly by the GemEx system to assess light performance, and secondly by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) — the diamond industry’s most well-respected grading entity.
How Does Astor Ideal Measure Up to Other Diamonds in the Blue Nile Inventory?
A diamond is a huge investment, and as such, it can be difficult to know whether you’re on the right track when exploring your options. Below, we’ve outlined some of the value differences that come with purchasing an Astor ideal diamond versus shopping in the wider Blue Nile inventory.The Pros of Astor by Blue NileTM
- The collection features only the top 0.1% of diamonds in Blue Nile’s extensive inventory, meaning every Astor diamond is exceptionally well-cut
- All Astor diamonds are issued with a GIA certificate, as well as a light performance certificate from GemEx
- The collection is curated by diamond experts, meaning each and every stone has been selected under expert scrutiny for its overall quality
The Pros of Shopping in Blue Nile’s Wider Inventory
- You have access to a full inventory of diamonds, with cut quality ranging from good to ideal
- The range features the full variation of diamond shapes (whereas the Astor collection is slightly more limited)
- Diamonds from Blue Nile’s wider range are generally more affordable than Astor collection diamonds
- A viable option if you’re searching for a stone that looks great while still providing good value for money
Find Your Perfectly Priced Diamond
Explore Blue Nile’s wide-ranging diamond inventory using their online diamond finder. Narrow down your selection by carat, cut, color, clarity, shape, and price, and discover diamonds that suit your preferences and budget.
