Am i making the right decision? James Allen vs Tiffanys

[duckhunter51]

Hi folks, I'm looking for some additional opinions regarding the diamonds I've selected at James Allen as well as a sanity check on buying through James Allen or Tiffanys. I'm very new to the diamond shopping process, so this is only the results of a week's worth of research haha.

I selected three diamonds from James Allen. I pre-screened diamonds based on the proportion table found on the beyond4cs websites. From the results, I looked at how defined the arrows were presented from the top down view. Here are the three ranked in order of my personal preference.

Diamond 1

• James Allen Link
• IGI Report

Diamond 2

• James Allen Link
• GIA Report
• Idealscope Image - This was the only one they were able to provide an idealscope image.
• I rated this one second because the inclusions are more noticeable in the magnified view, but I don't believe it will be visible to the naked eye?

Diamond 3

• James Allen Link
• GIA Report
• I rated this one third because it is more pricey than the other two. It also appears slightly darker around the crown.

I was pretty much set about picking a James Allen diamond. I liked what I read regarding experiences with customer service and the price seemed reasonable.

Unfortunately, I decided to go into a Tiffanys store to see how a 1 carat ring would like on my finger and to see what the hype was. I'm not going to lie, I loved how I was treated there. So I feel like there is a price tag that is assigned to the service, history, brand name, and marketing (LOL) that comes with Tiffanys. However, I'm not sure if that price tag is double the cost. The close equivalent ring at Tiffanys is $10,000. I don't believe that even with lifetime free polishing, "stronger" commitment regarding taking care of any issues with the ring, and their upgrade option is worth the $5,000 markup or is it?

I was only able to examine the Tiffanys rings on a surface level. They made an additional appointment with me in the coming days where I would be able to view the diamonds under higher magnification as well as provide me their in house grading reports (they have to ship the diamonds in). Thus, I can't say at this point whether the "Excellent" cut Tiffanys ring stand up to the ones I was able to scrutinize on James Allen's website.

Lastly, I want to make a note that there is no pressure to select a Tiffanys ring. I have full autonomy in selecting the company that I go with. Unfortunately, I feel I am leaning more toward the Tiffanys ring, and I feel like I'm making a mistake. Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[AprilBaby]

Compare what you could get at James Allen for $10,000. do you feel the same?

 

[lovedogs]

I think you are limiting yourself a bit by only considering these two options. For 10k you could get an incredible super ideal cut diamond in a setting that is very similar to the tiffany solitaire AND comes with lifetime upgrades.

 

[lovedogs]

Example: one of these: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4183582.htm

Diamond | 1.136 ct H VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4312103

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.136 carat H color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4312103

www.whiteflash.com

This solitaire:

6 Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring by Vatche | 1779

6 Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring by Vatche. Experience classic elegance with the timeless beauty of the 6 prong solitaire engagement ring by Vatche. | 1779

www.whiteflash.com

 

[daisygrl]

Example: one of these: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4183582.htm

Diamond | 1.136 ct H VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4312103

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.136 carat H color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4312103

www.whiteflash.com

This solitaire:

6 Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring by Vatche | 1779

6 Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring by Vatche. Experience classic elegance with the timeless beauty of the 6 prong solitaire engagement ring by Vatche. | 1779

www.whiteflash.com

Oh, LD, you picked a nice one = my favorite specks.

OP, there are other vendors who provide you with a very similar service (perhaps, not in person - depending on your location - but at least virtually).
Check: High Performance Diamonds, Whiteflash, Brian Gavin, Victor Canera.

Tiffany lives off of its fame and reputation (thanks, A. Hepburn) but not necessarily quality of the stones or their metal.

 

[duckhunter51]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm located in the Bay Area (northern California), only Victor Canera is close but I will check out their websites.

The Whiteflash one you linked looks beautiful, but it does not wow me and I'll attribute that to the fact that I'm only viewing this behind my computer screen.

Any thoughts on the 3 James Allen diamonds I had selected? If not Tiffanys, I would like to keep my budget within that $5K range. I will shop around the other websites.

 

[duckhunter51]

I came across this one from Brian Gavin

0.972 G SI1 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 0.972 carat G SI1 super ideal cut Brian Gavin Hearts & Arrows Round Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

I'm still looking through the other websites, but some of the diamonds I'm looking at do not publicly post additional photos so I have to go through customer chat.

 

[lovedogs]

I don't love the first IGI one. I like the second one more but it's not my favorite stone (although the advanced image looks good).

The last one is deeper than I prefer with a steep crown.

 

[lovedogs]

I came across this one from Brian Gavin

0.972 G SI1 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 0.972 carat G SI1 super ideal cut Brian Gavin Hearts & Arrows Round Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com

I'm still looking through the other websites, but some of the diamonds I'm looking at do not publicly post additional photos so I have to go through customer chat.

I really like that one. Much better than any of the JA ones in my opinion

 

[duckhunter51]

Thanks lovedogs! Can you elaborate more on why you dislike the IGI diamond? Is it because it's graded by IGI or is it based on the actual qualities you noticed?


I think the one from Brian Gavin looks really nice! Do you have any critiques? Everything looks like it checks out, but I don't fully trust my judgment.

 

[Polabowla]

Just realize the specs/angles etc that you prefer might be different than what others do.
I personally didn't like the Tiffany stones i tried on, but many people love them & find the upcharge worthwhile.

 

[lovedogs]

Thanks lovedogs! Can you elaborate more on why you dislike the IGI diamond? Is it because it's graded by IGI or is it based on the actual qualities you noticed?


I think the one from Brian Gavin looks really nice! Do you have any critiques? Everything looks like it checks out, but I don't fully trust my judgment.

Zero critiques of the brian gavin one. I think my issue with the IGI is that I think JA knows they can sell GIA/AGS stones at a higher price than IGI (assuming both have the same specs). So I have doubts about the color (clarity seems fine) and feel like you might be overpaying.

 

[anon34985]

Do you have opinions on a second hand tiffany ring?

check out bluechip and 1stdibs! Also ebay

 

[duckhunter51]

Thanks for all the opinions! I'm definitely moving on from the earlier selections when I made my post.

Zero critiques of the brian gavin one. I think my issue with the IGI is that I think JA knows they can sell GIA/AGS stones at a higher price than IGI (assuming both have the same specs). So I have doubts about the color (clarity seems fine) and feel like you might be overpaying.

Thanks again your suggestions! I noticed that as well, GIA reports automatically caused the diamond to be in a more expensive tier on JA!

I've found some diamonds on Whiteflash as well. Between these and the Brian Gavins, they are all amazing and I'm struggling to differentiate them. I think I may just take the lowest priced one because I fail to see any difference between these.

If you have some time, can you lend your suggestion?

All 4 diamonds from Whiteflash: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare/?idnos=4340613,4340609,4222790,4222740

I'm leaning toward this one. I noticed it shines brighter and is the lowest priced.

Diamond | 0.942 ct H VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4340613

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.942 carat H color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4340613

www.whiteflash.com

 

[Sexypiggy]

No opinion on the diamonds as I’m no expert however as someone who started off with a tiffany engagement ring I will say I will never recommend anyone to go to Tiffany to get a simple solitaire. Overpriced and the diamonds are not great.

 

[Sexypiggy]

Oh and to add. The after sales service at Tiffany is not great too. They are very nice when you are thinking of buying however when you go back for cleanings etc they can be quite rude.

 

[lovedogs]

All of the WF options are great in my opinion, as is the brian gavin one

 

[La2020]

I will choose the WF option (great stone, upgrade policy and super awesome customer service). My experience with BG is not good (am overseas buyer) and BG has a shorter duration for return policy(15 days only).

If you are really budget conscious, I will go for JA since their customer service is quite good (have purchased from them x2). Their return policy is longer (30 days).

 

[NicoleNeedsHelp]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm located in the Bay Area (northern California), only Victor Canera is close but I will check out their websites.

The Whiteflash one you linked looks beautiful, but it does not wow me and I'll attribute that to the fact that I'm only viewing this behind my computer screen.

Any thoughts on the 3 James Allen diamonds I had selected? If not Tiffanys, I would like to keep my budget within that $5K range. I will shop around the other websites.

In addition to BG and WF, you might want to check Victor Canera for diamonds too. I’m happy with the VC diamond I just bought.