I must be blind! They all look the same to me.

[Mommy2BMR]

I have visited probably like a million local jewelers and looked at their diamonds. Either I am blind or all the stones look the same. I am obviously able to tell color differences upside down on white, and I am pretty good at spotting black inclusions, but as far as sparkle and brightness... well, they all look similar to me All the GIAXXX anyway. Which makes me think that as long as they are "eye clean" and the HCA score is good, it's safe to buy sight unseen?

People say it's better to physically look at the stone before buying, but it seems like for me it makes no difference since I can't tell anyway. Also, jewelers are not the best at letting you pull out all the stones at once and compare and contrast. They get nervous, lol. And I don't see things well under pressure, and especially not under jewelers lights. Maybe for me it's better to buy things on paper and go with online gemologists recommendations, since I obviously seem to be blind?

 

[ChrisES]

All stones will look pretty similar under jewelers lights. That's why they use those lights.

If you want to buy brick-and-morter, I suggest a seller that: a) is not a national mall chain ala Kay or Zales b) deals in AGS and GIA certified stones and c) will let you view the stones in a variety of lighting conditions, including fluorescent indoor lighting and natural outdoor lighting (which are the two most common environments most people spend time in).

As for buying online, it's absolutely safe and usually cleaper to do so. The secret is that you don't just buy "by the numbers" (which can lie, especially as many are rounded) but by requesting idealscope images.

 

[Mommy2BMR]

All stones will look pretty similar under jewelers lights. That's why they use those lights.

If you want to buy brick-and-morter, I suggest a seller that: a) is not a national mall chain ala Kay or Zales b) deals in AGS and GIA certified stones and c) will let you view the stones in a variety of lighting conditions, including fluorescent indoor lighting and natural outdoor lighting (which are the two most common environments most people spend time in).

As for buying online, it's absolutely safe and usually cleaper to do so. The secret is that you don't just buy "by the numbers" (which can lie, especially as many are rounded) but by requesting idealscope images.

Idealscope would be nice, unfortunately many vendors don't provide them
I just spoke to a bluenile rep about a stone, and they don't provide idealscope images.

 

[ecf8503]

Why BN? Why not check with a vendor that actually provides images?

 

[mdot]

Idealscope would be nice, unfortunately many vendors don't provide them
I just spoke to a bluenile rep about a stone, and they don't provide idealscope images.

I bought my diamond from Whiteflash (was on BN's site, not WF, but they retrieved it for me) simply because when I asked BN they said they can't provide an opinion on the actual diamond, only what's on the report (unless you have a Sig Ideal or whatever they said). WF ordered in the diamond, took actual photos, ASET, IS, and provided a Sarin report. If I didn't end up liking the diamond (which I'm confident I would have), I only had to pay for insured shipping back to the distributor.

They all pick from the same distributors, so if you like a diamond, ask WF (or another online vendor of your choosing) to order in the diamond you (they'll check if it's avaialble first), and they'll provide the images.