Input on Blue Nile’s pre-made diamond eternity rings and return service

[Fabtwinsmom]

I’m considering these 2 diamond eternity bands from Blue Nile.
https://www.bluenile.com/pear-diamond-eternity-ring-in-platinum-5-cttw_81088
https://www.bluenile.com/regal-asscher-cut-diamond-eternity-ring-in-platinum-5-1-2-cttw_80509

Anyone has BN diamond eternity band especially larger ones? How well made is the setting? Any input will be much appreciated.

I’m not sure which one will look best and whether they’ll fit comfortably. I’m in Canada and need to order from a vendor that I can easily return an item to without cross border/duty hassle. I’d considered getting one custom made but my long time jeweller has retired and I haven’t been able to find another jeweller during this pandemic. Also since an eternity ring can’t be resized, I just don’t want to chance having it custom made and not loving it. I’m a little concerned about ordering and depending on how these work out, I may have to return one or both rings. I ordered 2 loose princess diamonds from BN about 9 years ago and had them set locally into 2 pendants for my twins (2 princesses lol). The process was pretty straightforward since there was no interaction needed with BN.

Has anyone returned a ring in the $8-9K range or more at BN? Any hassle/issue with the return process and how long did it take to receive a refund? I‘m a little reluctant to order as I’m not sure how easy/difficult returning a larger purchase will be.

 

[Patty]

I bought a BN eternity at the end of December. It was about $4500, so not as expensive as what you are looking at. As I got close to the 30-day return limit, I found another eternity that I liked better at James Allen. The return to Blue Nile was simple. I think I had to call...I can’t remember if I messaged them online or called, but they sent me a return label with no questions asked. It took maybe a couple of weeks for my refund to hit my credit card. The setting from Blue Nile was beautiful and looked to be very well made. I will say, though, that the diamonds (round) on my James Allen ring are nicer. I think the BN band was listed as H/VS and the JA ring is F/G, VS, and the cut quality of the JA stones is better.

 

[Fabtwinsmom]

I bought a BN eternity at the end of December. It was about $4500, so not as expensive as what you are looking at. As I got close to the 30-day return limit, I found another eternity that I liked better at James Allen. The return to Blue Nile was simple. I think I had to call...I can’t remember if I messaged them online or called, but they sent me a return label with no questions asked. It took maybe a couple of weeks for my refund to hit my credit card. The setting from Blue Nile was beautiful and looked to be very well made. I will say, though, that the diamonds (round) on my James Allen ring are nicer. I think the BN band was listed as H/VS and the JA ring is F/G, VS, and the cut quality of the JA stones is better.

@Patty, thank you for sharing your BN experience. Much appreciated! I’d have loved to be able to choose from a variety of vendors in the US. If our Can-US border is not closed, I could have order from other US vendor and have it shipped to Buffalo where I had a shipping/receiving place. Sigh. I’d have liked a whiter and better clarity stone. Saw that I.D. Jewelry has asscher cut bands in F/VS1 range which I’d prefer but to get it shipped/returned will be another 5 steps process and I may end up getting stuck with the duty cost and custom handling fee.

I did get a quote here from 2 jewelry stores to custom make a 3.75mm band in F/VS1 but am reluctant given I don’t know their workmanship.

 

[Patty]

@Patty, thank you for sharing your BN experience. Much appreciated! I’d have loved to be able to choose from a variety of vendors in the US. If our Can-US border is not closed, I could have order from other US vendor and have it shipped to Buffalo where I had a shipping/receiving place. Sigh. I’d have liked a whiter and better clarity stone. Saw that I.D. Jewelry has asscher cut bands in F/VS1 range which I’d prefer but to get it shipped/returned will be another 5 steps process and I may end up getting stuck with the duty cost and custom handling fee.

I did get a quote here from 2 jewelry stores to custom make a 3.75mm band in F/VS1 but am reluctant given I don’t know their workmanship.

I understand not wanting to go through a multi-step process for shipping and returning, and I would also be reluctant to go with someone if I was unsure about their workmanship.

I was very happy with the Blue Nile process! And I paid a bit more for the JA band which was fair since the diamonds were a bit higher in color. The better cut was happy surprise. I know that it’s different when you are dealing with fancy shapes.

 

[Fabtwinsmom]

I wish I can go the custom route and get to pick out better color and clarity. Does anyone know at which carat size of a small diamond that GIA will certified? I saw a post of someone with .40+ ct diamonds and they are GIA certified.

 

[Txborn79]

I wish I can go the custom route and get to pick out better color and clarity. Does anyone know at which carat size of a small diamond that GIA will certified? I saw a post of someone with .40+ ct diamonds and they are GIA certified.

I believe they have to be .15, so pretty small

 

[Fabtwinsmom]

I believe they have to be .15, so pretty small

Thanks, @Txborn79! Good to know. I thought it had to be much larger.

 

[Fabtwinsmom]

Update...have decided to go the custom route instead. BN’s customer service was very friendly and helpful but their description is a bit unclear. On the pear setting, the title part said H/SI1 but the description said average G and SI1 and the rep has no information and I’m still waiting to hear back. It also took 2 days to track the dimesions on the Asscher stone. I’m not comfortable with H or SI. Btw, as an FYI BN doesn’t allow customers to order 2 rings at the same time to compare and return one. They said to order one at a time.

I’m considering IDJ and David Klass. Does anyone has other recommendations for jeweller? Please and thank you. I’d like someone that does good work but also reasonable with diamond prices and setting price. Leon Mege is way out of my range for something I feel is a pretty straightforward setting (either shared prong or U prong).

 

[lillibear]

I got a half eternity from blue Nile a couple months ago and the sizing of the diamonds wasn’t consistent enough for my liking- it was visible that some diamonds were smaller. So, I think the custom route is a good choice.

 

[Fabtwinsmom]

I got a half eternity from blue Nile a couple months ago and the sizing of the diamonds wasn’t consistent enough for my liking- it was visible that some diamonds were smaller. So, I think the custom route is a good choice.

Thanks for sharing your experience, @lillibear. I had the asscher one in my cart and was thinking of pulling the trigger just to see what it looks like IRL but decided to let it go after reading your comment. My DH doesn’t like step cut stones either (both asscher and emerald) and in the end we agreed on oval instead and I’m waiting to hear back from a few jewellers. It must be the long weekend since I haven’t heard back from anyone yet except David Klass acknowledging my DM (extra point for him for sure). Haven’t heard peeps from IDJ unless they’re closed for Easter Monday. I’m watching the clock as I’m typing since I’m not a very patient person. Lol.