Looking for an E Right, need a little help

[newguy2010]

Hi,

I've started my search for the E ring for my GF. And I must admit I was first overwhelmed

by all the information but have learned a lot in the month
or so that I've been lurking on this forum. Now that I have narrowed down my choice for the specs of the diamond (color, size, etc.) I'm trying to decide on the
vendor. I'm in NYC and the most logical choice is GOOG. But in doing some quick comparison on pricing, I have found that GOOG is slightly more expensive than
Whiteflash and even more still than James Allen.

I'm sure this has been asked a hundred times but I'd like to ask it again.
Is a True Hearts diamond from JA on par with a WF ACA and GOOG H&A?

 

[stone-cold11]

Some are, some aren''t. Case by case.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/21/2010 8:36:07 AM
Author:newguy2010
Hi,

I've started my search for the E ring for my GF. And I must admit I was first overwhelmed

by all the information but have learned a lot in the month
or so that I've been lurking on this forum. Now that I have narrowed down my choice for the specs of the diamond (color, size, etc.) I'm trying to decide on the
vendor. I'm in NYC and the most logical choice is GOOG. But in doing some quick comparison on pricing, I have found that GOOG is slightly more expensive than
Whiteflash and even more still than James Allen.

I'm sure this has been asked a hundred times but I'd like to ask it again.
Is a True Hearts diamond from JA on par with a WF ACA and GOOD H&A?

Hi newguy and welcome!

Do you mean GOG H&A? Its not possible to really generalize, evaluate each diamond carefully on their own desirable visual and physical properties and especially with images of both hearts and arrows in each individual case.

 

[newguy2010]

Date: 2/21/2010 9:17:15 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 2/21/2010 8:36:07 AM

Author:newguy2010

Hi,


I've started my search for the E ring for my GF. And I must admit I was first overwhelmed

by all the information but have learned a lot in the month

or so that I've been lurking on this forum. Now that I have narrowed down my choice for the specs of the diamond (color, size, etc.) I'm trying to decide on the

vendor. I'm in NYC and the most logical choice is GOOG. But in doing some quick comparison on pricing, I have found that GOOG is slightly more expensive than

Whiteflash and even more still than James Allen.


I'm sure this has been asked a hundred times but I'd like to ask it again.

Is a True Hearts diamond from JA on par with a WF ACA and GOOD H&A?

Hi newguy and welcome!


Do you mean GOG H&A? Its not possible to really generalize, evaluate each diamond carefully on their own desirable visual and physical properties and especially with images of both hearts and arrows in each individual case.

Hi, Yes I meant GOOG H&A

I apologize for not giving examples.

Here are 3 diamonds, similar in size but the JA is a VS2 but WF and GOOG are VS1. JA has NG Flur, WF has None and GOOG has a Strong Flur.
They all check out well under the HC advisor tool.


http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6986/

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255544.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/whiteflash-aca-cut-diamond-2219631.htm

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/21/2010 9:28:29 AM
Author: newguy2010

Date: 2/21/2010 9:17:15 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 2/21/2010 8:36:07 AM

Author:newguy2010

Hi,


I've started my search for the E ring for my GF. And I must admit I was first overwhelmed

by all the information but have learned a lot in the month

or so that I've been lurking on this forum. Now that I have narrowed down my choice for the specs of the diamond (color, size, etc.) I'm trying to decide on the

vendor. I'm in NYC and the most logical choice is GOOG. But in doing some quick comparison on pricing, I have found that GOOG is slightly more expensive than

Whiteflash and even more still than James Allen.


I'm sure this has been asked a hundred times but I'd like to ask it again.

Is a True Hearts diamond from JA on par with a WF ACA and GOOD H&A?

Hi newguy and welcome!


Do you mean GOG H&A? Its not possible to really generalize, evaluate each diamond carefully on their own desirable visual and physical properties and especially with images of both hearts and arrows in each individual case.

Hi, Yes I meant GOOG H&A

I apologize for not giving examples.

Here are 3 diamonds, similar in size but the JA is a VS2 but WF and GOOG are VS1. JA has NG Flur, WF has None and GOOG has a Strong Flur.
They all check out well under the HC advisor tool.


http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6986/

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255544.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/whiteflash-aca-cut-diamond-2219631.htm

Lets take a look and no need to apologize!

They all have potential, doesn't look like the grading report from the GOG diamond has been uploaded....unless I am completely missing it!

 

[newguy2010]

Lets take a look and no need to apologize!


They all have potential, doesn''t look like the grading report from the GOG diamond has been uploaded....unless I am completely missing it!

I think you''re right about the grading report on the GOOG diamond. I couldn''t find it either.

Am I right to assume that the difference in price is simply a case of JA being less expensive than WF and GOOG?

 

[stone-cold11]

The price difference is probably due to their upgrade/buyback policy.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/21/2010 11:02:36 AM
Author: newguy2010

Lets take a look and no need to apologize!


They all have potential, doesn''t look like the grading report from the GOG diamond has been uploaded....unless I am completely missing it!

I think you''re right about the grading report on the GOOG diamond. I couldn''t find it either.

Am I right to assume that the difference in price is simply a case of JA being less expensive than WF and GOOG?

Vendor pricing can differ, also WF and GOG offer more generous upgrade/ buyback policies than James Allen, it really depends on the benefits you want and are willing to pay for. All are excellent vendors.

 

[Todd Gray]

I don''t believe that it is possible to accurately say that one vendor is less expensive than another with any degree of consistency because each diamond tends to be priced accordingly based upon its characteristics - which extends well past the basic 4C''s as recognized by the average diamond consumer - which is not the type of consumer generally found here on PS.

As a vendor, I can tell you that every vendor here on PS keeps a close eye on the pricing practices of every other vendor here on PS (and other prominent online vendors who don''t frequent PS) and most of us are quite competitive within our specific arena or niche of our markets... we know that "ideal cut diamonds" produced from one cutting house are crafted more precisely than "ideal cut diamonds" stamped out by another production facility... we know that seemingly minor fluctuations in facet-by-facet structure of a diamond will result in distinct variations in both the amount of light, but also the type of light displayed by a diamond... we know that certain cutters have adapted their cutting techniques to SPOOF the public by making their diamonds look ''right'' through the various scopes - when their diamonds are actually still cut poorly in terms of the expectations of experienced diamond buyers - but hey, the diamond MUST be gorgeous because all the images look ''right'' through the scopes... if only this were true.

Every once and awhile, I get to questioning the price structure of one vendor over another and it is generally solved rather easily at the vendor level of the game, we either bring in a few diamonds from the cutter who is producing the diamonds for ''the competition'' and compare them to what we have to offer... or we purchase a diamond from the other vendor and bring it in for comparison and more often than not, the reason for a vast price discrepancy is easy explained. This might be a bit of a shock for consumers on PS, but I know it''s not a shock for the vendors because this topic comes up over dinner at the trade shows "OMG, I brought in the 1.20 carat, G, VS-2 that you had listed awhile back, it was a real pretty stone!" which is usually followed by "Oh man, that was you? I was trying to figure out why anybody would sent that puppy back!".

Oh the things we vendors admit to each other when we''ve been drinking

 

[newguy2010]

Date: 2/21/2010 1:55:35 PM
Author: Todd Gray
I don't believe that it is possible to accurately say that one vendor is less expensive than another with any degree of consistency because each diamond tends to be priced accordingly based upon its characteristics - which extends well past the basic 4C's as recognized by the average diamond consumer - which is not the type of consumer generally found here on PS.


As a vendor, I can tell you that every vendor here on PS keeps a close eye on the pricing practices of every other vendor here on PS (and other prominent online vendors who don't frequent PS) and most of us are quite competitive within our specific arena or niche of our markets... we know that 'ideal cut diamonds' produced from one cutting house are crafted more precisely than 'ideal cut diamonds' stamped out by another production facility... we know that seemingly minor fluctuations in facet-by-facet structure of a diamond will result in distinct variations in both the amount of light, but also the type of light displayed by a diamond... we know that certain cutters have adapted their cutting techniques to SPOOF the public by making their diamonds look 'right' through the various scopes - when their diamonds are actually still cut poorly in terms of the expectations of experienced diamond buyers - but hey, the diamond MUST be gorgeous because all the images look 'right' through the scopes... if only this were true.


Every once and awhile, I get to questioning the price structure of one vendor over another and it is generally solved rather easily at the vendor level of the game, we either bring in a few diamonds from the cutter who is producing the diamonds for 'the competition' and compare them to what we have to offer... or we purchase a diamond from the other vendor and bring it in for comparison and more often than not, the reason for a vast price discrepancy is easy explained. This might be a bit of a shock for consumers on PS, but I know it's not a shock for the vendors because this topic comes up over dinner at the trade shows 'OMG, I brought in the 1.20 carat, G, VS-2 that you had listed awhile back, it was a real pretty stone!' which is usually followed by 'Oh man, that was you? I was trying to figure out why anybody would sent that puppy back!'.


Oh the things we vendors admit to each other when we've been drinking

We'll I guess that takes me back to the first part of my question, Is a True Hearts diamond from JA on par with a WF ACA and GOOG H&A? Based on the 3 examples I've shown, they seem to be within the same ball park so to speak (but I'm far from an expert). But the JA is over 15% less than the other alternatives. If the price difference is due to the superior customer service and buy back and upgrade policies than that's fine. As a customer I just want to know upfront but if the difference is due to something else, then I'd like to know that as well.

 

[Todd Gray]

Have the options that interest you shipped to an independent gemologist / appraiser (see list under resources tab above) and compare them side-by-side... The small expense of consulting with the gemologist is well worth the expense in my opinion.

 

[Chasester]

if you are in NYC. I''d suggest talking to or visiting Yekutiel at ID Jewelry idjewelryonline.com . very low pressure, night and day compared to other vendors I visited when I walked the diamond district.

Shop around, go with what you are comfortable with imo.