Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Really disappointed in Blue Nile

CalliopeCladdagh

CalliopeCladdagh

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Nov 26, 2018
Messages
332
This is just a disappointed rant really.
I told Blue Nile I was choosing between 3 diamonds in their Astor range (exclusive to BN, not virtual inventory) and asked for some photos of the diamonds in order to better judge each stone's colour etc, and ASETs if possible. I also wanted to check whether one was eye clean.

They have refused to give me anything and just say the Astor line are their "best cut" stones. Yes, I understand that! That's why I'm interested in them.

Just makes it really hard as an overseas buyer.

Ps. Unfortunately Whiteflash doesn't do an ideal cut in the shape that I'm after and Brian Gavin has limited inventory and too high prices.
 
They wouldn’t even provide a photo? That’s wild
 
Yes, they are not a small "boutique" vendor that caters to the buyers. They go more for quantity of sales vs quality of experience.
If they did it for you they might have to do it for others and that's just not their business model. (this is what I think is going on)

Yes, it is unfortunate. Makes it harder for you to make a decision. Might you put the stones in question on hold and provide links
and let PSers give you their opinion on what they see. Or, would that not be helpful? Your call!

@Neil I'm assuming she wanted photos above and beyond what they are already providing. @CalliopeCladdagh correct me
if I'm wrong.
 
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe BN’s Astor diamonds are necessarily in their possession or exclusive to BN. I believe they label diamonds as “Astor” based the diamond’s proportions, etc. Just like James Allen’s “True Hearts” etc. If so, they are at the mercy of what the supplier provides in terms of images, etc., just like the rest of the diamonds they have listed.
 
Kaycee2018 said:
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe BN’s Astor diamonds are necessarily in their possession or exclusive to BN. I believe they label diamonds as “Astor” based the diamond’s proportions, etc. Just like James Allen’s “True Hearts” etc. If so, they are at the mercy of what the supplier provides in terms of images, etc., just like the rest of the diamonds they have listed.
Click to expand...

They *used* to be exclusive to Blue Nile - and they also *used* to give you an extra photo or two if you were prepared to wait. But I've noticed that the specs of their Astor ideals have degraded over time, and who knows what will happen with their customer service model now they've been bought out.

What shape are you after, @CalliopeCladdagh? Maybe we can help.
 
mrs-b said:
They *used* to be exclusive to Blue Nile - and they also *used* to give you an extra photo or two if you were prepared to wait. But I've noticed that the specs of their Astor ideals have degraded over time, and who knows what will happen with their customer service model now they've been bought out.

What shape are you after, @CalliopeCladdagh? Maybe we can help.
Click to expand...

What a shame - I was told they are "exclusive" to BN still. But maybe that was just a sales tactic.

I'm after an oval and I really like the hearts and arrows style sold by BN, Brian Gavin, and JannPaul. Out of those three I've found, BN seems to have the widest selection and best pricing. I'm looking for about 0.8 carat, G-I colour, on a tight budget unfortunately, around US$3500.

tyty333 said:
@Neil I'm assuming she wanted photos above and beyond what they are already providing. @CalliopeCladdagh correct me
if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...

Yes so they currently provide a 360 video which is great but they're all against slightly different coloured backgrounds which makes it hard to judge colour, so I asked for a photo against a white background. I also wanted to use the photo as a way to judge whether one of them was eye clean as that's hard to tell from the super close up 360.
 
@CalliopeCladdagh -

Please don't misunderstand - I'm not saying they're not exclusive to BN now - I'm just saying that I know they *used* to be. People can also be slick with words; "exclusive to BN" might also mean that the Astor Ideal brand is exclusive to BN, not that the diamonds are cut for BN exclusively. I'd ask about that.

I'd also push back and ask WHY you can't have a photo? Tell them (I always do) that you have a public forum of tens of thousands of people just WAITING for an answer to this question.
 
I asked why not and they've replied saying:

"Unfortunately, we do not have the subtle equipment to provide additional comparison images"
 
Last edited:
@CalliopeCladdagh -

So, I've had many, many good dealings with Blue Nile over the years (like - think dozens and dozens) - and I just gave them a call for you and spoke to a lovely woman called Beth, who assured me that - at this point in time - BN's Astor Ideals ARE cut exclusively for BN and are IN HOUSE.

She also said that she felt it may be very possible to get you some extra photo/s, given that your diamond of interest is in house.

HOWEVER -

Beth is going on vacation tomorrow for a little over a week, so if you'd like to talk to her, call *today*. If, however, you are unable to do that, she is going to talk with an associate to make sure you get all the help and service you need. (But between you and me, I'd be trying to reach Beth, as I know for certain she would like to help you.)

So - there's your window! Get on it, @CalliopeCladdagh!

ETA. And Calliope - CALL, don't email.
 
@CalliopeCladdagh -

I Just received this email from Beth at BN:


Hello ****

Thank you for calling today, and giving us an opportunity to assist.

Please let me know if you have any questions. I will be on vacation from 3/29 through 4/5, but I will make sure to have one of the other senior diamond experts assist in my absence.

I can normally be reached directly at 866.441.5383, and when prompted for an extension, enter 5055. I am in the office 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Pacific Time (12:30 PM - 8:30 PM Eastern) everyday except Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Best Regards,

Beth Cavalli, GIA AJP
Senior Diamond Expert
 
So awesome of you to confirm that @mrs-b ! That certainly clears up some confusion. You’d think with that being the case they would easily be able to provide the advanced images. It’s been a while, but I too have had several good experiences with BN. Now they they are owned by Signet, I hope that doesn’t change.
 
About 6 months ago Blue Nile was bought by Signet who also own James Allen and several large chains. Big company.
BN wer loosing money.
They announced the other day they are loosing over 100 people in procurement in Seattle.
I expect this is a consolidation and could mean the same photographic services available via JA.

Re the difference in background and video styles. This is because the diamonds are virtual and different video devices and companies are the reason.
BN do however provide excellent service.
 
James Allen wouldn't provide me with ASETS, and I relented. But not even a photo or video? That's a big ask to have customers buy sight unseen, regardless of a return policy.
 
mrs-b said:
@CalliopeCladdagh -

So, I've had many, many good dealings with Blue Nile over the years (like - think dozens and dozens) - and I just gave them a call for you and spoke to a lovely woman called Beth, who assured me that - at this point in time - BN's Astor Ideals ARE cut exclusively for BN and are IN HOUSE.

She also said that she felt it may be very possible to get you some extra photo/s, given that your diamond of interest is in house.

HOWEVER -

Beth is going on vacation tomorrow for a little over a week, so if you'd like to talk to her, call *today*. If, however, you are unable to do that, she is going to talk with an associate to make sure you get all the help and service you need. (But between you and me, I'd be trying to reach Beth, as I know for certain she would like to help you.)

So - there's your window! Get on it, @CalliopeCladdagh!

ETA. And Calliope - CALL, don't email.
Click to expand...

You're what this forum is all about... cheers to you for being awesome!
1899448obhhwxi0xs.gif
 
Autumn in New England said:
James Allen wouldn't provide me with ASETS, and I relented. But not even a photo or video? That's a big ask to have customers buy sight unseen, regardless of a return policy.
Click to expand...

Its not sight unseen, its pictures ABOVE what they already provide. She was wanting pictures to help tell if a stone was eye-clean
and I think multiple stones on the same color background so she could compare same colors. They already provide the single
pic and the video but this was in addition to those. I feel like you pay extra $$$ for their Astor brand so would hope they could
provide a little more help/detail with those stones. Its like paying for a branded stone but not getting all the reassurance you would
get from our Super Ideal vendors.

Edit...BTW @CalliopeCladdagh BN H&A ovals and BGD ovals are both my favorite oval cut stones.
 
CalliopeCladdagh said:
This is just a disappointed rant really.
I told Blue Nile I was choosing between 3 diamonds in their Astor range (exclusive to BN, not virtual inventory) and asked for some photos of the diamonds in order to better judge each stone's colour etc, and ASETs if possible. I also wanted to check whether one was eye clean.

They have refused to give me anything and just say the Astor line are their "best cut" stones. Yes, I understand that! That's why I'm interested in them.

Just makes it really hard as an overseas buyer.

Ps. Unfortunately Whiteflash doesn't do an ideal cut in the shape that I'm after and Brian Gavin has limited inventory and too high prices.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry your experience with BN has been disappointing.

Just wanted to mention that BGD is offering 10% off their loose diamonds and I believe today is the last day, in case it helps get something within your budget.
 
Hi @CalliopeCladdagh what about the Distinctive Gem Elyque?

Looks like there are several options for you like this one:

www.distinctivegem.com

ELYQUE-OVAL 0.91ct. I VS2 1331328

Diamond Details Measurements 6.99 x 5.02 x 4.02 Cut Grade ID Polish ID Symmetry ID Fluorescence NEG Ratio 1.39 Table 45.4 Depth 66.9 Lab Report
www.distinctivegem.com www.distinctivegem.com
 
@mrs-b so the saga continues...

Unfortunately I was unable to call Beth after you so kindly followed up with her due to unexpected health issues that arose. Then, a few days later I went back to BN's website and got a fright - all the ASTOR ovals above around 0.5 carat were showing as unavailable! After several live chat conversations over a period of about a week I was finally reassured that it was just a tech issue. Phew! I then asked again if I could get the photos, saying that Beth had okay'd it. And again was told NO.

"I'm seeing notes in your order that Beth asked if that would be something we could and we are not able to do so, no, I'm sorry!"

when I asked why not...

"It's not something we have available, we have the photos and videos of each diamond, but not the images that you're requesting so they would have to be done with these specific diamonds together for you. Beth reached out to see if that was something we would be able to do in this case and was told it would not be possible, I'm sorry!"

when I asked who had overridden her request:

"Per the notes she added to your order for us, she reached out to our management team to see if this was something we would be able to do specifically for you and was told that sadly it would not be a request that we would be able to accommodate"

I asked for contact details for someone in that management team I was given their generic service email so I will email and ask to be put in touch with a manager to see if they can help.

;(;(;(;(;(
 
Last edited:
tyty333 said:
They already provide the single pic and the video but this was in addition to those. I feel like you pay extra $$$ for their Astor brand so would hope they could provide a little more help/detail with those stones. Its like paying for a branded stone but not getting all the reassurance you would
get from our Super Ideal vendors.
Click to expand...
Yeah exactly, I would settle just for one pic of my top 3 options next to each other just to get a read on the colour.
 
lulu_ma said:
Hi @CalliopeCladdagh what about the Distinctive Gem Elyque?

Looks like there are several options for you like this one:

www.distinctivegem.com

ELYQUE-OVAL 0.91ct. I VS2 1331328

Diamond Details Measurements 6.99 x 5.02 x 4.02 Cut Grade ID Polish ID Symmetry ID Fluorescence NEG Ratio 1.39 Table 45.4 Depth 66.9 Lab Report
www.distinctivegem.com www.distinctivegem.com
Click to expand...

Thank you, these are definitely an option I've considered, I'm just not sure I like the faceting pattern.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top