Unusual Whiteflash practice?

[bolelo]

Greetings Englighted Diamond Sages of the Realm!

My fiance and I are questing for an e-ring and humbly seek your vast knowledge and wisdom.

Is it standard for Whiteflash to request credit card information before sending requested 10x, ASET scope and IdealScope images of a prospective stone, if the stone is not in-house? We have also been told that if we do not subsequently purchase the stone, we will be responsible for the shipping charges from WhiteFlash back to the diamond dealer (approximately $48, per Bob). That has not been my impression of other PS'ers experience with Whiteflash.

From the GIA report (which is all we have so far), we are happy with the measurements, color, clarity, depth, table, polish, symmetry, and fluorescence (all thanks to what we've learned from here). However, the proportions we want are rather unusual (and hard to come by) so we want visual confirmation (the 10x, ASET scope and IdealScope images) before we can commit. In this case however, it seems that privilege of confirmation will cost us $48 if the proportions are not to our liking. Is this what people normally go through when purchasing online?

We are looking for a very chubby (aka bowed) trillion for our center stone---oh, was that a scoff? We know that's not a highly regarded shape 'round these parts, but please, we beseech you. Is this the price of sourcing an unusual shape?

 

[Resonance.Of.Life]

It is not unusual as they are paying to get a stone in that they do not have in their inventory.. especially for a shape that is uncommonly requested for.

 

[jcl725]

Not unusual, although I've only dealt with them once and it was recently (really good experience by the way). It made sense to me because they wanted to ensure that I was serious about the diamond in question. They made it clear that if the diamond wasn't up to expectations discussed, they would not charge me the shipping cost. In made case, the diamond was not "eye-clean" as promised, so I was not charged. Hope that helps.

 

[Gypsy]

I have no idea what WF's policies are but... I've always wondered if vendors (not WF, just any vendor) can just ask the vendor is possession of the diamond for a pic. I mean... sure I get it that they can't ask some random vendor for ASET, 40x Mag and what not. But can't they just ask the vendor to snap them a digital and shoot it over for a glance? Just so you can do a quick "no" or... "I'd like to take a closer look" before paying money for shipping?

Meh, what do I know.

 

[yssie]

that's exactly how WF handled sourcing my virtual stone.

the shipping price if you choose not to purchase is on a sliding scale based on the stone's value.

Gypsy - they did get me a pic from the manufacturer when they got the GIA cert (before having the stone shipped in for IS & inspection). I guess it just depends on who has the stone..

 

[Dreamer_D]

That is standard practice for virtual listings with many PS companies. James Allen and some others do not charge those fees, but they are located in the diamond district and thus do not need to ship the stones in on their dime I suppose.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Gypsy - they did get me a pic from the manufacturer when they got the GIA cert (before having the stone shipped in for IS & inspection). I guess it just depends on who has the stone..

Vendors seem to get information like eye cleanliness first with no trouble, but shooting IS images and taking good photos of diamonds is tricky, so I think that it is probably not possible to get that type of information from a wholesaler. Seems to me in many cases that the vendors know their stuff and don't often call in stones that would not pass their own criteria anyways... unless looking for something unusal like a 2.7ct eye clean SI2 or a bowtied trillion.

OP -- if you want something unusual then you may have to pay a little to find it. Ask WF what THEIR standards will be for "okaying" the stone. Typically, if they call it in and the stone does NOT pass their criteria then you are not on the hook for the fee, it is only if it does pass their criteria and then you turn it down that you pay to ship it back. In this case, they may not have a set of pre-existing criteria for cut quality so it is possible you will have to pay for all the ones they call in, but better to clear that up before hand.

 

[bolelo]

Thank you all so much! This is all very helpful to know.

 

[yssie]

it's not eyeclean by anyone's standards, the bogey is living the good life under a prong

bolelo - asking WF is a very good idea. And when you do find your stone, make sure to get any upgrade/trade policies in writing on your order confirmation, as they'll likely differ from those offered for the ES/ACA lines..