Whiteflash ACA pricing and value

[MissGotRocks]

@diamondseeker2006 thanks for this input its very clear for me

@Tonks thanks for sharing the story! Was a great read and helped in my decision too! I now have a clearer view of the process and also what to ask for

Thanks all for the great inputs and I really appreciate it

Please come back with a follow up and pictures if you go forward with the diamond!

 

[denverappraiser]

Most appraisals are not estimating resale value. They’re estimating replacement value new. With branded items, like WF-ACA, that’s pretty easy. It’s what WF is currently charging for items of like kind and quality, meaning genuine ACAs.

Resale value is tricky. Most professional buyers, like jewelers and pawn shops, don't really care what the appraisal says beyond the details of the description. Does it match the lab docs, is it damaged, that sort of thing. They will bid whatever they want; you can accept or refuse as you want. Free market and all that. One additional wrinkle is that WF has a fairly generous trade in program. That’s not exactly a sale, but it’s related.

In the consumer secondary market, line loupetroop or even eBay, ACA does command a premium, but you won’t be able to get as much as WF, obviously. If that’s the sort of appraisal you want, make sure to ask. It’s an unusual request but a properly trained appraiser should be able to help. Be attentive to conflicts of interest on these. A bid is not the same as an appraisal.

 

[autumngems]

What a helpful post @Tonks and your ring is stunning!!
I wanted to point out that WF’s upgrade policy, which Tonks stated has changed slightly recently, is significant if I am reading correctly. I do not want to misinform, but since we bought an ACA in 2018 (I screenshot the upgrade page at that time), their lifetime upgrade policy does seem to have changed significantly imo.
Willing to share more, but do not want to derail OPs thread.
Can’t wait to see what you end up with this time @gordon86 because clearly you have exquisite taste.

50% is significant, especially if you purchase a large diamond to begin with.

 

[DejaWiz]

50% is significant, especially if you purchase a large diamond to begin with.

It is, albeit better than the usual 100-200% requirement set by most sellers.

 

[autumngems]

It is, albeit better than the usual 100-200% requirement set by most sellers.

Thank god BG hasn't changed upgrade policy yet.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Thank god BG hasn't changed upgrade policy yet.

I think with BG you have to upgrade in at least two categories. If you were to go up in size and color, that too could add up quick!

 

[autumngems]

I think with BG you have to upgrade in at least two categories. If you were to go up in size and color, that too could add up quick!

Yes, but more manageable than 50% increase.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Yes, but more manageable than 50% increase.

Yes, if you had purchased a relatively small diamond and only wanted to move up a bit but size, color and clarity increments can be expensive. Upgrading can be expensive too if you have to purchase a new setting each time. BGD’s diamonds have generally been higher priced than WF too so that factors in as well.
There have been rather dramatic changes in the diamond industry and it is a shame that these changes needed to be made. However, I would rather see a policy change than to have the whole company shut down. Super ideal vendors are not plentiful and inventory is not either in all size ranges. I think it might make us all rethink goal sizes before purchasing. I hope you find your dream diamond regardless of where you purchase it! Good luck!

 

[NY_Resonant]

Yes, if you had purchased a relatively small diamond and only wanted to move up a bit but size, color and clarity increments can be expensive. Upgrading can be expensive too if you have to purchase a new setting each time. BGD’s diamonds have generally been higher priced than WF too so that factors in as well.
There have been rather dramatic changes in the diamond industry and it is a shame that these changes needed to be made. However, I would rather see a policy change than to have the whole company shut down. Super ideal vendors are not plentiful and inventory is not either in all size ranges. I think it might make us all rethink goal sizes before purchasing. I hope you find your dream diamond regardless of where you purchase it! Good luck!

The biggest detriment of the new policy IMO and where BGD's upgrade policy handily beats Whiteflash now is for someone who decides they want a better color, dislikes some inclusion in their stone, or just wants a different stone (more firey, etc). Size is a simple "upgrade" out of the 2 required since you can always get a stone that is 0.01ct larger.

Upgrading clarity OR color by 1-2 notches would cost a heck of a lot less than the 50% upgrade in most situations.

Whiteflash still has a great upgrade policy but in my personal opinion they went from having the "best upgrade" in the industry to not being the best. Whether they lose some customers to BGD due to this, only time will tell.

 

[MissGotRocks]

The biggest detriment of the new policy IMO and where BGD's upgrade policy handily beats Whiteflash now is for someone who decides they want a better color, dislikes some inclusion in their stone, or just wants a different stone (more firey, etc). Size is a simple "upgrade" out of the 2 required since you can always get a stone that is 0.01ct larger.

Upgrading clarity OR color by 1-2 notches would cost a heck of a lot less than the 50% upgrade in most situations.

Whiteflash still has a great upgrade policy but in my personal opinion they went from having the "best upgrade" in the industry to not being the best. Whether they lose some customers to BGD due to this, only time will tell.

Yes, this is a substantial policy change which may indeed affect their business. I assume they factored this into the decision and as you said, time will tell. BGD never seemed to have the inventory that WF did and their prices were higher. I assume all of these businesses have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, Ukrainian war and lack of availability. I hope things bounce back for all of them sooner rather than later.

 

[NY_Resonant]

Yes, this is a substantial policy change which may indeed affect their business. I assume they factored this into the decision and as you said, time will tell. BGD never seemed to have the inventory that WF did and their prices were higher. I assume all of these businesses have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, Ukrainian war and lack of availability. I hope things bounce back for all of them sooner rather than later.

With lab diamond prices continuing to drop and a corresponding earth diamond price drop that has already occurred (and I personally expect to continue) — i’m not surprised they needed this change.

Can you imagine someone buying a 1ct diamond 1-2 years ago, going to whiteflash now and buying a superior larger diamond for $1 more by using their old trade policy? It must be tough watching the value of their company inventory going down — especially given whiteflash’s large inventory as you flagged.

 

[MissGotRocks]

With lab diamond prices continuing to drop and a corresponding earth diamond price drop that has already occurred (and I personally expect to continue) — i’m not surprised they needed this change.

Can you imagine someone buying a 1ct diamond 1-2 years ago, going to whiteflash now and buying a superior larger diamond for $1 more by using their old trade policy? It must be tough watching the value of their company inventory going down — especially given whiteflash’s large inventory as you flagged.

Yes, it was discussed on here for years how the trade up policy could work for/against customers or the company. All dependent on when you bought and where diamond prices were at the time of trade. I can only assume that given the current values and trends of natural/lab diamonds, they had no choice but to end the policy. None of it makes me happy for us or for them but as I have said before - if it keeps their doors open, I will support it. I doubt it was a decision that they made lightly.

 

[cflutist]

@Wink

What is the current upgrade policy for Legacy diamonds?
Are CBIs eligible?

 

[gordon86]

Hi All, as previously spoken, thanks to all your input I have decided to trade in my wife's current ACA for a larger ACA and will start the process in Jan 2024. I have some questions and maybe off topic from this discussion but would be great if I can get some help

1) I am based in Asia and called DHL and FedEx and it seems like it is tricky to send a precious gem via shipping from where I am. They are unwilling to do it. As such, my friend will bring the ring back to LA and ship it out from LA to Texas Whiteflash. I dont have experience in this. What are good shipping providers for this and are there any issues with interstate tax? Any other costs or issues outside of shipping I should be aware of e.g., insurance etc?
2) It seems that diamond prices are falling and I am wondering if the price in Jan 2024 will be lower than what was quoted to me in Aug. Is there a good diamond index I can follow that reflect current market sentiment for natural round diamond

Thank you all

 

[tyty333]

1) Contact WF and have them send you/your friend a mailing label (WF charges you for it) to use from the U.S. It will
be for a specific company and will be insured through WF.

2) I cant answer that. Sorry!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Yes, I would definitely call Whiteflash for a mailing label. It is a very safe way to return her current diamond. What are the color/clarity of her current 2.60? Are you going up in color or staying the same?