11 replies to this topic

[VSGenesis]

Hello guys,

Firstly, names Mazlan. VS for online. From Singapore (That's in Asia for those who doesn't know and yes once a colony of British and oh ya we call soccer, football! =P ). Secondly, that's the first time I had to answer a challenge question to register myself!!! LOL. Interesting.

Anyway, I've been saving to get a ring for my future wife. Intend to propose early of next year on that Sky Garden here. Hopefully, I don't get nervous surrounded by them locals and tourists.

Well, the local jeweller here have some stunning rings but well the designs looks the same. New season; same look. A friend of mine introduce a seller. Buy the diamond and then get a jeweller to have it cut etc. No certification. Err...well, don't think I will do that. So I went online and I got blown away by a piece. A heart shaped diamond (0.71c - I'm not rich) with 2 pink gems on its sides. It looks gorgeous and seems worthy enough to be on my baby's finger.

Okay enough of that, any reputable guys in here or buyers who can verify authenticity of Blue Nile? I'm kinda worried to purchase expensive (well to me that is) online. Don't think I should post the ring here so all I can say is that it's gorgeous. About USD3k

In addition, if there's any dealers in here who can direct me to their website would be a plus. Gotta save more to get a better diamond for my baby, I guess. Not sure how much you guys spend on yours but I hope she likes it.

Any reply is appreciated.

Cheers

VSGenesis

[davidelevi]

Hi Mazlan,

Welcome to DR. The reason you get a challenge question to registed is that for some reason there is a huge number of spambots that slaver at the doors... and the question keeps at least some of them at bay.

Congratulations on your impending engagement, too!

Not sure what you mean by "verify authenticity" - Blue Nile is a large, reputable company, and although they would not be my first choice for a heart (or indeed any non-round cut), they are a serious dealer with high quality standards, and you should not be suspicious.

Now, when you say "2 pink gems", what do you mean? Pink sapphires? Pink tourmalines? Pink diamonds would be suspiciously cheap at that price... Don't worry about posting a link or an [ IMG ] link to the piece; this is not a vendor-sponsored forum, and asking questions about specific pieces/diamonds is encouraged!

For example, I would say that a well cut G-H/VS 0.70 heart for $3000 including side stones and a setting is cheap (which in turn makes me think it's not G-H, or VS, or well cut), but without knowing more about the specific diamond/ring you are looking at, it is difficult to be more definite.

[VSGenesis]

 davidelevi, on 13 September 2011 - 06:16 AM, said:

Hi Mazlan,

Welcome to DR. The reason you get a challenge question to registed is that for some reason there is a huge number of spambots that slaver at the doors... and the question keeps at least some of them at bay.

Congratulations on your impending engagement, too!

Not sure what you mean by "verify authenticity" - Blue Nile is a large, reputable company, and although they would not be my first choice for a heart (or indeed any non-round cut), they are a serious dealer with high quality standards, and you should not be suspicious.

Now, when you say "2 pink gems", what do you mean? Pink sapphires? Pink tourmalines? Pink diamonds would be suspiciously cheap at that price... Don't worry about posting a link or an [ IMG ] link to the piece; this is not a vendor-sponsored forum, and asking questions about specific pieces/diamonds is encouraged!

For example, I would say that a well cut G-H/VS 0.70 heart for $3000 including side stones and a setting is cheap (which in turn makes me think it's not G-H, or VS, or well cut), but without knowing more about the specific diamond/ring you are looking at, it is difficult to be more definite.

Hi David,

Appreciate the reply. I just wanted to know if I do get it from them, I won't be well, cheated.

I like their web as they give you options on the main diamond and then the ring. A step by step kinda thing and gives you recommendations. That's why i use their web. Would be good if I could find more online. Any recommendations?

The two gem is Classic Pear Shaped Pink Sapphire. 14k white gold. The ring cost about USD800 plus I think and the diamond about USD2.3k or so. I have low budget about USD3.5k maybe? Anyway, I uploaded it. Kinda in a fix. With plans on future wedding and new home.

So give me your thoughts on the ring? Appreciate it. And sorry to mods if its wrong for me to post my attachment. I don't mean to advertise neither am I their employee. Heehee.

Attached Thumbnails

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[davidelevi]

Well - here is my opinion. Which is just that - an opinion.

1. The side stones - if the photo/rendering is to scale - are way too large for the centre. What _I_ want to see is the centre complemented by the sides, not competing with them.

2. With Blue Nile, they never see the stone. This is less of a problem with rounds, but with fancy shapes, and hearts in particular, I believe you need to see - via photo or video, if physically is not an option - because the report gives you next to no information (and BN's cut grade is frankly a farce, since it is based on the info on the report, i.e. nothing!)

[VSGenesis]

 davidelevi, on 13 September 2011 - 08:05 AM, said:

Well - here is my opinion. Which is just that - an opinion.

1. The side stones - if the photo/rendering is to scale - are way too large for the centre. What _I_ want to see is the centre complemented by the sides, not competing with them.

2. With Blue Nile, they never see the stone. This is less of a problem with rounds, but with fancy shapes, and hearts in particular, I believe you need to see - via photo or video, if physically is not an option - because the report gives you next to no information (and BN's cut grade is frankly a farce, since it is based on the info on the report, i.e. nothing!)

Ouch! I like the comments. Oh I don't get your point 2 "they never see the stone" meaning?

Diamond (Heart Shaped)
Carat: 0.83
Cut: Very Good
Colour: F
Clarity: VS2
Depth: 57.7%
Table: 63%
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Good
Girdle: Thin to thick
Culet: Nil
Fluorescent: None
Measurement: 5.80 x 6.50 x 3.75 mm
Length/Width: 0.89


Ring
Metal: 18k White Gold
Width: 2.5mm
Prong Metal: Platinum
Rhodium Plated: Yes

Side Stone Info
Number of Pear Sapphires: 2
Minimum Colour: Medium to medium light pink
Minimum Clarity: Eye Clean
Dimensions: 5 x 3mm

I brought my budget up a bit to USD3.5K Well, I'm starting to have a headache now. It was so much easier buying my own USD2.5K road bicycle. =P

Help?

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by VSGenesis, 13 September 2011 - 08:51 AM.

[denverappraiser]

I'm not Davide but I'll try to address the issue.

Somebody graded that stone and it wasn't Blue Nile. Somebody else made the ring. Again, it wasn't Blue Nile. Somebody else made that picture and advertisement, someone else is shippint it, etc. BN is selling it. Nothing else. There is no overlap in these groups. If there's a problem with the grading, or the craftsmanship, or the design looking like the picture, or the matching of the sapphires, or anything else in the process, no one in the chain knows about it until YOU look at it. They do have competitive prices but there's a value to many people in having a jeweler who orchestrates the process as your ally and who inspects the piece at the end acting as your representative in the process. How much this is worth depends on both you and the jeweler and it's not free, even though it's rarely separately billed. Some jewelers are very helpful and earn their money, some are worth less than zero and actually make the process MORE difficult. This is part of the process of picking a jeweler. BN does none of it. There's something to be said for that but it's not for everyone.

[VSGenesis]

 denverappraiser, on 13 September 2011 - 10:07 AM, said:

I'm not Davide but I'll try to address the issue.

Somebody graded that stone and it wasn't Blue Nile. Somebody else made the ring. Again, it wasn't Blue Nile. Somebody else made that picture and advertisement, someone else is shippint it, etc. BN is selling it. Nothing else. There is no overlap in these groups. If there's a problem with the grading, or the craftsmanship, or the design looking like the picture, or the matching of the sapphires, or anything else in the process, no one in the chain knows about it until YOU look at it. They do have competitive prices but there's a value to many people in having a jeweler who orchestrates the process as your ally and who inspects the piece at the end acting as your representative in the process. How much this is worth depends on both you and the jeweler and it's not free, even though it's rarely separately billed. Some jewelers are very helpful and earn their money, some are worth less than zero and actually make the process MORE difficult. This is part of the process of picking a jeweler. BN does none of it. There's something to be said for that but it's not for everyone.

My word. Definitely appreciate your reply. You open this noob eyes now and thank you. I would have to pay for that kinda advice you just gave. Hee. Sigh. I've gone down to my local jewelers, reputable ones of course but the designs (setting is that you guys call it?) looks well, dull. Doesn't speak the kind of person my other half is.

I guess, I should check them all out again and see the choices available. Maybe the online purchase will have to take a back seat for now. If I do get it then I would have to get my local appraiser to take a look at it. Gah!

Once again thank you to the both of you. =)

Cheers

[davidelevi]

Just to expand/explain one particular aspect of how Blue Nile (and some other large online retailers) operate:

1. Cutters or wholesalers offer details of the stones they have for sale to Blue Nile
2. BN advertises those stones on its site
3. You decide to buy, and pay BN
4. BN tells the cutter/wholesaler your details, and the cutter/wholesaler ships directly to you
5. BN pays the wholesaler.

This gets you the advantage of having access to many many stones at competitive prices (because BN's costs are not high, and they negotiate prices well). It also gets you the disadvantage of having no first-hand information on the stone.

[denverappraiser]

 davidelevi, on 13 September 2011 - 10:27 AM, said:

Just to expand/explain one particular aspect of how Blue Nile (and some other large online retailers) operate:

1. Cutters or wholesalers offer details of the stones they have for sale to Blue Nile
2. BN advertises those stones on its site
3. You decide to buy, and pay BN
4. BN tells the cutter/wholesaler your details, and the cutter/wholesaler ships directly to you
5. BN pays the wholesaler.

This gets you the advantage of having access to many many stones at competitive prices (because BN's costs are not high, and they negotiate prices well). It also gets you the disadvantage of having no first-hand information on the stone.

There's another step between 4 and 5 in the case of jewelry.

4. The diamond supplier ships directly to the setter (as opposed to the customer).

4.5 The ring manufacturer ships to that same setter who then assembles the final ring. THEY then ship it to you. BN never sees the ring or any of the pieces, the diamond seller never sees the whole thing, even the ring manufacture never sees the whole thing. The setter, who is completely annonymous and who doesn't even know who you ARE much less what you want, is the only person upstream who has ever set eyes on the merchandise before you get it.

[tqttong]

I am really confused now...
I was thinking buying loose diamond and find a respectable setter was an option, but if BN or any other online shop are not so "ideal".... what is the best way to buy?
Relying of respectable juwellers like Cartier or HW or Graff?

[davidelevi]

There's a few significant differences between online advertisers/dealers. I'll take Blue Nile and the company I work for (Diamonds by Lauren) as an example:

• BN does not own a single diamond - they pay the wholesalers/cutters once they get the diamond from you. We own 90%+ of what we sell.
  
• BN never sees or handles a diamond or a piece of jewellery - you cannot see a single photo of the diamond you will buy, even if you ask. Everything that we sell has been inspected, liked and photographed multiple times before it goes on sale.
  
• BN has hundreds of thousands of stones and a couple of thousands of ring setting styles available. We stock a couple of thousand stones and have about 50 most common ring setting styles advertised.
  
• BN cannot and will not customise a piece of jewellery beyond sizing. We will build a piece completely on your spec or even come up with a unique design for a stone you bought.

There's two important things to note about the above:

• All these differences are largely independent of what we sell. It so happens that BN sells mostly round mostly colourless diamonds, while D-J rounds are a small minority of what we sell, but there are dealers with a business model much closer to DBL that sell mostly colourless rounds. Both BN and DBL sell mostly GIA-graded stones and both are "safe" businesses for a consumer to deal with.
  
• Neither model is "better" in all situations. BN can be cheaper than us in many cases, but they cannot do a lot of the things we do every day. If I were buying a relatively "standard" item (e.g. a G/VS2 round of good but not exceptional cut), I may well find that shopping at Blue Nile is the best option; if I am looking for a pair of fancy yellow emerald cuts, I would not even consider Blue Nile.

All this to say that buying something online is an absolutely acceptable option. It depends on what the something is and where you buy it. This applies to high street stores too; bear in mind that most "online" diamond dealers are actually high street stores that advertise and commercialise their products also through the internet. "Pure play" internet dealers are actually relatively few (though BN and DBL both are!).

On high-end jewellery stores: yes, undoubtedly you get high quality goods. You also pay for it through the nose, and can certainly find the same quality at a significantly lower price elsewhere.

[jjulian]

VSGenesis, on 13 September 2011 - 02:27 AM, said:

In addition, if there's any dealers in here who can direct me to their website would be a plus. Gotta save more to get a better diamond for my baby, I guess. Not sure how much you guys spend on yours but I hope she likes it.

If I'm understanding you correctly your budget is $3,000? There a few rings around your price range featured on Hearts on Fire's engagement rings page: [url="http://www.heartsonfire.com/shop-jewelry/rings/engagement-rings.aspx"][/url]

They are more expensive then many other dealers, but this quote from the website explains their attention to detail and quality:
"Hearts on Fire jewelry captures that feeling and presents it to you in a diamond like no other, for the person like no other. A diamond cut and polished at 100X magnification—10 times the industry standard.
But The World's Most Perfectly Cut Diamond® is not for everyone. Hearts On Fire is for those who expect more, and give more in return."
So it might be worth taking a look, remember the size of a diamond isn't the only thing to consider when purchasing one.

Edited by jjulian, 16 May 2012 - 01:33 PM.