Diamond question

FutureMr&MrsG

Does anyone know what the difference is between a diamond from a "discount" site such as Blue Nile and a diamond with the same specifications (clarity, cut, etc.)from a typical jewelry store?

Thank you!

motoLyn

Nothing as long as they "graded" by the same standards.  EGL, AGS, GIA.  My diamond is from a small shop owner in the Los Angeles Jewelry district and I got more for my budget there than at a typical jewelry store.  Blue Nile I suspect can sell at a lower price cause they don't have the costs of a store front. 

buddysmom80

FutureMr&MrsG said:

Does anyone know what the difference is between a diamond from a "discount" site such as Blue Nile and a diamond with the same specifications (clarity, cut, etc.)from a typical jewelry store?

Thank you!

You're cutting out the middle-man.

Like @motolyn said, if they meet the same qualifications, as AGL, GIA, etc you're fine.

Even then, you can always have an appraisal which is highly advisable anyway.

Also for online discount dealers, I would rec James Allen and Good Old Gold.

Pricescope is an awesome forum for diamond people that you can obtain a ton of knowledge.

[Deleted User]

Second PPs suggestion of James Allen. BF is got my ring from there and they are being really accommodating. He changed the diamond last minute, they were upfront that the ring failed quality control and was delayed, when it arrived and clearly hadn't been fixed, they sent a label for him to return it & are letting him resize it at the same time. Long rant... but they have gorgeous pieces, beautiful diamonds with 360 degree viewing... I just cannot say enough! In contrast, Blue Nile to me seems rather bland for the prices and impersonal.

cu97tiger

Question for you ladies... do these online retailers 'mark' their diamonds?

Basically I want to get a new diamond put into a setting that I have, and the local jewelry store will only mount an 'heirloom' diamond (i.e. one that has been in my family, not one that is recently purchased). I think it's because they want me to buy the diamond from them. If I but one online and say it's a family diamond, will they be able to tell?

loves2shop4shoes

cu97tiger said:

Question for you ladies... do these online retailers 'mark' their diamonds?

Basically I want to get a new diamond put into a setting that I have, and the local jewelry store will only mount an 'heirloom' diamond (i.e. one that has been in my family, not one that is recently purchased). I think it's because they want me to buy the diamond from them. If I but one online and say it's a family diamond, will they be able to tell?

I don't see how they would be able to tell.  And if they give you too much shit about it, I'd find another jeweler.

CrazyCatLady3

cu97tiger said:

Question for you ladies... do these online retailers 'mark' their diamonds?

Basically I want to get a new diamond put into a setting that I have, and the local jewelry store will only mount an 'heirloom' diamond (i.e. one that has been in my family, not one that is recently purchased). I think it's because they want me to buy the diamond from them. If I but one online and say it's a family diamond, will they be able to tell?

They don't do it as a policy, though some diamonds have already been laser inscribed with a GIA number.  The jeweler could then look up the GIA number and see the date on the certificate, and figure out the diamond wasn't an heirloom.  However, the merchant would tell you upfront if there was an inscription on the diamond.

On the original question, I second the recommendation for online sites.  My FI got my engagement ring diamond from Whiteflash, and saved a significant amount over what the B&M jeweler was quoting for a diamond of the same specs.  The online sites don't have the same overhead so they can pass the savings on to you.

buddysmom80

Question for you ladies... do these online retailers 'mark' their diamonds?

Basically I want to get a new diamond put into a setting that I have, and the local jewelry store will only mount an 'heirloom' diamond (i.e. one that has been in my family, not one that is recently purchased). I think it's because they want me to buy the diamond from them. If I but one online and say it's a family diamond, will they be able to tell?

 

Stuck in the damn box!!! Well, how old of a diamond are they accepting? I mean, my mom's diamond is 39 years old, far from the heirloom piece of jewelry that was my grandmothers, kwim? Blue Nile does inscribe theirs, I don't know about James Allen, I would puruse Pricescope and see.

 

No offense to your jeweler but technically you could buy a diamond off of Blue Nile today, and tell them "my mom bought it for me and gave it to me, so it's an heirloom." It's kind of a silly rule, I see what they're trying to do but still, what qualfies as "heirloom"?

 

 

cu97tiger

buddysmom80 said:

Question for you ladies... do these online retailers 'mark' their diamonds?

Basically I want to get a new diamond put into a setting that I have, and the local jewelry store will only mount an 'heirloom' diamond (i.e. one that has been in my family, not one that is recently purchased). I think it's because they want me to buy the diamond from them. If I but one online and say it's a family diamond, will they be able to tell?

 

Stuck in the damn box!!! Well, how old of a diamond are they accepting? I mean, my mom's diamond is 39 years old, far from the heirloom piece of jewelry that was my grandmothers, kwim? Blue Nile does inscribe theirs, I don't know about James Allen, I would puruse Pricescope and see.

 

No offense to your jeweler but technically you could buy a diamond off of Blue Nile today, and tell them "my mom bought it for me and gave it to me, so it's an heirloom." It's kind of a silly rule, I see what they're trying to do but still, what qualfies as "heirloom"?

 

 

If you're on the computer, you can go to the button that when you hover over it, says 'Show Source', then type abc or something after the very last >. Then click 'Show Rich Text' (the same button) and you'll be out of the box!

"Heirloom" was my word, not theirs. I think she used the term 'family diamond' so yes, I could definitely say it's from my family and that I have no idea how old it is. From what I can tell, the markup is $500-700 on a 0.75 carat diamond, so it's definitely worth buying online!

buddysmom80

cu97tiger said:

buddysmom80 said:

Question for you ladies... do these online retailers 'mark' their diamonds?

Basically I want to get a new diamond put into a setting that I have, and the local jewelry store will only mount an 'heirloom' diamond (i.e. one that has been in my family, not one that is recently purchased). I think it's because they want me to buy the diamond from them. If I but one online and say it's a family diamond, will they be able to tell?

 

Stuck in the damn box!!! Well, how old of a diamond are they accepting? I mean, my mom's diamond is 39 years old, far from the heirloom piece of jewelry that was my grandmothers, kwim? Blue Nile does inscribe theirs, I don't know about James Allen, I would puruse Pricescope and see.

 

No offense to your jeweler but technically you could buy a diamond off of Blue Nile today, and tell them "my mom bought it for me and gave it to me, so it's an heirloom." It's kind of a silly rule, I see what they're trying to do but still, what qualfies as "heirloom"?

 

 

If you're on the computer, you can go to the button that when you hover over it, says 'Show Source', then type abc or something after the very last >. Then click 'Show Rich Text' (the same button) and you'll be out of the box!

"Heirloom" was my word, not theirs. I think she used the term 'family diamond' so yes, I could definitely say it's from my family and that I have no idea how old it is. From what I can tell, the markup is $500-700 on a 0.75 carat diamond, so it's definitely worth buying online!

Oh thanks for the tip now I'm out of the box!!!! Woot.

Go to the jeweler with the new diamond and see if they'll do it, tell them your mom bought you the diamond to use as an heirloom. If they refuse it, go to another jeweler, negotiate or return the diamond.

Most smaller jewelers don't want to lose business so if you give them some cock and bull excuse and tell them you're taking your business elsewhere they'll let you stick around (hopefully)!

 

suzie211

@cu97tiger You just need to come to the diamond district here!  We can haz wine and playtime, and get you a new sparkly all at the same time.

Our jeweler will accept diamonds not purchased from them, as a trade-in.  The money can be used towards an upgrade.  One of H's close friends was previously engaged and used the original diamond (purchased at another jeweler) to trade, when he bought his now wife's ring.   So there are jewelers that will do it.

buddysmom80

O/T but @suzie211 I love your new sig pic!

suzie211

@buddysmom80 Thank you!  Its super big, but nothing I was doing would delete my old siggy.  I paged KP and she updated it for me.  I'm just going to leave it large for now. It's too much work to switch it again today.

cu97tiger

Thanks ladies. I know I have the option to go to another jeweler... this one is walking distance from my house, though, so it was the first place I went when I was looking. It will probably be another 9-12 months before I actually buy one, so this is a little premature

Suzie - YES. I am trying to find a show I can work that will get my company to foot the bill for me coming out. I'll let you and shoes know ASAP.

suzie211

Or we can all go here for a G2G- Clicky

Free diamonds for everyone!

buddysmom80

suzie211 said:

Or we can all go here for a G2G- Clicky

Free diamonds for everyone!

I'm down for this!

cu97tiger

suzie211 said:

Or we can all go here for a G2G- Clicky

Free diamonds for everyone!

YESSSSS

NEYAKG2G2014!

loves2shop4shoes

cu97tiger said:

suzie211 said:

Or we can all go here for a G2G- Clicky

Free diamonds for everyone!

YESSSSS

NEYAKG2G2014!

OMG YES.  FREE DIAMONDS!  THIS *NEEDS* TO BE OUR NEXT G2G!

ALSO, @SUZIE211 FOR MOTHERFUCKING PRESIDENT!