Buying Diamonds Online – Transparency and Honesty

Q:

Hello Liz,

Buying diamonds online has got my head is really spinning with all the different numbers and various aspects to consider. I am so glad I found your site! I’m looking into buying diamonds online rather than at a jewelry store and want to spend about $15,000-$20,000 on a round brilliant diamond. I would prefer that it’s from Blue Nile, but I’m open to others.

I’m really looking for something that sparkles (the best cut I can find) and is at least 1.75 carats (would prefer above 2). I’m really struggling with color and clarity. If I went as low as a ‘J’ color, I could really get a bigger diamond. Is that worth it? Or should I stick with a smaller diamond with a better color? Beyond that, I obviously want an eye-clean diamond.

The setting she likes is a thin pave, like this: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_17875

Help! Thank you so much!

James

A:

Hello James,

Thanks for letting me know your diamond specification requirements. I agree that buying diamonds online can seem daunting for the first time diamond buyer. However, you are headed in the right direction of purchasing a diamond online for numerous reasons, with lower margins and less stress being the top two reasons people choose to go online rather than get hustled in store.

Regarding diamond color, a ‘J’colored diamond is still white, but does show some very faint warmth when looking at the diamond from the pavilion angle (side view from the bottom). However, most don’t ever see this as they don’t have any other diamond to directly compare color to. As it is, many women prefer to maximize size and don’t mind getting a ‘J’ near colorless diamond in order to do this. It really depends on your color sensitivity. Most people cannot tell the difference, unless the diamond is held next to another colorless diamond (D, E, or F).

Have you checked out Whiteflash? They are an online retailer that have been selling diamonds online since 2000. You can read my Whiteflash review to get more specific information on their diamonds and designer engagement rings.

I like their diamonds because they are very strict with what they accept as part of their ACA and ‘Expert Selection’ diamond brands. All of these diamonds are ideal cut grade and will maximize the amount of light reflected from within its facets. These truly are the top 1% of all diamonds in the world.

Here is a gorgeous diamond that I think would work well for you: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2930364.htm

It is a 1.738ct, I VS2 for $16,258.00. I think this diamond offers you the most bang for your buck, while not compromising on cut quality in anyway. It is a near-colorless stone that is perfectly eye-clean. What do you think?

As far as settings go, you could always order the Blue Nile setting and have WF set the ACA diamond for you for a $100 fee. Alternatively, Whiteflash does have some nice settings similar to what you have chosen at Blue Nile. Here is one: https://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/petite-diamond-engagement-ring-773.htm

Or if you wanted something similar with a bit more personality, here is a gorgeous designer setting from Veraggio: https://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/verragio-4-prong-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-1805.htm

Let me know what you think.

Kind Regards,

Liz

Q:

Hello Liz,

Thanks for getting back to me. At this point, I’m stuck.

My local jeweler brought in a 2.02 carat F SI1 (eye-clean..I’ve seen it in person) that he says is hearts and arrows. Now, the lab used was EGL. That worries me. It does look nice in person but I’ve never seen a super ideal cut before. He only wants about $15,500 for it.

Obviously, I can’t come close to that online. I’m thinking it’s so cheap because of the EGL grading? Or? It just seems too good to be true. I am really after a super ideal cut with lots of sparkle. Color matters somewhat. Clarity doesn’t matter as long as it is eye-clean.

Thoughts? It’s between my jewelers stone, the one you recommended and a different diamond I found:

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2930364.htm

OR

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2936493.htm

I’m assuming these stones will all have a better cut than the EGL? Help!!!

Thank you so much!

James

A:

Hey James,

I’m happy to help. Ok, first of all EGL has been known to be somewhat inconsistent in their grading. If you dig deep, it is widely known within the industry that certain lab centers (US vs. European, etc) are more precise in their diamond grading than others. On a whole though, EGL is known to be as much as 2 color and 2 clarity grades out from what GIA would have graded them! This is a huge difference and definitely shows when they are trying to sell stones that are graded EGL. For example, you may think that a G VS1 EGL-graded diamond is a fantastic price when compared to another GIA/AGS graded diamond, but the truth is that the EGL diamond could be as low as an I SI1! This is just an extreme example, but you get my point. The only way a credible diamond buyer/advisor could help you in this situation is if I could see the diamond and loupe it myself.

When buying diamonds online, transparency and honesty in selling is the top priority. Diamond retailers like Whiteflash built a business on ethical diamond selling. That is why they are very picky about their diamond grading reports, acceptable cut proportions, actual magnified images, etc.

If color and clarity are lesser priorities than carat weight, then to get the most bang for your buck without sacrificing on sparkle/brilliance, I would go with this diamond:

A gorgeous 2.03ct I SI1 Expert Selection AGS triple 0 Ideal cut diamond from Whiteflash.com

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2936493.htm

This 2.0ct “I” colored diamond is cut with superior cut proportions and will face up bright white and offer tons of light reflection. The fact that it is SI1 is absolutely fine because this diamond is eye-clean. I love this stone and think it offers you everything that you are looking for. Plus, you get the coveted 2.00ct mark for under $20k. I would move fast on this one, because stones like these do not last long.

Best,

Liz

Q:

Thanks so much Liz. After a lot of deliberation, I’ve decided on the 2.03ct from Whiteflash. You have definitely taken the stress out of buying diamonds online! Thanks again for all your help!

Kind Regards,

James