What about Blue Nile?

[Noel_Y]

I generally only use very small diamonds to spark up my work, so I
have not ever bought any significant stones. Now, I am designing and
making wedding rings for my oldest daughter. The engagement ring is
to have an approximately half-carat oval diamond.

I can get a stone with the same description from Blue Nile as I can
buy through my job, for a lot less money, saving my future son-in-law
cash that they will use when they buy a house.

Is there any reason not to buy from them?

If not them, from whom should I get it?

Thanks!
Noel

[leonid_Surpin]

I can get a stone with the same description from Blue Nile as I
can buy through my job, for a lot less money, saving my future
son-in-law cash that they will use when they buy a house. 

Two stones can have the same description, but they will not be the
same.

There are no bargains in diamond business. You always get what you
pay for.

The way of not to get screwed is shop for quality and not the price.
Do not read descriptions. Visually inspect the stone. Get GIA report
confirming the quality, and only then negotiate the best price that
you can.

Leonid Surpin
Studioarete.com

[Elaine_Luther1]

I can get a stone with the same description from Blue Nile as I
can buy through my job, for a lot less money, saving my future
son-in-law cash that they will use when they buy a house. 

Is there any reason not to buy from them? 

Is it really the same stone though?

I would definitely buy through your job. Preferable to buy in person
and to see the stone in person.

Elaine
CreativeTextureTools.com

[Barbara_Ettles]

Since I have no idea of what the budget is for this job, I would
offer the client a choice of stone. I would personally recommend that
a smaller stone of higher quality be chosen if budget dictates. But
some clients would prefer lesser quality for a larger and therefore
bling-y-er (that’s a technical term) stone. When I got married, I
chose my new stepson’s university tuition for the next four plus
years instead of an engagement ring or stone. Of course, I couldn’t
wear that on my finger. Everyone lives within constraints of
finances, no matter how much money they have in the bank - there are
still constraints. Just my humble opinion after nearly 70 years of
experiencing and observing human nature.

Barbara, on another blue sky day on the island. I was kept awake by
the bullfrogs gronking last night and it was still music to my ears.

[melissa3]

Try Hoover and Strong. They have an awesome recycled diamond
selection. Ask for Shelly. Memo in a few with your criteria to see
which really fits. Melissa

[John_Donivan]

Hi Noel,

Blue Nile is known to sell OK diamonds but they are not saving you
$$$ that they once did in the beginning. The are listed on NYSE and
must show profits to their investors. It was said before–they make
look the same in color and clarity on paper but I’ll bet you that
either the cuts aren’t so good, the diamond has florescence, it’s an
off make, or some other factor that leads to the supposed saving.
The diamonds all trade within a tight margin.

When I used to work at a jewelry store, the owner usally gave some
kind of savings to employees for personal sales. But, be aware that
there is not the big profit margin that therewas back years ago. So,
maybe they can’t give you much, either.

There are dealers out here but they usually like to work with
locals. Have you tried Stuller

Take care,
Jo-Ann & John D. from foggy SF

[Mark_Parkinson3]

Have you tried Stuller? 

Out of curiosity I compared Stuller’s and BN’s pricing on a .50ct
round G SI 1, VG cut and they both were at about $1200 on a series
of stones of that size and quality. You can draw your own conclusions
about that.

Mark

[John_Donivan]

I compared Stuller's and BN's pricing on a.50ct 

I have a store that’s heavy into Stuller. Often times when they need
good matching melee, I buy calibrated stones from a dealer I know,
sell them at Stuller prices, and make a tidy profit. Certainly their
centers are more like retail.

[Noel_Y]

As someone suggested, I talked to Hoover & Strong about their
diamonds, including recycled. They are sending me a couple of stores
on memo, so we’ll see, but their prices seemed a touch better, and
I’ve dealt with them for metals for many years, for myself, and now
for my job, so I would be comfortable buying from them.

Interesting that BN is so close to everyone else. In this internet
age, markets are very efficient.