Whiteflash-Diamond Playground

We offer the very best prices for the level of consumer protection we insist on.  It is a question of products, services and support:

Products.  Diamonds that share a certain class & category are not necessarily equal. Even those listed with identical specs may be dramatically different. For example, a store will sell two 1ct GIA-graded F SI1 EX EX EX diamonds for much different prices if stone A is a spot-on eye-clean Tolkowsky with impeccable H&A and stone B is borderline steep/deep (still EX) with poor optical symmetry (not judged) and noticeable black pique under the table (still SI1). Only personal inspection and analysis reveals these things. This is why diamonds that seem identical on a list are priced on a stone-by-stone basis; according to nuances of pedigree and sale-ability.

When a single diamond is offered by multiple sellers, there are differences in services and support:

Services. A one-man internet seller will ask less to drop-ship you a stone he never sees from a third-party supplier than a large company with support staff will charge to bring it in, do gemological analysis and provide a full benefits package with it. Remember, there is no such a thing as “free shipping” or “free lifetime resizing.” Companies can spread these costs across overall markup for client convenience, but they do cost. Factor in what the seller offers beyond just flipping the diamond: Is this someone who is encumbering shipping & insurance expenses for bringing items in? Are photos taken? Reports run? Is someone hired to document and post information, live or online? Is a credentialed gemologist hired to inspect each diamond? Are there reputable experts on staff giving clients their time, replying to questions and concerns? A one-man seller who flips diamonds without seeing them, providing no photos, information or gemological analysis will have less overhead than a company focused on consumer protection, but let the buyer beware.

Long-term support. There is a huge difference between a drop-shipper operating out of a basement and a real business. Retails stores, brick & clicks, and reputable internet sellers are usually based in upscale commercial areas. Established companies typically offer long-term support in the way of lifetime trade-up policies and client-loyalty/referral programs. They carry in-house inventory and have long-standing roots in the trade. These companies bear considerable rent & insurance, building security, power/water/air, and a large payroll required to maintain a qualified staff (sales, processing, gemologists, benchworkers, platinumsmiths, designers). Those with showrooms require additional insurance and security. The most supportive sellers have been around for decades and are not going anywhere. That kind of ‘brand recognition’ can be worth a premium - to know the company won’t disappear in a puff of smoke tomorrow. There is great security in buying from a company associated with quality and consistency. Sometimes the premium is modest, sometimes it’s quite steep (Tiffany, for example).

The bottom line: You get what you pay for. The competitive internet market boasts the smallest markups available to consumers. Companies are already trading diamonds for far less than retail stores. “Price matching,” in essence, is a done-deal. When deciding on your bottom line, consider the specific products, service and support that best meets your needs. A little extra will go a long way with companies who wish to make you a client for life – not just one transaction.