Are you curious about which company is superior, Blue Nile or Whiteflash? Look no further! This comprehensive Learning Jewelry guide provides insights on the following:
- Which company provides the most satisfactory shopping experience?
- Which company offers the better warranty?
- Where can you find the best value for your money?
- What do customer reviews indicate about the two companies?
Shopping Experience
Blue Nile and Whiteflash offer a comparable shopping experience since they both offer loose diamonds and ring settings, and they sell conflict-free diamonds. However, there are notable differences between the two retailers.
Blue Nile
Blue Nile is a renowned online diamond retailer and a pioneer in the industry, having been the first online diamond seller in 1999. They offer a wide variety of fine jewelry, including loose natural diamonds, fancy colored diamonds, select colored gemstones, and lab diamond jewelry, catering to a diverse range of customers.
Of the recommended retailers, Blue Nile boasts one of the largest diamond inventories, with 307,599 round diamonds of varying grades and carat weights available for sale on any given day. However, the number of diamonds decreases significantly as you become more specific with your color and clarity grades, particularly for a 1-carat minimum, where they have around 35,000 diamonds.
One of the main advantages of purchasing diamonds online is the ability to use a 360˚ viewer to inspect diamonds with clarity grades that may have blemishes, such as I and SI clarity grades. However, not all of Blue Nile’s diamonds have a 360˚ view, but fortunately, you can filter out the ones that do. The 360˚ view may take a few seconds to run smoothly when initially trying to manipulate the diamond, but it quickly smooths out.
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Personally, the best way to identify obvious inclusions is by using a controllable diamond that I can drag back and forth to see the light hit the facets. However, it’s worth noting that the zoom function could be improved as it appears quite far away.
Blue Nile exclusively offers GIA certified diamonds, which is beneficial for customers who may not be well-versed in the significance of diamond grading reports.
In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with your Blue Nile diamond engagement ring, they provide a 30-day money-back guarantee for your peace of mind.
Whiteflash
Whiteflash specializes in diamond cut quality, while Blue Nile is a more general online diamond retailer. If you’re someone who values sparkle and brilliance in diamonds, Whiteflash may be the right choice for you. They offer both premium super ideal cut diamonds and those with lower cut grades, all of which are GIA or AGS certified.
Whiteflash’s diamond inventory is divided into in-house and virtual selections. Unfortunately, the virtual selection does not provide images or diagnostics for inclusions, and you have to inquire about each diamond individually. However, you can easily sort between the in-house and virtual selections, and the in-house diamonds offer 360˚ viewing.
Although Whiteflash has around 28,000 round cut diamonds in total, with 18,000 minimum 1 carat diamonds, they do not offer fancy colored diamonds, lab diamonds, or colored gemstones. Their focus is solely on brilliance.
In the past, some customers have complained about the diamond viewer being set against a black background and making it difficult to spot inclusions. However, Whiteflash now offers both the Sparkle view and the Brilliance view, which allows for better visibility of any visible inclusions if you choose a clarity grade that is not usually eye-clean.
While it would be more convenient if the Brilliance view automatically showed up during quick browsing of the diamond inventory, this is not currently the case. You must click into each diamond to view it.
The return policy for diamonds in the virtual inventory is 10 days, while the in-house selection offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Customer Service
One major factor contributing to customer loss for companies is poor service. Unlike large jewelry retailers with sales targets to meet, Blue Nile and Whiteflash offer impartial guidance to their customers since they do not earn commissions.
Blue Nile
Blue Nile offers customer service around the clock through various channels including live chat, phone, email, SMS messaging, and WhatsApp, providing customers with more communication options than many other online diamond retailers. This convenience is unparalleled.
Despite being an online-focused retailer, Blue Nile recognizes the importance of seeing a high-quality diamond in person. To address this need, the company has established 13 showrooms in 10 states across the United States, providing customers with more showroom options than most other online retailers.
Blue Nile offers customers the option to schedule an in-store appointment with a gemologist for specific diamond-related questions or a virtual appointment with a GIA certified gemologist, both of which can be easily booked online for customer convenience.
In addition to the standard lifetime trade-up policy common among many online diamond retailers, Blue Nile also provides a price-matching feature for comparable diamonds, which is not offered by all retailers. Furthermore, every Build Your Own ring purchase comes with a Blue Nile appraisal.
Blue Nile distinguishes itself from other online retailers by offering a diamond jewelry selling program in partnership with Circa, which enables customers to receive either credit to their bank account or a Blue Nile gift card at a 10% bonus.
Blue Nile’s longstanding reputation in the industry makes them a natural choice for many prospective customers. Despite the higher cost and lower quality of mega retailers like Kay or Zales, many consumers choose to purchase from them simply because they are more widely known.
Some customers have expressed frustration with Blue Nile’s customer service, the general consensus on review sites such as Price scope, Consumer Affairs, Trustpilot, and Yelp is that Blue Nile provides great customer service. As a larger player in the industry, Blue Nile may not provide the same level of personalized attention as smaller retailers, but their reputation and range of offerings still make them a top choice for many diamond buyers.
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Whiteflash
Whiteflash provides 24/7 customer service through phone, email, and chat. They offer both US and international phone numbers for customer convenience. Additionally, customers can visit their Houston showroom, available from Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, by booking appointments online.
Customers can easily speak with a certified gemologist at any time since Whiteflash employs GIA or AGS-certified gemologists. Furthermore, most of their operations staff also have such credentials, which is rare for online jewelers. This sets them apart from other online jewelers who don’t have diamond knowledge.
Whiteflash offers unique choices for customers due to their specialization in superior cut quality diamonds. For instance, they offer a “Cut to Order” service which allows customers to obtain a custom-cut diamond, but this service is limited to Hearts and Arrows round diamonds only. They can custom-cut rough diamonds into an ideal cut for your engagement ring.
Whiteflash also partners with Jewelers Mutual, a renowned online jewelry insurance provider, similar to James Allen. They offer diamond upgrade services for trade-in and have an extensive education and FAQ section for customers that covers all necessary information about Whiteflash diamonds.
Whiteflash’s unique ASET and Idealscope images display the amount of light going into the diamond and the amount being reflected back, which is exclusive to their diamonds only. Although these images measure light performance, they’re not essential when purchasing your perfect diamond.
Whiteflash’s approach of segregating their in-house diamonds from their virtual selection is impressive. In-house diamonds are exclusively owned by Whiteflash and are not displayed on other websites, unlike most online diamond inventories available today.
Warranty
Many individuals underestimate the importance of having a warranty for their engagement and wedding rings, but it is strongly advised. Engagement rings typically consist of natural metals that are not indestructible.
The majority of rings are crafted from genuine gold, which is a soft metal that can easily sustain nicks, scratches, and even lose its luster over time. This is not a reflection of the quality of the ring’s craftsmanship, but rather the result of natural materials being exposed to daily wear and tear.
Blue Nile
Blue Nile’s biggest drawback, in my opinion, is their limited warranty coverage. While they provide a manufacturer’s warranty that covers design flaws and defects, it does not extend to wear and tear. This means that maintenance tasks such as rhodium plating white gold and retipping prongs are not covered under their warranty.
Despite this, Blue Nile remains a major player in the online diamond industry, second only to James Allen, which offers a lifetime service warranty at no cost. It’s possible that Blue Nile’s commitment to excellent craftsmanship has resulted in fewer issues with prongs and other repairs. However, the cost of rhodium plating remains an out-of-pocket expense for customers.
While Blue Nile offers free cleaning and inspections, customers must pay for FedEx shipping. Alternatively, Kay, Zales, and Jared provide free cleaning and inspections, but horror stories of poor repairs may make customers hesitant to trust them with their Blue Nile engagement rings.
Even though Blue Nile offers one free resizing within the first year of purchase, customers are responsible for shipping costs. While some may be apprehensive about sending their engagement ring to a non-Blue Nile location for repairs, Blue Nile’s resizing service offers a convenient option for customers.
Whiteflash
In my view, Whiteflash’s warranty is marginally superior to Blue Nile’s, but not by much. Customers receive a one-year service warranty and a complimentary resizing, which, in my opinion, may not be sufficient to cover wear and tear, unless you’re particularly rough on your jewelry.
While the warranty covers issues with rhodium, prongs, and stone tightening, these are typically problems that are less likely to arise within the first year. My recommendation is to use the warranty close to its expiration date, if you haven’t already done so. This way, you can have your white gold rhodium-plated and your stones inspected before it’s too late.
Whiteflash carries many designer engagement rings from brands like Tiffany, Danhov, and Verragio, and their warranty is in addition to any warranties offered by the brand of the setting.
However, there is a shipping cost associated with sending your ring out for service, which amounts to $35 plus 0.3% of the item’s price.
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Price and Value
Many individuals prioritize the cost of a ring over its features and added benefits. However, it is possible to come across a reasonably priced diamond with no extra benefits or pay a little extra upfront but ultimately save money in the future.
In certain situations, the value of the price tag in the long run may be more crucial than its initial cost.
Similar to Whiteflash, Blue Nile has its own exclusive range of diamonds known as the Astor Ideal Collection. These diamonds are accompanied by both GIA and GemEx reports, with the latter measuring the diamond’s brilliance.
GemEx reports, akin to Whiteflash’s ASET and Idealscope imaging, are supplemental characteristics and not mandatory for top-notch diamonds.
In addition to round diamonds, Blue Nile’s Astor collection presents options for princess and cushion cuts.
I have made my selection from the Astor Ideal collection, a round diamond with a clarity grade of VVS2 and color grade of E, weighing 1.10 carats. The cost of this diamond amounts to $13,500
AVAILABLE ON BLUENILE
Furthermore, I have picked a comparable round diamond from Whiteflash’s A Cut Above Collection, weighing 1.07 carats instead of 1.10. This diamond comes with an AGS grading report, which is just as reliable as a GIA report. The cost of the Whiteflash diamond amounts to $10,000.
AVAILABLE ON WHITEFLASH
There is a significant price discrepancy between the two diamonds. Blue Nile’s diamond has a medium fluorescence rating, while Whiteflash’s has a faint rating. However, the issue with Blue Nile’s Astor Ideal collection is limited to that particular collection and not all of their diamonds. If given the choice, it is recommended to choose an ACA diamond over an Astor Ideal diamond.
When comparing prices, Blue Nile’s standard Excellent cut diamonds are more affordable than Whiteflash’s regular and ACA diamonds. It’s important to consider the added features and decide what is valuable to you. For instance, if you plan to upgrade in the future, Whiteflash’s $1 upgrade policy may be more suitable for you compared to Blue Nile’s double the original price policy.
Perhaps you’re looking to upgrade a ring that you previously purchased at Kay Jewelers, after discovering that you can get better diamonds at more affordable prices online. Let’s say you have your heart set on a stunning ring from Blue Nile.
Unfortunately, your solitaire diamond engagement ring from Kay Jewelers only has a GSI certificate, so it’s not worth much. However, Blue Nile’s partnership with Circa through their Sell Your Diamond program can help you turn it into cash that you can put towards your new ring, provided you find the amount acceptable.
It’s worth noting that neither Kay Jewelers nor Blue Nile offer a lifetime warranty that covers routine maintenance. While such features may not necessarily provide immediate benefits, they can save you money over time.
On Reddit
There are numerous customer reviews available on the internet through platforms such as the Better Business Bureau, Google Reviews, and Yelp, it’s important to keep in mind that most people tend to leave negative feedback about the retailer. While this can be useful, it’s crucial to approach such reviews with a healthy dose of skepticism.
As an alternative, we prefer to explore Reddit and its various subreddits dedicated to diamonds and engagement rings for a more balanced perspective.
Blue Nile
A plethora of Reddit posts can be found when searching for Blue Nile, as the brand along with James Allen, dominate the engagement rings and diamonds subreddits. However, recent reviews may be difficult to come by.
Most recent posts about Blue Nile on Reddit typically focus on comparing the Astor Ideal with James Allen’s True Hearts collection. The abundance of previous posts about Blue Nile allows for easy access to information.
Redditors often recommend Blue Nile as a go-to for diamond purchases. However, the main issue with the brand according to customer posts is their pricing, particularly when compared to James Allen. Additionally, complaints have been raised about the Astor Ideal collection, which should be avoided. Opting for their regular ideal collection could lead to better pricing.
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Whiteflash
You may come across fewer Reddit posts discussing Whiteflash reviews compared to Blue Nile, there is still sufficient feedback available. Keep in mind that Whiteflash specializes in selling high-end designer engagement rings, which commands a premium price.
Nonetheless, customers who have purchased from Whiteflash have expressed great satisfaction with their product. Several reviews have highlighted the exceptional level of attentiveness and dedication displayed by their customer service team.
This positive experience is likely attributed to Whiteflash catering to a smaller consumer base than Blue Nile. While Blue Nile serves the masses, Whiteflash focuses on the elite or those seeking an elite diamond.
One of the most common complaints about Whiteflash is its pricing, which is not surprising given the general perception that diamonds are already too expensive. Many people seek Whiteflash’s quality without paying the premium price.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between Blue Nile and Whiteflash, we would recommend Blue Nile.
There are a few reasons for this: Firstly, Blue Nile offers a wider range of diamonds to cater to various price points. This makes it more appealing to a larger audience, especially those looking for affordable options. However, it’s worth noting that the Astor Ideals should be avoided.
Super ideal diamonds may be visually appealing, they are not essential and do not add significant value or make any significant difference compared to ideal cut diamonds. Most people cannot distinguish the difference in sparkle between the two.
However, Blue Nile offers several benefits and features to cater to various needs when it comes to purchasing an engagement ring. Their catalog is easy to browse, allowing you to check for inclusions while scrolling. In contrast, Whiteflash requires you to click into each individual diamond.
Whiteflash may have a better diamond upgrade policy, they do not allow you to resell your old diamonds for credit towards another purchase, a unique feature offered by Blue Nile. Moreover, if you have specific color and clarity requirements, Blue Nile’s catalog of thousands of diamonds may make it easier to find an eye-clean SI diamond.
While Blue Nile may be a better option for the average consumer, it does not mean that Whiteflash doesn’t offer gorgeous diamonds that are worth purchasing. If diamond brilliance is crucial to you, and you have the budget, Whiteflash may be an excellent option to consider.
Ultimately, the choice between Blue Nile and Whiteflash depends on your budget and individual needs. With this information, you should have a better idea of which retailer is the best option for you.
