Learn About Diamonds Before You Buy!
25+ years of Diamond Buying Knowledge Shared FREE
I’m Todd Gray and I’ve been actively involved in the diamond industry since 1985. During that time I’ve owned and operated a brick and mortar jewelry store and was employed as the primary diamond buyer for Nice Ice, Inc. which is recognized as one of the pioneers of the online diamond industry. I’ve recently converted the Nice Ice web site from a direct seller of diamonds to a diamond information site which provides consumers with in-depth diamond grading advice and impartial reviews of diamonds being offered by various vendors. Click here to contact me for a free in-depth analysis of the characteristics of any diamond which you are considering.
Rock Her World with this Puppy from Crafted by Infinity and High Performance Diamonds
In the midst of writing my article about Tiffany Diamond Prices Compared to Online Diamond Prices I ran across this beautiful puppy which was recut by Crafted by Infinity for High Performance Diamonds, but felt that it deserved its own page because of the very strong blue fluorescence. This 1.738 carat, I-color, VS-2 clarity, Crafted by Infinity Diamond is absolutely gorgeous in the video which Wink added to the diamond details page.Tiffany Diamond Prices Compared to Online Diamond Prices
I’ve been pondering something for awhile now and needed to get an answer to the question which was “Why does Tiffany & Co., seem to focus all of their advertising promoting a perfectly wrapped blue cardboard box instead of the quality of their diamonds?” After all, they are one of the largest diamond companies in the world, they’re not in the business of manufacturing cardboard boxes… So this past Tuesday, I walked into Tiffany & Co., to take a look at some of their diamonds under the guise of shopping for a Tiffany diamond engagement ring. Read my review of Tiffany & Co., if you’d like to know more about that little adventure. Read More…Blue Nile Diamond Review, Top 3/4 carat Choices!
In an effort to help a client navigate the deep waters of Blue Nile to find a nice three quarter carat diamond, I fine tuned the parameters of their diamond search engine and pulled a few options out of the deep blue beyond. All of the diamonds selected meet the initial “by the numbers” phase of the selection criteria for Nice Ice and have an overall cut grade of GIA Excellent which is the highest rating available from the GIA: Read More…
Brian Gavin Signature vs Blue Nile Signature Diamonds
Andy T. writes: Thanks for the time you put into the search for the diamonds with my search criteria. I understand more now of the intricacies of the cut that make a difference in the light return and have done some soul searching and decided I would like to find a diamond with new specifications. I would love for you to be my “consultant” during this process as I appreciate the detail and thought process for choosing a diamond that will have the greatest light return. Read More…
Blue Nile Signature Diamonds vs Blue Nile Virtual Diamond Inventory
As part of an ongoing diamond quest which began with my article Brian Gavin Diamonds Suitable for an Officer and a Gentleman, Betty has asked me to review the Blue Nile Signature Diamonds and Virtual Ideal Cut Diamonds pictured to the left which might be of interest to her son James who is currently attending Navy Officer training at Annapolis. Follow along and learn as I flip through the lab reports and look at the characteristics of each diamond to determine which diamonds meet my selection criteria in terms of their potential to exhibit the levels of Light Performance and Visual Performance which I insist upon. Read More…
Brian Gavin Diamonds Suitable for an Officer and a Gentleman
Betty writes: Our son James is in the US Navy and is currently in A-school in Annapolis, Maryland preparing to be an officer. He is hoping to get married when he graduates (July 22) and would like to get his girlfriend a nice ring. He has little time to research, shop for a ring and asked for my help. I live in Montana. I suggested that he try the online sites that I am familiar with-namely Brian Gavin and Blue Nile which were compared in your article Brian Gavin Signature Diamonds vs Blue Nile Signature Diamonds. I was leaning toward Blue Nile only because their website has a really nice, easy way to “shop” for a diamond and a setting, provide financing and ship free via Fed Ex. I do however like the H&A diamonds and the detailed mapping of the diamond provided by Brian Gavin. I really want to help our son choose a nice ring and am feeling a bit overwhelmed and nervous with the prospect of buying a diamond without seeing first hand it’s “sparkle.” He is looking for a round, H&A or ideal cut .85-1.0 cw with G/H color and a minimum of VSI clarity. Budget with financing $7-8,000 Can you help? Read More…
Find the Perfect Diamond by Not Worrying About Perfection
A recent study not conducted by any university or well known authority has concluded that the majority of online diamond buyers suffer from cognitive paralysis brought on by diamond information overload. Symptoms reported by their soon-to-be-hopeful-fiance’s include the lack of ability to focus on things like work, sex, problem solving and decision making. The solution is learning how to select the perfect diamond without worrying about perfection, but this might seem easier said than done. Read More…
Blue Nile Signature Diamond Review: Will these 1.00 carat diamonds make the grade?
Lee writes: Hi, I sit here ready to push the purchase button on an engagement ring but would like your opinion on 2 stones I have narrowed my search to from the Blue Nile signature range: Blue Nile stock #LD03024633 and Blue Nile stock #LD03157195. I’m also wondering if the GCAL is showing me everything i need to know or should I be requesting a separate H&A diagram and whatever else you may recommend. I note that the HCA tool has rated both of these at 0.9 and 1.5 respectively. Can I be confident I’m getting the best overall quality with a Blue Nile Signature Diamond or are they just the top performers in the way of sparkle? A little confused, many thanks in advance. Read More…
Drop Dead Gorgeous Two Carat Diamonds from Brian Gavin, James Allen and Blue Nile
A returning client of Nice Ice asks “What diamonds do Brian Gavin, James Allen and Blue Nile have on hand at the moment that meet your selection criteria in F-G color and VS-2 clarity?” I happened to mention this to Brian earlier today and this is the picture he sent me… he’s a funny guy! Read More…
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