{"id":28166,"date":"2019-05-14T17:53:19","date_gmt":"2019-05-14T21:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/?p=28166"},"modified":"2019-05-15T09:06:16","modified_gmt":"2019-05-15T13:06:16","slug":"ordering-a-diamond-from-james-allen-a-review-of-the-entire-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/ordering-a-diamond-from-james-allen-a-review-of-the-entire-process\/","title":{"rendered":"ORDERING A DIAMOND FROM JAMESALLEN.COM – A REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Ordering<\/div>\n

Ordering online?<\/h2>\n

\nPeople are always a bit skeptical<\/strong> when ordering diamonds from the web.<\/p>\n

\nAs they should be<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nBecause diamonds are a huge purchase<\/strong>, and you’re buying sight-unseen<\/strong> (many online stores just give you a sample stock-photo<\/strong>). If you order from a questionable place<\/strong> (with no return policy, like ebay or craigslist), you could get ripped off<\/strong> (or way over-charged).<\/p>\n

\nThis is why I always advise buying from reputable online retailers<\/strong> like James Allen<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So let’s test them…<\/h2>\n

\nI’ve decided to purchase a diamond engagement ring<\/strong> from James Allen to show you exactly how the process works<\/strong>; what you’ll do, the steps you’ll take, and what you’ll get for your money<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This is my JamesAllen.com Review:<\/h2>\n

\nThe very first thing you’ll have to decide, is not what type of diamond to buy<\/strong>, it’s actually choosing the proper mounting<\/strong> (your ideal setting)… although you really could do this in any order<\/strong>, it’s just easier this way.<\/p>\n

\nThis sounds rather backwards, but most mountings are made for specific carat weights or shapes<\/strong>. Meaning, if you pick out your dream diamond, it may not fit into the mounting you love. So finding the perfect mounting is first<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nGo to James Allen, from the menu select “engagement rings<\/strong>“, and then “start with a setting<\/a>“. It’s number one<\/strong>. It brings up mountings like these:<\/p>\n

\n\"James<\/a><\/p>\n

\nMy preference for a great engagement ring is always a pave or halo mounting<\/strong> (halos make every diamond look bigger). They enhance a diamond, make them sparkle more, and really makes an impact<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nSo looking at the halo mountings<\/a>, here is what you’ll find:<\/p>\n

\n\"James<\/a><\/p>\n

\nI pick the first one, this 14k white gold halo<\/a>, with .33 carat total weight. It’s simple, slim, elegant, and beautiful<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n\"James<\/a><\/p>\n

\nYou’ll see that you can choose either a round diamond<\/strong> (above) or a cushion cut diamond<\/strong> (below) from the options. I select the cushion cut (since I am a big fan of cushions<\/strong>, and you can save tons of money<\/strong> purchasing them–20% cheaper than a round brilliant<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\nThe mounting has 42 diamonds, and the quality is impressive<\/strong> (much higher than any mall store): VS2-SI1<\/strong> clarity, F-G<\/strong> color.<\/p>\n

\nI “select this setting<\/strong>“, and now it’s time to add a diamond. You’ll see a popup that says: What would you like to do?<\/strong> Add a Diamond; Add a Gemstone; or Add a Recommended Diamond (let them choose<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\nI select “Add a Diamond<\/strong>” and am taken to the loose diamond page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\nI select “CUSHION<\/strong>” from the shapes (3rd one over), and pull up all of the loose cushion cut diamonds<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n\"Select<\/a><\/p>\n

I want Big and Beautiful<\/h2>\n

\nSo I start moving the sliders<\/strong> to achieve a stunning diamond (narrowing down my choices, while still looking for a great deal): I select VS2, Colorless<\/strong> quality (my favorite combo<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\nVS2 is a very clean diamond<\/strong>, with very tiny imperfections, unseen to the bare eye<\/strong> (you’ll need a microscope<\/a> or a 10x jeweler’s loupe<\/a> to see them, and even then they’ll look like nothing but dots<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\nD color is the best of the best<\/strong>. There is nothing higher. It’s the top color grade in the world<\/strong>. Pure-white diamonds give you an ultra-bright dance of light<\/strong>. It’s a day and night<\/strong> difference when compared with near colorless diamonds (G, H, I, J<\/strong>). Compare them yourself and you’ll see<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nI locate this 1.22 carat cushion cut diamond<\/a>, that’s absolute eye-candy<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\n\"122<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
CARAT, CLARITY, COLOR, POL, SYM, FLUOR<\/strong><\/td>\nPRICE<\/strong><\/td>\nVIEW<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.22, VS2, D, VG, VG, NONE<\/strong><\/td>\n$8,130<\/strong><\/td>\nVIEW<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The price of this diamond is $8,130<\/h2>\n

\nWhich is amazing<\/strong>. A round diamond of the same quality would jump the price $2,000+.<\/p>\n

\nI select this diamond and add it to my cart<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nOnce done, you’ll be presented with a screenshot that says “Congratulations: Here is your design<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n

\n\"Diamond<\/p>\n

\nThis screen will give you both the mounting and the diamond, as well as the combined carat weights<\/strong>, and the total price<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Now log in or create an account:<\/h2>\n

\n\"Create<\/p>\n

\nLog in if you already have an account, create a new account<\/strong>, or use Facebook <\/strong>or Google <\/strong>. Creating an account is easy.<\/p>\n

Create an account with James Allen:<\/h2>\n

\nThe process is simple;<\/strong> input your name, email address<\/strong> (also considering if she would see these confirmation <\/strong>emails, or if you would like it sent somewhere else). Create a password<\/strong>, then continue…<\/p>\n

\n\"Account<\/p>\n

\nOnce that’s created, you’ll see this:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\"Welcome<\/p>\n

\nYour account is where your orders will be, details, services, wish list<\/strong>… (and you can sign up for their mailing list<\/strong> as well (at the bottom), just remember, your girlfriend may see these emails too, so make sure that you create a secret one with Google or Yahoo – they’re free<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

And, to make things better…<\/h2>\n

\nIf you sign up for their mailing list<\/strong>, you’ll save $100<\/strong> on your first purchase (of $1,000<\/strong> or more–cannot be combined with any other offer).<\/p>\n

\n\"Join<\/p>\n

Now you can proceed with your checkout:<\/h2>\n

\nPreview your order<\/strong>, select your ring size (default is 6<\/strong>), and any inscription or engraving <\/strong>inside the ring (all my heart; love you always; R&T; 6-1-2019; whatever you desire<\/strong>–do note there will be a $25 re-polishing fee<\/strong> if an engraved item is returned).<\/p>\n

\n\"Select<\/p>\n

Now all that’s left is to pay:<\/h2>\n

\n\"Secure<\/p>\n

\nJames Allen gives you many convenient ways to pay: Paypal<\/strong>, Credit Card; Visa<\/strong>, American Express, Mastercard<\/strong>, Discover; you can also do a wire transfer<\/strong> with saves you an additional 1.5% off the total price<\/strong>. They also offer special financing options<\/a> too:<\/p>\n

\n\"Special<\/a><\/p>\n

\nThese options include 6 months deferred interest<\/strong>, or 9.9% APR on 24 months<\/strong>. You decide.<\/p>\n

\nJust read all of the details and disclaimers<\/strong> before making up your mind. Plans are subject to credit approval<\/strong>, and some restrictions apply<\/strong> (see website for details<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\nLastly, you can also pay in 3 interest free installments<\/strong> with Visa or Mastercard. That’s cool!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nAfter that, shipping and billing<\/strong> (do understand that someone will have to be there to sign<\/strong> for such an expensive, insured package – you could always have it sent to your work<\/strong>, or a friend or family member<\/strong> if you like).<\/p>\n

\nFill out the info, and also select if you’d like the price to be put on the receipt<\/strong> or not (some people don’t want her knowing how much they spent):<\/p>\n

\n\"Shipping<\/p>\n

Insert your payment details:<\/h2>\n

\n\"James<\/p>\n

Then finally review and confirm your order:<\/h2>\n

\n\"Review<\/p>\n

\nIt’s all pretty straight forward<\/strong>. You order with ease (and anytime you like; 3am in the morning<\/strong> with your bathrobe and slippers)…<\/p>\n

\nAnd with that:<\/strong><\/p>\n

I placed my order.<\/h2>\n

\nA week later the package arrived<\/strong> (they had to set the stone<\/strong> in the ring; this process takes anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks<\/strong> depending on the mounting you choose).<\/p>\n

\n\"James<\/p>\n

\nTo my surprise it came in a very sturdy generic white box<\/strong> that gave nothing away. Even the shipping address just said R2NET INC.<\/strong> (from New York<\/strong>), so if she does see this, she’ll still have no clue what it is. Just tell her that you ordered a bunch of Blu-ray movies<\/strong> off Ebay (and buy ones to show her so you raise no suspicions<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\nI opened the package, and wrapped in foam, was this presentation box<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\n\"James<\/p>\n

\nAnd once you lift that lid, all you see is the ring box. What an elegant display<\/strong>. Quite dramatic and bold.<\/p>\n

\n\"Opening<\/p>\n

\n(At this point I felt like a kid in a candy store<\/strong>.)<\/p>\n

\nOn the bottom of the presentation box was a drawer<\/strong>, that is where they hide all the paperwork<\/strong> (and a free polishing cloth<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\n\"Opening<\/p>\n

They give you paperwork for everything.<\/h2>\n

\n\"James<\/p>\n

Included are:<\/h2>\n

\n<\/p>\n