I bought diamonds ONLINE and this is what I discovered!

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another By Bonnie blog, where we dive into all things diamonds. I’m so excited about today’s blog because it’s been a long time coming.

I recently went on a little online diamond shopping spree, stepping into your shoes to see what the experience is like. I bought two diamonds from two of the largest online retailers. One is famous for its pricing transparency, and the other for cutting out the middleman.

In this blog, I’ll unbox both diamonds, show you exactly what I paid for each, and reveal what’s inside the box. In the end, I’ll compare these diamonds to one of my curated diamonds. This will help you, as a consumer, see the real quality and make the best decision for yourself. So, stay tuned for the entire blog—it's going to be an eye-opener!

Unboxing The Diamonds I Bought Online

Alright, let’s dive into the unboxing! So, the boxes are actually pretty compact, kind of like a mini shoe box, maybe half the size of a standard one.

Opening the first box… drumroll… Wow, it’s quite the reveal! Inside, there’s a diamond nestled in this little box. So far, so good. I bought a lab-grown diamond for this comparison because I want to clear up the misconceptions about natural vs. lab-grown. Many people think they’re identical, but they’re not—each has its own growth process, material characteristics, and subtle differences that aren’t always on the certificate.

Now, let’s move on to the second box. It’s got that mini shoe box vibe again, filled with cardboard padding. Opening it up… and oh, it’s encased in a little plastic holder. This is the kind of thing we use for storing smaller diamonds or nail art rhinestones. Here it is—first impression! As an industry professional, I can spot some issues just through the plastic. But honestly, the diamond from the first box is looking better at first glance.

What Are Fancy Shape Diamonds?

Did you know? Fancy shapes—anything that's not a round cut—tend to show more color than a round diamond of the same color grade. So, if you have an F color grade in a round diamond, it’s going to appear less colorful than an F in a fancy shape. Here’s a little Bonnie tip for you: if you’re eyeing a fancy shape, keep in mind that the color might be more noticeable compared to a round diamond.

Reviewing The Diamonds I Bought Online

Alright, so let’s dive into unboxing! I have to admit, having all my tools is a bit of a luxury—I’ve got tweezers and magnifiers at the ready. But if you’re like most people at home, you might just use your fingers to unwrap and examine your diamond.

First up, let’s check out the round diamond. From my initial glance, it looks white and sparkly. If I were a regular consumer, I'd say this diamond definitely passes the first impression test. It looks pretty good, with that classic sparkle we all love. I’m pretty sure this is an F color diamond, so it should be colorless and top-notch.

Now, onto the second diamond. I’m opening this one just as a consumer would—no special tools, just fingers. When I place the diamond between my fingers, the sparkle seems a bit dull right off the bat. I’ll show you a close-up, but it’s noticeably less lively compared to the first one. While it’s still a diamond and has some sparkle, it looks a bit off to me.

So, if you’re not trained to spot these nuances, you might notice it’s a diamond, but it won’t have the same vibrant sparkle as the first one.

Reviewing The Certificates of The Diamonds I Bought Online

Alright, let’s dive into the close-up view of these diamonds. Here’s a first look—take a moment to see what you think. Do these diamonds look good to you right off the bat?

So, now that we’ve had a look at the stones face up, let me share some insights. I haven’t yet given you my expert opinion, but I’m definitely seeing some red flags. Here’s a quick breakdown of the diamond reports:

The round diamond is a 2-carat F color, VS2 clarity, and is an HPHT diamond. For those curious about the difference between HPHT and CVD, I’ve got a whole video on that, so check it out!
The oval diamond is a 2-carat G color, VS2 clarity, and is a CVD diamond. Aside from the color and clarity, there’s nothing particularly notable about this one.
Now, let’s compare these diamonds to one of my curated picks!

My Honest Opinion On The Diamonds I Bought Online

Alright, let’s dive into part two: Bonnie’s real-time reaction!

First impressions: The oval diamond looks pretty unappealing. It has this mix of green, brown, and gray tones, and the bow tie effect is just terrible. On the other hand, the round diamond looks decent face up. But here’s where the real gemology work comes into play.

When grading color, we always look at the stone face down—not just face up. That’s where the issues become evident: I’m seeing blue in the F color diamond and heavy brown and gray in the oval.

So, what does all this mean for you? That basically there’s four different ways you can get that diamond you’ve been dreaming of. Here’s the breakdown:

Online Only: If you’re buying your diamond and setting online with a 30-day return policy, you might not be overly concerned about quality. However, without seeing the stone in person, you could end up with a diamond that doesn’t meet your expectations.
Buying Separately: Some people buy their diamond online and then get a setting elsewhere. This requires extra effort and coordination, and the results might not always be perfect.
High-End Stores: Walking into a high-end store often means paying a premium for the brand name, which doesn’t always equate to getting the best value or quality.
Working with a Private Jeweler: When you work with someone like me, you’re investing in personalized service from start to finish. Yes, there are costs involved, but you’re also getting expert guidance, transparency, and craftsmanship.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to buying a diamond, and you often get what you pay for. So, make sure you do your homework and choose the option that aligns with your needs and expectations.

How Much Money I Spent On These Diamonds!

Earlier, I promised I’d share the exact prices I paid for these diamonds. So, here’s the breakdown: the round diamond cost me $2,954,

That’s quite a significant price difference between the two.

Now, if you’re considering buying a loose diamond and having it set by a local jeweler or someone else, let me share why this approach might not be ideal.

In this blog, I’ve highlighted the differences in quality and appearance between the diamonds. As you can see, the round diamond, despite being more expensive, had a more appealing look face up, while the oval diamond had some noticeable issues. The extra cost can sometimes reflect better quality and craftsmanship, which is crucial when choosing a diamond.

So, this blog should give you a clear idea of why buying a loose diamond and then having it set elsewhere might not always be the best route. It’s important to consider both the quality of the diamond and the expertise of the jeweler to ensure you get exactly what you’re paying for.

How To Buy Diamonds The Right Way!

So, here's the scoop: Now, many high-end jewelers, including myself, don’t accept stones bought online for setting. You might wonder why. Well, this blog has definitely shed light on that. I pour my heart into ensuring every piece is beautiful and flawless from start to finish. That’s why I don’t accept stones I haven’t personally vetted and approved. It’s not just about putting a stone in a setting; it’s about making sure every detail is perfect.

If you’ve seen what goes into our curation process, you'll understand that it’s so much more than just cut, color, and clarity. We look at every detail, from natural diamond nuances to fluorescence. So if you’re looking for a truly exceptional, one-of-a-kind diamond experience, come visit us at By Bonnie Jewelry. We’ll help you find or create the perfect piece that’s just right for you.