Needless to say, when people are investing a lot of money on attractive pieces of jewelry, they should focus on the best-selling, well-established online jewelry stores.

According to many satisfied buyers and experts in this area, James Allen is one of the best options currently available on the market.

The following James Allen review should help you decide whether you will use this website to purchase jewelry or not.

James Allen Review: How It All Began…

The name of this brand may suggest that there’s a single person behind this online jewelry store, but the fact is that JamesAllen.com was created by four talented and creative individuals – James Shultz, Dean Lederman, Michele Sigler, and Oded Edelman.

They have teamed up and created one of the most successful websites of this kind. It didn’t take much time before James Allen became an easily recognizable brand which offers some of the best pieces of diamond and bridal jewelry on the Internet.

This is an international online store that provides top-notch diamonds at the best price to customers in almost every country in the world.

It’s interesting how the individual skills and talents of every founder of this site have contributed to the creation of this popular brand.

For instance, Mr. Edelman comes from a family that has been involved in the diamond business for many generations. Shultz was focused on online retailing while Sigler is a land-based retail expert. Finally, Lederman is a well-known diamantaire who has been working in this field for over two decades.

It seems that these four have managed to create a successful online store where visitors and potential buyers can find over 200,000 conflict-free diamonds and many ring settings which are all presented in high-definition 360-degree images.

It’s worth mentioning that the people behind James Allen have created a unique 360-degree Diamond Display Technology which was later adopted by a few other sellers.

With a high number of customizable styles, professional customer support which is available 24 hours a day and a special full money-back guarantee, it is no wonder why James Allen is one of the most popular online jewelry stores today.

Inventory

One of the most important things that you should take into account when using an online jewelry store is the selection of products they have in their offer.

This is one of the strongest selling points when it comes to James Allen. This brand has more than 200.000 diamonds at the moment.

What’s important is that they all come from conflict-free sources. Of course, on this website, you can find diamonds in literally all shapes and 4Cs.

It’ really easy to get lost when you have access to so many diamonds, but the website uses a special system which makes it easier for visitors to find the product that they are looking for.

Another thing that is important to mention here is that every diamond found here is certified by AGS, IGI or GIA, the world’s most famous authorities in the diamond industry. Obviously, the diamonds are graded accordingly.

As a result of the great selection of diamonds, it’s much easier for buyers to pick not only the diamond that they find most attractive in terms of cut, clarity, carat or color but also a diamond that fits their budget. It is impossible to get an opportunity like this in a land-based store.

In fact, you can rarely find other online stores that have an offer like this. On the homepage of this website, you will find five categories of products which unveil the main offer found at James Allen.

Engagement rings

The first place is reserved for the engagement rings.

Buyers should feel free to create their own engagement ring thanks to the special software available on the website. It’s worth mentioning that you can find all kinds of cuts here like round cut rings, princess cut rings and cushion cut rings.

Additionally, you can choose from a few different engagement ring styles including halo, tension, vintage, 3-stone, solitaire, pave, and side-stone.

Since the setting plays an important role in this process, the guys from James Allen have decided to include a few different metals for the rings including gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum.

Lastly, you can also pick engagement rings by designer collection – Verragio, Danhov, Martin Flyer, Jeff Cooper etc.

Wedding rings

James Allen has an equally impressive collection of wedding rings for both men and women.

One of the best things about these wedding rings is that you can choose from different styles and types including classic wedding rings, eternity rings, anniversary rings, diamond rings, carved rings, stackable rings, and alternative metal rings.

Diamonds

The best part about this brand, as we have already mentioned, are the diamonds.

On this website, you will find loose and fancy color diamonds. The loose diamonds include round, pear, emerald, cushion, princess, oval, radiant, Asscher, marquise and heart diamonds.

On the other hand, the more expensive, fancy color diamonds come in the most popular colors including gray, black, brown, orange, green, blue, red, purple, pink and yellow. Just like in the case of engagement rings and wedding rings, buyers are free to design their own jewelry with these diamonds.

True Hearts Diamonds – James Allen is especially proud of their True Hearts collection of round cut diamonds. They represent premium-quality Hearts and Arrows diamonds that come with ideal symmetry and proportions. In addition, they also have top grades for luster and cut. When the viewer stands and looks from a specific angle, the True Hearts diamonds are able to reflect patterns that look a lot like hearts and arrows. We are talking about high-quality gemstones which are polished in a professional way providing a superb internal reflection. They are processed manually by some of the world’s best diamond cutters.

Gemstones

In addition to the engagement rings, wedding rings, and diamonds section, their inventory also includes gemstones.

Some of the most popular types of gemstones you can find on this site include blue sapphires, pink sapphires, yellow sapphires, red rubies, and green emeralds.

Even though most people use them for the creation of rings, you can also design your own earrings and pendants.

Fine Jewelry

In the end, James Allen’s inventory includes fine jewelry.

This is a collection of sophisticated pieces of jewelry which includes diamond and other precious stone fine jewelry which is ideal for any event and occasion.

These are handcrafted items of very high quality.

This section is divided into four different categories. The first one is dedicated to earrings where you can find diamond studs, diamond earrings, gemstone earrings, and pearl earrings. Next on the list are the necklaces – diamond, gemstones, and pearl necklaces. There are also bracelets – diamond, gemstone, and pearl bracelets as well as rings – diamond, gemstone and pearl rings.

Visitors can expect to find a wide array of colorful, exotic pieces of jewelry suitable for any type of event or even for everyday use.

Custom ring design

What’s special about James Allen is that clients can customize a huge number of their handcrafted wedding and engagement rings. They can use color gemstones, and color diamonds as well as alternative metal solutions. In this way, every customer can come up with a unique piece of jewelry that showcases their original style. Needless to say, by using this option, you will get a one-of-a-kind band or ring.

In the past, a process like this was expensive, but thanks to the inventive companies like James Allen, custom ring design is inexpensive and simple.

It’s also a quick process that doesn’t require much effort. As expected, James Allen has a professional design team which is always ready to help clients pick the right diamond and turn their design idea into a modern 3D rendering or even a CAD file (Computer Aided Design file).

It takes no more than 30 days to get the product that you have designed on your own based on your ideas.

The procedure is quite interesting and starts with a selection of a center stone. When you have chosen a stone, you should get in touch with their customer support which will help you choose the rest of the design details. Once you are finished, they will send the details to the design team which will create the rendering. It’s possible to make a few changes before you approve the design and the team starts working on the wedding or engagement ring.

Packaging

For many buyers, packaging plays a very important role which is quite natural. It’s not just the jewelry that you will buy – it’s the way that you will present your gift that plays an important role too.

Video: James Allen Engagement Ring Unboxing

So, James Allen products are packaged in impressive boxes. For instance, their engagement rings are delivered in impressive silver and white boxes which come with embossed butterfly – the brand’s signature.

Under the large box is a smaller box that can fit in a standard pocket.

In other words, you can place in your pocket and reveal it once the time comes without losing the element of surprise.

On the other hand, the large box can be turned into beautiful storage for your jewelry.

Let’s not forget to mention that the box also includes a certification.

You can find the certification issued by IGI, AGS or GIA in the bottom drawer of the special box.

Additionally, you will also find an appraisal certificate, a cleaning cloth, and a quality assurance guarantee.

These boxes are designed in a way which makes them quite resistant and durable. So, you can rest assured that your online order will come in its original state no matter how long it will be traveling.

Pricing

The vast majority of people that are looking for beautiful diamonds and exclusive jewelry have a limited budget.

So, if you are one of the few lucky people, then you should set up a budget before you purchase a diamond or diamond jewelry.

When compared to other popular online jewelry stores, we can freely say that James Allen has decent prizes.

This is especially true when we compare it to traditional land-based stores.

But, it makes sense because online stores don’t have so many expenses like many employees or renting space or investment in inventory.

According to some statistics, the prices found on this website are cheaper up to 40% compared to the ones found in traditional stores.

When you are using James Allen you will know that you are getting even more for the price in our opinion. As previously mentioned, all the diamonds and jewelry are handcrafted by true experts in this field.

Payment methods

While we are talking about pricing, we should analyze another thing that is closely related to money and that’s the payment methods you can use at James Allen. In order to make this process easier, James Allen has decided to include a few different payment methods that can be used by all clients.

The most used payment method is credit card. James Allen accepts MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. Basically, the most popular credit cards out there. When using a credit card, you will be linked to a page that uses a secure server and special protection. You can also use the help of their customer service department to process the order.

Generally speaking, customers that are using credit cards will get their products shipped on the same address used by the credit card company. But, there’s an opportunity to send the diamonds or other jewelry to another address, but only after verifying your identity. You will need documentation such as a photocopy of credit cards, a driver’s license, a passport or similar documentation to complete this process.

James Allen provides access to special financing options via LJC credit card program. With the help of this financing solution, you can buy a diamond ring or other jewelry even if you don’t have enough money at the moment. If you want to get approval, you will have to meet certain conditions.

Insurance

Truth be told, buying a diamond or high-quality jewelry of any kind is a notable investment for most people. This is why it makes sense to insure your jewelry.

As one of the leading online brands in this industry, the management of James Allen has decided to team up with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company.

So, whenever you are ready to purchase a product from James Allen online store, you will get a chance to insure your attractive, valuable jewelry with the help of the Jewelers Mutual personal jewelry insurance offer.

This is a simple process that takes just a few minutes. So, this short process can help you get peace of mind. Remember that Jewelers Mutual Jewelry Insurance Company is an insurer that operates in North America and is focused only on jewelry insurance.

There are many reasons why someone would opt for an insurance deal like this.

For instance, with its help, you can get your damaged jewelry repaired and it will come with the same quality as the original piece of jewelry.

It’s also possible to replace lost jewelry with exactly the same model. The insurance deal provides protection against damage, theft, unexplainable disappearance and accidental loss. This is a full worldwide coverage that offers more than simple homeowners insurance.

It is possible for buyers to get a free quote.

Customer Service

There is more than one way to determine whether some brand is taking care of their clients or not and one of the simplest ones is to check their customer service. It turns out that James Allen has developed an efficient, modern customer service solution. This is customer service with agents that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Return Policy

Purchasing a diamond in a brick and mortar store is completely different than buying one in an online store. It’s easier to get confused when you are buying diamonds online even when a website (like the one that James Allen has) includes many images, animations and offers help before you actually process the order. For this reason, it’s crucial to check the return policy of the seller.

This is another good thing that we have noticed about James Allen. Namely, they have a 100% money back guarantee policy.

But, what does this mean?

Well, in case you are not completely satisfied with the purchase, it is possible to send back the product to James Allen, and you will get a full refund.

You can also replace that product with another one.

In order to use this opportunity, you have to send back the diamond in less than 30 days and the diamond must be in its original, unused state.

There is a free return shipping policy, but this policy applies only to customers that come from the United States. When it comes to returns outside the USA, the free return policy is not working. We should also point out that special orders can’t be returned.

Shipping

Where, when and how you will receive a diamond or jewelry plays an important role in this process too. James Allen promises free shipping worldwide. They have a selection of over ten countries where they are shipping for free.

This is not just a free shipping offer, but it’s also a fast shipping offer that comes with insurance. The best part is that the value of your order doesn’t play a role in this process. As we have mentioned above, each of their products is packaged in a safe way and transportation is insured. They are delivering these packages directly to the customer’s office or home.

US buyers should know that orders that are worth over $500 are shipped with the help of FedEx through their Priority Overnight package. On the other hand, international orders that are worth more than $500 are shipped with the help of FedEx and their International Priority package.

If the order is worth less than $500 and you are a buyer that comes from outside the United States, you will receive the package via FedEx Economy or USPS.

In case you are from the US and the product is worth less than $500, you should know that the product is shipped via FedEx and their Two Day Saver option. You can check the status of your order at any time on the official website. International buyers should consider the possible VAT and other taxes, duties, and surcharges that may be charged by the national authorities of their countries.

Warranty

When a seller has a product that they believe in, they are usually providing warranties. Of course, James Allen is a brand that’s not an exception. Due to the fact that they are making most of the products on their own and the work is done by seasoned, knowledgeable and skilled professionals, they are able to warrant that all the products found in their offer are free from manufacturing issues. The team of professionals they have will repair and take care of the jewelry you both, and they will do this forever.

We have already pointed out that their jewelry is made with the help of the finest materials and carefully inspected before it’s shipped. With their lifetime warranty, James Allen provides free re-polishing, prong tightening, and cleaning.

In case you experience any kind of problem with their diamonds or jewelry or in case you require services that are not part of their lifetime warranty, you can send them for a free evaluation. Once the procedure is completed, you will get an estimated amount of the cost of service.

Other useful services provided by James Allen

At James Allen, you can also use their free engraving offer which is available for almost all wedding bands and engagement rings. In case your ring or band can be engraved, you will notice this option before the checkout process is finished. The customer can choose a combination that consists of up to 20 characters (alphanumeric characters).

Selecting a fitting ring or band can be a little bit problematic when you are doing this online (we have a detailed guide about how to measure ring size) even though this website offers a few in-depth guides that can help you determine the right size.

The design of the website

What’s even better is that the official website (www.jamesallen.com) used by the James Allen brand is always changing and improving. This is quite logical because the requirements are changing and the technology is evolving.

James Allen vs Blue Nile comparison

If you conduct research, you will probably realize that there are dozens of online stores where you can purchase diamonds and exclusive jewelry.

Inventory	200000	150000
Special Edition	True Hearts	Astor by Blue Nile
Build Your Own Ring	Yes	Yes
Physicals Stores	Showroom	Yes
WishList	Yes	Yes
LiveChat	Yes	Yes
Track Order	Yes	Yes
360 View	Yes	Yes
Returns	30 days	30 days
Free Shipping	Yes	Yes
Shipping Service	FedEx	FedEx
Shipping Countries	23	45

Current promotions

James Alles currently runs the most expected Black Friday 2019 promotion with 25% off on engagement rings, wedding rings and fine jewelry.

So don’t wait, and grab this amazing deal right now!

Conclusion

Ranked No. 140 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 list by Digital Commerce 360, James Allen is certainly one of the trendiest online jewelry stores in the world today. This is especially true when it comes to millennial diamond buyers.

This is one of the rare places where you can check high-quality photos of each diamond before you place an order. There are more than 200.000 diamonds on this website and it’s obviously a big thing to get access to HQ, HD photos. I hope you like reding “James Allen Review”.

The post James Allen Review appeared first on Rock My Diamond.

It is common knowledge that women love jewelry, particularly diamonds. Even the proverb “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend’’ confirms the statement.

But, just as there are many fake friends, there are also fake diamonds, which can be quite heartbreaking if you possess one thinking it to be real.

Whether you have a diamond that you inherited from family members, you got one as a gift, or it is something you bought, it is always good to make sure if what you possess is real or fake.

But what exactly is a real diamond?

The answer might not be as obvious as it seems.

It is good to first define and distinguish what can be called “real” and “fake“.

When looking for diamonds it shouldn’t take you by surprise that no reputable jeweler would refer to them as ‘real diamonds’.

Using the term ‘real’ might mislead people to think that synthetically created diamonds are actually fake, which is not the case. Even, you won’t find the word “fake” on Wikipedia’s page about Synthetic diamond.

A diamond, per definition, is any material that is composed of carbon which has a characteristic chemical composition and crystal structure.

And this definition can be applied to diamonds that have formed naturally in the earth as well as to the ones created synthetically in a laboratory.

So, according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines, jewelers are advised to clearly distinguish between natural diamonds, synthetic diamonds and imitations.

Even though per definition lab created diamonds are as real as nature mined diamonds, many people wouldn’t consider them as the “real-deal”.

Lab created diamonds should not be mixed with diamond simulants.

While lab created diamonds have the exact same characteristics as real diamonds, the diamond simulants only resemble the appearance but differ in properties.

In other words, they are fake!

In the group of fake diamonds we can classify both, man-made simulants, and some natural gemstones used instead of diamonds.

Among the most common gemstones that are used as diamond imitations or diamond alternatives we can include the cubic zirconia, white sapphire, and moissanite. The list is not exhaustive, so what follows is a short overview of the properties of fake diamonds.

If you’ve stumbled upon a fake diamond there is a high chance that it will be a cubic zirconia.

It is probably the most widely-recognized fake diamond on the market today. And this has been the case ever since it appeared on the market, back in 1976.

The cubic zirconia is a synthetic stone made from the crystalline form of zirconium dioxide.

Cubic Zirconia

For the untrained eye, noticing the difference between a real diamond and a cubic zirconia stone can be quite a challenge.

The stone of the cubic zirconia is hard, but it’s not as hard as a diamond. It is optically flawless and most of the time colorless. Over time it is likely to get scratched, unlike the diamond, which keeps its quality. As far as value is concerned, it’s only a small fraction of what a diamond with the same size and appearance would cost, which kind of explains why it’s so commonly used to trick people into thinking that they’re paying for a diamond.

This stone does occur naturally, but it is so rare that nowadays all moissanite is lab-created. In terms of characteristics, its hardness and sparkle are really close to those of a diamond.

The moissanite can even give more sparkle than a diamond, but more on that in the Sparkle test bellow.

However, there are two things that can help you distinguish between a moissanite and a diamond.

The first difference is the color.

While both stones can be yellow, clear or green, the stones that have a naturally red, blue, brown, black, or purple tint are most likely diamonds.

Natural diamonds have more saturated and purer colors of the stone, whereas the stone of the moissanite seems to be changing colors as it disperses light throughout the stone.

1.5ct Moissanite, Custom Cut

Second, the weight of the gem can be used to determine which stone you may possess.

If you have two stones of the exact same size and physical shape, the one that weighs considerably less will be a moissanite.

Of, course if it’s not some other diamond imitation.

Read our article Moissanite vs. Diamond and find out more about this precious stone.

White sapphire is a precious gemstone that occurs naturally and is colorless.

In terms of quality, the gems share many characteristics, so you might struggle trying to distinguish between a sapphire and a diamond.

The gems are quite similar in terms of size, color purity, saturation, strength, and solidity.

Actually, the diamond is the only stone that is harder than a white sapphire, so weight is not something that you can use to immediately know what you’re dealing with.

If you want to differentiate between a diamond and a white sapphire, you’ll need to dig a little deeper. One thing that can show you whether you have a diamond or a white sapphire is the shape formation and minerals.

While white sapphires form as corundum-based, hexagon-shaped crystal chunks, diamonds form as carbon crystal pieces which can be square or cubed.

These differences in shape and minerals bring about different light reflection and refraction pattern.

Another thing that can be a giveaway sign is purity. While sapphires in general do form in numerous colors, the white ones are considered completely pure with no traces of other colors or even murkiness.

Diamonds, on the other hand, even when they’re flawless they are not completely pure and perfect and have some traces of other colors.

While white topaz might look a lot like a diamond, its qualities are far from those of a real diamond.

White topaz is a natural stone that is soft which means that can be easily scratched. This makes the stone quite cheaper than a diamond.

Being a natural gemstone, white topaz can often contain some internal imperfections or impurities in the same way as diamonds do.

Even though the stone is colorless, these impurities may affect its color.

Just as the white topaz, zircon is a natural stone.

It can appear in various colors, but it can also be colorless.

As far as quality is concerned, it is not as hard as cubic zirconia.

Zircon is often used as a cheap alternative to diamond in engagement rings with colored stones.

Might sound improbable, but glass can really resemble a diamond due to its clarity and sparkle, so it can easily be mistaken by a novice.

Upon closer inspection, it is obvious that glass has neither the toughness nor the brilliance of a diamond.

What’s more, the glass is more transparent than the diamond.

There are a number of tests that can be performed even at home in order to check the authenticity of a diamond.

Although no test should be regarded as conclusive, they are a good indicator and start off point in assessing your stone.

There are a couple of tests that require nothing but good observing skills:

This is probably the simplest and quickest test that you could perform to check the authenticity of a diamond.

Before attempting the test, make sure that the stone is clean and not covered with any oil.

Place the stone in front of your mouth and breathe onto the flat surface in order to make it foggy.

Pay close attention how long it takes for the fog to dissipate. If the fog clears up in one or two seconds, that’s a great sign and it means that you should be holding a diamond in your hand.

If the stone remains fogged for several seconds, the likelihood is that you’re holding a fake diamond. This happens because diamonds conduct and disperse heat very effectively, so no condensation can stick to the surface longer than a second or two.

The scratch test may not be the best test to check if the diamond is real, but it’s good to be aware of it. Since the diamond is one of the strongest substances on earth and is ranked hardest on the Mohs scale, you can very easily cut through glass with it. So, if you have a plate of glass and a loose diamond you could try the scratch test. Simply put the glass on a table, or any flat surface and use your diamond to scratch it. If the stone leaves a scratch on the glass, there are chances that it is a real diamond.

Note: When doing this test it is possible to damage or chip your diamond, so take that into consideration before attempting. Also, there may be some other gemstones that can cut through glass as diamonds. Thus, the test may be a bit risky and inconclusive.

The newspaper test is also known as transparency or refractivity test as it relies on the reflection of light to tell whether a diamond is real or not.

A diamond’s inherent quality is to refract or to sharply bend the light which is passing through. Diamonds refract the light in various directions and not linearly, something which is not the case of counterfeit products.

So the test is the following: 

First, you will need a newspaper and a loose diamond, preferably a larger stone.

The diamond should be facing down on a section of text in the newspaper.

If you can read the print or see black smudges, then I’m afraid that’s bad news – the stone is most likely fake.

Diamonds refract light in such manner that you will not be able to read the print below.

The newspaper test: Real Diamond vs Glass vs Cubic Zirconia

Note: If you don’t have a newspaper available at the moment, the dot test is a perfect alternative. Take a white piece of paper, place it on a flat surface and draw a small dot with a pen. Lay the stone over the dot, with the pointed end of the stone looking up. When you look down onto the paper, due to diamond’s powerful refractive qualities, you shouldn’t see the dot if you’re holding a real diamond. If you see the dot or even notice a reflection in the diamond, then the stone is not a real diamond.

Another really quick and simple test is the water or the floating test.

You’ll only need a glass of water, a loose diamond and 2 minutes.

Take a glass that is ¾ full with water and carefully drop the diamond inside.

The stone of the diamond has a high density, so when placed in water it will sink to the bottom.

If the stone floats on the surface or is just right underneath, you are holding a fake diamond.

Note: If the stone is set into metal, like on a ring, it will most likely sink when dropped into water, so the test is not applicable to stones that are not loose. Also, not all fake diamonds float into water, so if the stone passes the test, it’s best to perform an additional test.

For this test you will only need to use your eyes.

Place your diamond under a regular lamp and simply observe the way the light reflects off of the stone.

Diamonds are great at reflecting light and provide exceptional sparkle.

They are well-known for the brilliance, fire and scintillation. If you’re holding a real diamond, you should be able to notice bright shimmers of white light bouncing off the diamond and colorful light reflections.

The white light that is bouncing off is known as the diamond’s brilliance whereas the rainbow light that is reflected is called its fire.

You can easily distinguish between diamond and moissanite. The latter carries much more sparkle than a diamonds, although it’s because it has a different faceted pattern which creates that disco-rainbow effect.

In the case of Cubic Zirconia, a diamond is superior with its unmatched brilliance.

Diamond vs Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia in the Sparkle Test.

The general rule: When trying to distinguish between a real and fake diamond, counterfeit stones will display a colorful sparkle internally.

There are some other tests that can be performed along with the use of some instruments:

This test is quite quick to do and you will only need an ultraviolet or black light and a diamond.

Turn off the lights and hold the stone in front of the black light. If you see a medium to strong color of blue, you can rest assured that you’re holding a real diamond.

If you see a slight green, yellow or gray fluorescence, your stone is not a real diamond.

Note:This is not a conclusive test since only about one-third of all diamonds will reveal a blue fluorescence.

In order to see if a diamond is real you can inspect it with a magnifying glass or even a jewelry loupe.

A loupe is a type of magnifying glass that has no handle attached and its lens frame is slightly more conical than that of a regular magnifying glass. It is mostly used by jewelers and watchmakers to see small details up close. It’s especially needed when jewelers inspect diamonds for class and clarity.

So if you decide to do this test and don’t have one, you can easily get it online, at a jeweler’s or craft store.

In order to do the test, you will need to closely examine the diamond for inclusions or flaws. Since diamonds occur naturally, they most likely have some tiny natural imperfections.

Then, look for small flecks of minerals or slight color changes. You may be able to notice a small piece of carbon or a white spot that looks like feather.

Cubic zirconia and other synthetic diamonds like moissanite will not have such inclusions as they are internally flawless.

Note: Diamond-specific inclusions will confirm that you’re holding a genuine diamond, but bear in mind that although rare, there might be some internally flawless diamond. Also, lab-created diamonds in almost all of the cases do not have any imperfections since they’re created in controlled environments, and as stated above, they’re as real as the ones formed naturally.

This test is as exciting and unpredictable as its name.

To perform The Fire Test, you will need a loose stone, a lighter and a liquid container such as a glass filled with cold water.

Also, you will need a set of plyers or fireproof gloves to hold the stone.

Heat the stone for around 30 seconds and then drop it immediately in the glass of water. If the stone is a real diamond, it will remain unharmed and will simply fall to the bottom. The reason for this is that diamonds are one of the strongest materials on the planet and are unresponsive to high heat. In fact, they were formed under intense heat and pressure billions of years ago, so when you heat a diamond, the heat disperses quickly and the change in temperature doesn’t affect the diamond.

However, if the stone is fake, it will shatter to pieces. The quick expansion and contraction of heat causes weak materials such as cubic zirconium or glass to crack and break.

Note: The good thing about this test is that its results are conclusive. The bad news is that if your stone is not an authentic diamond, after the test you will possess no stone whatsoever. So, if you’re not concerned that you may damage or ruin the stone, feel free to try it out.

A rather simple test if you possess a diamond scale. Since you probably don’t, it might be a good idea to take the stone to a local diamond jeweler who will be able to weigh the stone for you. A sign which shows that you’re definitely dealing with a fake diamond is if the stone weighs more that an actual diamond of the same size and shape. Fake diamonds such as cubic zirconia weigh 55% more than an actual diamond of the same properties. If you possess a grading report for the diamond you can match it to the weight recorded.

Note:Apart from the scale, you will need two stones of the same shape and size, and you will need to be sure that one of them is real. So, from simple, this fact probably makes the test a bit impractical and difficult to perform.

While most of the tests so far require your diamond to be loose, this test actually relies on the mounting. Real diamonds will be set in high quality jewelry such as white gold, platinum, yellow gold, pave or side-stone setting and halo setting rings.

Look on the inside band of the ring for markings. The notes 10K, 14K, and 18K stand for gold, PT and Plat for Platinum, and the numbers 585, 770, and 950 can also stand for gold and platinum. However, if you notice a C.Z stamp or engraving, be sure that indicate that the stone is a cubic zirconia, and not an authentic diamond.

Among the tests that require special instrument is the test for thermal conductivity.

Gemologists often have in their tools a thermal conductivity probe or meter.

With this tool they are able to determine the thermal conductivity of a gemstone. D

Diamonds are a very effective heat conductor, which means that they will disperse heat quite rapidly after being warmed. If the stone disperses heat at a slower rate, it is a sign that the stone is probably fake.

Note:The synthetic moissanite stones possess a similar or sometimes equal heat conductivity, which makes the test inconclusive with diamonds. So, if the stone passes the test, make sure you use another one that will rule out the possibility of it being a moissanite.

Apart from thermal conductivity, the diamonds can be tested for electricity conductivity.

This test can be performed by a jeweler or gemologist. Diamonds are better at conducting electricity than other stones, including the moissanite. So, an electricity tester can tell you whether the stone is real or counterfeit.

No single test will tell you for sure if a diamond is real or not, but a combination of tests might give you an answer.

Are you prepared to test your diamond? We would like to hear your results.

I love diamonds like every woman does, but I like to go beyond and research the topic to the ground.

The post How to Tell if a Diamond is Real? Here Are 12 Tests You Can Try appeared first on Rock My Diamond.

This means that you are most likely to rummage through tons of articles and reviews to check the selection, prices, customer service and so on.

If you are ready and about to start your quest, be sure that one of the first retailers you check out is Whiteflash.

To save you time and effort in collecting bits and pieces from various sources, we’ve compiled and written a full and comprehensive review, which will enable you to see whether Whiteflash is the right company for you.

Whiteflash diamonds in 360

Some more structured and detailed information follows below.

Whiteflash is an ultra-modern online diamond and bridal jewelry retailer, which specializes in ideal diamonds and designer engagement rings and offers a wide selection of the best known brands and luxury styles in the bridal market. They are the developers and sole distributors of A CUT ABOVE® super ideal diamonds, considered to be among the finest diamonds available today.

If you are searching for an engagement ring of the best and top quality, you can be certain that you will find plenty of choice at Whiteflash, as they are an authorized distributor for some of the top designer brands, and they even manufacture their own signature designs.

They have a standing reputation and dominate the premium online diamond market by offering extremely high quality both in production and selection of diamonds at the most affordable price point possible. This is confirmed by the numerous customer testimonials that can be found on Google, Yelp, Ivouch and similar sites. Even the iconic Kiplinger’s Magazine refers to them as being ”Lord of the Online Rings”.

In the large in-stock inventory of diamond rings they possess, you will find engagement ring settings from Tacori, Verragio, Simon G, A. Jaffe, Ritani and Danhov, brands which are not likely to be found at many places.

Whiteflash designer enagement rings

Whiteflash are a member of the American Gem Society, a well-known leader in Cut Quality analysis that has as members some of the finest jewelers in the United States and Canada, so most Whiteflash diamonds have AGS Laboratory certificates that testify for the premium quality.

They are committed to providing the best consumer education and protection, which is noted in their numerous educational and informative articles pertaining to diamonds and jewelry.

What’s more, they are co-authors of a major series of articles that cover the topic of diamond grading at the AGSL.

So, be sure that you will find comprehensive and accurate information regarding the 4 C’s (Color, Clarity, Carat, and Cut).

The History

Whiteflash is an online jewelry retailer based in Houston, Texas, with a customer base that spans around the USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Founded in 2000, it is one of the pioneers in the online diamond industry. Although they are an online retailer, they do have an impressive brick-and-mortar store in Sugar Land, for which they earned the title of ‘Best Jewelers in Houston’ by winning the coveted Pinnacle Award from the Better Business Bureau.

Whiteflash BBB Award Winner

Over the years, they have acquired an outstanding international reputation for the first class quality of their precision cut diamonds and for their flawless collection of designer engagement rings.

They are exceptionally proud on the fact that this reputation was built organically, through customer referrals, and not through spending vast amount of money on marketing. The reason for this is mainly put down to them having thoroughly vetted all of their diamonds, providing a full set of light performance images and HD video for every in-stock diamond, complemented with a full laboratory report on their website.

They are said to have in possession one of the largest inventory of certified super-ideal round and princess cut diamonds of any retailer anywhere. Their signature diamond brand, the A CUT ABOVE®, is considered to be one of the world’s best super-ideal diamonds and is internationally acclaimed as the most beautiful precision cut diamonds that can be found on the market.

Starting in 2004, Whiteflash have annually received high honors from the Better Business Bureau, culminating with the highest honor in 2018, when they received the 2018 BBB Pinnacle Award.

When it comes to the business model, the way that Whiteflash run their business is rather specific. Even though they are an online retailer, their inventory is actually in-stock, which is not quite common among online retailers. This has enabled them to have a professional photo taken of each and every in-house diamond, which is later displayed on their website for sale.

In case you want to double check if the professional photographer has done justice to the diamonds, there is a showroom in Sugar Land, Texas, where the diamonds are exhibited.

Whiteflash Houston Jewelry Showroom

Their business model can be best described as a combination of the warmth of a small traditional family-business and the standards and qualities of a large corporation.

Their in-house team is comprised of GIA trained jewelry and diamond experts including GIA Graduate Gemologists, and AGS Certified Gemologists. Owning and having the diamonds in-stock enabled them to provide full diagnostics up front, and the mentioned light performance images and HD videos are accompanied by a full laboratory report, which is how they have made sure to provide the best set of assurance policies in the industry.

Their dedication and seriousness can be noted from their ISO 9000 certification. If you are not quite familiar with this international best-practice standard for quality control and continual improvement, here are some more details:

The ISO 9000 certification guarantees that when you buy a diamond from the particular retailer, the information they have presented you with is absolutely accurate and you always get what you ordered. In order to acquire this certification, an organization has to comply with international standards and is also a subject to an annual external audit. This ensures that the organization follows only the best practices in quality control and has set processes for continuous improvement. As this is not an actual prerequisite to have, majority of the jewelers do not obtain this certification.

Knowing this is really comforting and reassuring, especially for making online purchases for substantial amounts of money.

As the website is the first point of contact, Whiteflash have made sure it is bold, elegant, neat, and eye-catching.

The dark tone with red touches adds to the chic look and even makes the diamonds stand out more.

Apart from the looks, they have made sure that the navigation through the site is easy and very user-friendly. The homepage features a streamlined navigation menu bar with a few basic drop-down menus that provide information in terms of available diamonds and jewels, educational page, and company services, which lets you find what you were searching for in just a couple of clicks. The design seems to be carefully planned as all the information is clearly displayed without any unnecessary tabs or menus, preventing a potential overload with images or text. Moreover, the website is mobile-friendly so you can access it on the go.

When you are ready to start your quest for diamonds, you will find the navigation menu on the left-hand side really useful and simple for filtering the desired characteristics. They have employed quite an efficient diamond – search tool that lets you limit the search to only  A CUT ABOVE®, Expert Selection, Premium Select or virtual selection stones in case you are only interested in a specific category. What’s more, the search box is designed to store your queries in order to make your return visits easier.

Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE Round Diamonds

Once on the diamond  detail page, the first thing you will notice are all of the images of the diamond that will help in your choice. You will also see that the details feature clear icons that show to which category a certain diamond belongs, its grading authority, and whether Whiteflash staff have judged the diamond to be eye clean.Before you dive into the search, it is good to note one thing. In the column ‘eye clean’ you will see that for some diamonds it says ‘inquire’ rather than ‘yes’. Let this not put you off that diamond, as this doesn’t mean that when people look at the diamond there will be visible inclusions. It is only a reflection of the company’s high level of transparency and attempt to be as accurate as possible. Their actual test for inclusions involves inspecting a diamond at a distance of 8-10 inches in normal lighting. And if the diamond is placed in a ring setting, their highly-trained gemologists can pick up inclusions on close inspection. However, for a layman, the diamond may actually be eye clean and no inclusions will be visible.

So, for the stones that have been marked as ‘inquire’, you can get additional details by Whiteflash. They will provide a detailed description of the nature of the inclusions, and customers can get a more clear idea of what might be visible, how visible it will be, and from which directions and distances. This will allow you to decide whether the diamond is ‘clean and perfect’ enough to be the one.

Point is, don’t be hasty to disregard a diamond which isn’t immediately marked to be clean. Make sure you contact Whiteflash and inquire for the inclusions and how severe they are, you might be surprised with the outcome.

As for the images and videos they provide of the stones, one can say that they’ve put quite an effort to accurately and vividly display the jewels. For each diamond you can find an ideal scope image (used to show areas of light leakage), a Hearts & Arrows image (shows the incredibly symmetrical hearts that are formed by perfect facet placement of the diamond), and an ASET image (shows the intensity of the light as well as light leakage). There is a 360-degree HD video for each diamond they have in stock. Additionally, they provide a Sarine report for each stone. This report is an advanced digital report of the particular diamond’s scan. A great number of online retailers do not provide this information unless asked, and some do not provide it at all.

All of this screams transparency and simplicity. Whiteflash seem to have gone to great lengths to provide the most accurate and best view of their products on offer. So, what you see is what you get. This is quite reassuring for online purchases.

Whiteflash have made sure the customers find the window-shopping experience pleasant and stress-free. They offer a 24/7 chat system to assist you with the choice and discuss your requirements and there is a simplified shopping cart which makes checkout available for different devices.

Now comes their educational part and Whiteflash’s vast educational section. While all the diamond knowledge and information may seem overwhelming at first, you should consider their homepage as a comprehensive library where you can find answers to all of your questions relating to and about diamonds. It is apparent that they possess a high level of expertise that they are not hesitant to show and share with customers. You will find detailed explanations of what makes their ‘ A CUT ABOVE® range so exceptional, then you can see the grading process in detail, something which is not that common.  Shortly, you’ll know for sure what you’re paying for.

Apart from the blog, they feature quite engaging guides and superb infographics with high clarity. You can even use the site as a resource tool for discovering the latest designs on offer. The FAQ section offers quite clear and simple answers in terms that any layman can understand. Also, if you find the educational section a bit too much, make sure to check out the quick Diamond Buying Guide where the crucial aspects of what you need to look for in a diamond are covered.

You can be sure that all of the items Whiteflash offer on their website are of the finest quality, regardless whether it’s custom made by them or obtained from a world’s top designer. The diamond experts at Whiteflash ensure that the diamonds they offer are the best combination of the 4C’s – color, clarity, carat, and cut. If one aspect of the 4C’s is lacking, the stone is simply not considered. Apart from the stone quality, they make sure that the design of the setting also matches and complements the stone. No wonder how they gained their reputation.

In terms of the quality and budget we can distinguish 4 tiers of diamonds at Whiteflash, the first three of which are all in-stock, fully vetted, and available for immediate purchase:

• A CUT ABOVE®
• Expert Selection
• Premium Select
• Virtual Selection

The A CUT ABOVE®is a super ideal diamond that is exclusive to Whiteflash.. There are strict requirements and conditions under which the diamonds in this line are cut in order to result in  the best angles,proportions, and light performance. The Collection Series is the very ‘best of the best’; Super ideal cut, Internally flawless to VVS2, and D,E,F in color.

To be qualified for the status of a Hearts and Arrows diamond, a round stone has to possess a perfect hearts and arrows pattern and display an impeccable three-dimensional alignment of facets. You can see arrows when you look at the diamond down from the top and the hearts when you look at it from the bottom. For the diamond to have a perfect optical symmetry each facet must be perfectly aligned so that the hearts and arrows will be well-defined and completely symmetrical. However, note that if a diamond has perfect symmetry it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s an ideal cut.

Interesting to note: Only around 1% of the diamonds in the world can be considered true hearts and arrows diamond.

Next, the parameters of the stone must be within the limits of the AGS stringent criteria, so that it can earn the AGS Ideal certification.The stone must achieve the AGS triple zero rating – excellence in light performance, polish, and symmetry. On top of that, it must pass the even stricter requirements posed by Whiteflash. So, having the perfect hearts and arrows combined with perfect light performance makes a diamond super ideal.

Finally, the stone has to be photogenic. Jokes aside, there is an image testing with which they check the stone’s light performance when captured on camera. These images are posted on the website and serve as an actual proof and display of the brilliance and superiority of craftsmanship. They are complemented with the full gemological data. Taken this into account, you shouldn’t be surprised that they are the most expensive line.

The A CUT ABOVE® category doesn’t only consist of the round (hearts and arrows) super ideals but also of the princess cut super ideals. Similarly to the round diamonds, the princess cut diamonds also follow strict qualification criteria. The diamond must be a square princess with a length/width ratio within 1.03; the overall cut grade must be AGS0; there must be no inclusions that affect the durability of the corners; there must be no light leakage in the center of the diamond.

The Expert Selection category consists of diamonds that almost achieved the stature of A CUT ABOVE®. All of them have acquired the triple zero rating from AGS, however they did not pass all the technical requirements by Whiteflash for the top brand. This selection is a quite good balance of price and quality as the average person will not be able to tell them apart.

The Premium Select category consists of diamonds that belong to GIA’s qualification of Triple Excellent diamonds. They are in the group of highest quality diamonds and possess premium features, among which is the highest cut grade given by GIA. The stones also display a quite distinct Hearts and Arrows pattern. The only reason they are in the third place in the categorization by Whiteflash is that Whiteflash prefer AGS certified diamonds to GIA. According to them, AGS perform deeper cut quality analysis, which is why only AGS Platinum certificate diamonds may qualify for the A CUT ABOVE® or the Expert Selection.

Apart from their in-house inventory, Whiteflash also offer a virtual selection that comes from  the global network of suppliers. While the images for the in-house items are available at any time, Whiteflash can only provide an image for a diamond from the virtual selection once they bring it in for evaluation. This does not mean that they are less in quality, as there are stones in this group that are graded as Excellent cut by the GIA and may even have excellent symmetry and polish . This category is designed for customers looking for different shapes or qualities that Whiteflash does not carry in stock.

In addition to the high quality and service they offer, Whiteflash hold themselves to a high moral standard. All of the diamonds they sell are ethically-sourced in accordance with the Kimberley Process, a framework that strives to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds. What’s more, Whiteflash go even further in their attempts to raise awareness and make a positive impact. They are a member of the UN Global Compact and the Diamond Development Initiative, both of which support human rights and fair labor efforts. As for the impact, they have established a special jewelry line known as the Dreams of Africa Collection with all profits going to Jewelers for Children, a charity that gets support from participating members of the jewelry industry in their efforts to help children in need.

When searching for a diamond, it is important to know that you will have a specialist to consult with before making your decision. This is where Whiteflash excel. Their staff consists of accredited jewelry professionals, diamond graduates and graduate gemologists, all of them with GIA credentials, so you can be sure that any doubts or questions you may have will be most certainly addressed.

The moment you decide to get in touch with them, you will be assigned one of their diamond consultants to assist you with all the queries you may have. Confirmed by hundreds of testimonials online, their consultants are highly professional, polite, and pleasure to talk with. The consultants are available 24/7 over phone and live chat, so you don’t need to worry about closing times. In case you have some longer or more detailed query you can choose to email them and even add any attachments to get the most out of their help. You can be sure that each customer receives special attention, as you will not only be assigned a professional consultant, but they will also provide you with additional complimentary professional photos of the chosen ring so that you can share it with friends and family.

In case you are still in doubts about your choice of diamond, you can decide to reserve the particular stone for 24 hours either via email or simply by talking to someone from the representatives. This proves really useful as it saves you from the fear that by the time you make your decision someone else gets to your diamond first.

On top of all this, they employ an advanced customer management system that will keep track of your project so if by any chance your initial consultant becomes unavailable for any reason, you will not have to go over everything with another representative, as they will be already familiar with it, which definitely saves time and nerves.

Once you are done reading about and choosing a diamond, it is time for the purchase. Whiteflash have made sure that the shopping experience they provide is smooth and the purchase process is seamless and easy. They provide several payment options for purchases within the USA and Canada, which include all major credit cards, Paypal, and Bank Wire Transfer (with a discount offered if you opt for it). They even have free international shipping included in the service, which contributes to the positive shopping experience.

When you have already purchased your stone, Whiteflash strives to dispatch it as soon as possible, which can even be the same day for the diamonds they have on-site. In case you opt for some of the stones from the ‘virtual selection’, it can take a few days as the diamond will have to be sent from the chosen company to Whiteflash, where they will inspect it carefully and mount it in a ring.

If your shipping order is within the US, it will be delivered by Fedex, with a full insurance and a tracking number for payments made by wire transfer. However, for payments over a certain amount with a credit card tracking will be done by your consultant.

In case your purchase is made outside the US, you may not find it as seamless. The prices can only be displayed in US$ and for payments outside the USA and Canada only bank wire transfer is available. While it is not something that is too complicated or impossible to be done, it’s just a bit more hassle than just inputting the card details. To ease things, Whiteflash have included a widget that will calculate the shipping and tax for each country that shipping is available to. The price for shipping outside the US is $50 to which 1% of the value of the order is added. So, if your ring costs $8,000.00, shipping will be $50 + $80 (8000x 0.01) = $130 total.

So, taking this in consideration, your shopping experience might not feel quite as enjoyable if you’re buying outside the US, however, if you have set your mind on one of the A CUT ABOVE® or Expert Selection, this is something that will be well worthwhile.

So, upon finalizing your quest for the perfect ring it is time for you to sit and wait for your package to arrive. You can sleep tight and carefree, as when you order a particular diamond from Whiteflash there is no chance that you might receive something else instead. Their staff inspects the order in every department it is sent to. Whiteflash have put limits on how many pieces can be handled at one point and everything is being filmed. Before the diamond is sent off, the quality assurance team checks the lab report number and then the diamond is packaged in a special designated area, filmed with three separate cameras.

Whiteflash Ring Box

Now, the package is a story for itself. Whiteflash score highly in this area as well, and they have made sure that a high quality stone doesn’t come in any sort of box. The stone is placed in a high quality lacquered cherrywood box with black motif. This chic exterior is matched by the exquisite satin interior. Their logo is fairly unobtrusive and can be found on the inside of the lid. This elegant and tasteful combination has proved to be a worthy holder of the precious stone inside.

Additional Info

• Service guarantee: While diamonds are long lasting, the metals that hold them in place are affected by wear and tear. Whiteflash provide a one-year service plan for each ring they sell. This covers sizing, cleaning, re-polishing and any necessary repairs for the metals.
• Additional 3 year and Lifetime Service Plans are also available for reasonable fees and can be purchased at checkout.
• Lifetime trade-ups: In case you decide that you want to upgrade the diamond you have bought and would rather get a bigger, better, or simply different one, Whiteflash offer to swap the diamonds for a stone that costs the same or more. The trade-up on the in-house diamonds is 100% of the purchase price, and they even offer a trade-up benefitfor designer engagement rings – 50%.
• Money back guarantee: Whiteflash allow you to change your mind within the first 30 days, and will refund you 100% of the price, which includes the paid insured postage.
• One–year buyback option:In the event that those 30 days have passed, and you still decide to return your stone, Whiteflash will buy it back for 70% of what you paid for a period up to one year since the original purchase date. This applies to all in-house diamonds that are in their original condition.
• Reward program:Some of the customer benefits that Whiteflash offer is the referral program. Each time that you refer a friend and they make a purchase, Whiteflash will reward you with $100. They also give a repeat customer $100 loyalty discount for every new purchase that is worth $2,000 or more.

In your search for the perfect diamond, you are sure to come across a few well-known names in the world of diamonds. Among the top online jewelry retailers apart from Whiteflash you will most certainly hear of JamesAllen and Blue Nile.

Each has something peculiar that distinguishes them from others.

First and foremost, the images provided. The Diamond Display Technology that James Allen has is unparalleled as they offer a 360-degree, high-definition view of each diamond that is in their collection.

However, Whiteflash are the only ones who provide the Idealscope, ASET, or H&A imagery as well as HD video. James Allen will provide 3 free Idealscope images, but it needs to be requested separately. In this regard, Blue Nile is a little behind, as they don’t have actual images for many of the stones, even though they have introduced a video technology of displaying diamonds in an attempt to catch up.

When it comes to inventory, there are a couple of things that set the companies apart.

While Blue Nile and James Allen have a vast selection of diamonds in offer that goes over 100 000+, Whiteflash has ‘only’ 33 000+ diamonds to choose from. And yet, Whiteflash is the only one that actually has diamonds in-stock.  If you are searching for a particular shape, you will find a wide inventory of all diamond shapes at James Allen. In case you are searching for a colored diamond, then Blue Nile will be your choice of retailer.

If you are on a budget, you’d better check Blue Nile and James Allen, as they have some stones that are quite more affordable than Whiteflash. Not having the diamonds in stock allows both James Allen and Blue Nile to be competitive in prices.

	Blue Nile	Whiteflash	James Allen
360 Degree	Yes	No	Yes
Physical Store	Yes	Yes	Yes
Business Founded	1999	2000	2006
Return Policy	30 days	30 days	30 days
Certification	GIA / GemEx	GIA / AGS	GIA / IGI / AGS
Customer Service	Chat / Phone / Email	Chat / Phone / Email	Chat / Phone / Email

On the other hand, in case quality and security is your primary goal, Whiteflash should be your choice, as being in possession of the diamonds has allowed their experts to actually have inspected the diamonds and vouch for the highest quality, and there is no risk of not being able to get the diamond you have so carefully selected.

When it comes to customer support, there is not much to compare, as all of them excel at it. Customers’ reviews speak highly of the polite and highly knowledgeable staff that is available 24/7.

After the purchase comes the packaging. While Blue Nile prefer simplicity and elegance, James Allen and Whiteflash have made sure that the package is as impressive as the stone inside. Whiteflash will send your diamond in a high quality lacquered cherry wood box with satin interior and James Allen will send it in a large and luxurious jewelry box.

In the area of return policies, Blue Nile and James Allen offer a full 30-day return policy. Whiteflash do offer a 30-day return policy on their in-house diamonds and all jewelry products. For the virtual diamond inventory, they only allow 10 days for the return.

As for the buyback, Blue Nile returns the amount based on the rings value, which may increase or decrease in time, whereas Whiteflash guarantees to pay 70% of the original purchase price.

The post Whiteflash Review – All You Should Know About Their Diamonds appeared first on Rock My Diamond.