The report also provides 5 images of your diamond under 5 different light views, to gauge the diamonds interaction with light. True Hearts (by James Allen) comes in 3 shapes, round, princess, and cushion. This one here is a 1.01 carat, G, VS1 round diamond and cost $9,298. Guides Blue Niles Astor Collection Diamonds Review. But also, keep in mind that you can find an excellent cut diamond that showcases an equally well-light performance at a lower price. Now, the reason why I bring up this point is because the way the two diamonds look in the video frame. Starting with the positives. I dont want to be comparing two diamonds which were never intended to be equal in the first place. The other important thing to know is that blue Nile "ideal" is meaningless. In that case, Im curious to see how its going to produce sparkle that is unmatched by anything else. How can Blue Nile possibly claim that a diamond that scores in the low range of very high for SPARKLE delivers "unmatched sparkle? Otherwise, this kind of thing is like trying to compare Coke & Kool-Aid, instead of Coke & Pepsi. It is great that Blue Nile offer a collection that claims to focus on cut quality. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the beauty of diamonds, Emily has become a trusted authority. when picking a diamond, and dont rely only on the cut. Naturally, I can't wait to see the ASET, Ideal Scope, and Hearts & Arrows Scope images for these diamonds. However, these reports do not distinguish the diamonds as True Heart anywhere. For personalized help, you can also contact us to talk directly to our diamond experts. Although it might be acceptable if the pavilion depth were 43%. Diamond noob here. If youve read our content on the four Cs of diamonds, youll likely know that were big believers in choosing a diamond based on its cut quality. Because a Brilliance score on the mid-line of High to Very High is not the highest by any stretch of the imagination. When you do this, you can actually find some great diamonds in the Astor Range: Just dont fall for the marketing spin. I will not be held responsible for damage to your computer equipment: "Results are repeatable with an accuracy range of +/- 5%. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Isn't Astor just BN 's own brand certificate? Since were searching for Astor by Blue Nile diamonds weighing more than 1.00 carats, I expected to see a full format GIA diamond grading report. With the promise of a new creation nibbling at my curiosity, I ran a patent search for the Astor by Blue Nile diamond: In my experience, when a diamond cutter creates a new design, they usually file a patent to protect their work. My guess is that somebody in the marketing division is trying to meet your expectations. These diamonds produce an unmatched light performance and shine from across the room. Since that is not an option, were going to have to dissect the Astor by Blue Nile diamond to see what makes it special. Apparently, that is another way to say that the results may vary by 5%, but I digress. The plotting diagram of the Astor by Blue Nile diamond on the GIA diamond grading report shows a modern round brilliant. Im certainly left questioning how the Astor by Blue Nile are actually unmatched. We are reader-supported. GCAL vs. GIA What Is the Best Diamond Certification. They also match the level of services provided by the other retailers. However, make sure you check the cut specifications of the diamond carefully and dont just go on the face value of the report. Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. From a quality perspective, Astor Ideal diamonds differ from the other diamonds in Blue Niles collection in several ways: Finally, Astor diamonds are registered with Gemprint a fingerprint-like system for diamonds that can often help with insurance costs. The excellent cut grade yields diamonds of perfect cut quality and most people are satisfied with this cut grade. As a result, I'm curious to see how https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?a_aid=GrayMatter is creating diamonds guaranteed to deliver unmatched sparkle. I found a few diamonds that met her criteria and mine, she looked them over and gave me some solid advice. 314. While we no longer offer Blue Nile Signature diamonds, we introduced Astor by Blue Nile diamonds, which are cut specifically to maximize brilliance. As you can see in the 360-degree view of this 0.42 carat round cut Astor Ideal diamond, the distinctive arrow shapes can be seen extending outwards from the stones center when viewed from its crown, while the heart pattern is noticeable going inwards towards the stones center when viewed from the pavilion. They themselves state that their certification is no guarantee of quality. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. As you may know, Ive written about AGS and GIA grading here. Secure the best quality diamond for your budget. The Blue Nile Astor Ideal diamonds are meant for people who are looking for the best of the best in a diamond. . Color: G Entirelooks.com is reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Although Blue Niles Astor collection isnt our top recommendation for most people looking to buy a diamond, its an option thats worth considering if youre searching for an extremely well-cut diamond and can find it at the right price. For the record, I'm a professional diamond buyer with 35+ years experience. Under those conditions, I wrote this review from the perspective of a customer learning about Astor by Blue Nile diamonds for the first time. Do I really need to point out that once again, the score for Sparkle is on the edge of High to Very High? Both diamonds have very similar specifications. They are a little generic. However, this doesnt mean that they are not exceptionally high quality diamonds. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. In that case, we should compare diamonds of equal proportions if we're going to do this right. So they came with a wealth of certificates. Rather it is the name of a collection by James Allen. We ended up buying a loose diamond from James Allen. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The Astor diamonds encompass more than the round . In addition, they have also been cut to achieve precise symmetry for maximum sparkle. Generally, about 25 to 30% more expensive than similar ideal cut stones. At the same time, it appears that Blue Nile is no longer providing us with an Optical Symmetry analysis. What scientific standards is Blue Nile using to measure sparkle? I have to be honest and admit that Im not a big fan of this grading platform. If you want to impress me, show how Astor by Blue Nile diamonds stack up against a hearts and arrows super ideal cut diamond. Having had a look at some of these diamonds, Id agree that light performance is certainly their selling point. This intricate pattern is quite hard to find. You can check that out in the ideal scope images for this diamond below. Single-Cut vs. Full-Cut Diamond Heres What to Know, What is a Purple Diamond? Here you want to be able to pick a table diameter between 53-58% and a crown angle of between 34.3 and 35 degrees. The diamond color scale starts from D-Z and D being the most colorless and Z having the most color. If youve browsed Blue Nile (probably you did), you may have already noticed the premium selection of their purest cut diamonds, Astor by Blue Nile. So what youll want to do is click and hold your mouse down over the video and drag the diamond left and right. One of the tricks that Blue Nile uses to add more credibility to their Astor collection is the certifications. If yes, to which extent? We'll help you get the best diamond for the money. In addition, I'm led to believe that no other diamond offers sparkle that is comparable or better. Her commitment to providing personalized guidance has earned her a loyal clientele. As a jewelry lover, Ive blogged about trends, fashion, and news related to jewelry for over 15 years. The correct way to say this would be that Astor by Blue Nile diamonds are graded by two gemological laboratories. Just that I think you will find similar, and better, elsewhere. Astor Ideal by the Blue Nile is an exclusive collection of top-tier diamonds with a super ideal cut. With the aforementioned in mind, it's time to run a search for Astor by Blue Nile diamonds. In that case, I'll approach this Astor Ideal Cut Diamond Review from a slightly different perspective than most. Due to the manner in which the search engines work these days, Im not going to label each of these an Astor by Blue Nile diamond. Astor by Blue Nile is a little different. Notice how all of the arrows on the Astor Diamond on the left are dark. As you probably noticed, some Astor diamonds are great (when accompanied with reasonable prices), while others cant be recommended in general. You can use them as a basis of comparison for deciding which Astor Diamond to choose. These are the main cuts of the whole industry, so no surprise there. Then you'll open each diamond details page in a new tab in our browser. Apr 18, 2019. However, as a customer, I wouldve appreciated ideal scope images at least. James Allen True Heart vs Ideal Cut: Which is Better? Astor Ideal diamond with similar color and clarity grades is priced at $14,469. Astor: Round, princess & cushion cut. You probably thrive on the details and want the comfort and peace of mind that only comes with knowing you have all the information at your fingertips. Blue Nile is the largest and most well known internet jewelry seller. This particular 1 carat cushion hearts and arrows diamond is a rare breed that offers good value for money. How is the Astor by Blue Nile diamond different? Nothing can beat this cut for brilliance and sparkle as the Astor Ideal diamonds reflect the most light . Based on what weve seen above, an Astor diamond is a Diamond with an super excellent cut, our personal opinion is that if you get an ideal (excellent) cut diamond, that has ideal table & depth percentage, along with our recommended 4Cs, you will be nailing a good diamond. What is clear, is that despite the exceptional quality of the A CUT ABOVE diamond, it still come in at a lower price than its competitors. . Blue Niles Astor Ideal are some of the best diamonds on the market, with exceptional brilliance, sparkle and fire. By all means, feel free to contact me if you want help with your diamond buying quest. Carat: 1.01ct While their Astor collection isnt for everyone, its worth considering if youre looking for an exceptionally well-cut diamond. A diamonds' price is determined primarily by the 4 Cs of the diamond. Hearts and Arrows diamonds such as the ones in the Blue Nile Astor Ideal collection are known as Ideal/Excellent or sometimes even Beyond Ideal/Excellent cuts. Set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category . The clarity grading scale goes from FL-IF which denotes Flawless/internally flawless, VVS1 and VVS2 showing very very slightly included, VS1/VS2 showing very slightly included, SI1/SI2 indicating slightly included, to I1 which indicates included inclusions. In that case, I expect you to prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt and I'll hold you to it. While it is still not the absolute highest score Ive ever seen, it is on the higher end of the spectrum. We felt that we got very good value for money. Am I missing something? And that, too, with the addition of better internal symmetry and H&A patterns. The plotting diagram for this Astor by Blue Nile diamond looks like a standard round brilliant cut diamond to me. Also, dont forget that a branded diamond is almost always more expensive than a non-branded diamond. After all, Ive been at this game since 1985 and the promise of anything new is exciting. 3) Whiteflash: Home Of A CUT ABOVE Super Ideal Diamonds, they stand out from the crowd by offering premium diamonds cuts, tailored to those who love the details, at great prices too. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. If you're seeking for the best, the collection contains some stunning diamonds that have been expertly cut. This is the same for the new Astor range as it was for the Signature. Period. This diamond possesses a GIA grading report with VVS1 clarity and F color. True Hearts is a premium collection of perfectly cut diamonds. The 34.5 degree crown angle should produce a virtual balance of brilliance and dispersion. Have piece of mind that you didnt get ripped off. But anyway, Blue Nile doesnt claim to offer the H&A patterns exclusively in this collection either. You are paying for the name as well, not just for the quality of the stone itself. I stumbled upon this company while asking diamond buying questions on Google. Which brings me to my usual point of do the Astor by Blue Nile diamonds represent good value for money? By carefully examining the stone and checking its cut specifications, you can purchase an ideal diamond of exceptional quality. The Hearts and Arrows pattern is only found in round, princess, or cushion-cut diamonds, which is why youll find True Hearts in these shapes only. Crucially, it is not a benchmark certification process for the entire diamond industry. This brings us back to the fact that, at the moment, the only cuts available are round or princess. This is definitely going to be interesting because we're going to be evaluating these diamonds together. The diamond was appraised by another jeweler where we live, confirming its characteristics and value. Astor by Blue Nile diamonds are hand selected, specifically cut, and double certified to captivate the eye in ways other diamonds cannot.. I ended up with a gorgeous diamond ring at a great price thanks greatly to Veronika and her expert advice! Consequently, the next step of the evaluation process is to actually look at the diamond. Interestingly enough, the first few GIA diamond grading reports for the Astor by Blue Nile diamonds in the list, do not contain a plotting diagram. Astor by Blue Nile is, as mentioned above, Blue Nile's exclusive collection of diamonds cut for optimal brilliance. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. True hearts in itself is not the name of a cut. That is another thing that used to appear on the GemEx reports for their Blue Nile Signature diamonds. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". However, you will find the Astor Ideal diamonds to be superior in their symmetry and proportions. In fact, in some cases, such as not being provided with an Optical Symmetry Analysis, I think Im actually getting less information than with the Signature. With that in mind, were going to rely uponmy preferred range of proportions for round ideal cut diamonds. Why Does A Rose Quartz Turn White? They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. This is where superideal diamonds come in. You are paying for quality, not a premium. However, what I want to see on their site is comparisons of a Blue Nile Astor diamond, and other highest grade diamonds. People generally get to this question because of the price difference, they want to know if its worth to pay the money (which can be in thousands) to get an Astor, when they can get an ideal cut diamond that has great sparkle? But if you care to analyze the symmetry ratios, polish, and proportions of the diamond, youll see how the True Hearts are superior to regular excellent or ideal cut diamonds. The words that Blue Nile uses to peak our interest, did just that. Anyway, lets see what exactly a True Heart means. Other options worth considering for exceptionally well-cut diamonds include James Allens True Hearts collection and Brian Gavin Diamonds. It does not store any personal data. Many people in the industry refer to Blue Nile as the 800-pound Gorilla in room. They are, as I said, a retailers sales tool. Blue Nile's signature cushion diamonds display superb scintillation and contrast patterning similar to those offered by ideally cut rounds. I told Blue Nile I was choosing between 3 diamonds in their Astor range (exclusive to BN, not virtual inventory) and asked for some photos of the diamonds in order to better judge each stone's colour etc, and ASETs if possible. Price: $9,814, TRUE HEARTS BY JAMES ALLEN So, first things first, lets take a look at cut and how this relates to the diamonds in the Astor Ideal collection. Because this image clearly shows the difference in how light is reflecting throughout the two diamonds. In my experience, it creates the potential to produce the best light performance: Table diameter between 53 58%Crown angle between 34.3 35.0 degreesPavilion angle between 40.6 40.9 degreesLower girdle facets between 75 80%Star facets between 40 58%Girdle thickness between thin and slightly thickCulet: AGS pointed or GIA none. Every characteristic has its own priority, but we know for a fact that in order of importance, Cut is the most important factor, so yes indeed, getting a superior cut grade will help a lot in guaranteeing a great sparkle. Blue Nile has long been known for having exclusivity agreements with various diamond wholesalers meaning the stones cannot be listed anywhere other than Blue Nile. Tiffany Setting vs. Prong Setting Is There a Difference? Astor Ideal Cut - Exclusive To Blue Nile. Before judging any Astor diamond, its essential to have an idea about the difference in price between an ideal (excellent) cut diamond, and an Astor one. The proportion, symmetry of the diamonds facets and how they are polished determines how light will bounce off it and as previously mentioned would ultimately determine its brilliance. Carat: 1.01 Ideal cut: Which is Better? At the same time, the eight arrows can be seen from above. For example, this 1.08 carat, H color, VS2 clarity, Astor ideal round brilliant cut diamond has an absolutely stunning appearance. Lets run a search on Blue Nile for Astor Diamonds weighing between 1.00 1.49 carats, F-G color, and VS-2 to VS-1 clarity. A good option if youre looking for a diamond with exceptional cut quality and dont mind paying a premium. If you were keeping count, only 16 of the 27 Astor by Blue Nile diamonds made the cut. Blue Nile claims that all Astor diamonds are certified by two labs: GIA & Gemex, this was phrased in a smart way, this is how they mention it: When Blue Nile mentions the reputable certification lab (GIA) in the Astor context, they are very cautious & tricky, they want to convince you that these diamonds are officially recognized by some big certification labs, but if you look on the official Astor page on the site, you will see that they mention the terms certified / assessed / curated / analyzed. This brings me back to one of the questions posed at the beginning of this article. Previously, this collection was called Blue Nile Signature Diamonds, but the Astor Cut has replaced that. That I suppose is the conclusion that Blue Nile wants us to reach. Despite numerous claims by diamond dealers and jewelry stores all over the world, there is no such thing as a GIA Certified Diamond. It is worth mentioning that the GIA rounds this measurement off to the nearest 5%. This diamond reveals an exceptionally symmetrical heart and arrow pattern with minimal light leakage. However, as I explained in my main Blue Nile review, this statement wasnt enough to guarantee that you the consumer were getting exceptional cuts. Which one do you think will perform better? Next, were going to right-click our mouse over the orange arrows on the right side of the listings. Not to mention the fact that the diamond got a score in the lower range of very high for brilliance. People sometimes go crazy in carat thinking a 0.8 carat diamond would be very small, truth is, such carat is great for most hands, and weve created a full guide for carat chart showing actual sizes on hand. Best Places to Buy an Engagement Ring Online, Not all Trade Up Guarantees are the same. Well cut Asschers are really hard to find because most are cut for weight retention instead of . In the first place, it implies that the Astor by Blue Nile diamond is different than everything else. Here is an image from the archives of Nice Ice that show what that looks like: Three blue bars on the far right side of the spectrum of Very High on a Gem Ex Light Performance report. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. I was initially struck by two things. However, we also cannot jump to conclusions based upon the GemEx score for only one diamond. That leads me to believe that this diamond is not cut to the higher standards of the super ideal cut classification. In the first place, I see that the new report format does not contain the same images that were available for Blue Nile Signature diamonds. I have to say I think this is incredibly unlikely. But people keep promoting the idea that diamonds are GIA Certified because Joe Blow Public expects them to be. Lets take a look at some of the characteristics of diamonds and how they affect the value and price of the diamond, so this way, when we put these characteristics against any Astor diamond, we can estimate the value it adds to the diamond: The process of diamond formation involves it going through very high amounts of heat and pressure underneath the earths surface.
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