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Looking to seal the deal here soon. I know for a fact my finance to be (hopefully) would prefer a princess cut. I live in Canada and have been on Blue Nile a lot lately. I have read and taken your advice on specs etc. I notice that you recommend James Allen a lot. Is there anything I should be concerned about with Blue Nile? I’m trying to keep my budget under $6000 for a 1 ct set in a 1/2 ct channel setting. Any advice? Thanks!
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I can see why JA is recommended now because of their virtual loop – you can actually see the diamond. My problem is I live in Canada – don’t get me wrong, I love living here; however if I purchase a ring from JA, I will be exposed to import duties and taxes. I’m sure you receive this question a lot. I guess the only way I can minimize this is to import a loose diamond. This then adds concerns for me and maybe I’m being more paranoid than anything. If I import a loose 1 ct princess cut, I would have get it set at a local jewelry store here. Any recommendations? I live just north of Toronto. My concern is not the actual setting; but if I drop off the loose diamond, how will I know I’m getting the loose diamond that I dropped off back when I pick up the ring? Again, maybe I’m being paranoid here – feel free to tell me to relax. With Blue Nile having a Canadian website, I’m thinking I can avoid the import fees. If the better diamond is with JA and I have to import, I will – afterall, she’s worth it!
Back to the princess cut. As mentioned before, my budget for everything is $6000. I would like to find a diamond that fits your recommendation of below 70% depth (or close to it) and a table below 75% (based on your recommendations. If my depth is 70-72%, I’m guess that my table should be actually equal or just less than equal to that depth.
The girdle is throwing me off. Is the girdle important for setting the ring? If so, how do I pick this out for a princess cut? Is there a range I should stay in? Thin to slighly thick?
Anyways, any advice or links to JA or BN you would like share would be greatly appreciated.
I’m a little confused. I get that taxes are a concern, but there is no difference between JA and BN on that account. I took a quick look at BN and their prices are 15% higher which is oddly similar to the taxes you would pay in Canada.
You raise a very good point.
I’m pretty well set on purchasing from JA
What are your thoughts on these?
I really like the first one you selected. I love the depth on it (it will look much larger) and it’s 100% eye-clean. You got yourself a winner.
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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