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Hello, I need help picking out an engagement ring from Blue Nile. I would like to have a 1 carat diamond that is eye clean and has a high enough colour that it does not effect the appearance of the diamond. My budget for the ring is maximum 5,500 euro. I would like a round cut diamond in a solitaire setting.
I understand 1 carat diamonds are expensive so I would be open to suggestions if my budget is not realistic for what I would ideally prefer.
Before I recommend any diamond options, can you please tell me where you’re located? I need to set up the country to see available diamonds. Then I’ll gladly send you some suggestions.
I am based in the Republic of Ireland, hence why I am looking to use Blue Nile to source ring/diamond as James Allen does not have a base in Ireland and I don’t want to have issues with customs etc.
Here are some beautiful diamonds:
They’re well-cut, eye-clean and brilliant.
As for the setting, choosing a setting is a matter of personal taste and preference. It’s up to you which one you like the most.
Thank you for getting back to me.
Having looked at the diamonds above you have sent, it seems this is the best one?
Should I be concern with the colour grade being J and the diamond potentially looking slightly yellow?
If it is not a concern, what setting would be best for a lower colour grade diamond to maximise the diamonds overall appearance?
If the colouring is a potential issue would it be wiser for me to lower the carat size to have a potential higher colour grade?
My preference is a 1 carat ring but I am flexible with this to go slightly lower in carat size if you think the overall appearance of the diamond would benefit.
To the majority of people, J color doesn’t look yellowish in solitaire settings. If you want, you can find a local jeweler with GIA certified diamonds and look at the color in person (but set in a solitaire setting with no additional diamonds on the band or a halo). Potentially, rose gold or yellow gold solitaire settings might “hide” the color a bit more, but even in a white gold setting it should look nice.
All the stones I sent you are perfect. I personally like this one the most Blue Nile LD12690772. It’s reasonably priced, 95% of twinning wisps are not visible to the naked eye (that stone is eye-clean because bear in mind those videos are extremely magnified) and the cut is gorgeous. Worst case scenario, if you end up not liking it in case of the purchase, you can easily return it BN has a perfect return policy.
Here are some higher colored diamonds:
Blue Nile LD11078079
Blue Nile LD10776776
As for the setting, it’s up to you. I personally love these:
Nouveau Knife Edge Six Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring
Tapered Cathedral Solitaire Engagement Ring
ZAC Zac Posen East-West Solitaire Engagement Ring
Thank you for getting back to me so promptly and clarifying my concern with the colour grading.
I have looked at the diamond you have forwarded to me and I understand what you are saying regarding the appears etc. I agree with you fully, but, my issue with this diamond is my partner is a ‘check the spec’ type of woman and I know she would be slightly disappointed if I showed her on the Blue Nile website her diamond, I want to have her 100% happy with it.
Personally, I really liked the Blue Nile LD12626847 you sent me. Can you give some further feedback about this diamond? Is the clouding highlighted on the cert a concern at all? It doesn’t seem to be on the magnified image.
Thank you for your choice of settings too. My partner is brown skinned so I am thinking of a rose gold or yellow gold setting:
Petite Cathedral Solitaire Engagement Ring
Do you think this would work well with brown skin? I was thinking white gold/platinum might be a bit too cold against her skin tone.
The J VS1 stone is a perfect option. The pavilion angle is great, everything’s ideal. The clouds are not a problem at all since it’s VS1 clarity, it wouldn’t affect the brilliance. It would look great in that setting.
I personally think rose gold looks better on darker skin than lighter skin but that’s just my personal opinion. Also, if you can’t decide, it’s good to focus on the jewelry she already has – this might help you to choose the right metal color. If she is not that much into wearing jewelry, you probably can’t make a mistake with any metal type.
Thank you for the feedback. I think I am going to go ahead with the J VS1 diamond. From what you are saying it will be a sparkly, impressive diamond for her – she would be delighted to say she has a 1 carat ring! I am going to go ahead with the rose gold setting too I think. She has a mixture of jewelry but I think rose gold suits her bronze brown skin tone the best.
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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