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Q&A: Choosing a 1.50 Ct. Emerald Cut Diamond For a Yellow Gold Setting

By Mike Fried, Updated September 25, 2019

Hi, I recently purchased an engagement ring from James Allen. The order is currently processing but I was hoping to get your take on the diamond (unfortunately didn’t find out about your site until the order was placed).

My girlfriend really likes the look of an emerald cut diamond set East-to-West on a yellow gold solitaire setting.

I found what appears to be a very reasonably priced 1.5 carat G-VS1 emerald cut diamond, with relatively good grades across the board (in my very limited diamond knowledge!). I placed the order for this diamond set East-to-West on an 18k yellow gold 2mm solitaire setting.

Does this diamond with this ring look like a worthy purchase, both for the value and overall? If needed, I can probably reach out to James Allen for changes or utilize the 30 day return policy once it arrives and select a new stone.

The diamond link is: www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-7043724?a_aid=dmnd1357

The setting link is: 18K YELLOW GOLD 2MM COMFORT FIT SOLITAIRE ENGAGEMENT RING

Thank you so much for your help!

The diamond you went with is not bad, but I’m not a huge fan of how uneven the faceting is at the center. Ideally, it should look like this:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-7454413?a_aid=dmnd1357

I’d wait till the diamond arrives and then you can decide if you want to exchange it. Other than the slightly different faceting, it has very nice specs.

Thanks for the response and suggested diamond! I do have a couple of follow up questions for you.

I’m curious why the “Symmetry” rating for both diamonds would be Very Good, when one is cut with more even faceting. Is that a possible oversight of the rating? I definitely see what you mean about the more even faceting on the H-VS1.

Also, the H-VS1 diamond looks very nice overall but I am little concerned about the small spot right in the middle of the top face. Is that something to worry about if I ultimately make the return and change to this stone?

Even we don’t know on what grounds GIA grades their diamonds. That’s why it’s important to have a HQ video so that you don’t need to rely solely on the certificate. As you can see, two diamonds with similar grades can look very different.

The H VS1 is perfectly eye-clean. Keep in mind how magnified the video is. The tiny inclusion would get unnoticed in person.

Thanks! The original order just shipped and should be delivered soon. I will take a look when it arrives to see how the uneven faceting appears. I’ll keep you posted if I intend to return and change the stone.

Sounds like a plan.

Keep me posted.

Wanted to give you a heads up that I did return the ring order to exchange with the diamond that you had suggested. I dropped the return with Fedex last week and the new order is currently processing. Thanks again for your help!

Thanks for the update. I hope you’ll be happy with the new diamond and if you could let me know how it looks when it arrives, I’d appreciate it.

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
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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
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
Click to Visit
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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