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Thank you for your website. It has been extremely informative and very helpful for me navigating this new territory.
I went ring shopping with my girlfriend this past weekend at Robbins Bros. Your review rang very true – the service and experience were very nice. However, also like you said, they were a bit pricier than what I was expecting – I had conducted a few precursory internet searches and had general idea of the ranges I thought certain stones should be in, but they were higher.
So I came home and dug into your website, others, and also have looked at many online retailers. A lot of them seem to be cheaper, while also providing a seemingly better quality stone. Here are the general parameters I’m looking for:
Pear shape
1.75-2.5 carats and preferably 2+
Budget is $10-15k for the whole ring
Preferably lab grown
It will be on yellow gold
Here are a few that have peaked my interests. Can you help me make sense of them and understand their differences?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/2.23-carat-e-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-10093751?a_aid=dmnd1357
– This one is IGI certified, but it seems, and again I have no idea what I’m talking about, but it seems that even if the true ratings of this stone were a few rungs lower, it would still be a solid stone at that price.
Blue Nile LD14303549
This one is GIA certified but substantially more costly for a much lower rating.
In case of lab-grown diamonds, IGI certification is not an issue. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/lab-created-diamond-certification-igi/
On to the diamonds you sent me:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/2.23-carat-e-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-10093751?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one would be perfect if it wasn’t for the bow-tie. It’s quite prominent and on a diamond this size, the bow-tie should be as subtle as possible.
Blue Nile LD14303549
This one is not eye-clean and has medium fluorescence. That’s a problem on G+ stones as it can make them look hazy in daylight. It’s also not eye-clean. I wouldn’t recommend this diamond.
Thank you for your comments and critiques. I have a few more that I’d like to hear your thoughts on. And if this is too much or I’m not being respectful of your time, please let me know and I’ll ask more pointed and specific questions.
Ask away!
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/2.08-carat-d-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-9728483?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one has a very strong bow-tie. I would skip it.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/2.23-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-10038990?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one looks great. The bow-tie is subtle and well distributed. I like it a lot.
Thank you so much for your help. I purchased the 2.23 carat James Allen one on the bottom that you said looked good.
That’s great news! I’m glad I could help you decide on the diamond. It was an excellent choice.
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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