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Hi.
First of all I have found your website really helpful, thank you!
My two main concerns are ordering from overseas and the weak value of the British Pound affecting the value for money of what I will be able to purchase. Maybe I could purchase in US dollars to avoid the retailers currency exchange markup? Or maybe I am better off purchaing from a UK retailer? What do you think?
I have a budget of up to £4,000 maxmium and I would like a round diamond, excellent cut, with a diamond band ring in white gold.
Your best bet is to find something on Blue Nile (https://www.diamonds.pro/reviews/blue-nile/) as they have an office in Dublin, therefore you can save the import fee. Also, it’s easier in terms of service. They have the best track record with our European based readers.
Could you please tell me if you like any settings from them? It will help me determine the budget for the center stone. Then I’ll gladly send you some suggestions.
I like this one: Riviera Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring
Thank you for the additional info.
Here are some beautiful diamonds I found for you:
Blue Nile LD12788326
Thank you very much for the helpful information and the recommendations. Which one out of the top two you suggested would you recommend? I like both!
What do you think about this one? Blue Nile LD12688438
The diamond you found is beautiful, but we don’t really pay attention to the Astor cut diamonds (unless, of course, they are better value than regular Ideal/Excellent cuts). We use our own strict parameters for picking out diamonds and we haven’t found those particular cuts to be noticeably or consistently more brilliant.
Out of the diamonds I selected for you, I’d go with either Blue Nile LD12788326 or Blue Nile LD12209883, they are the largest and best priced in their category. And they are, of course, beautifully cut.
I think I have decided on Blue Nile LD12209883, which I have reserved with Blue Nile. The only thing that slightly worried me is the brown mark on the girdle. I’ve tried to circle it in red on the attached. What do you think? Does this affect the diamond’s colour? It looks like it can be seen throughout the diamond, or am I imaging it?!
As for the brown mark, it’s most likely the feather (or it might be the laser inscription but I think it’s an inclusion). It might be covered with a prong and you shouldn’t be able to see it in person. Just to be sure, I suggest asking BN directly (for example via their live chat). It won’t affect the color of the diamond.
Thanks for your help. I have just made my purchase!
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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