Q&A: “Diamond Noob” Looking for Cushion Cut Diamond

I’d consider myself a “diamond noob,” so your website is extremely extremely helpful (I especially appreciate your full disclosure policy re: your relationship with diamond dealers).

In short, I’m looking for a cushion-cut stone in the 1.25 to 1.75 carat range. My price range is around $8 to $10 thousand. A hobby gemologist friend recommended that, for that weight and price range, I should look somewhere in the G-J color range and the VS2-VVS2 clarity range, but after reading your site I’m potentially willing to dip further down in clarity (there’s nothing wrong with keeping costs down).

Do you have any recommendations?

Also, I’m located in New York City, and could arrange an appointment with James Allen to visit their headquarters. Have you heard of other customers doing this before? Were their visits generally successful?

Thanks so much in advance for your help.

Thanks for your response, Michael.

In terms of setting, I’m thinking of a white gold/platinum ring with pave but no other sidestones, along the lines of this:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-Thin-French-Cut-Engagement-Ring.html

Please let me know if you have any recommendations.

Thanks!

That looks great. I’m going to try to meet with JA in the next couple days to look at that stone and a couple similar ones… I’ll let you guys know how it ends up.

Thanks again for all your help.

All went extremely well, just wanted to thank you again for your guidance.