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My fiance and I are currently on the hunt for an engagement ring.
We live in Australia but are interested in purchasing online if it will ultimately mean better value for money – I’m thinking either Blue Nile or JA. Budget is around AUD$6500 for the entire ring. Although, given we need to factor in GST/duty once it’s sent as well, the closer the $6k the better!
Ideally what I would love to buy is a 14k rose gold cathedral solitaire with a 6 prong white gold head and a 1 carat round diamond. I would love this to be at least an excellent cut. Lower gradings for colour and clarity is where I hope to save some money and still get an eye clean diamond. I’ve read that you can get away with lower colour gradings in rose gold rings, around the I/J mark, but I’m not sure if the white gold prongs would impact that idea?
For the setting I would love a slim cathedral setting around 1.8mm, like this one (Petite Cathedral Solitaire Engagement Ring), but with a 6 prong head rather than 4 prong. I’ve already confirmed with Blue Nile that this can be done.
I hope I haven’t forgotten anything. I would love to know your thoughts on all of this and any diamonds you think would be best suited. I’ve had a decent look online but I always seem to end up overwhelmed and slightly dizzy!
As you mentioned, a J color stone will look colorless. Even in a setting with white prongs. I found this diamond with the quality I’d recommend:
It’s very well cut, eye-clean and with great overall specs.
What do you think?
I had a look at that diamond before work this morning and really liked it, it ticked every box and looked great… but unfortunately it was showing as sold just a few hours later!
Also, how are you able to tell if a diamond is eye clean online? I’ve noticed some websites have this listed in the details but I haven’t come across anything on Blue Nile.
I’m happy to hear that you liked my suggestion.
It also depends on where the inclusion is located, what type and color they are or the size of the stone. The next best stone I found is a little more expensive:
Is this price rage still fine for you?
That is a beautiful diamond also, and really ticks most of the boxes. As for the price, I suppose it’s probably right on the cusp of our budget. That’s not to say we wouldn’t still strongly consider it though.
How quickly do these companies tend to turn over diamonds? Since we are not in a great rush to purchase, is it worth waiting to see what else comes up?
There’s a high chance that anything we find now will be gone in a couple of days. So it depends on whether you want to wait with the purchase or make sure to get this one.
Keep me posted, please.
I went ahead and placed a special order (as I’m getting the setting altered) with that diamond yesterday! Yay!
Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it!
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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