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Hi all,
I’m in the market for an engagement ring for my girlfriend. I can’t believe I’m reaching out to some online strangers for some potential help, but here we are. I’ve been doing some research on your site, and it seems like shopping for a diamond online is my best bet.
I’m looking at princess cut diamonds, solitaire setting, on a yellow gold band. I’m wanting to stay around $3,000 for the full ring. I’m wanting to find a ring that is classic in style, but doesn’t look like a cookie-cutter ring, if possible.
Really, I just need some help when it comes to picking one diamond over another, and making sure I’m not overspending on features that I don’t need.
I’m hoping to make this purchase relatively soon, so any help or advice is appreciated.
Can you browse these links and let me know if there’s anything that has caught your eye?
Solitaire Engagement Rings – James Allen
Solitaire Engagement Rings – Blue Nile
It’s a good idea to pick out the setting you want and then work on the center stone.
Looked through those links, I’m liking this one the best from James Allen. It looks like it showcases more of the actual diamond than some of the other styles.
14K Yellow Gold Claw Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring (Flush Fit)
Are there any big differences in quality between Blue Nile and James Allen that I should be aware of?
Both James Allen and Blue Nile are fantastic companies, we don’t recommend one over the other. We’ve tested them many times and the quality of their products are services has always been on top.
14K Yellow Gold Claw Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring (Flush Fit)
This setting is beautiful and the platinum prongs would blend in nicely with the center diamond.
I found a couple of options that would look amazing in it:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-9973874?a_aid=dmnd1357
I/H color looks absolutely colorless in a solitaire setting. These options are beautifully cut and all of them would be very bright and brilliant in real life.
I really like that last diamond. From my research, I think that’s what I’m looking for based on clarity and cut. You are confident that the diamond would appear colorless even at an I rating? That’s my only concern with the diamond at this point.
Also, how much more would a 1.00 carat diamond cost with the same cut, clarity, and color characteristics? I’m trying to determine if it would be worth going for a slightly larger diamond if the other characteristics stay the same.
I color is our usual recommendation for solitaire and even pave settings. Given you’re going with a yellow gold setting, I color is a pretty safe choice.
Here’s a 1ct option:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-9151957?a_aid=dmnd1357
Perfect, I’ll stick with the I color then. I’m getting close to making the decision, just wanted to run one more diamond by you first.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-9019854?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is not bad, but my previous recommendations have slightly better cut parameters (more ideal table and depth%).
Perfect, that makes my decision easy. Thank you, I’ll update you once I make the purchase!
…
I went ahead and purchased the ring this morning! Thanks again!
That’s great news! I’m glad I could help you find the perfect diamond.
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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