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Hello,
I am looking to purchase an engagement ring for my girlfriend. I know that she wants a cushion shape with a halo and some diamonds going down the side of the ring, in a white gold setting.
Knowing that, I thought this process would be easy…not so much. I’ve done a lot to educate myself about diamonds, but I’m having trouble understanding how to pick the perfect diamond. I’ve looked at a couple, but I wasn’t crazy about what I saw. I understand that cushion diamonds look best at G-H color (at the lowest). I know she wants it to be sparkly, which they all are…but one I saw also looked black in the middle instead of white. Maybe that’s because I don’t know what a diamond is supposed to look like, or maybe it’s because some are white and some are black because of the light reflection and the cut depth?
I’m looking to spend between $3,000-$5,000. Less is always fine if I’m getting a great ring. I’m skeptical about buying online, but maybe that’s the best option?
I would appreciate any assistance or advice your service can offer.
I understand that buying online can be uncomfortable. But if you buy from a reputable company, it’s not risky at all – companies like Blue Nile or James Allen are hassle-free when returning the product (these companies even pay for the return shipping). We usually suggest purchasing the diamond and the setting from the same company because then you would benefit from the lifetime warranty. Also, you can get better value online (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/buy-diamonds-online/. Brick and mortar stores can’t compete with online vendors in terms of price.
It’s the cut what makes the diamond’s “sparkle” or, as we call it, brilliant. The cut is the most important of the 4C’s (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/4cs-diamonds/).
For cushions, it’s great to keep the depth under 68% and the table shouldn’t exceed 70% (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/cushion-cut/). As for the color, you’re right, I would recommend sticking with H+ color with none, faint or medium fluorescence (medium and strong fluorescence on D-G colored diamonds usually cause a hazy/milky look in daylight – https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/).
Clarity-wise, we search for eye-clean SI2+ diamonds. Sometimes you can find a perfect SI diamond, sometimes the first eye-clean option is a VS stone (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/). It’s better to avoid diamonds with red flags such as big knots, cavities and etch channels as they might disrupt the integrity of the diamond. We also don’t recommend stones with thick feathers, big clouds, chips or stones that have clarity based on clouds. Ideally, the inclusions shouldn’t be on the table. On the other hand, 95% of all twinning wisps are not visible to the naked eye, so those are alright.
Choosing a setting is a matter of personal taste and preference. You can check their offer here:
James Allen Halo Engagement Rings
Blue Nile Halo Engagement Rings
As for the black part you saw, it could be a bowtie. Cushions usually don’t have a bowtie but sometimes you can find such diamonds (and we suggest avoiding them). Here is an example of a bowtie effect: www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/2.22-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-6411856?a_aid=dmnd1357. Did you mean that?
Before I start searching for the best diamond for you, can you please tell me if you prefer a rectangular or a square cushion? This info will help me set the right search parameters. Then I’ll gladly send you some suggestions.
Thank you for your detailed response. I’m very excited to work with you in this process, and the knowledge you showed already puts my mind at ease about shopping online for diamonds.
I think a square cushion would be best. I don’t think my girlfriend would like fluorescence, so could we avoid it as much as possible?
I think that the bow tie effect you mentioned is what I saw. It may also have been a lot of light leakage from a lower cut, but I’m not certain. Either way, I know she’ll want the diamond to look bright, clear, and sparkly, not have anything dark when you look at it.
Perfect, thank you for the additional info.
Here are my recommendations:
Blue Nile LD11724087
I liked the 1.03ct from Blue Nile the best.
I also found this one from Brian Gavin. How would this one rate? It looks incredible, and the specs seem very good. It’s farther from a square, but the cut is amazing.
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.904-i-si1-cushion-diamond-ags-104103470010?a_aid=y
Brian Gavin is known as one of the world’s experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds (https://www.diamonds.pro/reviews/brian-gavin/). It’s a niche market for people who want extremely brilliant diamonds. He offers cushion brilliant cuts only. I love the BGD stone you found, it would look fantastic.
I know that my girlfriend wants it to sparkle a lot, so I keep coming back to the BGD diamond.
I’d pair it with the Anita setting:
The Anita Halo
…
I decided to get the BGD diamond in the Anita setting. I spoke to BGD yesterday and processed the order.
Thank you so much for all of your help! I’m very excited to see the finished ring!
That’s wonderful news! It was my pleasure helping you.
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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