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Hello! Your site is a wonderful resource; thank you for being so generous with your knowledge. It’s helped me narrow down what I’m looking for in a ring.
I’m looking to get a radiant cut diamond and am working with a budget of $8,000 (including a wedding band, the cost of which will depend on the setting style).
I was considering these two diamonds and would like to get your opinion on whether they’re a good value.
The settings I’m considering are:
14K White Gold Marquise Shape Three Stone Ring
14K White Gold Flat Edged Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
14K White Gold Pave Trio Engagement Ring
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.21-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-7645530?a_aid=dmnd1357
This diamond is nicely cut, but it has a cloud as the only clarity characteristic. That’s a bit of a problem as it might negatively affect its brilliance.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-7911246?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is beautiful, no problems here. It would look amazing in any of those three settings.
Could you recommend a couple of radiant cut diamonds on Blue Nile? There is one setting that I love and would like to try to make it work (the James Allen marquise side stone setting is a very close second):
Classic Pear Shaped Diamond Engagement Ring
My partner also asked if you could recommend a larger (L/W) radiant from James Allen so that he has some options to work with.
Sure, here you go:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.21-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-7319020?a_aid=dmnd1357
They have fantastic specs.
These are beautiful! I’m leaning toward the second James Allen link (1.26) and going with one of the simple and modern solitaire settings.
One last question – are either of these worth considering? Now that I’ve decided on a setting with no side stones, I’d really like the diamond to be the best that we can afford (approx. low $7,000s).
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-8137900?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.32-carat-e-color-si2-clarity-sku-8330431?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-8137900?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is stunning. Great find! Absolutely perfect!
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.32-carat-e-color-si2-clarity-sku-8330431?a_aid=dmnd1357
Unfortunately, this one has a cavity which is a big problem. Cavities collect dirt and then appear black and ugly and can reflect throughout the diamond. I try avoiding them as much as I can.
Wow, that’s great news regarding the first! We’ll be ready to buy in a couple of weeks and I’m hoping that it’ll still be available. If not, can I reach out to you again?
And, that’s good to know regarding the second. I wasn’t sure what I was looking at and thought it was a light surface abrasion.
Thank you again for all your help! I’ll let you know if we get that first diamond, or if we need more help if someone snags it before us. 🙂
Absolutely, you can reach out to me anytime you want. Unfortunately, there’s a high chance that such a beautiful diamond will get snatched up quickly. But you never know. Let’s see what the situation is in a couple of weeks.
I just ordered my ring. Miraculously, the diamond was still available! (this one – www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-8137900?a_aid=dmnd1357)
This was the setting I ended up choosing, and we also bought the matching band and a very thin micropave band:
14K White Gold Flat Edged Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
That’s wonderful news! I’m sure the ring will look amazing (radiant cut diamonds just have a certain charm to them, don’t they?).
It was my pleasure helping you
I got my ring today and I am thrilled!!!
Awesome!
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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