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You guys seem to know what you’re talking about.
I’m looking for something like this (just sold):
Blue Nile LD09811023
Ideal Cut
Color H or better
Clarity VVS2 or better (prefer VVS1)
Size 0.9 – 1.1 carat
Price range $4,000 – 6,000, including the setting which is about $390.
Any help is appreciated.
All the three diamonds you listed are gorgeously cut. They have perfect specs and would look fantastic. Out of those three, I like the BN stone the most. Since it’s sold, here is an alternative:
Blue Nile LD10481751.
It’s perfectly cut, eye-clean and very brilliant.
As for the 4C’s, the best idea is to sacrifice on color and clarity. We usually don’t recommend overpaying for such a high clarity and color as you won’t be able to see these specs in person (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/ and https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/). VVS clarity grades are unnecessarily high for rounds. Once the stone is eye-clean, it’s eye-clean, no matter if it’s an SI2 or VVS1. The actual clarity grade isn’t important. Regarding the color, I suppose you’re planning to go with a solitaire setting. In this case, you can search for J+ stones as they will still look colorless when set. Dropping down the color may save you some bucks or you can get a bigger stone.
You may have a look at these options:
Blue Nile LD11017442
Both diamonds are superbly cut with lots of brilliance.
I did some more looking. I have a few more to get your opinion on:
Blue Nile LD10653995
Blue Nile LD10623656
I am still confused, and a little nervous to spend $4-6k on a ring online, in the sense that I can’t really see brilliance and sparkle etc in person. Do I just trust the cut and other color/clarity.
I would like to buy a diamond that I really have confidence in. That not only is it high quality. But will look really really good in a (white gold) solitaire setting.
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). 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.
As for the diamonds you found, I wouldn’t recommend going with first two because of the strong fluorescence. The strong fluorescence (on D-I diamonds) / medium fluorescence (on D-G color) may cause a hazy/milky look (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/).
The other two diamonds are perfect. I prefer this one the most:
Blue Nile LD10600476.
This stone will return light with a lot of brilliance and fire.
Thanks for your reply. I’m glad I checked with you.
I also like the Blue Nile LD10600476. I’m glad you think that one will really sparkle. My plan is to put a hold on it tomorrow. I think BN will hold it for me for 3 days.
At the end of the 3 days I intend to purchase it. Then I will ask them to delay shipping as much as possible. They said they could push it 5 days. The reason for these hoops is that there is a 30-day return window, so I’d like my GF to have some of the window in case she didn’t like it.
Also, originally I was going to use 18k white gold. But now I think platinum maybe is better and lower maintenance. Any thoughts?
I hope everything will work out for you. Fingers crossed!
As for the metal, it’s up to you if you choose a platinum or white gold. You’ll need to maintain both metals. As our article says (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/platinum-vs-gold/), the WG has to be dipped every few years and the platinum needs to be polished as well because it scratches. So ultimately, platinum costs you more in the beginning and doesn’t end up saving you any money in the long run. But there is one advantage of platinum – it’s hypoallergenic.
I was able to put the diamond on hold.
Many thanks!
My pleasure!
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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