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Q&A: “I want a round diamond, and I want it to sparkle :)”

By Mike Fried, Updated October 24, 2017

Thanks for a wonderful site! I have really enjoyed reading through all your information, but still feel a bit unsure as to what diamond to choose.

I’m guessing that in contrast to most of the people that ask you for advice I’m a woman and will therefor be buying the diamond for myself (being a Swede and for equality and most of all being extremely picky it suits me best). Therefore, I want the best diamond I can get 😉

Still, of course I’m on a budget. I’d like to stay in a price range for the diamond around $3000-$3500. I want a round diamond, and I want it to sparkle 🙂

I would be so grateful if you could give me some suggestions from jamesallen.com.

Thanks a lot in advance!

I’m very happy to help! Tell me, does the budget you mentioned need to include the taxes you’ll have to pay? From what I can see, it’s 23%!

Well since Im travelling to NY soon Im hoping to avoid the swedish VAT-levels by having James Allen sending the diamond to my NY Hotel… So without 🙂

Great! One more question before I send you suggestions – what kind of setting is this going into? If it’s one with side-stones, can you send me a link to the ring?

It’s not with sidestones, but I’ll send you the link anyway!

http://www.stuartmoore.com/url/product:30-05-184

What do you think of these?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1352986.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1379276.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1352985.asp

Thanks for your suggestions!

To be honest with you, I’m confused. To me they look more or less the same. The biggest difference I can see is that one is significantly cheaper than the other two, and I can only guess that it has to do with the I color grade. How much will the color effect the total appearance?

Moreover, is there in any of the three such an imperfection that will be visible to the naked eye?

Finally – how would you rate the three against each other?

Thanks again so much for your help!

I don’t think any of them would have eye visible inclusions. I think the best deal is easily the I color stone (the cheapest of the 3) simply because the visual difference between I and G is extremely slight. Most people wouldn’t be able to see a difference at all – especially once they’re set in a ring.

Thanks again for your quick reply!

I was about to order the I-stone, but right beforehand I chatted a bit with a Jamesallen representative. He thought I would be able to see the inclusion in the table, since he claimed that inclusions towards the center where light reflects back will show. Do you agree?

He recommended me the following stone instead. To me it looks worse in every sense, what do you think?:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1370412.asp

Furthermore – regarding the other two diamonds you recommended – James Allen seem to have raised the prices on them over night. Is it common that they do that?

Finally, I was looking at this one as well:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1379661.asp

What do you think about that one? Is it worth paying $500 for that one than the one you recommended in the first place?

Feels like I’m troubling you with so many questions, so if I can repay you in any way, please let me know!

I would suggest that you request a gemologist review of these three stones in question. This way, they’ll actually pull the three stones and evaluate them face to face. I’m surprised that they think the I SI2 is not eye clean.

As for the price increases, it’s not really under JA’s control. JA doesn’t set their prices, their vendors do. JA just applies a standard formula to their costs for figuring out their selling price.

I chatted with another person at the James Allen website, and she had the same opinion as you regarding the diamond you suggested, so I decided to go ahead and order it.

I’ll let you know how it looks when I get it. Thank’s ever so much for your help!

Again, please let me know if there is anything I can do to repay you.

Sounds great! I can’t wait to hear what you think when it arrives!

As far as repaying me goes, it’s not necessary! These sales are supposed to track to me.

The stone has arrived ( a friend of mine picked it up) and she says it looks good. Ill see it myself next week, and Ill let you know then what I think!

All the best!

Great! Can’t wait to hear what you think!

I just recieved the diamond – and I love it!!! All my worries were totally unneccessary. It is beautiful, I can’t see any imperfections at all (trust me, I’ve looked carefully) and to me it looks bright white.

Can’t tell you how much I appreciate all your help! I’m so grateful!

If I can ever help you with anything, please let me know. (Eg: I’m a specialist within telco, so if you ever have any questions about what phone to buy, I’m your woman ;))

All the best!

Thanks so much for writing to let me know! That’s so kind! And I’m thrilled you love it!

And congrats on finding a great stone!

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
Click to Visit
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
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
Click to Visit
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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