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If I were to go through James Allen (who I can see you highly recommend) for a stone, but got a setting from somewhere else (like Shane Co.), do you recommend that? I ask because I’m unsure if it is a good idea to buy them separate like that. What kind of person would I take it to to get it set?
It’s not a bad idea to split up the purchase but its usually simpler to get it all at one place. However, definitely don’t get a setting from Shane. Their quality/craftsmanship is very poor.
So I decided against Shane. I used your advice as well as the plethora of negative reviews online, and decided to go with James Allen. Admittedly I am a little bit skeptical about buying a ring online, but I have yet to find anything negative about working with that site. In addition, i have a friend who went through James Allen and had nothing negative to say about his experience. The setting I have picked out is below:
With that being about $2,900, I have budgeted about $7,000 for the stone. My initial thought is to look for a round diamond, with carat and eye clarity being my biggest factors. Was hoping for a carat (if not maybe a bit larger), but something eye-clear. Do you think that can be found through James Allen on that budget?
Thank you very much for your help, I truly appreciate it.
Well we obviously feel they are a better choice than Shane. Check these diamonds out:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1497035.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1522647.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1489902.asp
If you can stretch your budget, that first one is great. What do you think?
That first one looks amazing (but to my untrained eye, they all do haha). Is there something specific about it that you think puts it above the rest, aside from that extra .2 carats? I could certainly stretch the budget a bit for something with some extra weight, but does it make sense when you take the other factors into consideration? With it being H in color and SI1, will any of that be noticeable to the naked eye?
They are all good choices. It’s up to you whether it’s worth the money.
I can’t begin to thank you for how much help you have been. I will be spreading the word to anyone I encounter that is planning on purchasing diamonds to first check out www.truthaboutdiamonds.com. I will also do what I can in the social network arena too, just have to wait until after the after proposal next month, so I don’t give myself away.
Sounds good. Let me know how it looks when it arrives
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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