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I am a first time buyer and was educating myself via Google and the various websites on the internet and Thank God I found your website. I was pretty close to buying a loose diamond at Blue Nile since they have decent prices until I stumbled upon your website and your opinion on them which I totally agree with. Mind you I have not even stepped into a jewelry store yet to even peruse ring/diamond selections so I am actually surprised at myself to just purchase one online….sign of the times huh?
Anyway, thank you in advance for your FREE advice and expertise! Now onto business. I am looking for a round, excellent cut, 1 – 1.5 carat, G-J color, best clarity diamond. My budget is $5500. The bigger the better for what my budget entails. Can you give me some professional suggestions?
I’d be happy to make some recommendations and guide you through the process. What type of setting are you considering? Yellow gold or white gold/platinum? Will it be a solitaire or does it have sidestones/pave? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).
Let me know and I’d be happy to send you some suggestions.
Thanks for taking the time to respond to me. My girlfriend has hinted that she would prefer a platinum or white gold setting. I am looking for a loose diamond to put on a solitaire setting. I have narrowed the carat range from 1.2 – 1.3 as I would like to get as much carats as possible.
I have been looking at the Brian Gavin website a lot the last couple of days and have been drawn in by the BG Select collection. They do not have as much actual pictures as JA does though. What do you think of these:
Let me know what you think and if you could find something better then that would be awesome! I am looking for the best bang for the buck. Guess thats where you come in. Thanks again Mike!
I would contact them directly and ask if they can get photos.
I decided to go with a James Allen diamond:
Can you give me your opinion on my choice? I’d like to see what your thoughts are. Thanks Mike!
That one looks great.
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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