We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.
I am looking for an engagement ring on James Allen thats no less than 1.50 ct, preferably in the 1.70 ct range. The maximum I’m looking to spend is $15k everything included (I live in Canada so I expect to pay around $1500 duty). Below is a link for one that I like and was hoping to get your opinion on it and maybe other suggestions.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1523372.asp
Thank you very much for your help in advance!
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.
In terms of the setting I am looking at a six prong 18k white gold plain setting. I believe it is commonly referred to as the “Tiffany” setting.
That diamond isn’t eye-clean. With the setting you are getting, there is no problem dropping to J color. I would go with this diamond instead:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1525220.asp
It’s bigger and cleaner than the one you referenced. I think its better bang for your buck.
It’s a great diamond, however I should have been more specific with my price range. $15k is the absolute maximum I’m looking to pay. With tax and duties and all that this ring would be in the $13500 which is reasonable, but the ideal situation would be to be around the $12k range all included. A diamond on James Allen’s site in the $10K range would do that. Any ones you can recommend at that price that is eye clean and around 1.70 ct.
I would go with this one then.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1527884.asp
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I like that one very much (the price point is great) but I’m hoping to go a little bigger in carats if possible.
I found this diamond yesterday and put it on hold since there is no actual image yet. I’ve been promised that I will get an image of it tomorrow and was hoping once I get that image I will be able to e-mail it to you and ask for your opinion on it.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1528395.asp
It is $8,770 which honestly raises alarm bells for me since it is a bigger diamond and a VS2.
That diamond looks like its a good deal as well. I don’t know why its so cheap.
Thanks Mike. Hopefully I will get the picture tomorrow and I’ll try to e-mail you as soon as I get it to see what you think.
…….
I have been told that I will have to wait a few more days for an image of the diamond I mentioned yesterday. While I wait for that I wanted to get your opinion on these two diamonds.
This one is almost identical to the last one you suggested to me but it is about $500 cheaper. Is this a better option or do you see anything with it that that suggests it’s not a good pick.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1519237.asp
This one is 0.01 carats smaller but is a very good price as well just based on the basic information presented. Is this one eye clean?
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1524066.asp
I do not like either of those diamonds. Their tables are too large. I would stick with the original.
The last diamond you recommended is no longer available. Are you able to find another one similar that I can put on hold while I wait for the image of the 1.58 VS2 one. Thanks!
…….
How about either of these two:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1493470.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1493470.asp
That is a nice diamond. The inclusion is right on the edge. You can easily cover it with a prong and it will be 100% eye-clean.
I think you meant to send me two links.
The image is up of the 1.58 VS2 Diamond.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1528395.asp
What do you think?
Honestly, I liked the 1.53 J SI1 better. THis one is ok, but the SI1 was cleaner.
Do you believe this is a rare find at that price or if I waited I would find something similar again?
I think the 1.53 is a great diamond. I wouldn’t be jumping on the J VS2.
I would like to know if the diamond that I asked you about earlier is eye clean? I know you said you don’t like that the table is too big, but the price is great for me as long as you don’t say that I definitely should avoid buying it. Please let me know.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1524066.asp
I would not recommend buying that diamond. I don’t think its a nice diamond. Cut is extremely important on a diamond, and that diamond is poorly cut. That is my opinion, and you should do what you think.
I can’t really tell if its eye-clean or not. There is an long inclusion on the table, but I don’t see it on the photo. It could be the angle, or it could be really light and not visible.
Thank you Mike. Which inclusion are you talking about that’s on the edge of the 1.53? The feather on the left or the crystal on the top right? I want to make sure to say that when setting the diamond it is covered by a prong.
Also, what about the comments on the GIA report about additional clouds, pinpoints and surface graining not shown. What does that mean?
Are we talking about the same diamond? https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1524066.asp
The feather is right on the table. There is absolutely no way to have that covered by a prong.
I find it odd that I am telling you I don’t like the diamond at all, that I recommend not buying it, and that I have concerns about the inclusion (on top of the poor cut), yet you are asking my opinion about other items that I didn’t think were an issue (like the ‘Comments’ on the certificate).
I was asking about the 1.53 diamonds inclusion. I am no longer pursuing the 1.50. I’m sorry that I am questioning you so much. I am truly thankful for all your help. It is just a very serious purchase to make and I’m being as thorough as possible.
I’m sorry, in the email that started getting me sidetracked, for some reason I only saw the 1.50ct link. The 1.53 is a very nice diamond. It’s eye-clean and well cut. I think it’s a winner.
I want to thank you for all your help. I purchased the 1.53 yesterday and it is expected to ship on Monday. I am very excited to see what it looks like in person.
Sounds great. It was my pleasure. Please 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
Still afraid of getting ripped off?
Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.
Ask your diamond purchase question here
DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.
