We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am kindly seeking your help on the below diamonds/criteria for an engagement ring. One caveat: I will be ordering from Germany, hence I’d like to order with Blue Nile because they (to my knowledge only US retailer) take care of the VAT/customs ‘issues’.
After reading your excellent guides I am looking for the following:
– yellow gold ring
– classic round brilliant
– budget in total in Euro is 5.000 (leaving c. 4.5k for the diamond)
– Excellent cut, polish, symmetry (depth & table according to your guide)
– weight min. 0.8 carat
I came up with the following ones but I am probably a bit too risk-averse when it comes to clarity and color. 😉
Blue Nile LD11414340
What do you think?
You are right. Blue Nile has an office in Dublin and thus you don’t need to pay the import fees and taxes, just the regular VATs.
All of the diamonds you selected are wonderful choices. Well done! Although you’re right, you can do better in terms of value. For a simple yellow gold setting, you can easily go with a J color and it’ll look absolutely colorless. Clarity grade is even less important – as long as the diamond is eye-clean, it doesn’t matter what the actual grade is.
So here’s what I’d go with:
Blue Nile LD12594797
Blue Nile LD12318987
It’s just a coincidence the diamonds have such high clarity grades. They were the first eye-clean stones I found. They have a great cut.
Thank you for your fast response and the suggestions. I like them! Assuming I’d like to spend my budget (max €4.5k for the diamond), I can upgrade to more or less 1ct, right?
E.g. Blue Nile LD12636423
Or this one
Blue Nile LD12465530
To be honest (as an amateur) I struggle a bit to find eye-clean diamonds with SI1 or SI2 when using the other parameters. Hence the two links above.
I looked at the diamonds you selected and to be honest, I’m not a huge fan. The 60% tables are not ideal, it would cause worse light refraction. Try to keep the table % between 55-58 for optimal brilliance.
The problem with SI diamonds is that most of them are not eye-clean (= have inclusions that would be visible to the naked eye). I always search in the SI-IF range and pick the best priced eye-clean options I find. Sometimes you end up with VS/VVS diamond only because there was nothing lower that would look good.
Here is a 1ct diamond with a gorgeous cut:
Blue Nile LD12698387
It has fantastic specs.
Thank you again. I just wanted to purchase the engagement ring with your recommended diamond but someone was faster than me. It is not available any more.
Is there another one you can recommend?
This one looks fantastic!
Last question (thinking a bit about about my budget) – you opinion on this one:
That one has a large cloud in the clarity plot, it would negatively affect the brilliance.
Just purchased the Blue Nile LD12521315.
Thank you very much for your help! Amazing and fast service.
You’re welcome, it was my pleasure helping you.
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.
