Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond for a Platinum Pave Setting With a $6–7k Budget

Recently I’ve been reading your website educating myself on the diamonds before I purchase an engagement ring. It has been very helpful so thank you for that!

I think I am going to use Blue Nile to create a ring and I notice that in a few locations the site mention a “Blue Nile coupon” is available upon request. I don’t know if that is still an active promotion but if it is would it be possible to acquire one?

Thanks!

Thank you very much for the coupon code!

And thank you for the offer, I’d love to get some advice on selecting a diamond. I know my diamond budget is around 6-7k and I’ve been looking at: Blue Nile LD08447135

But over the weekend I’ve been wondering if it would make more sense to go lower on the specs to get a slightly larger size. Something like: Blue Nile LD08449471

I know I can see some of the defects on these zoomed in pictures, but I am not sure if I would be able to see them in person. Is the 20% jump in size worth minor defects? I am sure that’s mostly a judgement call, but I would appreciate any thoughts here.

Thanks.

This is the setting (in platinum) I was thinking of going with:
Blue Nile Petite Twist Diamond Engagement Ring

Does the first diamond have red flags in the cert? I thought it was overall pretty decent so I guess I am not sure what pitfalls to look out for. Is the issue that it is not a “Signature Ideal cut”? I think those might be out of my price range.

Thanks.

……

I have one more follow up question if you have time. I’ve also been looking at a few local retailers, and one of them sent me the specs of this diamond which he claimed was a great overall (and better the Blue Nile’s pricing).

He quoted me this diamond at $7,700 and I attached the GIA spec sheet he sent me. I know retailers can’t really compete with online dealers price  wise, but is this a fair price for what he sent?

Thanks for the information. I almost pulled the trigger on this diamond but was concerned about the very strong florescence:
Blue Nile LD07977352

I called and spoke to one of their representatives who seemed to think haziness would not be an issue with this diamond, but to put me at ease he was going to have someone actually check from the vault in person. Do you think that would be sufficient? Put another way, does very strong florescence always lead to haziness or is it a sometimes problem that is easily verified (one way or the other) by looking at the diamond in person?

With regards to the diamond recommended by the retailer, I had not seen it in person, so I don’t know if it was eye clean. He wasn’t even sure if he could acquire it, but was trying at my behalf.

Also, thank you very much for your recommendation, it does look very nice and is much easier on the budget. I had not considered dropping all the way down to an ‘H’, have I been overvaluing color by trying to stick with F+? And in the example you sent, I believe I can see some minor inclusions, but this is a super zoomed in view, would little marks like this be noticeable without magnification?

Thank you again! This has been very helpful.

Thank you so much for you help, It was very informative! I still haven’t settled on a diamond just yet but your advice has been invaluable.

Thanks again!