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Hi,
I came across your website through the Art of Charm podcast several years ago. I really learned a lot from the podcast and all of the other educational material you all provide. My friend also used you all and had great things to say.
My budget is roughly $15,000 but I am willing to go over that if need be. I’d like to get an ideal cut or better, eye clean diamond that is at least 1.5 carats. My girlfriend likes the three stone, yellow gold settings.
Based on that I am thinking buying this setting or something similar:
14K Yellow Gold Three Stone Pear Shaped Engagement Ring
Any suggestions on specific diamonds would be tremendously helpful. I really want to get her something that she will enjoy and stand out. Thank you so much.
Thank you for the nice words. I’m glad that you heard good things about us and that your friend was happy with our help.
As for the center stone, I’d go with an H color and SI+ clarity (as long as the diamond is eye-clean). Excellent/Ideal cut is a must.
Here’s a couple of beautiful options:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9470222?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.83-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9813001?a_aid=dmnd1357
They are fantastically cut and all of them would be very bright and brilliant.
Thank you for sending those options over. Those look great. Can you help me with a couple questions? I have been exclusively looking at diamonds with an ideal cut, VS2 clarity, H color, above 1.5 carats, with a GIA lab grade.
I’m just a little confused how certain diamonds can have the same characteristics, but different prices. Are there other things I should be looking at? I’m considering spending a little more if that would get me up or over the 2 carat mark. I think all things equal I’d like to be closer to or above 2 carats than to 1.5 carats.
Thank you so much for your help.
What I do is that I set the depth, table, fluorescence, carat range, certificate, … filters, and then I sort the results by price. Then I look for the best-priced ones that are eye-clean and are well cut. The prices also depend on a particular supplier (that’s why you can find similar diamonds with very different prices or a cheaper bigger diamond and a pricier smaller one).
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.00-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10190892?a_aid=dmnd1357
This diamond you found is, unfortunately, not eye-clean, the inclusions would be very noticeable.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.81-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5627054?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is gorgeously cut, but it’s borderline eye-clean. It’s also significantly more expensive than the 1.80ct option I sent over.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9138017?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is not bad, but some of the inclusions might be noticeable in person. Also, I color might have a yellow hue in a setting where the side stones are directly next to the center stone.
It’s a bit of a stretch, but here is a beautiful eye-clean 2ct stone:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10266847?a_aid=dmnd1357
My girlfriend did some browsing and it seems like she actually wants a radiant cut diamond, not round cut. I’ve also decided to up my budget a bit to around $20k because I’d like to get her something that is 2 carats or more.
Based on what I’ve read on your website I filtered for radiant cut diamonds with those characteristics and landed on this diamond.
I planning to get this diamond with the below setting but I’m having James Allen switch the prongs from yellow gold to platinum.
14K Yellow Gold Tapered Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring
Could you please let me know your thoughts? Are there any other diamonds you’d recommend I consider?
Radiant is my favorite cut, great choice!
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.02-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8081111?a_aid=dmnd1357
This diamond is not bad, but I’m not a huge fan of the black windowing on the sides.
I found these two that I liked more:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-10348816?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-10336953?a_aid=dmnd1357
That’s so great to know! Great taste by my girlfriend haha.
Of the two you provided which one is the superior diamond? I like them both and will get whatever one you think is best. I’m planning to buy it today!
I love this one:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-10348816?a_aid=dmnd1357
I love how it looks, the faceting is beautiful, there are no irregularities, it has a great cut, beautiful shape and the price is fantastic. Medium fluorescence is a bonus here, it would help it look a tad whiter.
Awesome!! I feel so much better about this with your help!
You’re very welcome!
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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