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First of all many thanks for sharing this valuable information with the world! You are truly amazing for spreading this knowledge that saves many people from overpriced purchases.
I am 25 years old and from The Netherlands and I plan on proposing to my lady next month and therefore seek a center stone of great brilliance ;).
I have been browsing for diamonds for a few months and now am looking to buy. I would like your assistance on this search to ensure a beautiful stone. Here are the specifications I am hoping to find.
Cut: Round Brilliant
Carat: approx. .7ct
Color: G-H
Clarity: Eye-clean
Price: Under $2500
I am looking to have a custom ring designed.
Currently I am leaning towards this stone because it seems like it sparkles plenty and the inclusion might not be very obvious, which I could be mistaken on. I have looked within your recommended 60/60 margins.
Many thanks for your dedication and hard work on this website!
It seems like you have this diamond buying process down pat. I love the diamond you selected.
Let me know how it looks when it arrives.
I appreciate you taking the time to reply to me. Since my email to you I have been talking to a representative at James Allen to decide on the stone as well as a custom design for the engagement ring. Since my girlfriend likes a setting from Blue Nile I wanted to see how much it would cost for JA to reproduce a similar design so they could craft it to perfection for the center stone.
I also asked the rep if she could recommend me any other diamonds to compare with mine and she gave me two other. One was $90 more and one was $580 less! Unfortunately they have took the page of the diamond off their website, most likely due to the fact that I told them to hold that diamond for me. I have however found the cached page on Google:
0.71-carat-i-color-i1-clarity-sku-210207 ($1820)
0.70-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-216765 ($2350)
0.71-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-210228 ($~2250)
Currently three diamonds of my choice are being compared by the gemologist which I will hear from soon. Ultimately I would also like your opinion about the $1820 diamond since it has a bigger inclusion but overall better specs. To me it seems like it has a better sparkle and fierce than my initial $2400 choice. The representative did tell me the inclusion is partially prongable so my question is how much would you still notice that inclusion with the naked eye?
Hope to hear from you soon!
That is a fantastic I1. If you buy the setting from JA as well, you can get that diamond and have them set it so the inclusion is covered by the prong.
That surely reassures me in going forward with this diamond.
One last question, I am reading a mixed reviews about the craftmanship quality of JA. What is your experience on their custom setting qualities? I have read a Q&A on your website saying it’s best to get it all at one place, if their quality is fine for handmade settings then I’m sure to continue on with the purchase.
Thank you for your advice so far!
I do not agree. I have not had bad feedback about their jewelry craftsmanship. Its the fact that they don’t have as much of a selection that is an issue. In my whole time doing this, I have had one complaint; that the french cut pave (the cheapest pave setting they had) looked flimsy compared to a Tiffany Pave Setting. I explained that it is an unfair comparison and that they should compare it to the Art Nouveau. The reader didn’t respond.
I agree with you on that, the pictures of other custom settings I have seen online looked absolutely fine so I just wanted to hear your personal opinion about that. Some people can go a little overboard…
Anyway, thank again You have been a great help! Once the ring is crafted and shipped I will be sure to send in a picture!
Sounds great. Keep me posted.
Sorry I haven’t gotten back at you for a while, it’s been a hectic vacation.
As promised, here is a picture of the ring. Both the diamond as well as the craftsmanship of JA looks superb to us and could not have gotten a better result!
Thank you so much for your feedback.
Thanks for writing and letting us know. I’m delighted that you were pleased with our help.
Do you think you can do us a quick favor and write us a small review on www.ivouch.com? If you could, we would be extremely grateful.
We wish you and your partner a life of happiness and fulfillment.
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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