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Your website is very informative, educational and helpful. Originally I looked at Blue Nile but I worried about the workmanship of the rings. I really wanted the heirloom micropave setting with a cushion or radiant diamond. Then I looked at James Allen but I was not sure if the table/depth % was good enough = brilliance. We are very confused despite much analysis and comparison. I guess I looked at the wrong table and depth % for cushion vs round etc.
I want to know what is the best value for a 1 carat brilliant cut cushion or radiant cut – At least E or F, VVS2 and excellent cut/ polish/ thin girdle etc – a good diamond for the money. You can show me some links it would be great!
WE went to Mervis Diamond Importers but they only use EGL. They found us 1 diamond 1 carat, table59% and depth 68.1%, E (which means F), VVS2, excellent polish and symmetry for $8101, do you think it’s worth the money? Honestly I thought they were over priced but they claimed to concentrate only on the most brilliant cuts of diamonds. Plus a Jeff Cooper Platinum setting double halo for $5300.
This shoots the budget to about ~$14K but I want to make sure it’s worth it. The diamond looked brilliant!!
Thank you so much sir!
Mervis, the rip-off artists of the beltway. Never buy an EGL. Simple as that. I love how you said E, which means F. I have never seen an EGL diamond that only got one upgrade on color. I would say GH color. and VVS2 is not correct either. That is an absolutely obscene price for a 1ct EGL diamond.
Thanks Mike!
We were just at King of prussia at Milanj they seem decent and professional. 1 carat D/VS1 cushion cut faint fluorescence, very good polish and symmetry, 56% table 63% depth, gia grading but for $13000 – very expensive.
The price is out of control.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1525783.asp
I mean the cut is a drop better than this one, but that is just obscene. I would go with this one over that one:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1355884.asp
Either way, that place is a rip-off.
Thanks Mike, they look great!
I don’t quite need a D in your expert opinion would you recommend me a E or F VVS1 or VVS2?
I even saw some cartier rings that looked great but was only a G VVS2 would that be good enough? If not a color grade up? I am grateful for the links if you have time.
Thank you so very much!
If you check out our posts on color and clarity (make sure to watch Ira’s video on the clarity page), you will see that you can drop to G VS2 and still be very perfectly fine. I was just pointing out the price incongruity. Would you like me to make some recommendations?
Yes please…
…..
Would love your opinion on these:
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/diamond-page.asp?diamid=1509839
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/diamond-page.asp?diamid=1284637
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/diamond-page.asp?diamid=1525286
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/diamond-page.asp?diamid=1519952
Or these
https://www.jamesallen.com/certs/RA106D0912cer.jpg
I love this diamond of the ones you selected:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1525286.asp
It is absolutely eye-clean and you are getting far better value. The cut is phenomenal.
Thanks a lot Mike! I think we have a winner!! Happy holidays!
Sounds great. Please let me know when it arrives.
Just one concern with this diamond although is eye clean my bf and I saw that there was a “cloud” on the surface would that be seen on the diamond itself? How does that affect the diamond?
Not at all. That will not be noticeable at all.
The diamond you recommended is not available anymore 🙁
I provided the info to my bf but he took some time and is finally ready for it…
Would you share other options?
I love this diamond as well:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1524758.asp
I am so bummed that the diamond you recommended is now gone, I need your help with looking at another one.
So grateful for your expertise….
I want it on this setting:
What do you think of these?
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS2-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1440344.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1508807.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1330005.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1509839.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1512950.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1511616.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1521314.asp
This is nice as well, but it’s really expensive:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1508807.asp
Which of the two you sent me is better?
The more expensive one is better, but I’m not sure it’s worth such a jump. If you want peace of mind, go for it.
Would you recommend round diamonds? They are generally more expensive than cushion but I am worried of running out of options…
What about these any you think it’s much more quality vs price than the two?
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1316195.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1362999.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1512110.asp
Or these
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1288875.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS1-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1524451.asp
I like the table on that diamond the best. Of the others, I would select this one:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1316195.asp
But I’m not a huge fan of the faceting.
Yeah I realized the ratio is off 1.15 while i need more 1.0
I thought this one was nice for the price
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1521314.asp
I will still consider the first one $6K one you recommended
Just want to make sure I have options if one was sold.
This one is nice as well.
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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