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I’m hoping you can help. I’m inexperienced as far as online diamond buying, but I have a setting and loose diamond I really like from Blue Nile. I’ve done my research on the parameters of princess cut, but after I browsed your site, I’m questioning whether or not I have 1 – selected a quality diamond, and 2 – if I’m overpaying. The setting I like on Blue Nile is the Platinum Cut Halo (stock # 41104). The diamond I like is stock # LD03171472 (I have it on hold). I would really appreciate your comments and opinion.
Thanks
Is there a reason you are set on BN? We are not huge fans:
https://www.diamonds.pro/reviews/blue-nile/
I think you can easily drop in color and get better value:
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/
Here is what I would recommend:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.10-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-190795?a_aid=dmnd1357
What do you think? I think if you put them side by side, they would look virtually identical. Yet this combo is significantly cheaper.
Thank you for getting back to me. I actually chose BN mainly because of the particular Platinum setting. I felt it was a decent price and my gf loved the design of it. As for the color, I can see the tint of the H diamond you supplied a link to, this is why I really wanted one in the “colorless” range of DEF. The BN one I referenced, also has EX polish and symmetry, along with excellent depth/table %.
Well good luck then.
Ha, thanks for commenting further
I’m not really sure what you want me to comment on. We state our opinions on everything you mentioned very clearly in our articles:
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/polish/
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/symmetry/
Additionally, we feel very strongly against buying a VS2 from BN (as we state in the review and elaborate on in the clarity page https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/).
We have no hidden agendas. We chose not to do business with BN for all the reasons we state in our review. They offer the exact same compensation that the sites we work with offer. We feel buying a diamond from them is a mistake.
There is no point in asking me for an opinion on a diamond that goes against all of our advice. What else do you want me to comment on? The cut? The cut is fine. You made it very clear that you don’t agree with our opinion. That is obviously your prerogative. I’m not going to try to convince you that I am right I am not offended or angry. I am merely here to offer advice that you can chose to act on. I
So we are back to my original statement: Good luck.
I began looking in physical stores (Zales/Kays) and noticed the big difference between the appearance of typical diamond rings and “certified” rings. Some just appeared to reflect more light. Is this due to the cut mainly?
Zales and Kay are not in the same ballpark as BN/JA. Their non-certified are garbage and 90% of their ‘certified’ diamonds use gimmick certs that inflate the grades.
The difference you were seeing was likely cut, but also color/clarity depending on what you were seeing. There is no way for me (or you) to know, as they don’t use legit certification.
Thanks for your comments and I am sorry I came across as rude. You have been helpful. I am now looking at James Allen more. I notice some of the SI2 have “black” blemishes on them as I rotate the picture. What is your opinion of these? To be exact, I’m comparing items 198658, 207311, 180157, and 194052.
If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.
For some reason, item numbers aren’t working. Can you send me actual links?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.21-carat-f-color-si2-clarity-sku-214662?a_aid=dmnd1357
Well I couldn’t find them by the item # either and lost my comparison. I found two of them and some other similar ones. The second link I can really see the blemishes I referred to.
…….
After browsing, I really like this one. It’s probably higher than what you recommend though. My diamond budget is about $7,400.00.
I think the 1.22 is a fantastic diamond. You got yourself a winner. You are far better off with the added size than the increase in color. It is eye-clean and well cut.
Thank you for your advice
Let me know what you decide to do in the end.
I plan on placing the order on James Allen today. Is it as simple as putting the diamond and setting in the cart and checking out?
It should be. If you want the setting though, you should contact them directly. It could be they can make a very similar setting (legally they can’t say they can copy it). I suggest asking them directly and seeing what they say. That will make your life much easier.
I can put you in touch with the right person there about the setting.
Oh you mean the Blue Nile setting? I do really like that one
Yes, a contact would be awesome. Thanks
…….
What’s your opinion of the two?
Blue Nile Princess Cut Halo Diamond Engagement Ring
…….
As I look at each one, I like the JA one a lot. What do you think?
I love the JA setting there. It’s fantastic. I’m sure they can make a similar one custom for princess cuts. Just ask xxx to get you a quote.
Just wanted to let you know I decided to go with the JA diamond and setting (not the custom one), ordered on Friday and have to go through the agonizing wait now.
Thanks for all your help.
Sounds great (well not the ‘agonizing’ part). Let me know how it looks when it arrives.
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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