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I’m trying to get a cushion cut .97-1.06 stone. My goal price would be around 5k, and from what i can gather she’d prefer the “chunky” type. Colorless seems to also be a big concern, as is having it be near-square. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I’d be happy to make some recommendations and guide you through the process. What type of setting are you considering? Yellow gold or white gold/platinum? Will it be a solitaire or does it have sidestones/pave? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).
Let me know and I’d be happy to send you some suggestions.
The ring I am considering is a platinum ring with one main stop and diamonds along the band (I think it goes 3/4 the way around) and another small diamond on the front and back of the area that holds the main stone. I think there’s 22 total.
…….
A follow-up. I’ve specified my budget on this as $5-6k, and that’s largely because of the selection I’ve seen online in the carat range I’ve specified. If you’re seeing stones that are less that would be equally beautiful I certainly wouldn’t have a problem spending less. Conversely, if you think the budget needs to be larger at that range let me know that as well. That’s really been the issue I’ve been facing: determining the amount of money needed for a great stone at the right size!
I love this diamond for you:
It’s bright, eye-clean and a great cut. It seems right in your wheelhouse. What do you think?
I took a look, and here is what I’m thinking:
It’s exceedingly difficult to get a good idea of how much it shines through the pictures. Looking at the GIA doesn’t help, and from that I’d even say the cloud in the middle of the stone is concerning.
That said, I trust that your eye is significantly better than mine. My thought is to purchase this stone and then take it to the jeweler that has the setting and personally compare it to what they have. That way I’m seeing a good comparison of the two ways I could get the stone, and if I need to return the James Allen stone their return policies look pretty good. I have a feeling I’d go for the JA one though, as the jeweler wanted $6800 for a 1.06 G/VS2!
Let me know your thoughts on my plan, and I’ll definitely let you know how it turns out.
That cloud will have zero impact whatsoever on the brilliance. The diamond is very well cut and should be very brilliant.
I would recommend that you not look at the diamond side by side on a white paper. As we explain in our post on color, you will not notice the difference between G and H color at all once the diamond is set. In fact, the video there compares a G and H cushion cut precisely. If you put them side by side, upside down, on a white color board (or card), you will see a feint difference. What you may end up doing is getting the H and convincing yourself that you see the color in the ring (where you wouldn’t do that if you hadn’t gotten it in your mind that its darker).
Ask the jeweler for a spring-ring clasp for that diamond and yours. Then look at the two “rings” on fingers and compare.
If you prefer the diamond from the jeweler, great. I just don’t want you to overspend for something that you get in your head, but really isn’t an issue.
I took delivery of the diamond today, and I have to say it looks great! I’ll be shocked if the jeweler can give me something comparable when I meet with them tomorrow. Now to see if I can negotiate on their setting….
Thank you so much for the help!
Thanks for writing and letting us know. I’m delighted that you were pleased with our help.
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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