Q&A: Searching for Round Diamond with Sparkle for $6500 Budget

I am currently educating myself and trying to find the best loose diamond that I can in my budget. Until I read your site, I was planning to purchase a diamond from www.uniondiamond.com….the price seemed fantastic but after reading about what you have to say about EGL I am now looking for possibly something different.

I have already purchased this setting:

http://www.verragio.com/Verragio-Engagement-Rings/Venetian-Engagement-Rings/VENETIAN-5004-3#section2

so I am looking for a round loose diamond to go in it.

I am looking to get something in the .85-slightly over 1 carat range. The diamonds in the Verragio setting are F-G color and VS clarity so I have been looking to stay around those specifications.

Most of the stones I have been looking at have an ideal cut as I know how much my girlfriend always comments about the ”sparkle”. So far, I have came across a few of these.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1380495.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1375868.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1382156.asp

Do you have any suggestions for me as far as other stones or changes to the specifications that I’m currently looking at? I’m hoping to spend a max of $6500 but obviously the cheaper the better.

I love how you can see pictures of the diamonds on jamesallen.com but it seems like bluenile or diamondsonweb might have cheaper prices from time to time…do you still recommend jamesallen over anywhere else?

Thanks a lot for this website and for any help that you can give me.

Thanks so much for the prompt response. I agree that SI1 diamonds look every bit as good as VS or VVS. My personality type is one that I do a ton of studying before I make a big decision such as this. I think I am going to look around a few local jewelry stores for probably nothing other than seeing what inclusions might look like on good quality SI1 diamonds.

Do you think I should worry about not having a warranty for the diamond ring since I am sort of piecing it together from a couple different locations? Also, should I send it in directly to Verragio or could any local store set the loose diamond in my setting for me just as well?

I love the 2nd diamond that you sent me the other day. I understand that it might not be there if I wait a couple more days but I will just keep searching on James Allen if that is the case. Definitely a fantastic value and great looking stone fo ra much better price than I even anticipated for a GIA diamond.

Lastly, what is your take on the Yahuda diamonds? I realize that they are clarity enhanced. is it detectable to the naked eye? I’m not sure if I would even consider going that route but I don’t envision it being an item that we would ever part with either way. I might check out a local store that carries them as well to compare options. I anticipate that I will be more comfortable with a “real” or “un-altered” diamond though.

I will send you another message if you don’t mind after I do more looking around in the next couple days. Thanks again for the great website and all your help.

Just wanted to let you know that I went to a whole bunch of jewelry stores today and looked at more loose diamonds than I can count. Being someone that is in sales myself, I felt that most of the stores were being less than honest. There was one store that seemed great, however. They showed me a diamond that fit most of my criteria except for it wasn’t graded by GIA or AGS (this store echoed what you said and told me to stay away from EGL diamonds even though they could give me a great price on one). The diamond that seemed to fit my budget and specifications did not have a grading certificate with it of any kind so I checked it over but realized that I would rather go with something that would offer me a little more peace of mind.

Just before I was leaving I decided to try to pry for a bit more information and I asked how much I should expect to pay if I wanted basicaly the exact diamond that they showed me (I believe it was .93 carats) that had an IDEAL cut as well as grading by GIA. The lady informed me that I would probably be looking at something in the $10,000+ range. That right there made my decision.

I came directly home and ordered my favorite of the 2 stones that you recommended. as you can see, it is now listed as “no longer available” 🙂

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1370449.asp

Thanks for all your help and I can’t wait to let you know how it looks when I receive it as well as get it mounted!

Just wanted to send you a quick note as well as my sincerest “Thank you” for all your help. As of last night I am engaged! The ring turned out better than I could have ever imagined. The diamond that you recommended is honestly the best looking diamond I have ever seen in person….at any price. The amount of brilliance that the diamond has is unbelievable. Your site has gained so many more fans, that’s fore sure! The story of our engagement cannot be told without the mention of your website and all your help in finding the perfect diamond for Kathy. My fiance is completely in awe with the diamond from James Allen…I swear she hasn’t stopped staring at the ring since I put it on her finger last night! You definitely played a huge role in our perfect night as well as our continuous happiness going forward.

Attached are a couple photos.

Thanks again.