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Firstly, thanks for all the great information on your site. I’m currently in the market for an engagement ring. I want to buy a man-made diamond to avoid any potential conflict and environment related issues. I’ve been shopping at gemesis, but am concerned because all of their diamonds are IGI certified. I’d like to go with the best cut I can get, as after looking at local stores, that seems to have the most dramatic effect on appearance/sparkle. Can you comment on the three diamonds below? Do you have any recommendations for things I should be paying more/less attention to?
DIAMOND 1
Shape-Round
Color-I
Cut-IDEAL
Clarity-SI1
Polish-EXCELLENT
Symmetry-VERY GOOD
Fluorescence-NONE
Girdle-MEDIUM
Culet-NONE
Table %-58.5
Depth %-59.2
Length-5.78
Width-5.79
Depth-3.42
Measurements-5.78/5.79/3.42
Weight-0.70
Price-$1,872.36
DIAMOND 2
Shape-Round
Color-I
Cut-IDEAL
Clarity-VVS2
Polish-EXCELLENT
Symmetry-EXCELLENT
Fluorescence-NONE
Girdle-MEDIUM
Culet-NONE
Table %-59
Depth %-61.5
Length-5.78
Width-5.8
Depth-3.56
Measurements-5.78/5.8/3.56
Weight-0.73
Price-$2,456.94
DIAMOND 3
Shape-Round
Color-I
Cut-VERY GOOD
Clarity-VS1
Polish-GOOD
Symmetry-GOOD
Fluorescence-NONE
Girdle-MEDIUM
Culet-NONE
Table %-57.5
Depth %-60.5
Length-5.98
Width-6.01
Depth-3.63
Measurements-5.98/6.01/3.63
Weight-0.78
Price-$2,356.73
Value wise, they are very poor choices. In terms of conflict diamonds, that’s not an issue if you buy from reputable sources. Environmentally, I have no idea how much impact the difference is so I won’t comment on that. I would not get the SI1 blind, and the third one is a pretty bad cut, so I would go with the middle one.
What makes these diamonds such poor values? Good to know that I shouldn’t worry about conflict diamonds. Would you consider bluenile a reputable source? Online prices seem to be significantly better than local jewelers.
1) A synthetic diamond has no resale value (no dealer will buy it back from you at a price close to what you paid). While you shouldn’t buy a diamond for an investment, you shouldn’t ignore that entirely. Additionally, the prices aren’t so great. Keep in mind that its IGI so the grades are inflated. It’s probably a J VS1. Look at these:
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD11597858
(This is an alternative to the diamond we originally recommended from a company that no longer exists.)
These are both at least as nice as the middle diamond. They are significantly cheaper and they are not synthetic, so they have a far better resale value. So by every measure, the synthetic diamond is a poor value.
2) I do not recommend Blue Nile for several reasons (here is our BN review for full info). Both Blue Nile and James Allen are fantastic websites and you can be sure that they don’t sell any conflict diamonds.
Thanks again for your time. Based on your recommendation, I’ve decided to go with a non-synthetic diamond. Due to this change, I have more cut options and was thinking of going with an oval diamond (or potentially a marquis). My budget is <3000 for the diamond itself, but ~2500 would be better. Do you have some recommendations? Most of the settings I’ve been looking at are from the James Allen website.
I love Oval cuts. I would recommend this one for you:
It’s bright, eye-clean and a great value. What do you think?
That diamond looks really great. How do you think it would work in a solitaire setting? I’ve been looking at this in particular
I think that is a great combo.
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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