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Hi. What an informative website! My husband is upgrading my current center diamond in celebration of our 25th Anniversary this September. We are looking for a 1.5-2 carat brilliant diamond (color up to and including I, ideal/excellent cut, SI2) . This is a very special day for us and I’m excited to be getting this new ring. I want a simple white gold setting and have a 5 diamond wedding band that I’ll be wearing with the solitaire. My husband works in NY and Phil. and has feels that the diamond districts may be the way to go. I feel the need for a more personal experience, but don’t want to pay more at a “bricks and mortar” retailer. We haven’t set a budget per se, but I’ve been looking at rings in the $15,000 range. I’ve been to James Allen’s website and would consider an online diamond if I had some guidance. Can you tell me a price range for this size and quality (GIA certified)diamond? What should my next steps be? And does it make sense to trade in my current 3 stone diamond ring (.72 center and .35 sides)?
I would never recommend going into the diamond district. My sister was looking for a pair of diamond studs. When I was back visiting NYC, I went with her to the diamond district so she can try on different sizes (obviously I got her the diamonds somewhere else). I used it as an opportunity to secret shop the district. I didn’t let them know I was a diamond professional.
I was appalled at the slimy shenanigans dealers tried to pull. One guy tried to sell diamonds that he artificially treated AFTER getting a GIA certificate (which renders the diamond worthless). One dealer insisted he was showing us GIA certified diamonds. He finally showed me the certs; they didn’t match up to the diamond at all. Another tried selling me a diamond that was cracked.
Basically it is chock full of sharks and you would be that one bleeding swimming who can’t get out of water. going to the Diamond District is being penny wise and pound foolish. You are trying to get a deal that will save you a couple of percent. But you are taking a huge risk that you are going to get royally screwed. I just don’t see the point.
I would suggest sticking with a nice SI1 and stick with an Excellent cut.
What do you think of these?
Thanks for the advice.Your suggestion to stay with a nice SI1 and Excellent cut was perfect timing. I’m finding it challenging to look at the diamonds you’ve selected and know what to think. So, after going back into the Q&A on your site, I found a 3/5/2013 post that sums up exactly what I want. Carat 1.6-1.9, Clarity SI2 (eye clean), excellent/ideal cut, policy/symmetry excellent, fluorescence none to slight with a budget of $14,000-$15,000. Other than the Color, do the diamonds you chose fit those criteria?
I did view the diamonds you selected for that individual: jamesallen/1499655 is Beautiful!
Have a great Monday!
Sounds great. 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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