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Q&A: What’s More Important — Clarity or Cut?

By Mike Fried,

Carat: 1.00

Q&A: What’s More Important — Clarity or Cut?

I’m looking for a diamond for my wife to be and would welcome your advice. I’m thinking: Size: 1 carat and upwards Shape: Round Colour: F-H Clarity: IF-VVS2 Cut: Ideal, with favourable table and depth percentages and favourable crown and pavillion angles. I want it to really sparkle!! Girdle: Thin to sliglty thick Cutlet: None …


Q&A: Looking for 1 Carat Princess Cut Diamond for $4500 Budget

Hi – I’m looking for a diamond for an engagement ring and would like your advice. Here are my requirements: princess cut minimum 1ct eye clean maximum price $4500 I would like to purchase from James Allen. It will be in platinum setting and I would like to get the most brilliance/sparkle for the money. …


Q&A: Seeking Cushion Cut Diamond for $4K Budget

I’ve read through a few of your articles and one in particular scared me a fair bit. I’m talking about the one where you compared a VS1 (I think?) diamond against a I3 (again, I think?) diamond and examined the inclusions. Your analysis identified a stark black mark in the VS1 diamond, whilst the I3 …


Q&A: Eye-clean 1 Carat Diamond – James Allen or Blue Nile?

Q&A: Eye-clean 1 Carat Diamond – James Allen or Blue Nile?

Firstly, thank you for a great website! I’m searching for a 1ct loose diamond for use in an engagement ring. My budget is max USD 8 000. Looking at Blue Nile and James Allen a notice a huge difference in price for a 1.01ct, E, IF, Ideal, GIA. The price at Blue Nile is USD …


Q&A: Round Diamond Solitaire for $4-5K Budget

First off, I would like to say thank you for putting together this website. The information here is awesome and I feel like I have learned a great deal about diamonds, specifically what characteristics are important and which ones add to the price. I am looking for an engagement ring on a $4k budget. I …


Q&A: Need Help Finding 1 Carat Round Diamond on James Allen

First of all thank you for your website. it is very interesting information and easy to understand. I am looking for an engagement ring with a 1 carat diamond. At the beginning i found things around 6~7K USD (ring included) with E/VSI grades but it was with the EGL lab. based on your information i …


Q&A: Need Help Making that Final Decision on 0.9-1 Carat Round Diamond

Let me just say, awesome website mate, after reading through it a few times and actually taking your information practically into mind when looking at diamond jewellery, I must admit Im impressed and it has opened my eyes dramatically. I am currently a young Australian, looking at an engagement ring purchase. Im looking to spend …


Q&A: Looking to Spend $2500 for Princess Cut Diamond

Hello. I am looking for a princess cut diamond. I am looking for the best diamond i can get on a fixed budget. I am looking to spend around $3500 for the entire engagement ring. I really like some of the settings on bluenile, but i am not sure if you can buy a setting …


About the author

Mike Fried Mike Fried Mike Fried has over 25 years experience in the diamond industry working with Leo Schachter Diamonds, Moshe Namdar Diamonds, and joining The Diamond Pro in 2007. He is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as Us, People, Page Six, The Next Web and more.

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