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Q&A: Looking for Advice: Buy Online or at Bricks & Mortar Store?

By Mike Fried,

Clarity: SI1

Q&A: Looking for Advice: Buy Online or at Bricks & Mortar Store?

I’m looking for some quick and dirty advice. My budget is between $5-9k depending on the rock – I want to get either a round or cushion diamond in a cushion halo w/ platinum. The C’s are where it gets iffy – I don’t know whether to buy online vs. in store, and for that …


Q&A: Looking for Ideal Cut Round Diamond in $3K Range

First off, I’d like to thank you for your site, your diamond education articles have been integral in guiding my search for the perfect diamond for my budget. My total budget is about $3500-4000, and I’m looking at settings between $575 and $1050 (for color purposes, I want to note I’m going with a platinum …



Q&A: Looking for Round Brilliant Diamond for Skinny Pave Ring

I came across your site, and I just want to thank you for your help! I am looking for a round diamond, probably to put in a skinny, pave style ring. I would like the whole ring to be around $5000, so about $3500/$4000 for the diamond. I was looking on Blue Nile, but then …


Q&A: Looking for Best Princess Cut for $7500 Budget

Hi, The Diamond Pro Team, Thanks so much for the work you put into the site. I’ve learned so much since coming here, and it’s really caused me to slow down and look deeper at my purchase. I especially appreciate the pages on specific cuts. After reading through all of that, however, I still feel …


Q&A: Round Brilliant White Gold Solitaire for $1500-2K Budget

I want a white gold, round brilliant cut solitaire, my sister got a engagement ring and i love it, is pretty simple just white gold and the diamond… her is a princess cut but i was thinking getting a round … i also wanted your opinion on that… my budget is between 1500$ – 2000$ …


Q&A: Are these Round Diamonds Included?

You said it was kosher to email you about whether a diamond inclusion would be clear to the eye, so I have one: Wondering if this one will look alright: https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1494417.asp or if the following is a better option: https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1505069.asp And if you have any tips on finding something even better that I don’t know …



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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