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Q&A: Looking for Oval Cut without “Bowtie Effect”

By Mike Fried,

Color: G

Q&A: Looking for Oval Cut without “Bowtie Effect”

Hello! I love your website, it’s taught me a gajillion things I never would have known. So thank you thank you! My boyfriend recently started asking me for hints about diamond shapes I liked, and I said I loved ovals set east-west. He proposed to me yesterday (!) with a 1.5 carat G SI1 oval …


Q&A: Looking for Round Cut for Simple Solitaire Setting

Me and my partner are looking to buy an engagement online, pretty scary. Wonder if you can help us out a bit on the selection. We both like a simple platinum setting (eg: Tiffany classic 6 prong knife edge setting). We have a budget of $4 – 4.5k. Cut/polish/symetric: excellent Color: the near colourless range …


Q&A: Looking for Round Cut for Pt Pave Setting

First I wanted to thank you for putting together such a comprehensive and informative website. It has been so incredible to be able to learn all this information from the comfort of home! I am sure I speak for many silent readers when I say a heartfelt thank you! I am looking to choose a …


Q&A: Looking for 1 Ct. Chunky Cushion Cut

I was reading about cushion cut diamonds on your website, as I am on the hunt for one… Was wondering if you could help me in my search? Looking for: F color, 1 carat, VVS1/VVS2 clarity, chunky cushion cut (NOT crushed ice), excellent cut and symmetry. L/W ratio as close to 1/1 as possible. Went …


Q&A: Trying to Buy Designer-style Diamond in NYC

First, thank you for this web site which is hugely informative. I am looking to buy an engagement ring. I’ve been to Tiffany’s whose “quality” and service I respect but whose prices I don’t like. I do like the Lucida and classic Tiffany settings. Why buy Tiffany vs. another vendor is an age-old question. But …


Q&A: Looking for Best Cushion Cut Under $5K

This site has been such an incredible resource, hoping you can provide some much needed help. My target budget for the ring is approximately $6000 total and am looking for the best available 1-1.25ct cushion in the $5000 range. Using the search parameters G-H and VS1-VS2, what do you think of these stones: 1.04 G …


Q&A: Cushion Cut for $4600 Budget

Looking for a 1 carat cushion in the $4600 and under price range. L/W doesn’t really matter to me or her, I hope. These are two that I picked out this morning: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-201873?a_aid=dmnd1357 https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-207091?a_aid=dmnd1357 One better than the other or are the differences negligible? Any thoughts or links to other stones are much appreciated. James …


Q&A: In Search of 1.5-1.6 Ct. Round Cut

Thanks for putting this site together, I learned about James Allen through you and I’m really pleased with how they run their site. I’m hoping to put together an engagement ring in the new week or so with a 1.5-1.6 carat diamond. We’ve gone to a few jewelers to look at diamonds and settled on …


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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