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Q&A: Canadian Princess

By Mike Fried,

I have begun my search of an engagement ring and I have to be honest all the information is quite overwhelming. In addition, it can be hard to decipher between what is a sales pitch information and what is true advice. From mainly researching on your site it has helped me narrow down what I thing is good specs but would love your opinion. Now to the ring. The following is the specs I think would work for me.

Cut: Princess

W/L ratio: 1-1.05

Price Range for Loose Diamond: 5000-6500 CAD

Setting with 18ct White Gold with Side stones

Size: 1ct min but would love a larger carat

Cut: ideal

Colour: G or higher

Clarity:VS2 or higher (but don’t know if I need to go higher or not)

I am most interested in a princess cut with a length to width ratio of 1-1.05

I have mainly been looking Blue Nile because I live in Canada and purchasing through them eliminates the need to pay duty

I would love your thoughts and any recommendations on rings you may have.

Thanks.

I’m very happy to help. You won’t pay duty if you buy from someone in the US either due to NAFTA. The only thing you’ll have to pay (from BN or anybody else) is GST/PST.

Does that budget take into account GST/PST?

My total ideal budget is I would like to spend 7100 or less. So I was leaving some room with the diamond to accomplish this.

What do you think about this?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1326508.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s got a perfect cut for a Princess and it’ll be totally eye clean. It’s also really big!

That diamond is perfect. I really like it and it suits all my criteria. Plus it is way cheaper than any I was able to find online. How do you do it 🙂 So what would be next? I was looking on the site and think the setting I like the most is 18k White Gold Thin Channel Set Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring. What do you think of that one?

So what would be the next steps?

Thanks

…………….

Also I was wondering if you could give me some information on James Allen. Is it a reputable jeweller? I haven’t found too much information on them and would love to learn more. how long have they been in business? Are they publicly traded? Things like that.

…………..

One more thing. My girlfriend’s ring finger was measured at 52.51/2 circumference. I notice this is between a ring size of 6 and 61/2. Is it better to get the little bit bigger 61/2 so i am guarenteed it fits?

Thanks for all your help.

That’s a great setting! The next steps would simply be to order the diamond and ring! And apply the TAD0611 copuon to get 10% off that setting!

…………..

JA isn’t publicly traded, but they’ve been around just as long as Blue Nile. For the first several years of their existence, they were known as “dirtcheapdiamonds.com”

You could imagine why they changed it 🙂

They’re the 2nd largest online diamond seller after BN. See my article entitled “Truth about BN & JA” on the site for some more info.

…………

I’m just guessing because my professional experience is really limited to loose diamonds, but I would think that’s a smart move.

Your site said something about a 10% fee. Is that something I or the jeweller pay. In addition if I pay it has it been worked into the price already?

Thanks.

That fee is only if I broker a stone for you from Israel. It’s not relevant in this case. This service is free. See my article “truth about truthaboutdiamonds.com

You have been so much help. Thank you so much. And your site is so informative. I will refer anyone I know to you for help with engagement rings.

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online.
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
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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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