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Hello, I really enjoy your website as I am in the process of buying an engagement ring. Being a normal guy, i really dont know much about this stuff- so your website has been a lifesaver so far.
I have talked with my girlfriend, and know baselines of what she wants. I was hoping someone could help make some suggestions on how to get the best ring within my budget ($7-10k, but of course if I can spend less and get a good ring/deal- then that is even better!)
Here is what I am looking for-
Cushion cut diamond in a halo setting. Platinum band, with pave diamonds halfway down the band. I was thinking total weight to be around 1.75-2 carats….from what I have found online, the diamond weight on halo/pave stones is around .4-.6- meaning the ideal diamond carat would be 1.25-1.5 carats. So far, I have mainly looked on James Allen & Adiamore’s websites.
As you can see, it is not a simple design (i dont think)- so any help in utilizing the information you know to get the right cut/color/clarity with those carats would be greatly appreciated!!
I love this diamond for you:
Its bright, eye-clean and well cut. What do you think?
I think that diamond is very nice in the pictures (always hard to tell 100% through online pictures) but I wonder a few things-
For a cushion cut ring, do I want to get a diamond with a higher color & clarity? I understand those are fairly important with a cushion cut diamond.
The price seems nice for a 1.3carat diamond- but if we had to spend a little more to increase the color/clarity- I would be open. Or is that crazy and those don’t necessarily matter?
Also- I understand there are two systems for certifying a diamond, American and European- (I know JA sells certified) but is that what the GIA certificate covers?
Thanks!
I don’t know where you are getting your information, but it sounds like you are getting a snow job from someone.
There is no “american” or “european” grading. All the major labs are international. GIA has labs all over the world and EGL/IGI’s biggest labs are in the US. There are good labs and there are bad labs.
GIA (and for round diamonds, AGS as well) are the gold standards. They have the most sophisticated labs for testing (against artificial enhancements) and have the strictest, and most consistent, grading. After that, other companies are looser and less consistent. IGI/HRD are not terrible, but they inflate the quality claims a bit. A certificate like EGL is borderline fraudulent and you should walk away from anyone who tries to sell them. Other companies like GS, Gemex etc are pretty bad (though not as bad as EGL).
As for the qualities, I don’t know where you heard that. The only shapes that have an issue with clarity are emerald/asscher; their glassy look makes it much easier to see inclusions. The diamond I selected is eye-clean. As for color, we recommend H for cushion cuts:
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/
I am concerned because a typical Jeweler scam is to us BS to obscure the fact they are using illegitimate certificates.
Interesting, thank you for the information. Simply what I have gathered from talking to friends who have gone through this process (interestingly enough- he went through a jeweler in Florida, not online). I have been told all sorts of things, and everyone has advice after they go through the process which is exactly why I turned to you.
Looking at options for the setting then, there are two below that I like- how do you think they would look with that diamond? one has 35 .01c diamonds (bringing the total carat weight to 1.53), while the other has 54 (bringing the total carat weight to 1.84). Is that one really worth the extra $1500? I don’t necessarily want to get the cheapest setting available, but also don’t want to get something completely unnecessary. I honestly think it looks nicer, and that puts me at $9,160 for a 1.84 carat total weight ring with a platinum band and a total of 55 diamonds. Is that a good deal?
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/?a_aid=dmnd1357
or
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-pave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-item-17426?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thanks!
To be honest, this is a question of fashion and style. Both settings are nice, but I don’t have a technical preference of one over the other. That diamond will look great in either of them.
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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