Hello there.. I came across your website and decided to write you seeking your advise on purchasing a diamond engagement ring. I have been shopping around for a nice 1.3-1.6 diamond on a nice platinum setting. My budget for the ring is around 10K-12K.
I am thinking of buying it online from Blue Nile but not sure if this is the best thing to do and not sure what to chose given the many diamonds they have on stock. Any advise would be very appreciated. Thanks
I don’t see a problem ordering the ring from Blue Nile. What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones, halo) do you have in mind?
Many thanks for your message.
I have been looking for different kind of settings and I am liking this model: Blue Nile Petite Twist Diamond Engagement Ring
Do you think this one would look good on a 1.3-1.5 carat diamond? In addition to that, I am also thinking of getting a round diamond for that… Would look better than a princess cut, correct?
I think the most you could help me with is the type of diamond I should get. Especially the clarity, size, and color degree of the diamond (the 4 Cs).
Many thanks for your help.
That’s a beautiful setting. I would like a round diamond better for it as it’s all rounded.
What do you think of this diamond as a center stone?
Blue Nile LD08498051
It’s eye-clean, well cut and will look very bright and brilliant in it.
I was thinking of ‘brighter’ and ‘cleaner’ central stone. Around F or G color and VS1 or VVS2. Or that would be too much for this size of a stone?
You can go that high, but it isn’t necessary. You wouldn’t benefit from anything above H color and as long as it’s eye-clean, the clarity can be SI2+.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/
You would only end up with a more expensive stone.
Don’t you think that H color is quite yellowish and won’t have the same glow of G or F color? What about the flows, the SI2 could have some eye noticeable cracks…
If you can recommend a good priced 1.5 carat that is nicely glowing and with unnoticed flows I would really appreciate it.
There is virtually no difference between a G and H color. An F might be a tad whiter, but you would notice it only if you compared it side by side with another loose diamond.
SI2s can have ugly inclusions, yes, but some of them could be eye-clean. The VS2 one from Blue Nile I sent you was completely clean. You wouldn’t see anything in it with the naked eye.
Great. The one you are recommending is nice, but it is a bit yellowish… Can you recommend another stone that is as clean but with H grade?
Thanks for your help.
These two could be nice, but you have to ask BN for the actual photos:
Blue Nile LD08594359
Blue Nile LD08608631
However, the price is much higher for these.
Please note that I have requested BN to put both diamonds on reserve and send me their actual photos. They are now in the process of making photos of them. Once I receive them, I’ll share them with you to get your advise.
Meanwhile, do you have other stone recommendations with the same quality and price range?
Many thanks for your help.
Other options were around 11k with very similar specs and I don’t see a reason to pay that much for a similar stone. Let me know once you obtain the pictures.
BN has just sent me photos of both diamonds. Please find them attached. Unfortunately, the resolution is quite low… But from your experience, what is your take and advise?
Many thanks.
I love the first diamond:
Blue Nile LD08594359
The second one’s crystal on the table isn’t ideal. But this diamond is perfectly clean.
Many thanks… And apologies for my many questions.
Which diamond is perfectly clean? From the GIA report the 1.51 one shows it has only one inclusion, while the 1.50 one includes several ‘inclusions’ and dents. Would the 1.51 one shine as well as the 1,50? Would the inclusions and dents in the 1.50 be visible on the ring?
I think I’ll go with one of them, I just want to make a good decision on which one is better to buy.
The 1.50ct would be better. It has a few more inclusions, but they all are on the side and won’t be visible. The 1.51ct has a crystal on the table where nothing can cover it.
Many thanks. I’ll take your advise then.
Great. Let me know how it looks when you receive it.
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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