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Hi, I’ve been reading your articles which have been very helpful! I wondered if you have any advice.
I’m looking to buy a diamond online, my budget is around 26.000 HKD (3.500 USD) for the diamond, I need it to be round shape and 0.9 carat. From my reading, I decided that cut was important and color at this size not so important? Obviously buying online, it’s not easy. My understanding is that if I keep clarity around VS2/VS1 then I don’t have to worry too much about inclusions? If I go under this, then I really need to see it so I would need to use James Allen, not Blue Nile… I want to use James Allen as can see them, but I’m no expert so I’m not convinced I’ll pick a good one at VS2 or below.
Do you have any recommendations for me? Thanks in advance!
You understand it correctly. You can search for an SI clarity diamond on James Allen as you can check where the inclusions are located. This way you can more easily confirm whether the diamond is eye-clean.
I have a couple of questions before I start the search. Are you going to pick up the diamond in Hong Kong? Can you tell me what style of setting (solitaire, halo, pave or other) and metal (platinum/white or yellow gold) you’re going to use? Then I’ll be happy to help you with the search.
Thanks for your email and the info.
I live in HK yes, so would need it sent here and would really need the ring within the next 2-3 weeks.
I’m looking for a solitaire setting on a platinum ring, a very simple clean style ring that looks pretty with the diamond. I’m hoping to find something with a nice sparkle that stands out.
Thank you for the information. I found this diamond for you:
Blue Nile LD07209969
It’s beautifully cut and it’s going to return light with high brilliance and fire.
What do you think?
Is there one similar that’s closer to 0.9 carat? I don’t mind spending more, budget is really 25-30.000 HKD including the ring.
……
If we were to look at something that was 0.9-0.92 ct, VS1, I-Color, Very Good Cut, for around 25.000 HKD – would this look the same? I guess what I’m asking is if the cut is lowered from Ideal to Very good, does it make much difference? Or would you suggest keeping the cut at ideal for better overall quality?
I think the lowest I’d be willing to go is around 0.85 carat, I think size is the first thing you see, so to me it’s the most important – within reason 🙂 My girlfriend is small so when we tried many rings on we found 1 carat to be perfect, 1.4 too big, we didn’t really look at under 0.9 carat.
……
Or, only other suggestion I have is lower to VS2 – I’m guessing it’s rare to see inclusions with this grade, but at the same time is it still possible? In that case I’d be worried buying from Blue Nile as don’t get to see the image of the diamond.
As most of the solitaire settings in platinum cost about 4k HKD I recommend a diamond around 0.85 carat. Most of the Very Good cuts are too deep, which negatively influences the light return (brilliance). That’s why we search for excellent cut stones only. You can include VS2 stones into the search but it’s important to know where the inclusion is located. But there’s a way to get a bigger diamond, we can find a J color diamond. It’s going to look colorless.
This is the best and biggest diamond I found within your budget: Blue Nile LD07643291
It’s very well cut. What do you think?
Thanks that looks good, so J will be fine you think?
Would you also be able to send me your recommendation of 0.85 carat please? I can then choose between them.
……
I guess 0.85 and 0.9 is such a small difference in size, do you think I should lower to 0.85 and improve the colour to J? Or not worth it?
I found this 0.85 carat diamond for you:
Blue Nile LD07570550
It’s very well cut. The difference in size is 0.16 and 0.16 mm. It’s slightly smaller but the difference in price is quite significant. It’s up to you, whether this difference is worth the extra buck.
You don’t have to go up with color grade, J color is going to look colorless in the setting you like.
Thanks. I noticed this one is strong fluorescence and the others were none, how important is that?
Strong fluorescence is an issue on higher color grades, but it’s fine on a J color diamond.
So, if you compare that one and the one in the link below, would this look noticeably nicer?
Blue Nile LD06082182
It’s still within budget, so I don’t mind so much, but if you think not much difference then maybe chose between the ones you sent.
Sorry for all the questions just want to make sure I get it right 🙂
I watched some videos of strong fluorescence J color, they looked quite nice until under sunlight, then I really didn’t like the fact it turned blue. I keep worrying about J color but I probably wouldn’t be able to see the difference between that and H anyway, it’s just as I don’t get to see it, obviously slightly worried it will be cloudy looking.
This has helped me narrow my search down… Btw, I was looking at the first 0.92 carat you sent me as I was thinking if J is fine, this would be a good option but it’s been sold now.
VS1
ideal
0.82-0.9 ct (0.9 would be nice, I like the first one you sent, however, if it means noticeable sacrifice to quality then below 0.9 is fine)
colour J-H (take your advice here)
fluorescence – preference is none for above reason, unless you really advise that at J or I there should be at least slight/medium fluorescence)
polish/sym – excellent
price – up to 26.000 HKD
Strong fluorescence can be an issue on higher color grades. But I was able to find a nice J color diamond with faint fluorescence:
Blue Nile LD07126019
It’s very well cut. You would most likely notice the difference between H and J color stone if you compared them side by side. But there’s no need to choose an H color diamond. Unless you’re extremely color sensitive, J is going to look colorless in a solitaire style.
That’s great. I’ve gone ahead and ordered this one 🙂
Thanks for all your help with this. I used the same email address with my order by the way.
That’s a wonderful news! It was my pleasure helping you.
Let me know how you like the ring once it arrives.
The ring came a couple of days ago, I’m really pleased with it, so thanks for your help.
As you said, the color is fine, and it looks really nice under light.
Thanks again!
I’m very happy to hear that.
If it’s not too much to ask, could you write a short review about your experience with us?
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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