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Q&A: Choosing a a Princess Cut Diamond for a Infinity Twist Pave Setting with Around $5k Budget

By Mike Fried,

I had planned to go to Michael Hill in Square one on Sunday to buy an engagement ring. I have always wondered how do you know what you buy. Your report made me think about this.

What is ironic I have checked out the awesome rings from James Allen. I just don’t know what happens with duty and how to handle any issues if there is a problems with the ring when received.

Have you any advice on my concerns.

I really appreciated your detailed information.

Best regards

We have thoroughly vetted the companies we recommend and can confirm that there were no issues whatsoever with the purchases or returns. Everything went smoothly. For more information, you can turn to their customer services.

Can you tell me where you’re located? You mentioned taxes so I want to make sure I recommend the best company for you.

I have spent a great deal of time looking at the local jewelry stores ( I’m located in Canada).

From the pretty picture available I was ready to purchase a ring from Michael Hill.

Since I read your article I soon realized I had no idea what I needed or what questions I should ask.

I have recently spent time on the Blue Nile web site (Very Impressive with an great deal of information) and now have a much better understand of the 4 C’s.

I decided to “build my own ring” using the on line system. It was very educational. With my first attempt I used for an example using:

Astor Ideal Cut
Colour D
Clarity IF
Carat 1.00

Price for the cheapest diamond was $16,729.00 and the setting I was looking at was $2,500 + 13 % HST

Alas, that was way out of my price range.

I am currently working on reducing the requirement to get to my $5,000 price range (recent retire!! lol)

I know that whatever/when I buy it will be through Blue Nile.

Thank you for the info!

Before I recommend some diamonds to you, I have a question. Is there a reason you want to go with the highest grades? Frankly, it’s a huge waste of money. It looks good on paper, but in reality, the difference in colors isn’t usually recognizable from anything above an H grade. Clarity grade is even less important. As long as the diamond is eye-clean, the actual grade can be basically anything. An eye-clean SI diamond looks identical to an IF.

I’m happy to recommend any grades you want, I just wanted to point this out so you can make an informed decision.

https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/

Wow what an amazing amount of information.

I went on Blue Nile and Built my own ring. I have attached the details of the ring below and would appreciate your comments and/ or any suggestions you have.

Infinity Twist Micropavé Diamond Engagement Ring

Blue Nile LD08167324

The setting you picked is lovely, but the color grade J is too low in this case. Princess cuts tend to show their color more than round diamonds. I’d go with at least an I if you want to have the colorless impression.

Blue Nile LD11449029

This one is absolutely beautiful.

Let me know what you think.

Thank you for the recommendation.

I checked out the diamond on the link you provided. I added it the setting I had previously picked and was surprised on the low price.

I went through the purchase process then realized the link was Blu Nile US lol.

I found the ring on the Canadian Blue Nile website and the diamond LD11449029 you recommended was CND $3,100

I added to the original setting for a total of $4910.50

When I get home tonight I will confirm the purchase.

I’m glad the diamond suits you! Let me know how the purchase goes.

I purchased the ring!

Thank you so much for your help with the purchase of the engagement ring.

It is stunning.

I am sure my lady friend will be thrilled.

That is great news! I’m glad I could help you select a beautiful diamond.

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!

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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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