I want to buy an engagement ring. I don’t want to spend too much because after the wedding she will probably not wear it everyday due to her occupation. I want to get one that will be noticeable and I’ve been looking at 0.7c solitaire rings. I haven’t been to a jewelry shop to actually see how big this size is, but from the images it appears to be an ‘okay’ size. I’m going to go and visit a local jewelry store to check how big it actually is in real life. I live in the United Kingdom.
I’ve searched on James Allen and Blue Nile, as you recommended.
I selected the following options for the 4C’s:
cut: excellent (James Allen) and Ideal (Blue Nile)
colour: I
clarity: SI2
carat: 0.7-0.8
The best for value diamond on James Allen is £1031 – SKU:2644326, 0.70 CARAT I-SI2 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2644326?a_aid=dmnd1357
The best for value diamond on Blue Nile is £1387 – LD08250899 (stock number), ideal cut, round, I SI2
Blue Nile LD08250899
I was surprised that James Allen came up with the cheapest diamond. It’s difficult to compare the two, because it looks like Blue Nile’s images of diamonds are less magnified.
When I look at the more expensive options in James Allen, I really can’t see the difference.
I’ve tried to prioritize on cut and carat. I was worried whether I should increase clarity, but then I wondered whether you’d notice the difference on 0.7ct. diamond? Do you think I should change the selections for my 4C’s?
I’m going to opt for a platinum setting. Also for the bands, is 2.5mm a decent size?
What do you think of the above?
Thank you very much!
The issue with the stone from JA is its IGI certification. You should search for stones with either GIA or AGS cert (these are legitimate laboratories). Also the inclusions are eye-noticeable.
The issue with the stone from BN is the cloud listed as the first inclusion. It can cause a hazy look, that’s why I wouldn’t purchase this diamond.
Do I understand it correctly that you’re looking for a solitaire style setting?
Thank you for your quick reply.
I thought all of the JA and BN diamonds were from approved laboratories, my mistake. Do you think I can realistically buy a eye-clean 0.7c excellent cut diamond engagement ring (platinum) for around 1600 British pounds?
And yes I would like a solitaire style setting, I think that’s the one my girlfriend will like the most. I also thought the solitaire would look the most ‘classic’ and ‘impressive’.
Thank you for all your help!! You’re really helping me out!
Since you plan to use a solitaire style setting I suggest going one color grade down. A J color stone is going to look colorless. And it will maximize your budget.
Here’s the best 0.71 stone I found:
Blue Nile LD08560056
If you want to stay within your budget, I’d have to search for a slightly smaller stone.
Let me know what you think.
I actually meant £1600 for diamond and setting (platinum), which was based on the first diamond ring I found on JA, which proved to be a poor one. My budget for diamond alone is probably around £1300. I can stretch myself till to £1900 for diamond and setting (platinum).
Also I had a question regarding the images on JA and BN. Are they of the same magnifications? The diamonds on BN seem more eye-clean, but then I wondered whether they use lower magnification?
I’ve been searching overnight and wondered what you thought of following diamonds on JA:
The first one seems more sparkly. Do you have any other suggestions with my budget?
Also I wondered, will I get more for my money if I opt for another shape… Maybe princess? I just picked round because I thought it’d be the most sparkly.
Thanks.
I’d say that the videos on JA are higher quality. But you can tell whether a stone is eye-clean from the videos on Blue Nile as well. It’s important to check where the inclusion is located, what type it is, what color etc. And this you can tell from either of the sites (videos). I hope it makes more sense.
As for the stones, I’m afraid that the inclusion on the VS2 stone is going to be eye-noticeable.
And the issue with the SI stone is cloud listed as the only inclusion on an SI stone. It can cause a hazy impression.
Here’s a diamond with the quality I’d recommend and within the budget you mentioned:
Blue Nile LD08386282
Thank you.
I will put the 0.6ct. as an option. So that one will cost £1142.40.
Would you please be able suggest the best value 0.7ct. diamond (or something close to 0.7ct., perhaps 0.68ct. or something). Perhaps cheaper than the £1600 that you initially suggested:
Blue Nile LD08560056
I’m going to go to a local jeweler later today to compare the 0.7ct. and 0.6ct. to see whether the price difference is worth it.
My girlfriend’s friends are getting me her ring size… So I’ve got a good week to think over things.
Sorry for the trouble. Thank you again!
……
I went to the jewelers yesterday to view some diamonds in real life.
I’m increasing my total budget to £2200 because I saw some really nice diamond rings. Which means I can afford the £1600 diamond you initially recommended. I realized how noticeable inclusions can be, so thank you for pointing it out to me! I also saw how the sparkle differed significantly between different diamonds.
The first one you initially suggested is:
Blue Nile LD08560056
I had one question regarding that diamond. I saw a J colour diamond yesterday in the jeweler store and it looked quite yellow, which I thought was maybe unique to that diamond. My question is… I am not sacrificing too much in colour for carat size am I?
Sorry about my indecisiveness… I am nearly getting there.
Thank you!
Thank you for your feedback.
As for the color, were the stones you saw GIA or AGS certified? If so, you might be extremely color sensitive and we should look for a higher color grade. If not, there’s a high chance that the color was actually even lower.
For the vast majority of our readers will a J color stone look colorless in a solitaire style setting.
Keep me posted.
You’re right, the diamond wasn’t GIA/AGS certified. Also the lady put it next to a higher colour grade and that’s why I probably noticed the colour. The prices in store were so so so so much higher than online – I couldn’t believe it. She tried to sell me a £7500 0.7ct. ring! She was also talking about fluorescence – I didn’t really understand.
She made me wonder whether I should go slightly down in carat size to get higher specs, but I don’t think the higher specs will be noticeable to me or my girlfriend. So I’m going to buy the first diamond (0.71ct.) you recommended. It’s eye clean, excellent cut and colourless – I’m happy!
I should hopefully have the ring size by the end of the weekend. From your experience they don’t go out of stock that quickly do they?
I’m going to set it in a platinum ring. The BN website gave me 3 rings: going to go for this one in platinum:
Blue Nile Truly Zac Posen Knife-Edge Solitaire Engagement Ring
What do you think of this setting? Will she be able to wear a wedding band behind that ring? It was difficult to tell how high the diamond is set.
Thanks again!
Thank you for all the feedback.
As you’re saying, it seems that the lady was trying to sell you a stone with high grades (quality you won’t notice with your naked eye).
I suggest starting an order as I can’t guarantee that the stone will be still available. It’s only a few days but there is a chance that the stone might be gone. So if you like it, I’d start an order and you can complete the purchase once you know the size of the setting.
And yes, I think that your partner can also wear a wedding band behind this setting.
Keep me posted.
Didn’t know you could start an order. I called them and BN have started a order for me. So I’ve just got to get the size to them as soon as possible.
I’ll keep you posted.
Thanks.
That’s fantastic news!
Keep me posted.
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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