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Hello! I was just starting to shop for a engagement ring and wouldn’t mind some help finding the right diamond. I’m in the market to get a stone between 1.00-1.20 carats, the highest cut quality (I understand that this translates into brilliance and fire), and one that is completely eye clean. I’d also prefer a stone that did have less flaws and a higher color grade (if only for the sheer fact that I can boast about it), but I’d like to be around 6k-7k, including the setting (I expect to pay anywhere from $700-$1400 for the setting).. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank You!
I’d be happy to help you. To make sure I know what to search for, can you be a bit more specific about what you’re looking for? Is a round cut what you’re interested in? And what style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) would you like?
I’m looking for a round cut diamond and I’ll likely set it in a solitaire or a simple, clean pave setting of either 18k white gold or platinum. Some examples of pave settings I’m considering:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-pave-crossover-engagement-ring-item-8902?a_aid=dmnd1357
As far as solitaire settings go I’m leaning toward a very simple 4 prong setting unless you have a opinion that subject that might add some insight into solitaire settings. Also, I wanted to add something to my original message, I stated I was looking for a 1.00-1.20 carat diamond, however, as long as it’s in my price range the bigger the better. I understand you can go down in things like color and clarity, without getting a stone that is discernibly of a lower quality, and go up in carat weight.
If you’re looking for a simplicity and elegance, then this pave looks the best (plus the largest diamond I could find):
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-twisted-pave-engagement-ring-item-53319?a_aid=dmnd1357
As for the solitaire setting, this one looks very elegant as well (also in a combination with a diamond):
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-split-prong-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-53315?a_aid=dmnd1357
Both diamonds are eye-clean, well cut and will look very brilliant. What do you think?
I just have a question about the 1.30 ct J diamond, being a J grade in color will there be much of a noticeable color to it?
J looks great in a solitaire setting. There is no need to go higher: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/.
Awesome, thank you! I just have one other question regarding ring size. I don’t know my girlfriends ring size and I don’t think she has any other rings that I can use as a reference. Do you have any suggestions how I could make sure the ring is sized correctly without making my girlfriend aware of whats going on?
That’s a bit of a tricky question. It’s not easy to do that. JA can send you their plastic ring sizer, but you would have to put it around her finger anyway. Or you can just estimate based on what you see.
It seems as if the 1.30 ct diamond is no longer available on James Allen. Could you help me find a similar diamond to replace it?
……
Also, regarding IGI graded diamonds, your site instructs to stay away from them if you’re purchasing in the lower range of clarity (i.e. SI2 or SI1) and color, but if I was looking at this stone, a VVS2 J excellent cut diamond, would you still recommend against it due to it being graded by IGI?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1017828?a_aid=dmnd1357
Yes. The thing is that because IGI inflates grades, this diamonds is probably not a J color and will look yellowish in the setting. Moreover, the value is not the same as it is for a GIA diamond.
I found this option:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-960685?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thank you. Also, I order the ring over the phone using a different email. Here it is.
Great news! Thank you for letting me know the different email address.
I hope you like the the ring a lot when you receive it. Please, let me know.
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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