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Q&A: Choosing a Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring With a $1,500 Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

I was reading your article and I am interesting in a ring off of Blue Nile. It said to contact you in regards to a discount code. Do you have one that can be used in the next couple weeks?

Sure, I’m happy to help: [contact us for your own unique coupon code]

I’m also happy to help you select a diamond or review the one you are already considering to make sure there are no issues.

Thank you for the code. That definitely helps me out! I have one all picked out. What do you review? Just the diamond specs with the asking price to make sure it is a good deal?

I’d like to review the GIA report and make sure there are no red flags in it. So if you can send me a link to it, that would be great.

Blue Nile LD07282403

Is this that you need? Do you work with Blue Nile?

We don’t work with them (we are an unbiased advice website), but we receive positive feedback about them from our readers.

Thank you for the link. To be perfectly honest, that diamond is not a good choice. It’s poorly cut and medium fluorescence on such a high color usually causes haziness: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/.

I’d focus on something better cut and without fluorescence. Is there a reason you aim that high in terms of color? We recommend against it: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/.

You can drop a few grades there in order to get a better bang for your buck:
Blue Nile LD08110736

This diamond is beautifully cut and will be much more brilliant than the one you selected.

What do you think?

I think it is great. I appreciate the help. It is a bit smaller and a bit more money, but I trust your opinion as you know more about it than I certainly do. Thank you for the advice. I have made that change to her ring.

Thank you for the kind words. I wanted to make sure that you buy an excellent diamond and the one I sent you truly is one.

I hope you love it when you receive it. If you could let me know how it looks when it arrives, I’d appreciate it.

I will. Thanks again and have a blessed day!

Thank you.

Have a great day too.

Good morning. Just giving you an update. The ring was amazing, and she absolutely loved it. Thank you again for the advice, I absolutely appreciate it, much better than what I could have done on my own.

That’s great news! I’m so glad you were happy with the ring. It’s been a pleasure helping you.

If it’s not too much to ask, do you think you can do us a quick favor and write us a small review on www.ivouch.com? If you could, we would be extremely grateful.

[LINK TO REVIEW ON IVOUCH]

Also, can you send us a pic of your new diamond? We’d love to inspire other readers with photos in our gallery.

I wish you and your partner a life of happiness and fulfillment.

Absolutely. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

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!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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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