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Hi guys, I’ve been searching for weeks trying to get the perfect ring for my proposal and have yet to decide.
Firstly I wanted a 1 carat emerald in a platinum solitaire ring. After researching and pricing up I came to the conclusion that I would end up with a pretty poor diamond for my budget of £2500/£3000.
I have since decided to drop the carat and go for a stone of a lot better quality all round at 0.80 or there abouts! I have searched 77 Diamonds, Blue Nile and James Allen and found suitable rings of a standard I am happy with and within my budget (now in and around £2500).
I am not quite sure about the James Allen as I don’t know the extra costs to ship to the UK from the US. Could you explain roughly prices and procedures for this.
I have found your website extremely useful for information and would love you to help me in my quest the perfect ring for my partner.
I shall look forward to your reply.
I looked around and I found some pretty good diamonds within your budget:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1868312?a_aid=dmnd1357
They are well cut, eye-clean and will look great in any solitaire setting you choose.
There’s a tax and duties calculator at the bottom of JA website.
What do you think?
Thanks for the reply. Yes I really like the diamond. It is one I am considering. I notice the colour is I. I was looking for a colour of d to f preferably as I really want the diamond to stand out and look very white. I would consider a lower clarity to get this. Maybe vs2 to get the colour up. What do you think? Is there a big difference between d e f colour compared to I?
Also I’m having a bit of trouble with the James Allen tax and duty calculator. It isn’t letting me select currency for some reason and is stopping me getting a figure. Will keep trying. Thanks.
I’m glad you like it.
Well, I’d be happy to find you some higher colors as well, but the difference is basically not noticeable. You’d get the same look for the naked eye with a significant price difference. In a solitaire, there are no additional diamonds that might make the difference in colors noticeable.
Clarity grade is not that important as long as the diamond is eye-clean. I searched in the SI1+ clarity range and those diamonds happened to be the best value (=the largest and eye-clean) I could find within your budget.
I’m sorry to hear about your troubles. I suggest contacting their customer service directly and turning to them with this.
Great, OK, thanks very much for your help. I appreciate it a lot. Lastly, do you think the 1.01 carat diamond is the better of the two?
You’re very welcome.
Well, personally, I like the 0.80 ct more. When you look at the real measurements, the difference in size between them is nominal. Also, I like its shape more.
I have come across a ring I think I may be interested in. It is a Tiffany and co 0.61 for sale within hours drive from where I live.
This is the link…
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tiffany-Co-Platinum-0-61-Carat-H-VS1-Diamond-Solitaire-Engagement-Ring-Size-J-/172432359207?nav=SEARCH
I would like to know your opinions. I have read your website’s thoughts on Tiffany and they seem positive. I would just like to know if this looks a good deal? It looks legit with all the certifications and matching codes enshrined inside of the ring.
Looking forward to your reply and opinion.
It doesn’t look bad and if you like the idea of buying a Tiffany ring, I understand. However, you can still get the same size diamond for a much better price:
Blue Nile LD07940946
Yes, I now realize Tiffany’s are a lot of money compared to even GIA rings. I have found a match on Blue Nile I’d like your opinion on please.
Blue Nile LD02827887
Blue Nile Solitaire Settngs
Many thanks.
……
Sorry to bombard with emails. I have narrowed my search down and think I am going to go with an emerald 0.75 GIA from Blue Nile. My total comes in at around £2300. After reading Diamond Pro’s opinion on Blue Nile, I think you guys are pretty positive toward Blue Nile. I also read you have thousands of discount codes. I am just curious to whether you have any to help me. Get my price down to the £2000 mark. Many thanks.
That is correct, we like Blue Nile and recommend them to our readers often. Here’s the coupon code, it gives you $100 off of your order. [contact us for your own unique coupon code]
The diamond you picked out on their website looks great, but make sure you ask for its picture (we need to see if it doesn’t have the black windowing effect).
Great, thanks for that. I think I have narrowed my search down to two diamonds. I will attach pictures now. The colour H slightly larger diamond is £100 cheaper than the G colour. Both come in slightly over my £2000 budget so obviously the cheaper one is the favourite, but I’d like your opinion to whether the other is worth the extra money or not…
Blue NIle LD07239537
Blue Nile LD07870422
Looking forward to your opinion.
……
Or this 0.78 colour I is the cheapest of the three:
Blue Nile LD06776883
I wouldn’t recommend that G-color one due to strong fluorescence. That’s a big no no.
Ask for the pictures of the remaining two and we’ll see.
OK, thanks. I have requested pictures of them…
Great, I’d be happy to take a look at them when you receive them.
Blue Nile have sent me the pictures of the diamonds I chose. I will attach them to this message. Would love to know your thoughts… Thanks.
Thank you.
The H-VS2 looks a little cleaner. Just make sure you ask them if the crystals on the edge can be covered with a prong.
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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