I’d consider myself a “diamond noob,” so your website is extremely extremely helpful (I especially appreciate your full disclosure policy re: your relationship with diamond dealers).
In short, I’m looking for a cushion-cut stone in the 1.25 to 1.75 carat range. My price range is around $8 to $10 thousand. A hobby gemologist friend recommended that, for that weight and price range, I should look somewhere in the G-J color range and the VS2-VVS2 clarity range, but after reading your site I’m potentially willing to dip further down in clarity (there’s nothing wrong with keeping costs down).
Do you have any recommendations?
Also, I’m located in New York City, and could arrange an appointment with James Allen to visit their headquarters. Have you heard of other customers doing this before? Were their visits generally successful?
Thanks so much in advance for your help.
I think its a great idea to go to JA’s office.
I’d be happy to make some recommendations and guide you through the process. What type of setting are you considering? Yellow gold or white gold/platinum? Will it be a solitaire or does it have sidestones/pave? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).
Let me know and I’d be happy to send you some suggestions.
Thanks for your response, Michael.
In terms of setting, I’m thinking of a white gold/platinum ring with pave but no other sidestones, along the lines of this:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-Thin-French-Cut-Engagement-Ring.html
Please let me know if you have any recommendations.
Thanks!
With that setting you have to stick with H+. You don’t want it to look dark compared to the sidestones. I would recommend this diamond:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1493791.asp
Its bright, eye-clean and an excellent value. What do you think?
That looks great. I’m going to try to meet with JA in the next couple days to look at that stone and a couple similar ones… I’ll let you guys know how it ends up.
Thanks again for all your help.
Sounds good. Keep me posted.
All went extremely well, just wanted to thank you again for your guidance.
Thanks for writing and letting us know. I’m delighted that you were pleased with our help. 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. Here is the link:
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We wish you and your partner a life of happiness and fulfillment.
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.
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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
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- 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
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