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Q&A: Experience Shopping for Diamond Studs on a $35k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I respectfully seek your assistance.

After many hours, I have arrived at the following two stones on Blue Nile (diamond stud set):

Blue Nile LD09185469-LD09961138

The price is a bit more than I wanted to pay. Further, the amount of needles in Stone 2 is worrisome to me since I’m not sure if that amount of needles compromises the structural integrity of the stone (aka I don’t want it to implode). However, the customer service rep was adamant that the crown angle, table, depth, etc. on these stones are great.

What are your thoughts? Am I overpaying? Do you like what you see in regard to these stones? Do the number of needles in Stone 2 warrant concern?

It’s a lot of money so, an honest opinion would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Those diamonds are beautiful. The inclusions on the second one won’t be visible whatsoever.

Is there a reason for the high color? I would recommend going down to at least G+. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

These diamonds will look equally impressive and you’ll save A LOT.
Blue Nile LD00075089
Blue Nile LD02713883

Thank you for your response.

I’d like F to be my cutoff and found the following pair:
Blue Nile LD09557984-LD09806628

What are your thoughts on them?

That’s a gorgeous pair! I don’t see anything wrong with it. Both diamonds are beautifully cut and will look very bright and brilliant.

I just placed the order. Thanks!

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!

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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
  • 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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