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Q&A: Experience Shopping for Diamond Studs on a $3k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Send me the Blue Nile coupon, please!

Hello there,

I’m happy to send you this unique coupon code that gives you $50 off: [contact us for your own unique coupon code]

Let me know if you need any help with the search.

Thank you so much for sending the coupon. This will be my first ever diamond purchase and I’m tied between getting 1 carat solitaire earrings (0.5 ct each) versus 0.5 ct (0.25 each). I’m tempted to buy the 1 ct, but it’s a huge purchase, so I’m undecided right now.

We have had great experiences with the quality of products from Blue Nile. But if you also tell me what shape of diamond you’re looking for and what your approximate budget is, I’ll be happy to send you my suggestion.

Thanks for your response. I’m looking for a round, ideal cut, D, VVS1, 1 ct total weight pair. My budget is around $3000.

Thank you for the additional information.

I am afraid that I won’t find quality D color VVS1 0.50+ carat stones within the budget you mentioned. But if you are willing to go slightly down with the color and clarity grades, the stones will look absolutely colorless and eye-clean, too and this way we can maximize your budget. Have a look at this pair:
Blue Nile LD09510103
Blue Nile LD09860420

What do you think?

Thanks for helping me out. I extended my budget a little bit to order D color VVS1 0.50 carat each earring with Blue Nile. The total is about $3700. It’s a good deal but sounds too good to be true! I used your coupon as well.

I chatted with an agent before submitting the order to see if they will be GIA certified and they are.

Now, all I’m worried about is, if they’re indeed legit, because they’re so cheap compared to James Allen or any other diamond store. What are your thoughts?

Thank you for the feedback.

I checked and the D VVS 0.50 carat stones are indeed slightly more expensive on JA. Feel free to send me the links with the stones. I will be happy to have a look at them and check the certification. Since they are GIA certified, there should be a laser inscription in the girdle of the stone. So this way you can double check that you received what you paid for.

But as I said, I’ll be happy to have a look and comment on the stones you ordered.

These are the links:
Blue Nile LD09492049
Blue Nile LD08799194

I just realized that they’re of medium fluorescence 🙁 I thought they had none. Does it matter?

Thank you for sending the links.

Well, yes, medium fluorescence on high colors can cause a hazy look. Also, the stones you picked are deeper than we usually recommend (it can cause lack of brilliance).
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/

But there should be a chance to change the order. Have a look at this matched pair I found for you:
Blue Nile LD09387330
Blue Nile LD09894720

Thanks for the link and responding just in time! I was able to contact them to have the order changed, but I will need to give them a final set of stock numbers. I see that the ones you sent are VVS2. I wanted to get VVS1. Do you have any suggestions?

Well, I would say that VVS2 stones are eye-clean and I don’t see a reason for you to pay extra for the VVS1 grade. You won’t see the difference as the inclusions on such stones are hardly visible under magnification.

But if it is still important for you, go for these:
Blue Nile LD09194554
Blue Nile LD09387335

Keep me posted, please.

I ordered the VVS2 pair you sent to me earlier. Thank you so much for your advice and suggestions. I can’t wait to see them! I will let you know when I get them.

That’s fantastic news!

It was my pleasure helping you. And please let me know what you think once they arrive!

I will! Your advice came in at the right time 🙂 I’m grateful and thankful to you.

I’m very pleased to hear that. It was my pleasure.

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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