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Hello,
I’ve been looking around at various sites for a while now to find a good ring for my fiance-to-be. I’m currently narrowed down to James Allen. I’m looking at getting a 14k yellow gold band, and am trying to narrow down what kind of center diamond I want. I’m not interested in getting a halo or anything too fancy with the center stone, just the center stone itself.
I’m wanting to get a 1 carat cushion cut diamond. I know that with a cushion cut diamond, color is seen more easily through it. So it is more important to get a better color grade, like a G or above. But, since the diamond is being set in yellow gold, if I sacrifice and get a lower color grade like an I or J, will it even be noticeable once it is set in the yellow band?
My budget is about $4,000 for the diamond.
Thank you so much!!
Could you please send me the setting you are interested in? If you plan to go with a yellow gold solitaire setting that has yellow gold prongs, then I color might be an option. Otherwise, I would advise sticking with H+ colored diamonds.
The setting that I’m interested in is this one, so it does not have yellow gold prongs.
14K Yellow Gold Petite Pave Engagement Ring (Flush Fit)
These are the two diamonds that I am interested in. The first one I’m just concerned about the large amount of “dark” areas in the center of the diamond when you look at it straight on. Is that going to be noticeable when it’s on a ring, or is it just an illusion?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8445857?a_aid=dmnd1357
This second one is this one.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3345684
For that setting, I would recommend H+ colored diamonds. That’s why I would exclude the I colored option.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8445857?a_aid=dmnd1357 – I wouldn’t recommend this one either as it has medium fluorescence. It might cause a hazy/milky look. Also, the black pattern would be a bit visible, it’s caused by the cut.
I would suggest these instead:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-8016616?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8651400?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.05-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8520615?a_aid=dmnd1357
I love that first one! It’s so much prettier than a lot of other diamonds that I’ve seen on the site for a much lower price! Thank you so much for helping me with this.
I do have one question though. Why is there such a variance and lack of consistency in the sites cut grading system for cushions? Because this diamond is labeled as only having a “good” cut, but it has a lot more brilliance than many diamonds that I saw that had a “very good” grading?
Again, thank you so much for all of your help!
Cushions don’t have their own official cut scale given by GIA. Some companies use their own internal grades, but I don’t know how they grade the diamonds. It’s not important to focus on the grade in case of cushions. Also, bear in mind brilliance can’t be seen in the video.
I also found these alternatives with similar measurements as the one you liked:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-8335485?a_aid=dmnd1357 (In this case, I would recommend asking JA to confirm eye-cleanliness)
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.84-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8513957?a_aid=dmnd1357 (This one is significantly cheaper and has a better color grade while having the same measurements. The crystal should not be visible to the naked eye)
I do like that .84 carat diamond that you picked a lot. I think I realized that I like the diamonds without a crushed ice look the best. I think I will likely pick that diamond. I spoke with a James Allen representative about it, and this other diamond – www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-8472384?a_aid=dmnd1357
What are your thoughts on this diamond?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-8472384?a_aid=dmnd1357 – It’s a bit deeply cut but nothing horrible. I’m a bit hesitant whether the feather would be visible (but it’s faint so it should be okay). I would personally choose the 0.84ct stone as it has the same measurements. So optically, the size is the same. It’s significantly cheaper and has a better color and clarity grade. And the cut is better, that means it would refract light better.
Worst case scenario, if you end up not liking it in person, you can easily return it. You can ask a JA rep what they think of the diamond if they have some internal notes. But in my opinion, it’s a nice stone. Before you decide, I suggest putting it on hold as good diamonds get sold quickly.
Again, I just want to thank you so much for all of your help. I just purchased the diamond that you recommended to me.
That’s wonderful news!
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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