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Hi,
I’m currently shopping for an engagement ring and wanted to get some expert opinion on online sellers as it’s hard to tell what the best value is. We’ve looked at few options offline but noticed it’s cheaper to find one online so exploring options to purchase online. Currently looking at these options below, would be great if I can get some expert onion on which one would be the best value. Budget is anywhere between $7k-11k and the preference is how big the stone looks on the hand. will probably go with a 6 prong classic white gold or platinum solitaire if that helps. Not tied to James Allen but prices seemed more reasonable compared to Brian Gavin.
Thanks in advance!
The first four of them aren’t eye-clean. But I like the last option a lot.
I also searched JA to see what options they have and that one would be my recommendations as well.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.69-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3510279?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thanks for the help. I’ve also heard that James Allen isn’t as great as Brian Gavin so looked at few options there and also found few other options:
Do you think it’s worth upgrading to a bit higher carat (1.6-1.7) for a bit higher budget at this point? Or would 1.48 or 1.52 option above pretty much hit the spot?
I’ve also noticed higher prices at Whiteflash, is that mainly because the quality is better as well? We’ve been looking around and seems like it’s fairly hard to tell from our perspective what the different is between different jewelers (Tiffany’s and local places) so I was thinking as long as we go with triple excellence cut, above general threshold in terms of colors, etc, sparkle will be there and therefore should consider upgrading the size since that’s the most obvious differentiator with naked eyes (assuming they are eye-clean). This may be due to lighting at the store, etc. Basically really trying to understand if higher cut quality (Brain Gavin or Whiteflash) would really make diamond look bigger/better vs. getting a bigger carat.
Also, what are your thoughts on Yadav or Diamond Direct? I’ve seen good deals on that site using rare carat.
Thanks!
I don’t see the price on the BG diamond as it’s no longer available, but the cut is amazing as on all their diamonds.
The JA diamond isn’t eye-clean.
The cut doesn’t make a diamond look bigger. Unless you’re comparing it to a very deep cut diamond, it doesn’t have this effect. But it will certainly look brighter and more brilliant.
I’m really sorry, but we will not comment on White Flash under any circumstances. We have had terrible personal experiences with them that a) make us feel no one should ever buy from them and b) precludes us from being objective about them.
The carat size is completely up to you. There won’t be any noticeable difference between a ~1.50ct and ~1.60ct. But if you want to go even bigger than that, it’s also an option.
Thanks,
Leaning towards JA 1.53 to get the most value out of the price level but what are your thoughts on these options?
Blue Nile LD08428098
Thanks again!
The 1.53ct from JA you sent me previously isn’t eye-clean.
The only one from Blue Nile I like from your list is this one (the other ones aren’t eye-clean):
Blue Nile LD09372083
It’s a bit deeper than I would like (I like to keep it under 62.6% to get the best light performance), but it’s still acceptable.
The BG one is gorgeous and much better cut again.
Thanks,
JA one isn’t completely eye-clean but seemed good enough, how critical is the small inclusion on that diamond?
However, I did continue to search and found these, (I tried to pick eye-clean ones):
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3355728?a_aid=dmnd1357
Leaning towards JA 1.55 but they all seem good to me. Below are other options:
Blue Nile LD09451181
https://diamondsdirect.com/loose-diamond?stock=170523-4
This will be the last inquiry before purchasing, would love to lock it down this week.
Thank you!!
The problem with the JA diamond we previously talked about was that it had more inclusions close to each other which would, in real life, be quite visible.
I can see that a few diamonds are already sold. Have you purchased one of them?
1.55 one was sold over the weekend and so we put 1.65 one on hold. Consulted with the JA rep and that one seemed to be of a good value, any red flags or thoughts on that one?
Thanks!
The inclusions seem insignificant and I don’t think they will be visible to the naked eye.
It’s a nice diamond.
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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