Thank you very much for your website and this service you provide. I know my girlfriend is absolutely crazy about halo rings with either cushion or brilliant cuts. My budget is between 2500 and 3000 euro including setting and diamond.
An example of a setting I found in james allen is this:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-cushion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49493?a_aid=dmnd1357
Based on the prices there I think I can afford something between 0.5 and 0.7 carats.
Since I live in the Netherlands I am afraid to order from James Allen or Blue Nile for example due to the import taxes and the possibility of having to send it back for resizing or any change. The other alternative would be to go and look in Antwerp which is a 1 hour drive and try not to fall into a scam as you suggest in your article about the city.
Do you have any recommendations for me?
Thank you in advance.
Your best bet will be going with Blue Nile. They are based in Europe (they have an office in Ireland), so you won’t pay any import fees, just the regular VAT (21%). You also have the added benefit of easier returns/repairs on the off chance there is an issue (highly unlikely, but another perk).
You can go to Antwerp and see what the city has to offer, but I wouldn’t go that route as the chances of getting scammed are very high there.
How about something like this?
Blue Nile Floating Halo Diamond Engagement Ring
Blue Nile FLD08356915
This diamond is fantastically cut and will be very brilliant in that setting.
If you want, you can use this unique coupon code that gives you $50 off of your order: [contact us for your own unique coupon code]
What do you think?
Thank you for your reply and your suggestions. I also think Blue Nile is the best option for me as going to Antwerp seems rather confusing and stressful.
I had a bit of change of course. While doing my research I stumbled upon a Pinterest board with engagement rings that my girlfriend made and I noticed that 90% of them were halo rings with emerald cut. So I found this setting:
Blue Nile Emerald Cut Halo Diamond Engagement Ring
Could you recommend an emerald cut diamond for this setting? Since it’s a bit more expensive and my total budget is 3000 euros the diamond will have to be around 1200. Is it possible to find a 0.5 ct at this price range and do you think this size would look good on the setting?
Thank you in advance!
Thank you for the update on the ring.
I found this diamond that might suit you:
Blue Nile FLD07879486
It has great overall specs and will make a beautiful ring.
Thoughts?
Thanks again for your fast response. It looks really good to me. Since the most I know about diamonds comes from your website if you recommend it is good enough for me.
Since the setting is a special order I will contact Blue Nile customer service to make sure the can deliver it before my deadline. Also have to find some smart way to measure my girlfriend ring size since she never wears normal rings and I do not have sample rings that fit her in the house.
Once I solve this problems I think I will make the order. I will keep you updated!
I’m glad you like the diamond (I like it too, it’s a beautifully cut emerald). Good luck with measuring her size.
If you can keep me posted, I’d appreciate it.
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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