Hi, love the site!
I’m looking for a diamond for an engagement ring on a budget of $6-7K and driving myself mad looking through all of the options on JA.
It would be set on a platinum solitaire, flat edged, four pronged.
I was recommended this:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2096510?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s SI1 and the inclusion is pretty obvious just to the side of the table, but I thought it actually looked pretty great for the money. I also thought the price was good for a 1 carat diamond of this cut and colour.
My alternatives are:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2139562?a_aid=dmnd1357
I’m not obsessed with carats but something with a diameter of 6.1-6.2 mm would be around the right mark.
Thanks so much for your help!
The diamonds you sent me are beautifully cut, but the SKU2096510 and SKU2539344 are not eye-clean. Also, you’d be paying a premium for the ‘True hearts’ mark. We’re not huge fans of the “True hearts” collection. The diamonds are usually way too expensive with no additional bonus.
I’d go with something like this:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2599030?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s fantastically cut, eye-clean and will be very brilliant in the setting you have in mind.
What do you think?
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. It does look marvellous and its on my shortlist.
I guess I get bogged down in the objective gradings rather than the subjective beauty of the stone. For instance, would an “I” be to low a colour grade to set in a platinum ring?
The impression that I’ve got from the research I’ve done is that you wouldn’t want to go below H for a diamond > 1ct in a white gold / platinum setting, but for all I know that is just some rubbish “rule of thumb”.
The other thing that makes me slightly anxious is assessing all of these diamonds on a computer screen rather than in the flesh, and trying to translate what is on my screen to what will physically be on her finger.
Since my initial email, I’ve also been looking at some diamonds from Brian Gavin who seems to be very highly regarded by your site.
Would you have any recommendations from their site?
Again, I’d be willing to venture into the 7’s if you found something that blew you away.
Thank you so much for your time.
……
Just to reference the BG diamond I was looking at:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.912-g-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104086279024?a_aid=y
Thanks!
You’re welcome, I’m glad you like it.
We don’t think it makes sense to pay for a higher color grade and get the same look for the naked eye with a significant price difference. I or a very well cut J is our usual recommendation for solitaires and it still looks beautiful and colorless.
Also, if I may, I would recommend changing the PT setting to a WG one. The reason is the huge disparity in upfront costs. As our article says, the WG has to be dipped every few years and the platinum needs to be polished as well because it scratches. So ultimately, platinum costs you more in the beginning and doesn’t end up saving you any money in the long run.
Brian Gavin is an excellent choice. BGD’s Signature diamonds are truly fantastic. They are all incredibly brilliant and we love to recommend them. We saw them in person and were truly amazed!
The one you selected is stunning, but you’d be paying a huge premium for the G color grade. With them, you can for sure choose a lower color as those diamonds will always be absolutely gorgeous.
They are superbly cut and any of them will be extremely brilliant.
Thoughts?
Thank you, you’ve been such a great help!
So in your opinion, going for a higher ct, well cut I colour would be a favourable trade off over a G or a H.
My reasons for going for platinum over white gold are also the practical aspects. My partner is an X-ray tech so her work is pretty hands on and the ring will be getting banged around on a day-to-day basis. Being a solitaire, I’d value the extra strength. Also I like the idea of a patina developing over the years.
I’ve added all of your suggestions to my shortlist.
I think I’ll almost definitely go with BGD, I like the look of their stones. I’m in correspondence with them regarding a custom design.
Thanks again!
……
Addit:
Other recommendations from BGD themselves:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.941-h-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104089117007?a_aid=y
Cheers!
I’m a little concerned about the eye-cleanliness on this one (ags-104083953029), but I love the other two. Now it’s entirely up to you and your taste and budgeting.
Hi, the 1.2 ct J sold unfortunately!
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.200-j-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104091843027?a_aid=y
Could you recommend anything similar from BGD?
Thanks again!
No worries. Here’s a gorgeous alternative:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.204-j-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104091843023?a_aid=y
Let me know your thoughts.
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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