I’m writing from Australia. My partner’s brother has previously corresponded with you and recommended I get in touch with you as I am currently in search for an engagement diamond ring for my partner. He said you would be able to give some good insights/advice to help me make a more informed choice 🙂
So to break it down simply, I am currently looking at Blue Nile as they have a good range and they also have a setting that she loves:
Blue Nile Petite Micropavé Diamond Engagement Ring
In terms of the diamond itself, I do not want to compromise on the cut at all, so I am only looking at Blue Nile signature cuts. My other requirement is that it’s no less than 1.3 ct. In terms of cut and clarity, I obviously want to ensure it’s eye clean at the minimum but I understand that I need to find a balance to keep it within my budget (around $20k AUD).
The two I’ve earmarked are below:
1. Blue Nile LD07910217
2. Blue Nile LD08425521
What are your thoughts on these given my prerequisites and are there any issues you can identify that may cause me to alter my decision? More specifically, would either of these work well with the setting I mentioned or do you have any concerns?
Really appreciate your input so thank you in advance. Of course, if you could suggest any alternatives/similar diamonds, that would be most welcome 🙂
Thanks again and look forward to hearing from you soon.
The setting you picked is beautiful, but I’m not a huge fan of the two diamonds you selected. Neither of them is eye-clean.
Also, to be perfectly honest, we ignore the signature ideals from Blue Nile and use our own parameters. The only “better” cut I would recommend would be Brian Gavin’s signature. He is known as one of the worlds experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds.
I’d go with something like this:
Blue Nile LD08656960
Blue Nile LD08189900
Blue Nile LD07783930
They are fantastically cut, eye-clean and any of them will be very brilliant.
What do you think?
Thanks for your response as well as your suggestions 🙂
Appreciate the info regarding the cut. Are you saying that in some instances an ‘ideal’ Blue Nile cut would be as brilliant as a ‘signature ideal’ Blue Nile cut? I obviously want to get the best possible cut I can but if ideal cuts on Blue Nile are as good as their signatures than I would be happy to consider the former as well.
A little confused regarding what is ‘eye clean’. When you say that the diamonds I chose are not eye clean, are you referring to the clarity or colour or both? You have noted that your 3 suggestions are eye clean however they have a lower colour grading of G as oppose to the higher grades of E & F I chose. Similarly, my understanding was that any diamond with a VS grading had no discernible inclusions to the naked eye (only under magnification). Isn’t this correct? Are these further instances of Blue Nile grading being misleading?
At the end of the day, I want to ensure the diamond I choose is eye clean but the only ‘objective’ data I have are the grades provided. If these are misleading, it makes my decision much tougher!
I like the diamonds you chose and I will take your word for it that they are eye clean and brilliant however the low colour grading does concern me. Is this the primary reason for their lower price or is it because of the ‘lower’ cut grade? I am prepared to spend a little more to ensure the diamond is well graded and ‘eye clean’. Maybe I’m paying too much attention to the grades?
Look forward to your further response 🙂
You’re welcome, I’m happy to help. Now, on to your questions:
1) Exactly so. We’re not huge fans of the Signature collection. The diamonds are usually more expensive with no additional bonus.
2) I’m referring to their clarity. Both of the diamonds you selected have visible inclusions in the center (or near the center). It’s not a rule that a VS2 diamond is always eye-clean, many of them have very visible inclusions (that’s why it’s recommended to see a picture of the diamond if it’s a VS2 or lower).
2) Color-wise, there’s basically no difference between a G and an E-color diamond. It’s not the color, but the cut what makes the diamond beautiful and brilliant. For the type of setting you are going with, you can go as low as an I and it’ll still look colorless.
Many thanks for your further answers. Based on your advice and comments and getting more of an idea from my partner too, I have shortlisted some diamonds which I’m hoping you can quickly look over. These are ideal cuts and between D-F colour and VS1-VVS1 clarity. Have chosen exactly 1.3 ct to make the exercise simpler. These are all at the top end of my budget. Hopefully you can advise whether these have good cuts and are eye clean.
1. Blue Nile LD07249882
2. Blue Nile LD08723536
3. Blue Nile LD07959335
4. Blue Nile LD08647003
5. Blue Nile LD07791414
6. Blue Nile LD06846267
7. Blue Nile LD08754409
8. Blue Nile LD04323014
Any you like? If you have any other suggestions that fit the above criteria, please let me know 🙂
Appreciate all the help as usual!
I absolutely love these two:
Blue Nile LD08754409
Blue Nile LD04323014
They are fantastically cut and will be much more brilliant than the rest of the diamonds you selected. Well done!
I was just wondering whether you were able to provide me with any discount codes for the Blue Nile purchase?
With respect to the diamond, I accidentally had currency in USD with the below choices so I have had to repeat the same exercise except this time using AUD.
Can you quickly run your eye over the following and let me know what you think looks best?
1. Blue Nile LD08655825
2. Blue Nile LD08526011
3. Blue Nile LD08345460
4. Blue Nile LD08838788
5. Blue Nile LD08523391
6. Blue Nile LD08781599
Any other suggestions, please let me know 🙂
Thanks for all your help once again!
Here’s the coupon code:
[contact us for your own unique coupon code]
I’d go with this one:
Blue Nile LD08838788
It’s the winner. It’s nicely cut and will make a beautiful ring. The rest of them are not so well cut and will be less brilliant.
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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