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Hello, I am looking for a diamond engagement ring and have been looking on Blue Nile and James Allen, and could use some help in making sure I get an eye clean, sparkling diamond at the best value. I am looking for a round cut diamond in a pave white gold setting. Please let me know if there is any other information you need. Thank you!!
I only need to ask you one more question before I start the search, what’s your approximate budget?
Thanks! I want the center diamond to be around 3/4+ carat and sparkle. Is this possible for around $2500? I would go up to $3000 but would prefer not to if it doesn’t make a huge difference.
Thank you!
Thank you for the information. I found this diamond for you:
Blue Nile LD07415679
It’s very well cut and going to look colorless in a pave setting.
What do you think?
I have read that James Allen is better than Blue Nile because of the imaging and that you can’t tell if a diamond is well cut on Blue Nile, is this true?
Not really. James Allen has certain advantages (primarily the imagery). Blue Nile has advantages as well. The two most important ones in this case are a) they have cheaper prices and b) they have operations in Canada (makes it easier for you to deal with shipping, taxes etc).
We look at each reader’s request and figure out what is best for them. In this case, I chose a VS1 (in 3/4ct size that is virtually guaranteed to be eye-clean) from Blue Nile and it turned out to be cheaper than the eye-clean SI diamond I found on James Allen. Coupe that with the easier logistics, it makes more sense for you.
Does that answer your questions? Were there any concerns about the specific diamond?
OK, that makes sense. Can you help me with the pave setting from Blue Nile as well or no? And i do have another question, how can you tell if its guaranteed to be eye-clean if they do not have pictures of the actual diamond?
That’s usually a more personal choice, but what are you looking for? Also, Blue Nile offered us some discount codes for our readers because they loved our content. [contact us for your own unique coupon code]
A VS1 clarity grade is very high. That means the inclusion is incredibly small in relation to the size of the diamond. If it were a larger inclusion (say an SI2) than it would be likely that it’s visible and you would need to see the picture. But the chances of seeing a VS1 size inclusion on a 3/4ct diamond is virtually nil.
I’m looking for a skinny pave single row setting that will match the diamond and make it look big.
About Blue Nile:
1. Do you know if the package they send it in will say Blue Nile on it?
2. Are there any extra fees?
I found these two settings for you:
A Petite Pavé or this Petite Micropavé. What do you think?
Regarding the fees, there shouldn’t be any additional costs. As for the package, contact Blue Nile directly. They will be able to help you better with questions about shipping and packaging.
I need help! I have raised my budget to $3000-4000 (hopefully the lower) for the diamond and wanting a diamond that is closer to a carat. I figure I can’t get an ideal cut that is VS1 at that rate so wanted your help finding one that has a lesser clarity rating but is eye clean. Can you help? I want to buy today. Thank you!!
Have a look at this diamond:
Blue Nile LD07721145
It’s very well cut and it’s close to a 1 carat diamond. Let me know what you think.
That one could work. I’m wondering if you could find one on James Allen that would look great only because they have a setting I like in rose gold that Blue Nile does not, and their returns are free just in case? Thanks!
Sure, here’s a diamond from JA:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.85-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2143671?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s very well cut, eye-clean and colorless. Both companies have free returns and repairs.
OK, what about these? I guess I’m upping my budget:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.94-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2237956?a_aid=dmnd1357
If you don’t mind spending more than you first planned, the 0.94 carat has great overall specifications. It’s eye-clean and it’s going to return light with a lot of brilliance and fire.
The other two stones have eye-visible inclusions.
I have ordered the .94. I really truly appreciate all of your help. It is supposed to overnight ship so I am terrified it will be late as I have read many reviews of late James Allen shipments; do you have any knowledge on their estimated delivery accuracy? Do you ever get complaints about this?
That’s a wonderful news and choice.
We have had great experiences with James Allen. That’s something out of our control but I don’t see there should be a problem as they have time to arrange the shipping. I suggest contacting them directly.
Fingers crossed and let me know how you like the ring once it arrives.
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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