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I like your website a lot! I am looking for engagement ring, below is link to my short list from James Allen. I try similar criteria in Brian Gavin and Blue Nile but seems that James Allen comes out with clearer arrows and heart. Not sure it is because their quality picture is better vs. Blue Nile 360 view. Would love to hear your advice.
Below are my criteria and i just put out there. I reach out to you for advice so feel free to correct any of my misconception.
Carat: looking for 0.8-0.99 (would love shy for value, my gf size is 49-50, not too big too)
Cut: my priority, i look for high HCA (thus table 55-59, depth 59-62), symmetry. Through my research, it seems cut plays more important part to give better appearance
Color: E-G
Clarity: prefer VVS1-2 range, but fine with VS1
Budget wise – i am looking for range ~$5000-$8000, and maybe target 6000-7000 for good value.
Thank you so much in advance!
I suggest going down with the color grade to H. It’s going to look colorless in any style of settings: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/
Have a look at this diamond:
Blue NIle LD07417296
It has great overall specifications. Although it isn’t hearts and arrows, it has a beautiful cut. It scored 1.00 on HCA
Here’s another option, a 1.00 carat stone:
Blue Nile LD07816162
This one scored 0.9 on HCA.
What do you think?
Thank you for your reply and suggestion! How much hearts and arrows affect the diamond look? It somehow seems to me that diamond cuts on Blue Nile do not as clear hearts and arrows (relatively) vs James Allen and Brian Gavin, making me a bit concern about the real look outside.
Generally speaking, we don’t recommend focusing your search on JA’s True Hearts or Blue Nile’s Signature lines. These are diamonds that have stricter parameters than a normal excellent cut diamond. But we have not found them to be so consistently and noticeably more brilliant than a typical selection. We use our own cut parameters to limit the search and usually you end up with better bang for your buck.
If you are really looking for something unique, I’d suggest Brian Gavin’s Signature Hearts and Arrows. Not only do these conform to the strictest of cut parameters, but Brian himself selects them for optimal brilliance. Brian Gavin is known as one of the worlds experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds. Mike can tell you from experience. He worked for one of the largest suppliers for Blue Nile. When he went to Brian Gavin with the 30 best cut diamonds in our inventory (of thousands) and he rejected them all. When he showed Mike his selections, he was blown away.
I’m not saying you should definitely go with Brian Gavin, but if you want to focus on cut more than anything else, that is the route to go.
Thanks for the advice! Besides the one you found fr Blue Nile, any recommendation from James Allen and Brian?
Have a look at these diamonds:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2139222?a_aid=dmnd1357
They are both beautifully cut.
Let me know which of the stones is your favorite.
Sorry, I was away for 1 day for work and didn’t catch up with emails quick enough. It looks like the 2 stones are gone.
Usually people advise to buy shy carat, do you think it’s worth to look at those 1 carat like below:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2139222?a_aid=dmnd1357
I’m sorry to hear that the stones were gone so quickly.
I noticed that the diamonds you sent are not available either. Did you put them on hold? I checked and they have both great overall specifications. Whichever you like more, go for it.
No I didn’t so that’s why I think someone got it. It looks good and value 6k is about good for value. Well unfortunately it’s gone, but thank you for the help. I guess I will need to search when I have time this weekend. Also, I have a coupon fr JA not sure if any for blue nile.
I’m sorry to hear that these diamonds are gone as well.
Have a look at this one:
Bue Nile LD07853951
It’s beautifully cut. The overall specs are perfect and it’s going to reflect light with high brilliance and fire. It’s also bigger than the 0.92 carat you sent and still within the budget you mentioned.
Also, Blue Nile loves our education and wanted to offer a coupon for our readers. Here is a unique coupon code for $100 off any purchase over $1,000: [contact us for your own unique coupon code]
What do you think?
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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