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Hello,
I was just curious if you could assist with helping me select a diamond from James Allen. I’m looking for a cushion cut, 1ct or a little more, color of D or E, clarity can be SI1/2 or VS1/2. Having read some of your articles, it seems like lower clarity grades can be had for cheaper and yet just as good as some of the higher one’s, so obviously if James Allen has such diamonds available then I’d like to find one!
Anyway, if you can help that’d be awesome.
Yes, lowering the clarity grade is how you get the best bang for your buck. Also, you don’t have to aim that high in terms of color. You can drop a few grades to get the best value for your money: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/.
Have a look at this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1779901?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s well cut, eye-clean and will be very brilliant in any setting you choose.
What do you think?
That diamond you suggested is nice looking. It’s very similar to one I had picked out in advance of getting this e-mail. I’m looking for the “Chunky” version of the cushion cut and I think the one you picked out seems like it’s that but I’m not sure if this one maybe shows that better:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1022632?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thoughts?
That diamond you picked looks great in terms of cut, but I wouldn’t recommend medium fluorescence on a D-color diamond. On such a high color, it usually causes haziness: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/.
How about something like this?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1961476?a_aid=dmnd1357
Yup that one works! Looks like a great stone.
…..
Just curious of your opinion on these two settings:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-pave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-item-17426?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thanks again for the help!
Great, I’m glad you like it.
Unfortunately, I can’t really help you with the choice of the setting. The setting style is all about fashion and style; this is uniquely personal and not an area we can really help with. If you have any technical questions about settings, we are happy to help, but I think its best to leave you to pick out the style.
OK sounds good, thank you!
You’re welcome!
Let me know what you decide on in the end.
Will do. Just out of curiosity, if I were to go through Blue Nile can you recommend a similar diamond there? Obviously harder since you can’t see them like you can at JA.
Sure, here you go:
Blue Nile LD07534660
I know it sounds a little odd, but in some cases you don’t have to see the actual picture of the diamond to determine its value. In this case, having the report and going with a higher clarity is enough. In the cert, there is the most important information you need to know. And looking at it, the specs are great on this diamond.
Thoughts?
Basically looks similar to the JA diamond that I have selected but it’s $400 cheaper. Is that normal? Is the JA diamond better somehow or does BN just have more and can offer a better price?
They are the same quality, but BN prices are lower in general. Sometimes you can find a great value on their website.
Are there any other diamonds on JA that you can recommend that might be priced lower than the last one we talked about:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1961476?a_aid=dmnd1357
Just trying to see what my price options might be.
Thanks!
I have found this one:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2063187?a_aid=dmnd1357
Is it enough chunky for you?
It’s about the same as the other. For chunky, this was more what I had in mind:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-360815?a_aid=dmnd1357
But that’s not what I’m looking to pay, and I haven’t seen anything like that in my price range (around 4k).
What about this one?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2071357?a_aid=dmnd1357
G and H color looks basically identical.
That one looks nice too, just not as chunky as the last one I sent but it seems like it’s hard to find a really chunky cushion diamond.
…..
Which one is better from these two you sent:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2071357?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thanks!
I like the G one, it looks more squarish. Which one would you pick?
I went with the other one, because I liked the way the diamond reflected better and it seemed more clean based on the picture/video. Plus it wasn’t a huge difference in terms of being square. Hopefully the finished product looks great! 🙂
Thanks for the help!
Great! That one was a great choice as well (and I understand that the shape is a matter of personal preferences).
I hope you’ll love it when you receive 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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