Hello,
I’m a European customer. I would like to buy a pendant with a diamond from Blue Nile. Blue Nile is a must because they ship from Europe. Starting from the easier part, the pendant setting will be 14K white gold.
Regarding the diamond, I’m looking for a round shape diamond at least 0.70 carat. I would say in the range between 0.7 and 0.75 carat, anyway 0.70 is my preference.
My budget is about 2,000€ for diamond only. I don’t want to go under I color and under SI1 clarity, if possible. I can consider to go for VS2 clarity to avoid hazy. I’m very interested in getting the best trade-off between quality and price. I’m not looking for a D or FL diamond because I believe it’s useless for a pendant. I’m very sensitive to cut quality. We both knew that GIA declares excellent cut a lot of diamonds, some additional check might help to select the real best one.
I might consider to slightly increase my budget if it worth. Can you recommend some diamonds?
I+ and SI+ is exactly what we recommend for diamond pendants. Cut is always our #1 priority, I don’t just search for excellent cuts, I further limit the search parameters to find diamonds with maximum brilliance.
Here’s what I found:
Blue Nile LD15438904 This one has promising depth and table %, but you’d have to request the certificate to make sure the angles are good.
Blue Nile LD15501611 A stunning stone.
Blue Nile LD15211732 This one is perfect in every single detail.
I didn’t find any 0.7+ct stones that would be well cut and eye-clean, but the difference between a 0.64 and 0.7 is negligible, you wouldn’t even notice it in person.
I think your second suggestion was perfect. Generally speaking I would prefer to buy a diamond with 360° video – like the third one – to better check the stone. But if you can properly evaluate the diamond without video, it’s also fine.
As for the carat, I agree that the difference between 0.64 and 0.7 Ct would be negligible in real life but – if possible – I would strongly like to buy 0.7 Ct (or 0.71/0.72 or so) just because I’m 7 years older than my girlfriend. It might sound stupid but we both like numbers. Perhaps we may try to wait few days and check again to see if there will be new diamonds in stock. What do you think? Is it possible?
Having a picture is necessary for <VS1 diamonds, but once you’re in the VVS category, you can be sure the stone is going to be eye-clean. And seeing any possible inclusions is the only purpose of the videos, you can’t see brilliance or fluorescence in them. But thank you for letting me know your preferences.
Also, thanks for the clarification, let’s wait and find you a beautiful “7” diamond.
The first one you have suggested looks very good! Looking at the GIA report, I’m just worried about clarity due to Manufacturing Remnant. Is it a bargain or can it affect the eye-cleanliness? Is there any real-life difference in between very good to excellent symmetry?
The second one looks very good technically speaking, it’s just a bit expensive. But let’s keep it in consideration.
Instead, what do you think about this diamond?
Blue Nile LD15257913
The “manufacturing remnant” goes last in the list of the clarity notes which means it’s the least significant. It wouldn’t affect the diamond in any negative way.
There’s basically no difference between an Ex and VG symmetry, you wouldn’t be able to see it in person: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/symmetry/
The diamond you sent me is unfortunately not a good option as it has strong fluorescence. This would most likely make it look hazy/milky in daylight.
I found this one that checks all the boxes:
Blue Nile LD14611125
I bought this one:
Blue Nile LD14611125
I have really appreciated your recommendations, clarifications and patience. Thank you so much!
That’s fantastic news!
I’m glad I could help you find something you fell in love with.
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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