I’ve learned a lot on your site; thank you!
I was working with a local jeweler but now considering James Allen. I wanted to reach out with a few questions.
I assume I would have to mail the ring back for any repairs or resizing? How long usually without the ring? I want to buy a cushion halo ring. How can I pair it well with the right size diamond? Looking in the .09 carat range for the diamond (H, S2) or better. There are some with very visible inclusions in that range though.
1) Yes, you’d have to mail the ring back to JA for maintenance. Ask their customer service how long it would take.
2) I’m happy to find some options for you. Can you tell me what shape diamond you are looking for? And what’s your budget for it?
I am looking for a cushion cut diamond. .9 carat for the center stone. White gold band without diamonds. Ideal cut, G or H, SI1 or 2. Want the diamond to look nice to the naked eye without any inclusions. Around $3k total.
What do you think of this diamond?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10924812?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10924812?a_aid=dmnd1357
Unfortunately, this diamond is not a good option. Medium fluorescence might make it look hazy in daylight.
Here’s what I’d go with instead:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.82-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-9869239?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s beautifully cut and would be very bright and brilliant in a halo setting.
Thank you so much. I’ll take a better look later. I did see it’s a .82 vs .9. I know it’s probably close to same size but still…
The difference between a 0.82 and a .9ct is negligible (keep in mind that the carat weight is, well, the weight of the diamond, not its size. It always depends on how each diamond is cut). You should always check the actual measurements when comparing the diamonds.
Thanks for the link that diamond looks good. When looking at the diamonds on their site, and seeing the black spots (inclusions), can you see those in person? I just feel like some of those with the black blob right in the middle wouldn’t look good at all if you could see them.
It always depends on a particular diamond and its inclusions. Generally said, large and dark inclusions (such as crystals or large feathers) often are noticeable while twinning wisps are fine in most cases. Sometimes the diamonds look just perfect but the ‘clarity grade is based on clouds not shown‘ note is an issue. That means that there’s a large cloud that saps the brilliance from the stone. I also recommend avoiding diamonds with knots and cavities and diamonds <1ct with clouds – they don’t have a clarity plot in the certificate so you wouldn’t know the size and location of the cloud and the diamond might end up being hazy and less brilliant.
I am about to buy one and just want to ask you about 2 more options if you don’t mind. They are below.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10876160?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10469700?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10876160?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is fantastic. It has a gorgeous cut and no visible inclusions. It would make an amazing ring.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10469700?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is nicely cut, but personally, I’m not a huge fan of the black windowing along the edges. I like the first diamond better.
Thanks! I will buy that SKU 10876160 diamond.
That’s great news! The 10876160 is an excellent option.
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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