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Q&A: Help Finding a 1.20 Ct. Oval Diamond With a $5,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi there,

I am looking to purchase a diamond from Blue Nile online. Could you please let me know if this diamond is good quality and if it will look brilliant and sparkly to the eye?
Blue Nile LD13691909

The diamond you found (Blue Nile LD13691909), it’s borderline of eye-cleanliness. It wouldn’t be my top pick as it has some cavities – cavities might disrupt the integrity of the diamond.

I have just searched on the BN website and the diamond we had our hearts set on last week has come back in stock.

Can you please take a look at it and tell me what you think about its characteristics and whether you think there are any obvious cavities etc.

Blue Nile LD13666859

The cut is perfect, I don’t see any red flags (there are no cavities, etch channels or knots). If BN can confirm the eye-cleanliness, it’s a nice diamond with minimal bowtie effect. I suggest putting it on hold if you like it a lot so that it doesn’t get sold by that time. I would say it’s borderline of eye-cleanliness, one of the feathers seems to be quite long and it enters the table. But hopefully, it would be okay – you would need to ask them to inspect it as in this case, I’m not 100% sure. Please let me know what they say.

That is brilliant, thank you.

We have just received the following email from BN after they have inspected the diamond today.

Thank you for your call to Blue Nile today. I have received the following visual on your diamond. Please see link and result below:
Eye clean. Bow tie level 1(none).

So I’m taking this as a very good deal on this particular diamond?

That sounds perfect.

Worst case scenario, if you end up not liking it, you can easily return it. But since they confirmed eye-cleanliness, it should be alright

Amazing, thank you for all your help!

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online.
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
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

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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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