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Hi Diamonds Pro,
I am looking for an eye clean 1.5 carat or larger round brilliant on white gold solitaire with a budget of $12,000. Based on your recommendation for color and clarity, I am thinking of going for I and VVS2/VS1/VS2. Does your recommendation for color or clarity change as we go for larger diamonds?
I am also curious about how clarity is determined. I was surprised when browsing on James Allen site to find some VS2 clarity diamonds with very glaring spots.
Is there a reason why this diamond clarity is not rated lower:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.56-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3164861?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thanks!
It’s also important to how severe the inclusions are, where they are located, what color they are. And sometimes even we wonder, why a certain stone is graded the way it is. I would say that it is important to see a real picture of VS and lower graded stones for exactly those reasons. VVS+ grades on GIA and AGS reports are safe.
An I color 1.50 carat stone is going to look colorless. There’s no need to go up with the grade. Have a look at this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3076691?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s very well cut, eye-clean and going to look colorless:
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/.
What do you think?
This diamond looks amazing for the price, could you help me find a larger carat size with similar qualities while staying within $12,000 budget? Did you find larger diamonds but the quality does not justify the extra cost?
I want to get your thoughts on a few that I also came across:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.60-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2627520?a_aid=dmnd1357
The second one is at the top of my price range and both have medium to slightly thick girdle, but I wanted to get your thoughts if it is worth it.
Thanks!
The issue with the 1.60 carat stone is its strong fluorescence. It can cause a hazy look on I+ color grades. That’s why I don’t recommend purchasing it: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/.
The other diamond you found has great overall specifications.
Here’s another great suggestion I found for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3205676?a_aid=dmnd1357
What do you think?
I really like the one you sent me and it is within my budget. I will keep you updated when I am closer to my purchase date which is in the next 2 weeks or so. Thanks again for your help.
OK, I’ll be waiting for your email.
Hope things are well. I am planning to make a purchase this week. Do you know if there are any new inventories on James Allen site since we last spoke that I should consider with the same specifications?
I checked again and I still like the 1.70 VS2 the most.
Let me know what you decide.
Thanks for the quick response! Just one last question, do you think no fluorescence (vs. faint) and VS1 clarity (vs. VS2) justifies the $900 difference with the other 1.70 carat diamond? I think most of the other characteristics are similar between the two.
……
I decided to go ahead and ordered the VS1 diamond sku-2671328. Thank you so much for your patience and your advice, they were very very helpful.
Let me know if I can be of any help, you deserve to get the credit from James Allen.
That’s fantastic news!
It was my pleasure helping you. Yes, the higher grades might influence the difference in price so significantly. You found a beautiful stone and the cut is fantastic too.
We only need to know what email address you used for the purchase in order to get credit. Thank you that you care so much.
And please let me know how you like the stone once it arrives.
I used this email address for the purchase, and I am expecting shipment to arrive mid next week. Can’t wait to see it in person!
Thanks!
Thank you for the confirmation of the email address.
That sounds exciting! I’ll be awaiting your email with your reaction.
I just proposed this past Sunday and she said yes! It took a little bit of time to get it shipped because James Allen had a lot of orders early in the month, and I was getting ready for the big day up to last Sunday.
Thanks again for the help, and let me know if you need anything from me to get your credit from James Allen.
Congratulation to your engagement!
It was my pleasure helping you. And I hope that your partner loves the ring, too.
I believe that we have all important information for getting the credit. Thank you that you care so much.
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.
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- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
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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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