Hello and good evening.
I am currently shopping on James Allen and I am considering the diamond below and I need help evaluating the diamond. Thanks very much.
I am looking at a solitaire ring in rose gold.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.41-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-6257385?a_aid=dmnd1357
We recommend avoiding IGI diamonds as much as possible. This lab is weaker than the GIA and their I VS2 is most likely a J SI1 or lower. I’d stay away.
Would you like me to suggest a better option to you?
Ok, thanks, that is informative. Yes, I do welcome a recommendation. I like the cushion shape and possibly an elongated one. I would like to meet the budget under $5k as well.
I was looking at another diamond on James Allen:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.30-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-sku-10556331?&a_aid=dmnd1357
Is your setting going to have white gold/platinum prongs? Because in that case, I wouldn’t go below an H color to ensure the colorless impression. Cushion cut diamonds don’t refract light just as well as round diamonds and thus tend to show their true color more. In general, we recommend H color for any WG/PT settings or settings with additional diamonds in the band, and an I color for yellow/rose gold solitaire settings with yellow/rose gold prongs.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.30-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-sku-10556331?&a_aid=dmnd1357
Unfortunately, this diamond is not eye-clean. It would also have a yellow hue in real life.
Yes I will use all rose gold on the setting.
Thank you for the info.
I found this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.24-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-11071698?a_aid=dmnd1357
It looks fantastic, but just to be sure, I’d ask JA if they can run it by their gemologists to confirm the inclusion on the edge is not an issue.
I will go ahead and ask them. Thank you very much. Just in case would you mind finding an alternative? And in your opinion will there be a significant size difference between this one and a diamond that’s maybe 0.2 carats bigger? Also with this one I can not use white gold prongs, correct?
Keep in mind that carat is not an indicator of a diamond’s size. It’s its weight. The actual size always depends on how a particular diamond is cut. But in general, ~0.2mm difference is not at all noticeable in person.
As for the prongs, that’s debatable. Some people don’t see the color in an I-color cushion cut, but some do and the WG/PT prongs might bring it out even more. It depends on what you like. If you don’t mind the diamond potentialy having a warm hue, then the I color is fine. If you (and the wearer) need the stone to be absolutely colorless, then I’d go at least one grade up or use YG/RG prongs.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many rectangular options in JA’s inventory, but I found this beautiful 1.3ct:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.30-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-9548775?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thank you so much for you help! I will decided on either one of those two options you recommended and I will let you know once it’s purchase.
…
I want to start by thanking for all the time and effort you put into helping me find the right diamond. I went ahead and purchased the 1.3 carat cushion you recommended.
That’s wonderful news! It was my pleasure helping you.
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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