Hello,
I read your article about clarity and how sometimes diamonds of poor clarity have flaws that technically make them I1/S2 etc. but aesthetically have a negligible impact while also affording a significant reduction. With this in mind, I have found 2 diamonds that I believe are good candidates but would like some expert advice before purchasing. They are both from James Allen and can be found at these links:
The ring can be found here:
18K YELLOW GOLD PAVE SCROLL DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING
Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated and thank you for your time!
I wasn’t able to look up the GIA report for the G I1, but the F I1 is a no-go. Its cert says “clarity grade based on clouds not shown.” This means there is a very large cloud that covers a large percentage of the diamond and saps the brilliance from it. You should never buy a diamond with this note. I’m actually fairly confident that the other diamond is affected by the same characteristic.
That’s the problem with I1-SI diamonds, sometimes they look just fine, but the clouds would make them look dull and hazy. The diamonds have been given such a low clarity grade for a reason.
Would you like me to recommend better options for you?
Thanks for the response. That’s good to be aware of as far as clarity goes. And yes, I would absolutely like to hear about any of the other diamonds you can recommend.
Great.
For a yellow gold pave setting, you can easily go with a slightly lower color grade, you’ll get the same look to the naked eye. May I ask what is your ballpark budget for the diamond?
My ballpark budget is $3000. Also I was going for at least an H color grade since the ring I was looking at had pave diamonds that were G-H in color but I guess it won’t matter too much if the center diamond is lower in color than the pave diamonds?
Thank you.
It’s exactly as you say, the melee diamonds are too small to make a color difference.
Unfortunately, I didn’t find a decent full carat for up to 3k. The largest option that I found that would look good is this one:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7104661?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s very nicely cut and the inclusion on the edge can be covered with a prong.
I think this is a great option.
Thank you very much!
Great, I’m glad you like it!
Let me know how it looks when it arrives.
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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