I’ve identified a diamond on Blue Nile I’m quite interested in and was wondering if you had any thoughts on the relative value and whether this is likely to be “eye clean” and would work well with a platinum solitaire setting. I’ve focused on a diamond with a very high quality of cut (“Astor Ideal”) with “good enough” colour and clarity.
I would have liked to find something closer to 2 carats, but at this budget (C$20,000) and with a very high quality cut, I think this will likely look more impressive than a 2 carat stone with a lower quality cut. If you’d like to suggest something else though, I’d be happy to consider it.
Your advice is appreciated. Your website has been very helpful/educational.
That definitely is an impressive diamond. Everything about it is perfect.
But looking at the price, you could get a larger diamond for a similar price with almost identical cut and NO difference in brilliance. I found this I VVS2 1.80ct diamond that I love:
Blue Nile LD12124986
It’s even a bit less than the one you found and the result will be the same.
Thx very much for the suggestion. The diamond you suggested does seem to offer great value and it is getting closer to 2 carats at a lower price point. It looks like a very good option. A few questions:
1) The GIA report for the diamond you recommended indicates areas that are “indented natural”. Is that anything to be concerned about? Will it be visible to the naked eye and/or detract from the brilliance of the stone? Any chance it reduces the structural integrity of the stone. Apologies if these are silly questions.
2) Both the diamond I was focused on and the stone you recommended are colour grade I. Is this amount of colour likely to detract at all from the beauty of the diamond? Should I consider a better colour grade perhaps in a smaller size?
3) Blue Nile’s website suggested this diamond (Blue Nile LD11956279)as being very similar to the one you had recommended. It looks to be a few hundred dollars more but without the “indented natural” features. Any thoughts on this vs the one you had recommended.
…
Oops – it looks like the diamond you had recommended is no longer available. 😕
1) Not at all. The inclusions are insignificant and won’t disturb anything.
2) I color is absolutely fine for a solitaire setting. In fact, I would even go with a J. Those colors won’t have a warm look at all and you save quite a bit.
3) No reason to pay more for that diamond. VVS diamonds are always without visible inclusions. There is no way such clarity has bad flaws. Plus, the stone I sent you is slightly better cut.
I would go with one of these:
Blue Nile LD12016448
They are lower in clarity, but they also don’t have any visible inclusions or any flaws that would disrupt the integrity.
If you don’t like these two, go with the one BN suggested. It’s the next one I would choose.
Is it fair to say the first stone you recommended may have a slightly better cut (same table, less depth) even though it’s a lower price (due to the clarity)? If you think they’re both eye clean, probably best not to pay for the VS1 over VS2.
Yes, exactly. The first diamond has a slightly better cut, yes. I’d go with that one as well.
I just placed the order! Thanks again for your advice.
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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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