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Diamond Experts,
I am looking to buy a diamond engagement ring. I know my girlfriend wants a round diamond in the solitaire band that is below:
14K White Gold Cable Solitaire Engagement Ring
My budget is somewhere between $10k and $15k. I would like to get her something she will really like and don’t mind paying more as long as it results in a better looking diamond (but don’t want to pay more just because).
In conversations we have had she would like a diamond around 1.5 carats since she has smaller hands (size 6 band). This probably leaves me plenty of room to go up in quality. I have looked up a variety of options and feel like these are the top options I saw tonight are:
I have three primary questions:
1) Do you think the better color / clarity of the first to options warrants the additional price?
2) If so which of 1a or 1b would you recommend?
3) Do you have any diamonds that you are aware of that you would recommend over these two options? This is by no means my area of expertise so I could easily be missing something very important even with the research I tried to do.
I checked the diamonds you sent me and unfortunately, none of them would be a good choice. Two of them are certified by the IGI which isn’t the most reliable lab. They are not as accurate as the GIA and inflate the grades. The GIA D VS1 has medium fluorescence which is a problem on such a high color grade. It might make the diamond look hazy in daylight.
I understand that you want to spend your money on quality, but D or E color is a lot more than what’s necessary to have a beautiful ring. The difference in colors isn’t usually recognizable from anything above the H grade (especially in a solitaire setting where there are no additional diamonds that would make the color difference). Our usual recommendation for solitaires is a J and it looks absolutely colorless. So if I were you, I’d stay in the H/G color range, I wouldn’t go higher than that.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.52-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8772563?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8699064?a_aid=dmnd1357
These two diamonds are excellent options. They have a gorgeous cut and will be incredibly bright and brilliant in the setting you’ve chosen. The high clarity grades are just a coincidence, I was focusing on finding the best cut 1.5ct options and these two stones happened to be great choices.
Thank you for your help! I figured I was overthinking it and did not need to go that high on color or clarity but was enticed that they did not look that much more expensive than other options.
I do like the two diamonds that you recommended.
…
It appears that diamonds are no longer available. If there is something else you would recommend please let me know. I am fine paying more if something is worth the additional cost.
I found the following slightly larger options that I thought you might like:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.60-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8381873?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.73-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8656718?a_aid=dmnd1357
They look absolutely amazing.
I am leaning towards going with the 1.60 since it is closer to the size she originally wanted (even though it is slightly more expensive).
…
I placed the order today. Thank you so much for your help!
That’s fantastic news! I’m glad you found what you were looking for, the 1.60ct was an excellent option.
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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