Hi there. I am interested in receiving one of your one time codes for Blue Nile, and also asking your advice on a couple of diamonds before I make a purchase.
Can I ask approximately how many days notice I should give you when asking you to evaluate my potential purchase?
Thanks so much for your website. It is really fantastic and informative!
Here is the code for $50 off of a purchase over 1k: [contact us for your own unique coupon code]. According to BN, this is the best coupon they are offering right now.
You can reach out to me again a week or so before you plan to make the purchase. That should give us enough time to find the best diamond.
I thought I would reach out to you following my email the other day. I am looking for an engagement ring to propose to my girlfriend.
Thank you very much for your articles, they have been an extremely valuable resource for me. Although, even after reading your entire website, I’m still having trouble narrowing down the diamond I want from the large variety out there. I would be very appreciative of any help you can offer.
Here are the guidelines I am working with, and how I have been searching on Blue Nile and James Allen:
Round diamond
Budget of approximately US$2,800, excluding setting, but willing to look cheaper if there is good value;
Approximately 0.75 carats. I have been searching in the 0.7 – 0.8 range
Eye clean. I have been searching in the VS2 – VVS2 range
Ideal cut
Mid-range of colour.
The big unknown for me is the setting she will want. I’m planning to propose with a simple setting, most likely in yellow gold (most of her jewelry is in yellow gold) but I’m not sure whether she will want to exchange this for white gold or not. Therefore, I have focused my search on G and H colours to be safe for either colour of the ring.
Preference for Blue Nile, since they price in Canadian dollars and deliver from Canada. But I am willing to go with James Allen if this minimizes risk due to their higher quality images.
Even after filtering for these criteria, there are something like 100 diamonds to choose from, so I’m still feeling a bit lost and would appreciate your help. I would be happy to send links of the diamonds I have looked at if that is helpful, or alternatively if you would prefer to pick some out that would also be great. Thanks very much for your help.
Thank you for the nice words. I’m glad you find our website informative.
I agree on the color approach. H+ is the way to go, it looks great in most settings.
I like these options for you:
Blue Nile LD00013606
They are well cut, eye-clean and either of them will be very bright.
What do you think?
Thanks very much for these. Should I be concerned in any way buying an SI grade diamond? Although I can’t spot any inclusions with my amateur eye on the one you sent, I’m sure they are probably there. Is it the location and type of inclusion that allows you to conclude it will be eye clean?
In addition, what else is it about these diamonds that makes them a better choice compared to the many others on each site?
The clarity grade is the least important of the 4 Cs. As long as the diamond is eye-clean, it doesn’t matter what the actual grade is. In this case, there are some subtle feathers on the edges, but there’s no way they’ll be visible to the naked eye.
When we search for diamonds, we’re looking for the best balance of the overall specifications (carat weight, color – colorless look, clarity – eye-cleanliness, fluorescence, depth and table %, cut – brilliance). And we search for the best stone that’s currently available for your buck.
One final question, since both diamonds have very similar grades and specifications, and both will be eye clean and brilliant, is it reasonable to conclude that what I’m paying for will be the extra carat weight? Can I ask, if the weight was the same, which would be your choice?
Yes, you’d be paying extra for the carat weight and size. I, personally, like the 0.70ct better, it’s slightly better cut.
I’m happy to report that she said yes and was extremely pleased with the diamond you selected! Thanks very much for all your help. We are now attempting to choose a setting together
Congratulations! Thank you for getting back to me, I’m glad she’s happy with her new diamond 🙂
If it’s not too much to ask, do you think you can do us a quick favor and write a small review on www.ivouch.com? If you could, I would be extremely grateful. Here is the link:
[LINK TO REVIEW ON IVOUCH]
I wish you and your partner a life of happiness and fulfillment.
Done. Thanks again!
Thank you so much for the kind words!
Have a great day!
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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