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Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond for Around $4,500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi,

I saw online that you provide independent reviews of online diamonds and a discount code for Blue Nile. Is that still the case? Would you be able to give me any insight into whether or not these two diamonds are “eye-clean”, or one better than the other in your opinion? Also, do you have discount codes I can use with my purchase? Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Blue Nile LD10300253
Blue Nile LD10292500

I wouldn’t go with the 0.92ct one as the strong fluorescence may cause a hazy look (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/).

The other diamond (Blue Nile LD10300253) looks perfect!

I found two more alternatives you may consider:
Blue Nile LD10245030
Blue Nile LD10393703

Both of them are superbly cut (a bit better than the one you found), eye-clean and very brilliant.

Unless you’re going with a halo setting, you can go with I+ diamonds (for pave/side stones settings) or even J color (for solitaire settings). https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

Also, here is a coupon 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. I hope it helps.

Thanks for your explanations and help! I wanted a VS2 at first, but then after looking some more, there seems to be many SI1 diamonds that look visibly better and clearer than the VS2 diamonds from the top-view. Does that usually seem to be the case, or am I seeing things incorrectly?

How about these? This first one seems too good to be true. The price is very low, but all the specs look good and my visible examination seems to indicate that it’s eye-clean from top.

Blue Nile LD10438574

Some others that look visually good to me, but I’m worried about the listed (or unlisted) clarity are the following:

Blue Nile LD09894608

Blue Nile LD10403191

Blue Nile LD10405772

The clarity grading isn’t that important. Once the stone is eye-clean, it’s eye-clean, no matter if it’s SI2 or VS1. There are even some VS1 diamonds which are not eye-clean (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/).

From the four diamonds you sent, I would recommend only this one: Blue Nile LD09894608. We like to keep the depth under 62.6% and the table in the range of 53-59% to maximize the brilliance (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/round-cut/). When I compare that stone to my previous recommendations, I would still suggest the two stones from yesterday because they are much better cut.

The other stones may look cloudy. Try to avoid getting SI diamonds under 1ct that have clouds mentioned in the first place in the clarity characteristics.

Well, I think I do like this one the most: Blue Nile LD10393703

Thank you so much for all your help–you’ve taught me a lot and now I feel very equipped to help my friends in the future!

I think you chose a perfect diamond for yourself! I’m sure it will look gorgeous.

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online.
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
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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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