I am having difficulties finding an appropriate diamond for engagement ring. On Blue Nile, I can see the inclusions on so many of the diamonds and don’t know how to determine what would be eye clean.
I am looking at the platnium pavé settings with a round diamond. Ideally approximately 1.1- 1.3 carats and under $8,000 for the diamond and setting. I am not certain if that is reasonable expectations or not. Thank you!
Can you please send me a link to the setting you want to use? I want to see how much is there left in the budget for the center diamond. Then I’ll start searching for the best fitting options.
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Below is a link to the setting that I am interested in.
Petite Hidden Halo Solitaire Plus Diamond Engagement Ring in 14k Rose Gold
For that setting, I’d recommend an I-color center diamond. This color grade would look absolutely colorless in a rose gold ring with I-color melee diamonds.
Blue Nile LD14402443
Blue Nile LD12632957
These two options are nicely cut, eye-clean and both would be very bright and brilliant in real life.
The first one looks great. Is there anything that I should be concerned about or that can be improved upon for minimal price increase?
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 stones that are currently available for your buck.
There’s no need to increase your budget, the 1.20ct option is perfect. It’s eye-clean, has a beautiful cut and no red flags in the certificate (such as high fluorescence or worrisome inclusions).
Excellent. Thank you very much. I will be looking to purchase this in the week or so. If for some reason, this particular diamond is not available at the time of purchase, I will reach out again.
Sounds like a plan.
Let me know how it goes.
It looks like the 1.20 carat diamond has already sold. Can you assist in finding another beautiful one?
Sure, no problem:
Blue Nile LD13420019
I see that this one has many more “red marks” on the report but is also $300 more than the other one. Why is that?
It has a few microscopic crystals that would get unnoticed in the structure. They wouldn’t at all be an issue. Diamond prices naturally fluctuate and I also make sure I recommend the best cut option that’s currently available. This time, it was that $6,444 diamond that happened to be the first recommendable eye-clean option in the 1.2ct category.
Ok. Great. Can you provide me with a couple of alternative options? To review the differences?
Sure. It seems that Blue Nile have added some more options to their inventory and I found this absolutely gorgeous 1.17ct:
Blue Nile LD14252445
It’s basically the same size as a 1.20ct.
Here are two more, but as you can see, they are more expensive while having the same/similar parameters:
Blue Nile LD12956321
Blue Nile LD14207005
Fantastic, I will go with the Blue Nile LD14252445.
I appreciate the help!
I’m glad I could help.
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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