Great articles. Thank you.
I’m looking for a cushion cut that will be placed in a halo setting on white metal. The band will also have diamonds part way down each side, for reference in that the center stone needs to pop. I was anticipating around $10K for the whole set up from a jewelry store, but after much reading I’m quite certain I may be better off purchasing a diamond and setting it. Of course, I would much prefer to spend less than the aforementioned amount.
I’ve also been skeptical of online diamond offerings and purchases as I do not have the (perhaps false sense of) security when operating on the web.
Your articles, in addition to other conversations has convinced me I do not need a flawless or internally flawless nor colorless diamond, but I don’t want a diamond that has flaws discoverable to the naked eye.
What do you think?
You are leaning towards the right direction with buying online. We don’t really recommend buying diamonds locally, unless you find a really good value and reputable jeweler.
When you purchase online, you have the advantage of going at your own pace, cross-referencing (with a site like ours) and checking off all the boxes. I am also able to help with somewhat unbiased opinions. While we usually get paid by the online vendors we recommend, we have no reason to recommend one diamond over the other unless its the better choice for you. When you walk into a store, the less desirable the diamond, the more incentive the owner of the diamond has to sell it.
There have been countless readers who I’ve started the process with and partway through send us a message ‘we went to this store and found this diamond that was such a great deal, so we snapped it up.’ We then feel like garbage when we have to point out the things they missed which turn it from a good deal to a terrible deal (improper certification inflating the quality, strong fluorescence, yellow fluorescence, even artificial treatment). Unfortunately, most stores make it very difficult to return a diamond ring.
Buying online is safe if you purchase from a reputable vendor (like James Allen or Blue Nile).
Blue Nile Floating Halo Diamond Engagement Ring
I’d be happy to make some recommendations for you, but I need a little more info. What carat weight do you have in mind for the center stone?
Thanks for the info. We’ll give this a shot and see what happens.
I’m looking at something between 1-1.25 CT, but I’d like to find a sweet spot in $$ differential. I’m not into the emotions of claiming ct size, but rather want a flashy, quality final product.
Also, what are the major price point breaks when it comes to carats?
Great, thanks for the clarification.
I like these options from Blue Nile:
Blue Nile LD07045515
Blue Nile LD08064258
Personally, the 0.96ct is what I’d go with as it’s basically the same size as the other one (and 1ct is usually a benchmark that pushes the prices up).
One of those may work with a halo setting…
Out of curiosity, a cushion without a halo, would require something larger, probably close to a 2 ct or larger; where are those benchmarks?
Well, 2ct mark is another benchmark in diamond prizes.
Blue Nile LD06502192
Blue Nile LD08080332
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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