Hello. I stumbled onto your site while researching diamonds because I’m looking to purchase one for an engagement ring. I’ve never purchased a diamond before and am looking for some guidance. After reading some of your articles and testimonials I really want to get your opinion. I’ve only gone to one jewelry store in person where I saw some diamonds up close.
My budget is $5000. The diamond that I saw and liked at said jewelry store was priced over my budget at $5700. The information for the diamond is as follows: It’s a round solitaire at 1.08 carats. Cut is classified as excellent, the color is G, clarity is SI2, and polish and symmetry both excellent. It was also GIA certified. Fluorescence and fluorescence color are both listed as none. Table % is 58% and depth % is 62.7%. Girdle is medium to slightly thick. Culet is listed as none and the measurements are 6.5mm x 6.54mm x 4.09mm. Again, I’ve never purchased a diamond before so I really don’t know anything other than what I was able to learn online myself and what I learned at the jewelry store when I went for the first time.
My girlfriend thinks that the only way to shop and get the best deal is to go to the Diamond District in New York City but after reading your review about shopping there I’m hesitant to even go if there are better deals and better values elsewhere. Any help that you can provide would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time and help!
I would definitely advise against going there.
If you tell me what style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones, halo) and metal (yellow gold, white gold, platinum) you are planning to get, I can help you search for some options online.
Thanks for your quick response. I’m looking for a solitaire setting, just one diamond and a plain yellow gold band. My girlfriend likes thinner bands, so a thinner golden band would be better.
Thank you so much!
Thanks for the details.
What do you think of a setting like this one? It’s the thinnest one I found.
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-yellow-gold-15mm-comfort-fit-engagement-ring-item-41515?a_aid=dmnd1357
With yellow gold solitaire setting, you can easily drop the color to J+. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/
Here is a diamond I’d recommend:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.05-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2873684?a_aid=dmnd1357
I usually don’t send such high clarity, but sometimes a VS+ stone is the best-priced eye-clean one I find.
Let me know what you think.
The band is perfect, that’s exactly what she’s mentioned in the past.
The diamond is also beautiful. I was surprised at the price. I’m willing to spend up to $5000 on the diamond so do you think we could find a diamond with similar specifications except for an increase in carat size?
I’m glad that you like them.
This is the largest diamond I found:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.10-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2212828?a_aid=dmnd1357
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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