I’m a bit overwhelmed by how many choices there are for diamonds for the ring setting I’ve selected. It’s Blue Nile:
Three-Stone Pavé Gallery Diamond Engagement Ring
I really like the setting, although it is super expensive it seems to be the one I keep coming back to over and over…. so it must be the one.
What I’m finding is it’s very hard to find a reasonable priced high quality diamond for the center. I’d like it to be 1.00 carat, round, Ideal cut, I color or so, SI1 clarity. The clarity I do want it to be eye clean, and with ideal I’m hoping it will have lots of fire.
I’m an engineer, so my attention to detail stops me from anything blemished even though it may be eye clean…. I have a feeling I’m overthinking what the GIA report says and shows and overlooking the right stone. That’s where I’m hoping you can help me.
To make it more challenging I’m from Canada using 75 cent dollars so with a setting at $2600 CDN, and with taxes and side stones wanting to get to $8-9000 CDN delivered.
With the 1.00 carat center it lets me get two 0.3 stones which I like as I don’t like bigger side stones, 0.3 is the right size ratio for my eye. Side stones of similar quality run about $1000 CDN for the pair. So the remainder is about 4000-4500 CDN for the center, plus taxes of 11%.
I seem to end up with $5-5500 CDN stones, could you suggest something that I’m missing to get the fire I’m after at the $4-4500 CDN price point?
Here are my recommendations:
Side stones:
Blue Nile LD11345664
Blue Nile LD11111781
Center stone:
Blue Nile LD12690772
Blue Nile LD11997049
Blue Nile LD11246943
They’re well-cut, eye-clean and brilliant.
What do you think of them?
I appreciate your time to read through what I’m after. Your choices are what I’m looking for for sure. Very close, good balance. I really like the first center stone the most, just the price is $5,100. I like the price of the last one though, just want about bigger to get to the 1.0 carat mark. Can we get a 1.0 with the fire at that price point?
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any cheaper 1ct options that would be eye-clean. Those were the best options I could find (I checked the inventory today again and couldn’t find a better option). But if you compare the measurements of the first and the last center stone, there isn’t a noticeable difference in size.
I didn’t realize how close the 0.93 size is to the 1.0. That surprised me, thanks for pointing it out. I’m learning so much. I think I’ll go with this one.
I like that stone as well. It looks like a perfect option.
Thanks!
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
Still afraid of getting ripped off?
Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.
Ask your diamond purchase question here
DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.
