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I’m shopping for an engagement ring. I’d like to spend around $4000 but can stretch to $5000 if it means I get the better ring. The setting we like is:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/?a_aid=dmnd1357
Looking at their website, our ideal carat size is .70-.80 for the proportions of the setting. I was shopping Blue Nile but you’ve convinced me to check out James Allen. I do prefer seeing the diamond images. I’ve looked over a many of the ideal cut, VS1’s and think this is a reasonable place to start. What advice can you give us? Thanks.
I’d be happy to help, but I’d suggest dropping in clarity:
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/
Would you like some specific recommendations?
Yes, I would. Thanks.
I love this diamond for you:
Its bright, eye-clean and superbly cut. Its on the higher end of your budget, but it still comes in a few hundred below your ceiling. What do you think?
Thank you. I’ve read most articles on your website, including the linked Atlantic article. I appreciate the idea of paying just enough to for what’s needed. To my untrained eye, I immediately notice it’s bright appearing. However, I notice many inclusions in it. What makes a diamond “eye-clean”?
The inclusion is on the edge of the diamond and is of a grey color that will automatically blend in to the diamond under 90% of lighting scenarios (not the direct lighting of a photo shoot). You can also ask JA to cover it with a prong.
It takes some experience interpreting the photos. Fortunately for me (and you, I guess), I have looked at way too many of those photos. I’ve gotten pretty good at it.
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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