Hey there,
I am looking into purchasing an engagement ring for my girlfriend and I see you like giving out advice, and I would love to receive some!
I have been shopping around and see that Blue Nile has some of the best prices, what are your thoughts on that?
I am looking for up to 1.5 carat (the higher the better) round diamond, set in a really thin pave (I think I’m using the right lingo). Neither of us are jewelry experts or would really care if it’s not a perfect diamond under a microscope as long as it looks good in person. I picked out this combo on Blue Nile for example:
Blue Nile LD08098722
Blue Nile Petite Micropavé Diamond Engagement Ring
It’s a bit smaller than what I’d want, it’s 1.35 carat, would many people notice the size difference between 1.35 and 1.5? Can I get more for my money if I put the filters slightly lower?
My budget started at $6k, but I realized that just wasn’t going to get it done, so now I’m thinking I might have to spend closer to $10K, although, obviously, the closer to $8K the better.
Sorry for the long-winded message, I really appreciate your help!
Your observation is correct, Blue Nile prices have dropped to the point where you can often find a VVS diamond that is a better value than an eye-clean SI elsewhere.
As far as a pave goes, I color is what we recommend for the center stone. The difference between a 1.5ct diamond and a 1.35ct one might be noticeable, but it always depends on how the diamonds are cut.
Have a look at this diamond:
Blue Nile LD07664181
It’s beautifully cut and will be very brilliant.
If you want, you can use this unique coupon code that gives you $100 off of your order: [contact us for your own unique coupon code]
What do you think?
Thank you so much for your response!
FYI I won’t be purchasing for another month or two. Speaking of, do diamond prices fluctuate at all?
After pouring through a lot more of your articles on the website yesterday I have found that it sounds like James Allen is your highest recommended site. Is this still true?
I found this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.59-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2310631?a_aid=dmnd1357
How do you choose between two very seemingly alike diamonds with similar prices?
Yes, the prices tend to fluctuate, but usually all the companies we know offer some discounts as well.
Choosing one company over the other depends on our reader’s specific requirements. We love JA and we have had great experiences with Blue Nile too.
I wouldn’t recommend that diamond you picked on JA. IGI is no the best cert: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/igi/.
I’d go with something like this instead:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2353259?a_aid=dmnd1357
Okay thanks. Just wondering, between Blue Nile and JA, are there still eye clean diamonds size 1.75 – 2 carats for $9K or less?
Unfortunately, there aren’t.
The cheapest eye-clean 1.75ct+ diamond would look like this:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.76-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2220433?a_aid=dmnd1357
Hey! I am now ready to order my ring! I’m still liking James Allen and the original one you sent (www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2420734?a_aid=dmnd1357). Since it has obviously since been sold do you have a new recommendation and promo code?
Sure, here you go:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2510186?a_aid=dmnd1357
It looks great.
Unfortunately, we have no promo codes for JA.
Order has been placed!
How exciting!
I hope you love it when you receive it. If you could let me know how it looks when it arrives, I’d appreciate it.
It looks amazing and she loved it and I couldn’t have done it without you! Honestly, the feedback we’ve gotten from other people is over the top, it’s gotten amazing reactions above the normal “that’s very pretty” responses. Your site made my engagement 10 times easier and probably made the ring 20 times better.
Wow! It’s a beautiful picture, thanks very much for sending it over. And I’m so glad that you are this happy with it. You got yourself a real eye-catcher.
This picture and your reaction to the diamond just made my day! It’s been a great pleasure helping you.
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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