Hi,
I found your site to have quite useful information. You asked for questions quite a few times, so here you are:
I am looking to “upgrade” the diamond in my wife’s engagement ring. We purchased the original 0.25 ct marquise 40 years ago when we were broke graduate students. Since she wanted a marquise back then, at the moment I am thinking the upgrade should also be a marquise. However, the round brilliants are beautiful and it seems to be easier to define a good cut for them, so they could be a consideration as well.
While I certainly don’t want to spend more than necessary, price isn’t the primary consideration. On the other hand, I don’t really want my wife walking around with a hugely expensive ($20K+) ring on her finger and I don’t want anything hugely ostentatious. I’m mainly looking for a beautiful stone in the 1.0 ct – 2.0 ct range. Setting will be yellow gold as that is really all she wears.
I’ve found a few possibilities on Blue Nile:
Blue Nile LD08378927
and on James Allen:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1799204?a_aid=dmnd1357
Let me know any thoughts you have on these.
Thanks!
Congratulation on your 40 years of marriage!
Can you also tell me what style of setting (solitaire, halo, pave or other) your wife’s ring is? Different styles suit different colors better.
Also, if you narrow down your search up to 4, I’ll be happy to comment on the stones. And also send you my suggestion.
Nice to meet you.
As for the setting, it would be a yellow gold solitaire. Possibly trying to use the current setting, but also may have one custom made.
Here are my top 4 selections (in no particular order):
1) Blue Nile LD08378927
Thanks!
Thank you for the information.
I’m afraid that the VS2 stone has eye-visible inclusions.
The other diamonds have great overall specifications. I like this 1.00 carat more than the other 1.00 carat stone from BN:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/1.07-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-2698994?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s slightly bigger in measurements and less expensive.
Here’s another slightly less expensive stone form BN:
Blue Nile LD08451230
As for the bigger stone, I also found this one:
Blue Nile LD08511696
It’s slightly smaller in measurements but significantly less expensive.
Let me know what you decide.
Thanks for the useful information.
The 1.70 ct stone looks nice:
Blue Nile LD08511696
It’s slightly smaller than the 1.51 ct stone despite the increased weight (which seems to be in the depth). But I’m a little concerned about the cut quality as The Diamond Pro (and pretty much everyone else) has stressed that cut is the most important characteristic.
So at the moment I am considering two choices:
1) The 1.07 ct H-VVS1 that you recommended:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/1.07-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-2698994?a_aid=dmnd1357
2) The 1.51 ct G-VVS2 that we looked at previously:
Blue Nile LD08516454
Both seem to be beautiful stones at least based on the images. Obviously, there’s quite a difference in price, so I need to consider whether the increased price of the 1.51 ct stone is worth it.
What do you think about these two stones?
Also, I believe The Diamond Pro has some sort of discount coupon code for Blue Nile. How do I get that? And do you have anything similar for James Allen?
Finally, are there any questions you suggest I ask either Blue Nile or James Allen about the stones before I purchase?
Thanks for your help!
The cut of the 1.70 carat stone is fantastic. There’s nothing wrong with it. I actually like it a little more than the cut of the 1.51 carat (this one is a little shallow but still fine). As you mentioned, the 1.51 is slightly bigger in measurements but more expensive. It’s really up to you if you think that the difference in measurements is worth the extra buck.
The 1.07 carat stone is beautiful. It’s very well cut, eye-clean, colorless and with great overall specifications. If you like it, it’s a great way to go.
Yes, if you decide to go for a stone from Blue Nile, here’s a unique coupon code that gives you $50 off of your order: [contact us for your own unique coupon code]
Just letting you know that I decided to order the 1.70 ct diamond from Blue Nile that you recommended:
Blue Nile LD08511696
It should arrive at the end of this week.
I will take a look at it and hopefully it will look good “in person” and I will end up keeping it!
Will let you know.
That’s fantastic news!
Let me know how you like the stone once it arrives.
Stone looks great! I decided to keep it. Being set at the moment.
I’m happy to hear that you like the stone. Thank you for letting me know.
Feel free to contact me again if there’s something I can do for you in the future.
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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