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I stumbled upon your site. I have to compliment you on the good information combined with a clean layout.
I am looking to spend about $15k on an engagement ring. Therefore, I have allocated about $13k for a loose diamond. I am thinking the best value is to purchase a loose diamond online and have it set locally.
Although she would probably be happy with a 1CT, I would like to get a ~2CT diamond. She has mentioned a princess cut, so I am going that direction.
I am thinking ideal cut, visibly clean, and J color (although higher perhaps would be better)? At a local jeweler, I saw a 1.5 CT F and 2.0 CT J that were similarly priced. The color difference was noticeable, but perhaps only when side-by-side.
Do you have any suggestions. I was hoping you could leverage your skilled eye to pick out a visibly clean one.
My quick search had revealed these:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1542453.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1540218.asp
I appreciate your help.
I’d be happy to make some recommendations and guide you through the process. What type of setting are you considering? Yellow gold or white gold/platinum? Will it be a solitaire or does it have sidestones/pave? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).
Let me know and I’d be happy to send you some suggestions.
Thank you for the reply.
I am thinking a silver setting with side diamonds or a channel.
I would recommend this one over those.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1512903.asp
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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