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First of all thank you for putting this website together, it is the best diamond resource I found on the internet. I love how you acknowledge that diamond prices are artificially inflated by DeBeers and that selling will likely result in a loss but that we all still have to buy diamonds anyway! Your honesty is refreshing!
Anyway, I’m in the market for a 3 – 3.25 carat, round diamond. My budget is around $30,000. After reading your website my first choice would be something like this:
If you could let me know your thoughts. A couple of questions I had, would the J color grade be visibly worse if my girlfriend compared her ring to her friend’s rings which might be a better color? I know this diamond is rated VS2 and I could barely notice any of the inclusions v(even at 20x magnification!), would it be a better use of my money to downgrade to an SI1? Where should I make the tradeoffs between color and clarity? I’m mostly concerned about a casual visual inspection (or side by side comparison with her friend’s rings).
Thank you for the kind words. We appreciate it. Now, let’s see how I can help you.
First off, I love the diamond you found. It’s well cut, eye-clean and bright. You did a good job finding it.
However, you’re right, compared to better-color diamonds it might look yellowish. If you know that your girlfriend is going to be putting the ring side by side with some other higher color diamonds then it would be a good idea to go a little higher in terms of color.
Also, what style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) do you want to use? Different settings suit different colors better. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/
J color is what we recommend for a solitaire setting as there are no additional diamonds in the band that could make the difference in color noticeable. For a setting with smaller diamonds in the band or around the center stone, I’d go to an I+ or even an H+ to make sure there won’t be any warmish tones in it.
Clarity is not that important as long as the diamond is eye-clean. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/
After I receive an answer, I’d be able to help you more and make this process easier on you.
Thanks for your email. I’d want a solitaire setting with a platinum band.
Thanks for the clarification. The diamond you originally found would be perfect for that type of the setting.
If you’re worried about the diamond being too yellowish compared to your girlfriend friend’s diamonds, I’d go a little higher in color though. Ideally, H color would be where I’d go. The difference in color isn’t noticeable from anything above an H grade.
Have a look at these options:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.71-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1959782?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.59-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1139131?a_aid=dmnd1357
The specs are great on these diamonds.
What do you think?
I was offered this diamond for $27,800 and wanted to get your thoughts (GIA Report Number 1223852010)
I checked the diamond’s report and to be perfectly honest, it is not a good choice. The table % is off. It saps too much brilliance from the stone (“perfect” light refraction usually occurs with tables around 55-59%).
Also, the clarity plot seems a bit troubling as there are several inclusions on the diamond and it’s most likely not eye-clean..
If I were you, I’d stay away.
What do you think?
I went with this one from JA and used this e-mail address for the purchase (www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.71-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1959782?a_aid=dmnd1357)
Thanks for your help! My girlfriend (now fiance) loved it!
That’s great news! I’m glad that I could help you decide on the diamond.
I wish you and your partner a life of happiness and fulfillment.
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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