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Thank you for an amazing site, very helpful. I am currently in the process of buying a loose diamond for an engagement ring and I have used James Allen to find the best diamond possible (for my budget). Budget is 4-4800 dollars, color from G and up, clarity from VVS and up, 0,8 ct, GIA certificate (all excellent), no fluorescence – and I search for the best fire/brilliance in the diamond (black pattern in and under the table, crown 33,2-35.2 degrees, pavilion 40,5-40,9).
I have selected (based on the above criteria and my learning from this site). Would it be possible for you to make a recommendation for a buy – the best deal?
I would really appreciate your advise. Also, if I have not chosen the best deal, I would appreciate a suggestion for the diamond. Thanks again for your time.
I looked around and I love these options for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2265128?a_aid=dmnd1357
They are fantastically cut, eye-clean and bright. Either of them will be incredibly brilliant.
What do you think?
Thank you for your e-mail and suggestions.
Now, to the diamond criteria:
Budget: max approx. 4800 USD
Color: Minimum G
Clarity: Minimum VVS
Carat: Minimum 0,8 ct
GIA certificate required (Excellent: Cut, Polish, Symmetry) and no fluorescence
Fire/Brilliance: Black pattern in diamond, crown: 33,2-35,2 and pavilion: 40,5 – 40,9
Please let me know which diamonds you (being the expert :-)) would you recommend from James Allen?
Based on the above criteria (incl. a few outside of the criteria) I have found the following:
I am looking to buy within this month. Do you offer any Groupon codes for James Allen purchase?
Thanks in advance.
Thank you for the kind words.
I’m sorry, but we have no Groupon codes. I can give you a $100 discount coupon code for Blue Nile if you like. Also, being from Denmark, your best bet would be buying from Blue Nile. They are based in Europe (they have an office in Ireland) so you won’t pay any import fees, just the regular VAT (21%). Just a suggestion.
As for the diamonds I sent you in my previous email, is there anything particular you didn’t like about them? Is the clarity grade VS1 too low for you? We don’t think it makes sense to pay a premium for high color/clarity grades when you can’t spot the difference with the naked eye. The clarity grade is not important as long as the diamond is eye-clean. I will send you a couple of VVS options, but you’d get the same look for the naked eye with a significant price difference.
Here’s something that might suit you better:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2274797?a_aid=dmnd1357
They are gorgeously cut and any of them will be incredibly brilliant.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks for your mail.
I have looked at Blue Nile as well, however the prices are still higher there than at James Allen (incl. VAT). The prices incl. VAT are still almost 50% off from the jeweler (www.klarlund.dk) in Denmark. So no doubt I will be making my purchase online.
I liked your suggestions for the VS1 as well (especially the 0,84), however the jeweler that I have been with a couple of times to look at rings etc. showed me either VS or VVS. Since the VVS was more expensive I assumed it would be the nicer option (even though I might not be able to see it with the naked eye). What I do fear a little bit is the clarity characteristics in the diamonds (needle, crystal etc) – will any of that be visible to the naked eye?
I believe I would still like to go with VVS, but I am still open to suggestions if the price difference is too big (budget around 4000 dollars/max 4800 dollars).
I don’t see a big price difference between the 0,83 (VVS2) and 0,84 (VS1)? is there any difference that makes VS1 the better option (besides the price and 0,01 ct)?
The Blue Nile diamond does not seem to have a black pattern in the table, I like that I am able to see that with James Allen (otherwise it feels like buying a diamond in the blind). I understand this is something diamonds should have to reflect light better/sparkle.
Alright, let’s stick with James Allen.
The VVS diamonds are simply more expensive because of the higher clarity grade, but that usually doesn’t add any bonus to the diamond. When it’s eye-clean, it’s simply eye-clean and it doesn’t matter what the grade is. You can find some beautiful eye-clean SI diamonds as well and such stones represent a great value for your money.
What really adds a bonus to the diamond, is the perfect cut. That’s far more important than the clarity grade. Even the Excellent/ideal cut grade doesn’t guarantee you’re getting the most brilliant diamond. We don’t just search for excellent cuts, we further limit the search parameters.
We believe that size is what matters (along with cut). You can see how large, beautiful and brilliant a diamond is but you won’t benefit getting a colorless or flawless diamond.
I stand behind my original selection. None of the inclusions will be visible with the naked eye – they are too insignificant and will get unnoticed in the structure.
As for your other question about the difference between those two diamonds, they are both great. It really doesn’t matter whichever you decide to go with, I just didn’t want to send you a more expensive option when there was an equally beautiful and cheaper option in the same range.
Thanks for the swift reply.
Do you believe that your original choices being the 0,84 (VS) and the 0,83 (VVS) are the best choices for me (taking size, symmetry/sparkle vs. budget into consideration)? There are no better choices at James Allen?
Thanks again.
……
And if price is not an issue would you still pick VS1 over the VVS?
Thanks.
……
In addition, is the fire/brilliance ballance better in the 0,84 VS or 0,83 VVS?
I have slept on your suggestion on the VS1 and I am now more open to this suggestion (having re-read our correspondence).
……
My apologies for the many e-mails, please let me know if you prefer a quick Skype call/facetime (if possible)?
……
I would really appreciate to hear back from you as I have both diamond on hold for 24hrs.
Thanks again for your time.
On to those two diamonds:
The cut is equally great on both of them. The 0.84ct one is slightly larger, but the 0.83ct one might put you more at ease with its clarity grade (although it doesn’t really matter what the grade is, it looks like having the cleanest possible stone seems to be one of your main interests).
I hope this helps.
I went with the 0,84 ct, as I was re-reading our correspondence and inspecting the symmetry from the GIA, that seemed to be the winner in terms of sparkle/fire?
Btw. two diamond experts from James Allen also picked your choice out of my comparisons, so I do feel very pleased with your recommendation!!
My e-mail is unchanged and since I went with your suggestion you should be able to claim compensation from James Allen.
Thanks for getting back!
Thank you for letting me know! You got yourself a beautiful diamond and I’m glad I could make this process easier on you.
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.
Have a great day!
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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