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Q&A: Looking for a Diamond Ring from James Allen With a $2,500 Total Budget

By Mike Fried, Updated June 29, 2020

I’m considering buying this engagement ring from James Allen:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/18k-white-gold-marquise-shape-three-stone-ring-item-59173?a_aid=dmnd1357

I would really appreciate your help in finding the best value, eye clean round cut diamond to go with it. I’m trying to find the biggest carat diamond I can get without compromising on appearance.

My max budget is about $2500, which leaves me about $1500 for the diamond.

I used your James Allen search parameters and found this diamond. I can see a small black inclusion at the edge but was wondering if this could be covered by a prong.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.71-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1993570?a_aid=dmnd1357

Many thanks for your time.

The inclusion wouldn’t be a problem, but the cloud that is specified in the cert would. It might cause a cloudy appearance since it’s the only inclusion and it’s graded SI2. Moreover, I don’t recommend going that low in color. J would be too yellowish compared the side stones.

What would you say about this one?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.61-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2384811?a_aid=dmnd1357

Hi, thanks so much for getting back to me promptly. Thanks for pointing that out. I didn’t even notice about the cloudiness and hadn’t considered the colour in relation to the side stones. So you reckon if I stick with I or better that should be ok colour wise?

I’m a complete novice when it comes to diamonds. Looking at the diamond you sent me close up, I can see several tiny black specks. Are they inclusions? Would they be visible to the naked eye?

Thanks again for your help

I+ color is absolutely perfect for a setting like yours.

As for the diamond, those are inclusions but are very tiny and there is no chance you’d see them with the naked eye.

OK, that’s great thanks. In that case I’ll probably go for it.

Sorry to change the subject completely but I’m buying from the UK and stupidly haven’t taken into consideration the extra charges to import a ring.

I think with VAT and custom duty I’ll probably have to pay about an extra £500.

Do you still think it’s worth me buying online from the US? I don’t really have any faith in any of the high street sellers here and James Allen seem really good. Do you know of any decent UK websites?

I understand. Try looking into this website:
Blue Nile Three Stone Settings

If you find a setting you like, I can take a look at some diamond options. What is your ballpark budget in pounds? 2,000 GBP?

After thinking about things, I decided to buy the ring from James Allen. Thanks for finding me the diamond.

I used this email address for the purchase.

That’s a great choice as well! Did you purchase the one we discussed?

Let me know how it looks when you receive it.

Yes, it was the setting and diamond we discussed.
Hopefully she likes it!

Fantastic. Fingers crossed!

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
Click to Visit
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
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
Click to Visit
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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