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Q&A: Looking for 1.2-1.5 Carat Princess Cut Diamond for $7K or Less

By Mike Fried,

To start, I just wanted to let you know that I cannot figure out how you can do this, provide a service that is so in-demand and yet specialized, for free. But I appreciate it greatly. The only conclusion I’ve come to is that you just really enjoy helping people and somehow, being the mother of five, have the time to do it. For that, you deserve more thanks than one can give.

Now to the hunt: I am looking for a princess cut stone AND setting for 7k or less. I am totally okay spending all 7k, and want nothing more than the piece of mind that I bought the best stone I could. I’ve read every pertinent piece of advice on your site and can get it narrowed down to just a few stones, but James Allen’s virtual loupe might as well be a scratched and tinted monocle for I have no idea what I’m looking at. I imagine the stone will wind up between 1.2 and 1.5cts and will be happy either way as long as it is the stone that will look the best on her finger.

As for a setting, white gold, simple, plain and eloquent, something small that will accentuate the stone’s size and color, no accent stones of any sort.

I’d like to buy the stone in the next four weeks on the James Allen web site, so if the current selection is not as good as you think it could be in four weeks, please don’t hesitate encouraging me to wait.

Thank you for all you do. If good things come to those who do good, you shouldn’t have much to worry about.

I wish I was as righteous as you think I am, but the truth is here: https://www.diamonds.pro/truth-about/diamonds-pro/

Also, I’m the father of 5, not mother of five 🙂

Lets narrow down your setting choice first, if you don’t mind, so I’ll know exactly how much I have available for your center stone. Would you mind sending me links to the rings you like?

Well… that’s kind of embarrassing. I was sure while reading your “About” section that you… were your wife. Not sure how I came to that conclusion, but my apologies for the misunderstanding.

And thank you for the link; I assumed it was ads and commission that kept your service running, but did not know the details, or that you could profit enough to make it worthwhile. I owe the subject some more research.

As for the setting, the more I look at them, the more I am drawn to something with some small stones in it. I like this one a lot: https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-Thin-French-Cut-Engagement-Ring.html which comes in at $550, and would make for a price range of $5,500 to $6,500 for the center stone.

What are your thoughts on the setting? How likely is it that the small stones will fall out over time and how difficult/costly is it to have them replaced?

Lastly, please inform me of any procedure when purchasing the ring so that you may be compensated. Thank you again for your time and efforts.

No need to apologize – it happens. I was once at a jewelry show in Moscow and had to wear a name tag. And apparently, “Ira” is a very very common Russian female name. I got laughed at wherever I went!

That ring is beautiful. As for worrying about stones falling out, there’s nothing to worry about. If it happens, those little stones are not very expensive at all to replace. Maybe $20-$30 at full full retail. Maybe a bit more with the jewelry work needed. But it really shouldn’t happen. These rings are extremely high quality.

As for the diamond, here’s what I like for you:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1333885.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1314972.asp

As for getting me compensated, thanks so much for your concern! It should happen automatically if you buy from the same computer from which you click on any of my links.

Let me know what you think!

Haha. The Moscow story is great! How funny.

Regarding your links, the first diamond had some visible defects (through the loupe) and although it probably wouldn’t be visible to the eye or you wouldn’t have suggested it, I took a liking to the second option from the start; the first link is also currently on hold.

The second stone looks really nice. The only thing I noticed is that the depth (74) is getting close to the max of what I recall you suggesting on your site (75). I might be wrong, or it might not be a big deal, but it did stand out.

Secondly, how important is the ratio when you are talking a difference from 1 to 1.03? And the cut is “Premium” rather than “Ideal” which I thought was one of the most important aspects (unless of course their method of labeling the cut isn’t always accurate/dependable). Small things I know, but questions nonetheless.

As for the setting, thanks for the info. Exactly what I was looking for.

I’ve still got four weeks before I need to buy it and will absolutely buy it from this same computer and confirm the sale with you once it is made, so do you think it is more sensible to wait and try our luck over the next weeks or jump the gun? I’d almost rather wait and settle on a stone in a couple weeks than settle with some time still to spare, but you are the expert.

Thanks again for your time, Ira. We’re getting close!

If you’re not in a rush, then it’s definitely better to wait a couple of weeks. Shoot me another email when you’re ready!

You got it! If you can tell me which of the four stones below you would pick right now and what is the main reason why, I can look for the perfect stone over the next couple weeks and send it your way for approval. If any of the four below are as good as it will get, let me know. Talk soon!

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1370425.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1314972.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1376053.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1376096.asp

I don’t like the last two. They’re too shallow. Many stones with this depth look OK, but these look flat in their pictures.

Of the first two, based on the numbers, I like the first one, but there’s something about the 2nd one’s picture that makes it look very attractive. I just checked the certs and it’s because the 2nd one has a much nicer faceting pattern.

I’ve looked at and compared more darn stones over the last weeks than you can imagine and agree about the second stone (photo and faceting pattern), which is still for sale.

I’ve seen enough stones come and go over the last week with very similar numbers that the threat of having the perfect one slip through my fingers is no longer a fear. For every nice one that gets purchased, a similar replacement becomes available, so let’s buy one. I think anything I buy, in the parameters we’ve been discussing and with your final suggestion, will be a beautiful diamond, especially on the finger.

Below are the best looking stones I can find at the moment. I included an option with a significantly larger stone that looks good to the eye (as far as I can tell) and falls within the parameters, but I need your opinion as it is “I” in color. Which stone will wow her friends and family the most?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1260794.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1360183.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1314972.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1376099.asp

I’m really torn between the 1.45 and the 1.21 that I liked before. On the one hand the 1.45 is noticeably larger, but the cut on the 1.21 is really special. I color is kind of borderline in a princess cut. So I think I’m leaning more towards the 1.21 – especially since your setting has side stones.

I’m going to buy the 1.21. It really does have something special that the others don’t. I’ll give you an update soon!

Sounds great! Look forward to hearing from you!

Alright. I have it on hold and am pretty excited about it. I’m not sure what day I’ll be able to buy it (bc of her work schedule), but it will be this week. I have to call every morning and extend the “hold” on the ring, but everything should work out.

My last question, for only 350 dollars more, I can the setting in platinum. I’m under budget, so it’s not a big deal. Thoughts?

Probably a good idea. Platinum requires less upkeep.

Well I did it, and I feel great about it (https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1314972.asp). I mentioned your assistance and referral to the saleswoman who was already familiar with your service and spoke equally as high of you as I did. Your knowledge and willingness to share it with those you help is greatly appreciated, so whether you hear it enough or are compensated enough as you think you deserve, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I wound up getting an 85 dollar discount on the ring because of your referral which was wonderful, and the lady kept going on and on about how wonderful of a stone it was once she looked at it under the loupe (which similar to your suggestions, seemed very unbiased), so thank you again.

Not sure if it is common for you to receive a photograph of the actual diamond on the finger or not, but I will send you one if you’d like it. I know she will be pleased and assume the personal gratification to you would be worthwhile.

Lastly, I own and operate a small video production company out of Columbia, South Carolina that specializes in promotional videos for businesses like your own that can be seen on the internet. If you ever feel as if your business would benefit from a promotional video and personal touch, don’t hesitate to contact me. We would love nothing more than to produce a video for your web site and do it for travel/stay expenses alone, which I promise you would be a valuable marketing investment, and for the same short product, cheaper than local providers; the opportunity to see Israel would be a substantial compensation for us, and we just so happen to love making videos and promoting passionate business people.

Best of luck to you and your family, Ira. Talk soon.

Thanks for letting me know! This was very kind of you! I would be very happy to see a picture of the ring on her finger when it’s all done! I also would love to hear your thoughts when it arrives.

As for the video, it definitely sounds intriguing. What did you have in mind? How do you think I could use such a video?

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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.
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