It’s that time and I’m looking for an engagement ring. I’m trying to find one that is ~1.5 carats and ~$10,000. Diamond most also be round.
After doing some digging on Blue Nile I think I have decided to stick between these ranges to get the most for my money. By most I mean biggest without sacrificing too much quality.
Cut: Good – Ideal
Color: I – G
Clarity: VS2 – VS1
Let me know if you think I am on the mark for my ranges and any suggestions would be appreciated.
I am not a huge fan of BN.
https://www.diamonds.pro/reviews/blue-nile/
Also, you need to up your cut parameters. Stick with excellent cuts only.
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.
It would be a solitaire (no side stones) and I plan on using white gold (14k).
Not sure on the setting, maybe 6 prong. Seems like that might be better for round diamonds. Settings I’ll probably decide when i see it.
I live in NYC an will probably head to diamond district or another jeweler and pay with cash. I think I can get then to come down on price with a cash payment.
I would never recommend going into the diamond district. My sister was looking for a pair of diamond studs. When I was back visiting NYC, I went with her to the diamond district so she can try on different sizes (obviously I got her the diamonds somewhere else). I used it as an opportunity to secret shop the district. I didn’t let them know I was a diamond professional.
I was appalled at the slimy shenanigans dealers tried to pull. One guy tried to sell diamonds that he artificially treated AFTER getting a GIA certificate (which renders the diamond worthless). One dealer insisted he was showing us GIA certified diamonds. He finally showed me the certs; they didn’t match up to the diamond at all. Another tried selling me a diamond that was cracked.
Basically it is chock full of sharks and you would be that one bleeding swimming who can’t get out of water. going to the Diamond District is being penny wise and pound foolish. You are trying to get a deal that will save you a couple of percent. But you are taking a huge risk that you are going to get royally screwed. I just don’t see the point.
I can put you in touch with a colleague of mine who runs a wholesale business and is trustworthy but, to be honest, he won’t save you that much money. I don’t think saving 2-3% is worth it considering you can get rewards on a credit card purchase through a reputable online retailer and you get all the value added services (like a free appraisal for insurance, 60 day money back return policies etc).
With the style setting you are looking for, you can get a nice J SI1 diamond:
This diamond is bright, eye-clean and a great value.
What do you think?
Yeah, I heard the horror stories in the diamond district. I had done some research on two specific shops that had good consumer reviews so I was going to check those out. I’m not sold on getting it from there though.
I have to ask though, looking at the site it seems like you guys almost exclusively recommend James Allen. How do I know you all aren’t just working for them and sending over referrals?
Are there any perks other than seeing the product live that you get from going to a jeweler?
Regarding the diamond. Looks great. Given my budget I think I can go up to an I and/or VS2.
Do you think it’ be worth upgrading either one? Or both? I can go up to $10k.
Firstly, we explain how we work here:
https://www.diamonds.pro/truth-about/diamonds-pro/
We recommend other sites as well, but for round diamonds your best bet is JA.
In general, jewelers/dealers just don’t have much room to give you a good deal. We explain that here:
https://www.diamonds.pro/reviews/james-allen-vs-blue-nile/
Here are the diamonds I’d recommend for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-180253?a_aid=dmnd1357
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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