Looking for something minimum 1.5 carat, budget around $12k (flexible), and taking your advice on the other factors. Radiant cut. Thinking cathedral setting, platinum ring.
For radiants, the depth shouldn’t ideally exceed 72%. We search for H+ radiants for white gold/platinum settings. You can read more info on this topic here: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/radiant-cut/.
Here are my recommendations:
Blue Nile LD12916765
Of those four, I rank
1) Blue Nile LD12607307
2) www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.52-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-7429128?a_aid=dmnd1357
3) Blue Nile LD12916765
Can you help me understand what drives up the cost of these two, if diamonds like these are worth consideration or if these are just a bad deal?
Blue Nile LD12116700
The price difference depends on many things: where the stone comes from, supplier, carat weight, how it’s cut (different proportions), the location of inclusions, different grades for polish/symmetry, different color, and clarity grades, etc. Also, the higher the color and clarity are, the rarer such diamonds are and they cost more. It’s up to you whether you want to pay more for features you most likely won’t be able to see. But some people prefer the colorless range or, for example, IF/VVS diamonds only. It’s also a matter of personal preference.
The BN stone looks very nice. As for the JA stone, could you please send me the cert so that I can check it for you?
So would you say these two would involve paying for features unlikely to be noticeable (compared to the four you sent)? I’ve attached the JA cert.
That’s a nice stone. It’s up to you whether you want to pay for higher color and clarity. From my point of view, H color looks colorless to the majority of people. And since the diamonds I suggested are cheaper, I would go with H colored diamond. But that’s, of course, up to you. Do you have a chance to go to a store and check some H colored GIA certified diamonds? Then you can check the color and decide whether you like it or you want to focus on G+ diamonds.
I haven’t been able to make it to a store in a while. The main stat that attracted me to the Blue Nile LD12116700 stone is the table area, a good 8.5% larger than the average of the five. Have you seen stones with a similar table size and carat with an H color?
How about these?
Blue Nile LD12809852
Blue Nile LD12515166
The Blue Nile LD12809852 is stunning but is pushing on my budget and I’m with you that paying for that good a color isn’t necessary.
The Blue Nile LD12515166 is great, something I can’t quantify still pulls me toward Blue Nile LD12116700 when looking at them side by side but it’s a good backup.
Is there reason to continue the search or should I move forward with Blue Nile LD12116700 before it is taken?
Well, the Blue Nile LD12116700 has better measurements than the other two diamonds (and it’s cheaper). I like that option a lot. If you like it, go for it. Companies update their inventories daily but there is no guarantee something better will pop up (but it may happen). The decision is up to you. From my point of view, it’s a great diamond. Worst case scenario, if you end up not liking it once it arrives, you can easily return it and choose a different diamond.
The ring arrived yesterday and I’m happy with it, now just to see if she is. Thank you for all of your help through this process.
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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