Hi,
I’ve been researching engagement rings for a few months (including many visits to The Diamond Pro website!). I am planning to buy the ring online, I have the setting chosen, and wanted some advice on selecting the diamond. I am looking for an oval diamond around 1 carat, and wanted some input on selecting the right color, clarity, etc.
For the setting, I am looking for something simple, pretty thin and in yellow gold. Right now I am leaning towards this option from James Allen.
14K YELLOW GOLD PETITE PAVE CATHEDRAL ENGAGEMENT RING
For the diamond, as I mentioned I am looking for an oval diamond. My budget for the diamond is around $3000-$4000. It seems like there are lots of options around 1.2 carat so I think that could be a good size.
Thank you in advance for the help!
For the setting you picked, I’d recommend an H-color diamond that is eye-clean (SI-IF clarity grade).
The largest ones I can recommend are these three:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.91-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-6194779?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4403659?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-6389124?a_aid=dmnd1357
They are nicely cut, eye-clean and have a minimal bow-tie.
What do you think?
Thank you for the recommendations. It looks like the 3 you picked out are all pretty high clarity ratings. My understanding was that most SI1 and even SI2 are ‘eye clean’, is that not correct?
A few that I looked at were:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.21-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-6442495?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-6023354?a_aid=dmnd1357
I looked for the best priced eye-clean options with minimal bow-tie and those three happened to be the best I found in the SI+ range. It’s not a correct assumption that most SI diamonds are eye-clean, in fact, it’s the other way around. You can find a VS or VVS diamond that’s a better value than an SI. There is no rule.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.21-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-6442495?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is a no go as it has a very obvious bow-tie and strong fluorescence will most likely make it look hazy.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-6023354?a_aid=dmnd1357
The bow-tie on this one is not the best either and I can’t confirm it’s eye-cleanliness. Some of the inclusions on the table look very harsh.
Okay, thanks. Could you recommend a few more options in the $4000-$5000 range so I can get an idea of what I can get for a little more money?
Here are a few options I found that look a little higher quality than my last suggestions… Let me know what you think.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-6233500?a_aid=dmnd1357
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-6130047?a_aid=dmnd1357
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.07-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-5696557?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-6233500?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is very clean and has a very subtle bow-tie, but the black windowing on its 3 and 9 o’clock is usually very unattractive in person.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-6130047?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one has a slightly stronger bow-tie, but it’s not the worst.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.07-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-5696557?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is nice, I like it.
Here’s my recommendations:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-6423845?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.02-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-5810773?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-5710816?a_aid=dmnd1357
Let me know your thoughts
Great, I went with the 1.07 carat one (sku 5696557) – thanks for the help!
That’s great news! I’m glad I could help.
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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