Q&A: Looking for Oval Diamond & Engraved Band — JA or BN?

First off, thank you for the website. It goes without saying that I truly appreciate the time you have put into this site – it has been a huge help for me.

To be honest, I’m slightly nervous/apprehensive about contacting you but you seem very open, and I could certainly use your advice!

I am looking at several oval diamonds on both Blue Nile and James Allen.

My budget is roughly 5,000.00.

My criteria: 1 carat, oval, Excellent Cut, H or better, VS2 or better.

Could you lend some insight about the following diamonds?

1st is a 1 ct VS1 Excellent Cut from James Allen. Item# 1303735

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1303735.asp

2nd is a 1ct VS2 Excellent Cut from James Allen. Item# 1501128

3rd is a 1.02ct VVS2 Very Good Cut from Blue Nile. Stock# LD02625677

Another one I’ve looked at is Blue Nile stock # LD01342365.

Could you please let me know your thoughts about these stones? Which one looks to be the best value? Should I consider any other criteria?

Additionally, I’m leaning toward JA for the diamond but much prefer Blue Nile for the band/setting. Would you recommend a local jeweler to do this? Any thoughts?

Additionally, I absolutely love this Blue Nile setting –

Blue Nile Hand Engraved Solitaire Engagement Ring

However a local jeweler told me to be wary of engraved bands as they wear over time and become less defined and rubbed out. Is this true? would getting a platinum setting make a difference?

Thanks so much for your response.

Thanks so much for getting back with me.

Regarding your comments – could you explain a little about why you would not buy the JA diamond based on its fluorescence  What role does this play?

Thanks also for the alternative diamond suggestion. Question: I noticed it was only a VS2. Is that still ok? I looked at it and didn’t see any inclusions but I also am just learning so could you address the inclusions matter and let me know what you find?

I think everything else was clear and I will be in contact with JA about the setting. Thanks for your help.

Q to J

Regarding my comment below about the inclusions I feel I wasn’t clear. I meant that I looked at the diamond with the virtual loupe tool and couldn’t see the feather inclusions but they are obviously listed on the GIA report.

Please advise as I don’t want to pay such an amount for a diamond with inclusions right in the middle of the stone if they are visible to the naked eye.

Just an update about my search for a setting. I have been in contact with some folks from James Allen about the custom setting and they have been very helpful. They said they could make what I’m looking for but their quote is nearly double the Blue Nile price for the same setting. I understand it will be a little more because its a custom design but double just won’t work for me. So…how do you recommend I proceed? Buy the BN setting and mail it to JA to use with the JA diamond? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have another question for you.

Today I went to a jewelery store to look at examples of different colors of diamonds. (E, G, H, etc).

I found an excellent diamond, GIA certified excellent cut, SI1, G color.

I have to say I was really surprised at how yellow the diamond appeared. Maybe it was the light, maybe it was the clarity, but I definitely noticed a yellowish tint.

With that in mind I searched again on James Allen for a diamond with an E color grade.

Here is a diamond I found that almost exactly matches the specifications of the one you recommended me.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1314117.asp

Here is the one you recommended me.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1490954.asp

The major differences I see are that this new one has a slightly greater L/W ratio. But it also has an E color grade which to me seems safer. Both are Excellent cut, VS2, with good depth and table.

Could I trouble you to take a look at both diamonds and give me your opinion as to the differences? Should I pay the slightly higher price for the better color grade?

Thanks for your help!

…….

Another thing I should add – the diamond I looked at in person had No Fluorescence which from your article, apparently fluorescence can help a lower color grade diamond look whiter. So that might have had something to do with it.

https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

Please advise! Thank you!

Thanks Michael, I think I will.

By the way I should mention that I first heard about your site and services from my dad xxxx – do you recognize the name?

I received the diamond today. It is absolutely stunning. Wonderful sparkle at first glance and upon closer examination, an excellent fire and color. I am really thrilled.

Thanks for all your help! All the best

Of course I’d be happy to iVouch for TAD.com In fact I just did so – you’ll see my entry under the name “Anthony D—–”

Thanks again for all your help!

…….

I ended up ordering my rings from Blue Nile.

That’s too bad – I have to say though, that I think Blue Nile has some definite issues that need to be addressed by management.

The diamond problem you mention is a glaring matter – obviously. To me, that’s something that screams for attention from upper management to implement a system similar to James Allen whereby you can view the diamonds. Inventory might need to be reduced, sure, but the key would be to reduce their inventory of all the low-quality diamonds.

I also think they have some major customer service issues – I didn’t get anywhere near the level of service from them that I got from James Allen. They’re not available via phone or chat 24/7 like James Allen is, and they don’t provide a FedEx tracking number after an order is placed. Additionally, some of their customer service reps were quite unhelpful and unattentive to my needs as a customer. I ended up speaking with a succession of managers until I spoke with one that is the manager of the call center out in WA. She was actually very nice and helpful, and I let her know frankly some of the problems I had encountered, which she acknowledged. Incidentally, I did a case study on Blue Nile in college (I’m a Business Major) and so I was familiar with their business model, margins, financials, etc – so she and I had a good conversation.

In any case – thanks a lot for your help. Your website has been very empowering.