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Q&A: Looking for Prettiest 1 Carat Round Diamond

By Mike Fried,

I’m hoping you might be able to help me out. Bottom line: I want the prettiest diamond stone I can get for my budget. I definitely want at least 1 ct, but would be interested in anything up to 1.25 ct as long as it’s still ideal cut, eye clean, and near colorless. I’d like to stay around $5,000, but am willing to spend slightly more. I think I’ve found a good deal and would like your input on this stone.

Blue Nile LD01938165
They’re currently holding this diamond for me so…

I’ve contacted Bluenile to make sure this stone was eye clean and because I was concerned about the strong blue fluorescence. I’ve pasted the response I received below. Initially it put me at ease, but after reading your site I’m a bit nervous.

Thanks in advance for your help!

From Bluenile: “The gemologist found that this diamond is completely eye clean and the florescence does not have a milky effect at all. It will be on hold for you for the next 48 hours…”


I’m actually in the middle of writing a series of site review articles. Below is the paragraph I just wrote yesterday that’s relevant for you regarding Blue Nile:
People report that they can call Blue Nile and ask them to inspect diamonds listed on their site to get gemologists’ reports about whether or not a specific stone is eye-clean. All that Blue Nile’s gemologists do in such a case is call the specific vendor who owns the diamond in question and ask them for their opinion of the diamond. The flaw in the system is that since each vendor is motivated to sell his diamond over his competition’s, he’s always going to push his own stones. From the vendor’s perspective, the worst that can happen is the customer won’t be happy and he’ll return it – but if the vendor doesn’t push his stone, he knows he won’t stand a chance of closing the sale.

So you need to take their “gemologists report” with a huge grain of salt.

I think these would be better value for you:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1351102.asp – the inclusion is all on the side. Can be covered / obscured by the prong of the setting.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1315926.asp – almost certainly eye clean

Btw, you would never be able to see the difference between G and H colors with your naked eye once the stone is set in a ring.

Let me know what you think!

Thanks for the help Ira! I wanted to go back to my local jeweler and look at some H color diamonds next to a G, but haven’t had a chance yet. I’ve also been doing research on indented naturals since one of the ones you recommended has those. With both of these, do you think the inclusions would affect the brilliance at all?

Thanks again, and sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I’ll be faster next time.

…….

Sorry, I thought of a couple more questions…

1. Between the two, which would you recommend? I’m planning to buy a simple platinum four-prong setting.

2. On to the setting…how wide of a band should I get? I’m really clueless when it comes to this. Do women generally have a preference whether it’s 2mm or 3mm? Does the size of the diamond or my girlfriend’s hand size dictate the size of the band?

Thanks once more

I like this stone the best out of those two:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1315926.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

As for the width of the setting, I think you might be best off speaking to customer service at JA about this one. IN all honesty, my professional experience is limited to the loose diamond trade. I’m a complete ignoramus when it comes to jewelry!

Thanks, I wasn’t able to find a lot of info about the natural indention. If I decide to go for a 1 ct, that’s the one I’m going to get. I went back to a store today, and am now thinking I might want to go a little bigger, maybe up to as much as 1.2 ct and extend my budget to $6k-$6.3k. Any suggestions? Sorry for bothering you so much, and thanks again.

You’re not a bother at all! here’s what I like for you:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1334618.asp

I just bought one of the diamonds you suggested! I didn’t go through you, and I’m sorry, but I gave them your full name and everything.
They couldn’t find your promo code, but here’s the diamond if you want to contact them and sort it out.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1315926.asp

Thanks!

Thanks!

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
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
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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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