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Q&A: Looking for Pear-Cut for $5K Budget

By Mike Fried,

I am looking for a pear diamond on James Allen, with a flexible budget of around $5000 for the center stone of a 3 stone ring set in platinum. I would rather not choose a color lower than H, and want to make sure the diamond is eye clean, with a ratio of between 1.5 and 1.6. I am also concerned about finding a diamond without a “bow tie“. Do you think the pictures adequately show the presence or absence of a bow tie?

I have considered these:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1452894.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1508226.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1521155.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1529374.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1529375.asp

The last 2 stones have larger dimensions, but they are SI2 instead of SI1. Can you tell me if any of these are clearly unsuitable, or particularly nice? It’s hard to tell the difference and I could use some help! By the way, this is not an engagement diamond…I’m buying something just for me and don’t want to make a mistake. Thank you for your help, cheers!

It seems like you have this diamond buying process down pat. I love the last diamond you selected. THat H SI1 is fantastic.

Let me know how it looks when it arrives.

Thanks for letting me know which of the diamonds you liked best. I have the diamond on hold while it is brought over to James Allen for the gemologist to inspect. I really hope it will turn out to be as nice in person as it looks in the photo. If the gemologist gives the ok, I’ll purchase it. You gave me just the help I needed to choose the best stone, since they were all starting to look alike to me. 

My pleasure. Please keep me posted.

I just spoke with James Allen’s gemologist on the telephone, and she generally liked the diamond. Her main point of criticism was that the stone is darker near the crown than it is in the middle and at the point. She thought that a halo setting like I am planning would help brighten this area. Does this sound like something I should worry about? She has a trained eye and I do not, so perhaps this is not something I would notice. Should I worry about this?

I wouldn’t worry about it at all. It’s a great diamond.

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.
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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