I am a big fan of your website and have read most of the Diamond buying articles and tips. I am looking to buy a Round Brilliant diamond for under $6K. I want to get the biggest “eye-clean” diamond for my money and as such do NOT mind buying a stone with K (or better) color and SI2 (or better) clarity. However, I do want an Ideal/Excellent cut as that’s probably the most important factor. After extensive search on www.jamesallen.com I’ve found the following diamonds:
All 5 of these diamonds seem to be great bang for the buck. But I am specially intrigued by the 4th one (1.47 Ct.) because of the size and 5th one because of VVS2 clarity. The problem for me is that I can NOT make out any discernible difference among these diamonds by using virtual loupe on JamesAllen.com Specially when I am looking at them from side, not from the top. The first 3 diamonds look quite similar but I did NOT really pay any attention to fluorescence, polish, symmetry etc.
I would really appreciate if you can take a look at these diamonds and give me your recommendation, specially on the last 2 diamonds in the list.
I’d be happy to make some recommendations and guide you through the process. What type of setting are you considering? Yellow gold or white gold/platinum? Will it be a solitaire or does it have sidestones/pave? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).
Let me know and I’d be happy to send you some suggestions.
The setting I am considering is a channel-set ring (0.13ctw Channel Set Round Shaped Diamond Engagement Ring / SKU: 11140W14) in White Gold.
The same ring is also available in Platinum. Here is the link: https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/platinum-thin-channel-set-round-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-2208?a_aid=dmnd1357
I have NOT made a final decision between white gold and platinum and am hoping you can help me with that as well. The price difference between the two is about $1000. My understanding is that platinum retains its color (over time) much more than white gold and also does not scratch easily.
Are these difference really worth spending extra $1K? Also, what are some of the drawbacks of platinum? How often does each metal require polish/maintenance?
Thanks again for your help!
You are mistaken. Platinum doesn’t dull like WG, but it does scratch. So WG needs to be dipped every few years to retain its shine, but that is relatively cheap and easy. Platinum dulls after 8-10 years and needs to be replaced (which is far more expensive). So its more expensive in the long run and up front.
In that case, it’s a no-brainer to pick WG over Platinum. Thanks for saving me $1K.
Please let me know if you’ve had a chance to look at those diamonds I wrote about in my original email (please scroll to the bottom to see that list).
Well here the plot thickens. Sorry but I’ll need to take that 1k back. With a white gold and pave setting, you shouldn’t go bellow I color on the center diamond. I would recommend this one for you:
What do you think?
Hello Mike – Sorry for dropping the ball on this; I was out of town on vacation for the last 4 days. The ring you’ve recommended looks great but it’s more expensive than what I was planning on spending. While my ring setting does have side diamonds, they are only 0.13 Ct. total for 10 small diamonds (it means each one is only 0.013 Ct). Do you think a J -color diamond will not look good on this setting (with tiny side diamonds)?
This diamond seems like a great deal within my budget: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-183097?a_aid=dmnd1357
If you still think I must go with I color (or higher), then how about this one: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-199560?a_aid=dmnd1357
Sorry for bombarding you with follow-up questions, but thanks to your site I’ve become obsessed with finding the best deal possible.
…….
Just found this J diamond (VVS2 clarity); looks really clean and still not far from my budget: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.22-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-191008?a_aid=dmnd1357
That one looks great.
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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