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Hello,
I am looking to purchase a diamond engagement ring soon. I’m certain that I want to purchase through James Allen and I have a few rings narrowed done but I need help to find the right diamond and at the right price. Thanks.
I’d be happy to make some recommendations for you, but I need a little more info.
What shape diamond are you looking for? What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) do you want to use? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).
Can you give me your ballpark figure of what you’re planning to spend? Then I’ll be able to help you more.
Thank you.
A friend of mine recommended your company and he said you helped him a lot. As for what I am looking for:
I found 5 rings that I’m looking into all with James Allen. I am willing to go elsewhere, but everything I’ve read and heard is that they are the way to go. All 5 rings are set for a round diamond. These settings styles vary a little bit, they include 3 halo styles, 1 pave, and 1 that I am not sure about the style (these are SKU Numbers on James Allen: 17475P, 17037P, 17450P, 17144P, and 17678P). I definitely want to use platinum for the ring’s metal since it is the most durable. As for the cost, I’d like to keep the total cost of the ring under $10,000.00–so depending on which ring that would be an upper budget for the diamond around $8,000 to $9,000. I am willing to go over a little if it looks great. Also, if possible I’d like to be at least 1 carat but it is not a deal breaker.
Also, in doing research on my own, there was one loose diamond on James Allen that I really liked for these rings. It seemed like a good buy–but then again I’m not the expert.
This loose diamond is James Allen SKU Number 2475558. Link here:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2475558?a_aid=dmnd1357.
Thank you very much.
Great, thanks for the additional info.
All the settings you selected are dainty, I like them a lot. For a halo, H color is what we recommend; I color if it’s a pave (where the smaller diamonds are not that close to the center stone).
The diamond you picked is very clean and looks great color-wise, but I’m not a huge fan of its cut. I’d focus on something better cut to maximize brilliance.
I like these options for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2356444?a_aid=dmnd1357
These diamonds are beautifully cut, eye-clean and any of them will be very brilliant.
What do you think?
Thank you. I am now 95%+ certain that I am going to go with this ring:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/platinum-diamond-filigree-engagement-ring-item-52845?a_aid=dmnd1357
Would that change anything about your opinion?
Also, thank you for your response about the diamond I originally saw. I see that it is not available anymore anyhow. I see that the 3rd diamond you sent me was an ‘I’ color opposed to an ‘H’ rating–is there any noticeable difference between the two to the naked eye? I’m reading that I through J are good bargains because they are more common. Thoughts?
Thanks.
That is a beautiful piece.
I explained the I color option in my previous email. It’s what we recommend for the pave settings (no additional diamonds around the center stone, just in the band). However, for the type of setting you decided on, I’d go with an H to make sure there won’t be any warmish tones as there are some tiny diamonds right next to the main one.
Thank you. What carat size would you recommend for that ring? On the JA website I saw a 1.5 carat diamond on that ring and it looked too big as it overlapped with the halo.
What about this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-very-good-cut-sku-2473243?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thanks.
Well, the question about size is entirely personal and nothing I can really help with. If you want to see a ‘smaller’ option, here you go:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2421091?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s superbly cut.
The diamond you sent me is very poorly cut and would lose a lot of its brilliance. I wouldn’t recommend sacrificing on cut as it’s the most important factor of a diamond.
Thank you. So as of right now I’m leaning towards this ring:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/platinum-diamond-filigree-engagement-ring-item-52845?a_aid=dmnd1357
With this diamond:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2356444?a_aid=dmnd1357
For this ring and this sized diamond do you believe that this is the way to go? Like you mentioned earlier, I obviously want the diamond that will maximize brilliance.
Thanks!
It is a beautiful combination.
I just happen to have one last suggestion. If you want maximum brilliance and fire possible, I would recommend Brian Gavin’s Signature Signature Hearts and Arrows. Brian Gavin is known as one of the world’s experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds. BGD’s Signature diamonds are incredibly brilliant and truly impressive.
This diamond is superbly cut and will be extremely brilliant. We saw their diamonds in person and were truly amazed. However, you have to decide if the added brilliance is worth the premium to you.
What do you think? I just figured I’d pass this along since you’ve mentioned that high brilliance is so important to you.
Thank you, let me compare the diamonds and see if I want to go with a BG ring opposed to using JA.
Sure. Let me know how you feel about it.
I bought the ring, thank you.
That’s great news!
I hope you love it when you receive it. If you could let me know how it looks when it arrives, I’d appreciate it.
Hello,
We received the ring a few days ago and it looks stunning!
Thank you.
That is fantastic news, I’m glad you are happy with the ring. You’re very welcome, it’s been a pleasure helping you!
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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