First of all, I just wanted to say that you have a wonderful website and thank you for all the useful information! I am very grateful that you guys are willing to take the time to answer questions and provide help for people like me that aren’t that experienced with diamonds and don’t know what to look for!
If you could help me out with this, I would be very grateful! Here is what I am looking for:
-I am planning to spend up to $15,000 for a loose diamond and I am trying to buy the biggest round diamond I can get for that price (this is most important),
-SI1 minimum Clarity (unless you can find a SI2 that is eye clean),
-At least I or J Color (however, I know J is acceptable according to your website but she has friends that are recently engaged and if she compares it side by side to theirs [F or G color], will she be able to see the difference?),
-And another important criteria is to have an GIA certified excellent Cut
Just to give you some background, I have been looking on James Allen. I am probably not going to buy through Brian Gavin (unless you think I should) since I rather spend more for the diamond size than towards their signature diamonds with excellent cut that come at a premium price. Since I can’t distinguish what is considered eye clean, I don’t know if I am making the correct choices. I would like to look around for about a month to see what selections you advise me with so I can compare all the ones I see. However, if you find one that is a rare deal for it’s quality, I may buy it earlier. I plan to buy the diamond online and buy the setting at a local jewlery store. Let me know if you need more information from me. THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!
Here are some that I found:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.81-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-75037?a_aid=dmnd1357
Also, do you know if James Allen ever have any sales or promotions? Such as a Black Friday or annual sale? Thanks!
I wouldn’t shoot for a black friday sale. Diamond margins are incredibly slim. A couple of years ago, they offered a free solitaire setting (worth $180) with a diamond purchase. The year before, they offered a 25% on the setting. The average setting price on JA is about 2k, so that was a $500 savings. Neither of those numbers is worthwhile to wait for cyber monday.
Speaking of settings, 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).
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my email. I will take your advice and probably buy the diamond before the black Friday sale. I wouldn’t want to be rushed into buying a diamond in one day anyways. I was just curious of the specials.
I would like to buy a white gold setting. As for 14k or 18k, I was thinking of 14k since it’s a bit harder and more durable. I have spoke to my girlfriend about the settings in the past and she wants a solitaire. That will give me more money to spend on the diamond itself. I would like to be able to spend $15k or less for both the diamond and the setting.
Let me know if you need more information from me. I tried to give all the information I could think if in my first email. And again, I really appreciate your help on this!
I’d jump up a smidgen on color. Here is a diamond I’d recommend for you:
Its bright, eye-clean and a great value. What do you think?
This one looks great. However, just to be sure, did you look at the ones I found and see how this compares to those? Or did you find any others I can compare this one to? I just want to be sure since I am spending so much money. I hope you understand. Thanks again for all your help!
I did look at them. You made some nice choices, but I really think the extra color grade is worthwhile given the size.
Thanks!
I just have one more question before I go ahead with my purchase. According to the James Allen website, in the “Education” tab then “Loose Diamond” and then “Diamond Cut” section, there is a diamond selector where you can move the “Table Size” and “Total Depth” sliders to get a “Predicted Brilliance”. The diamond you recommended me had a total depth % of 60.60 and a table % of 60.00. When I change the sliders to these numbers, I only got a “Good Cut” rather than “Premium Cut” or “Ideal Cut”. This cut according to their chart is 3 levels below the best cut. I am afraid of getting this cut and not getting enough brilliance/sparkle from the diamond (especially if she compares her ring with her friends).
What are your thoughts as a professional on this type of thing? I trust your judgement so if you think it is worth to go down a bit on karat (1.5-1.6 instead of the 1.76) for better cut/brilliance, I will go with that instead. Unless you don’t think it will make that much of a difference and sparkle much less with a depth % of 60.60 and a table % of 60.00.
Again, I really appreciate your help and I hope you don’t think I am questioning your selection. I am spending a lot of money on such a small item so I want to be sure I am making a good choice with all things considered. I hope you understand. Thanks so much!
There are many different opinions on that matter. Personally I like the look of a 59% table the best. All said and done, I’d put the most value in GIA’s grade. They are the experts when it comes to determining cut.
That’s great, I feel ready and more confident on buying a diamond with this information you provided me. Sadly now that I’m ready, the diamond link you provided me is no longer available! Would you be so kind to find me another recommendation around the $13k price range? Hopefully I didn’t miss out on a great deal! All I can do is hope that I get lucky and you will be able to find a better diamond than the first one. Thanks again, I really do appreciate the help!
Just to recap:
-SI1 minimum Clarity (unless you can find a SI2 that is eye clean),
– I Color (based on your recommendation)
-GIA certified excellent Cut
Here is my recommendation:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.74-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-18281?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thanks! I am ready to buy but before I do, I just want to confirm with you the imperfection on the side of the diamond will be “eye clean”? I think I see one on each side. They are fairly big marks so I just want to make sure. Other than that, everything is great, including the medium florescence with according to your website says will help it look whiter!
Once I get your confirmation, I will go ahead with the purchase (I currently have it on hold)! Also just out of curiosity, how does this one compare to the first diamond you recommended to me? Thanks! [/question]
Yes. You can ask them to cover the inclusion with the prong to remove all doubt.
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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