Hi I am looking for an engagement ring with the following setting in platinum
Blue Nile Half Moon Diamond Engagement Ring
I would like advise on picking a 1.75-2.0 round diamond in the $11,000-$13,000 range.
Let me know what you think of this setting and if I should buy it from Blue Nile or somewhere else.
In general, we are not fans of Blue Nile. We explain why in our BN review: https://www.diamonds.pro/reviews/blue-nile/
I would recommend a diamond like these:
I think this is the best choice for you. I would contact someone at JA to see if they have a Half Moon 3-stone option.
If they aren’t able to do that, I suggest contacting Ritani. Here is the alternative I found from them. We have had much more positive feedback about JA, so I suggest giving them a go first.
http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-53-Carat-I-color-GIA-certified/D-G1NHV8
What do you think?
Thanks for your advise and selections. I would also like something a little bit bigger than 1.5 carats. Maybe in the 170-2.0 range.
Someone locally is selling a 2.12 carat round brilliant cut diamond (J, VS2,EGL USA certification) for $12000
or best offer. What would be a good price for this diamond? I read online that there is a local wholesale diamond dealer called IDS Diamonds in Vienna VA..
http://www.igsdiamonds.com/wholesale-diamonds-va.php
Let me know your thoughts about them relative to James Allen.
James Allen does offer a similar setting to Blue Niles:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/side-stones/platinum-tapered-baguette-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1993?a_aid=dmnd1357
That is a big no-no. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/egl/
Walk away from any company that tries to sell you an EGL diamond. That diamond is nowhere near a J VS2. EGL certificates are used for one purpose only; to deceive consumers into overpaying for a diamond.
I have not heard anything personally about that wholesaler, but I’d be shocked if they offered better value.
Since that setting is 2k cheaper than the one you found on BN, can you up the budget for the center diamond?
OK thanks for your advise about the EGL diamond. Yes I can raise my budget for the diamond to $15000. Make some recommendations for something a bit larger than 1.5 carats. Since James Allen seems like your favorite pick some diamonds from their inventory.
Also what are your thoughts about this ring from Costco?
http://www.costco.com/Three-Stone-Round-Brilliant-Diamond-Ring-(3.00-ctw)-Platinum.product.11043679.html
…….
Mike: What are your thoughts about this diamond?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.80-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-199081?a_aid=dmnd1357
Costco is ok for diamonds, but not great. They are not that flexible in their offering and don’t have much service. If they were cheaper, I’d say give it a shot. But it doesn’t really make much sense to me.
I would recommend this diamond for you:
I would not drop below I color with that type of setting. If you really want to go about 2ct, I’d go with this one:
…….
Hah, I just sent you a couple. That one is ok, but I don’t like that imperfection right in the center. It will probably be eye-clean, but I’m not sure. The problem with something like that is, if/when someone notices it, they won’t be able to see anything but it.
Thanks very much. These look very good. Is it worth it for me to see if any other vendors would match or beat James Allen’s prices for this quality or is this as close to wholesale that I would be able to get anywhere? Any way you could discreetly check out IGS Diamond place for me to see if their prices are comparable? It is so confusing for the novice to buy diamonds without being taken.
We recommend other sites/wholesalers. I already mentioned Ritani to you. www.bluenile.com is another. But I think JA really offers the best value for you. We have had amazing feedback from our readers about them and their jewelry. I don’t think its worth running around looking for an alternative when they won’t be saving you anything significant.
Had you found something I thought was a great deal, I’d say go for it. But there would be no end to searching looking to save a couple of bucks. I looked at IGS; there doesn’t seem to be any compelling reason to go with them.
Michael:
I have an opportunity to buy an engagement ring from a friend who is selling a ring
he no longer wants. I wanted to know your opinion and whether you think that $6000-6500 would be a fair price for this ring. I realize that it might not be the highest quality but for the price it might be a fair buy????
Your thought and advise are appreciated.
Here is a link to the same diamond at a retail outlet.
http://www.kay.com/en/kaystore/engagement—wedding/diamond-solitaire-ring-1-1-2-ct-round-cut-14k-white-gold/100006/100006.100008.100015
We are not fans of the Leo diamond. It’s just a gimmick brand without legitimate certification. I would rather spend money on a GIA certified excellent cut H SI than on that.
Mike: I understand your position. But for half price of retail it looks decent. What if I were to send it for GIA certification? The retailer says that they guarantee these rings will come back same grading as GIA.
Thanks much
Why is that decent? I don’t understand. Being able to say ‘I’m getting the diamond at half price’ doesn’t mean anything if the original price was more than double its worth. As I’m explaining (and maybe I’m not doing that well), a GIA certified 1ct GH SI1 excellent cut (which would end up costing you the same as that) is a superior choice to the Leo diamond. I know the Leo very well. Leo Schachter (the creator and supplier of the brand) was where I started my career and learned everything about diamonds (as did Ira).
You probably shouldn’t say this to your friend, but he made a big mistake buying that diamond. There are diamonds out there that are branded and give you a beautiful ring. Hearts on Fire is very overpriced, but they are superior to your typical excellent cut. We would recommend buying a non-branded version of the Hearts on Fire to save money. But if you told me you want the HOF, at least you are getting a beautiful diamond. A Leo (in our opinion) offers no extra value whatsoever and may very well be inferior (GIA’s cut grade is far superior to the Gemex gimmick certificate. Additionally the color/clarity may be off).
Ok I understand completely. Are there any decent but not overpriced simulated diamonds out there? I have read that Aisha are pretty good. Any thoughts on czs or other man made diamonds?
Lab created diamonds are generally not worth the money (they aren’t that much cheaper, don’t have GIA certs and have no resale value at all). If you’ve seen a CZ in person and like the way it looks, go for it. I’m all about saving money. I don’t know anything about CZ brands though.
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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