I really appreciate your very informative website. I am looking for an engagement ring upgrade for a 10th anniversary gift for later this month. The budget for the diamond alone is around $7500. I am looking for a round cut, eye-clean diamond, hopefully ideal cut or very close to ideal proportions. I want at least one carat but hope to go bigger if possible.
Here is the setting we chose (for reference).
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-matching-bands/ring/item_59-7690.asp
Here are 3 diamonds we were looking at on the James Allen site.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1373838.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1311979.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1353902.asp
What do you think of these, or do you have any other suggested diamonds that would offer more bang for the buck?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks for writing and the kind words about the site! You’ve probably noticed that I have CCed to this email someone named Michael. Michael is a former colleague of mine when I was a traveling diamond salesman. We’re also good friends and actually used to travel quite often together. I’ve convinced Michael to join me here at The Diamond Pro to help out people like you. He’s just joined, so in the meantime, I want him to “watch” as I help people so he can get a feel for what I do. I can assure you that whatever is written here will be kept equally as private as if it were just me involved.
I really like that set you picked out. It’s very classy.
I also really like the three stones you picked out. I think you did a great job. Here’s a few other options that I like:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1381905.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1383263.asp
Let us know what you decide to go with in the end!
Thank you for all your help! After debating back and forth, we (she) changed her mind on the setting she wanted. After consulting with the nice folks over at James Allen, we ended up with the following diamond:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1383263.asp
With these rings:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/Platinum-Common-Prong-Ring.html
https://www.jamesallen.com/wedding-and-anniversary/Ladies-Diamond-Rings/ring/item_493-2839.asp
We inquired about two of the other diamonds (the two larger ones), and were told the inclusions were more visible than we would have preferred.
Thanks again for all your help!
I think you made a great choice!! Please stay in touch and let me know what you think when it arrives!!
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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