Hello, I have been lurking on your website for nearly a year.
I am finally ready to go ahead with my purchase and your guidance would be much appreciated.
My budget for the diamond is 4500- 5200. The setting is a 18k white gold tension set split prong. Must be round brilliant ideal cut stone. Would like to end up above 1.1 caret. My goal is to find the biggest diamond within budget that doesn’t look like a lump of coal! My only worry about clarity, color, polish and symmetry is that the stone won’t ”pop”. Please help.
Here is what I’ve found so far.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1351122.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1277735.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1021098.asp
I hope I’m on the right track with these picks. I’m still not too sure if I’m looking at the correct things in the pictures.
Thanks for writing. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying my site! I don’t love the 1.26 J SI2 since it only has a “VG” cut grade. I like these:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1248590.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1334150.asp
Let me know what you think!
Thank you for the quick response. Of the two you have picked out which would be your choice to go with. I’m ecstatic over the size I am able to get for this budget. I am very thankful for your help.
I like this one just slightly more:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1334150.asp
It just looks very clean for an SI2 – nicer than the SI1 in fact.
Let me know how it goes! If you do order it, please stay in touch and let me know what you think when it arrives!
I ordered the j si2 as you suggested and I could not be happier!
I did upset a coworker whose e vvs1 1 carat that cost nearly double realized that no one in the office could notice a difference!
The ring is absolutely amazing and has the sparkling pop that I wanted. It will definitely be noticed when she wears it. I have no regrets about sacrificing color and clarity as you suggested! Thank you so much for your help and timely responses. I will be recommending everyone to both follow your advice and to use James Allen. Top notch!
Once again thank you!
That’s so great to hear! That’s so much for this email! You know, I’m always a little nervous about suggesting what I do because you never know how people will react when they see the stone. So I do love to get emails like yours that validate what I preach all the time.
Thanks! And congrats!
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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