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Q&A: “Stuck on two but looking for other options”

By Mike Fried,

I’ve probably read your website at least 20-30 times, spent countless hours researching the 4 Cs, and have finally narrowed down my choices to two diamonds:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1353902.asp

and

Blue Nile LD02042045

I think a lot comes down to the actual ring I choose, but here are my specific:

Price Range: $6500 or less for the diamond
Shape: Round
Color Range: H or I
Clarity: S1 or S2
Carat: 1 to 1.25 but all depends on the quality, willing to sacrifice slightly as I get closer to 1.25.

Any assistance you can provide is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for writing! And I’m so happy you’ve gotten such good use out of my site!

I took a look for you, and I like this one:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1370962.asp

I would recommend you steer clear of BN – especially since you want to buy an SI. The odds are that stone would not be clean to the naked eye.

let me know what you think!

Thanks Ira, thank you very much. I will take your advice and stay away from BN.

I guess where I’m at right now, regardless of carat size, is which one (of the two James Allen recs) is the best diamond for a .54 ct French Cut Pave Diamond Eternity Ring.

My only concern is that the 1.21 ct will have eye visible inclusions, but you would know better than me.

I trust your judgment. Your final recommendation will be the one I go with.

PS — Like many others have attested to, the best ring setting was on BN.

I’m pretty confident that this stone would be eye clean. I would go with the 1.21.

DONE!! Fiiiiiiiiinally. Thank you very, very much Ira. You website and advice proved to be a valuable resource. I will recommend your website to anyone I know traveling down the engagement ring road.

Thanks! let me know how it goes!

I’m sitting in a bar in Philadelphia, PA right now, post-engagement,
and my fiancee is extremely happy with the choice your suggestion.
Thank you very, very much for everything. You and your website were
invaluable during this entire process.

PS — Have to get it resized by James Allen though. The size she told
me is a bit too big. Oh well, did everything from my end thanks to
you.

Congrats! So happy to hear it all worked out so nicely for you! I wish you and your fiance a long life together filled with health, happiness, and love!

Do you think you could do me a small favor? If you could leave me a short review on ivouch, I would be extremely grateful. Here’s a direct link if you have the time:
xxxxxxxx

Congratulations!

I just posted my review. Awesome Ira, thank you very, very much!!
[LINK TO REVIEW ON IVOUCH]

It’s amazing! Thanks so much!

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online.
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
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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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