Welcome to Questions & Answers Page
In this section of the site, I publish some interesting private exchanges I have had with readers of the site who have contacted me via the "Got Questions?" form. I believe you will find that the questions and answers are both interesting and educational.
To browse through Q&As of the past by topic, please use the tag list on the right-hand side of the page.
Q: Hello Ira, I have been shopping for a loose diamond to mount in a setting for the last 4 months or so. I saw your site and found it incredibly helpful. I have also been monitoring the James Allen site and noticed it is appreciably cheaper than any other site I have found on the Internet. I am switching jobs in the next month, which will allow me to finally move forward with my purchase. To the diamond, my girlfriend really has her heart set on a 1.5ct diamond,has to be princess cut, and my budget is proving somewhat constrictive. I already have a setting picked out, and have budgeted roughly $6K for the diamond. Here is the setting I plan on mounting it in. http://design.jared-diamonds.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-5794.asp I was wondering what your suggestion would be, and if maybe I should think about getting a slightly smaller, yet higher quality diamond. I appreciate you help, thanks!
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Q: Ira,
Your site is excellent!! Plan on doing an online diamond purchase (Blue Nile or James Allen). Not huge $$$, but I am totally obsessed with finding some value out there! And its seems your the guy. So here’s an easy one:
Total budget 9k (USD) for the stone (keeps me around 10k all in)
Parameters: Round. Thats it.
After reading every article you’ve written, I’m cutting you loose. Find me a stone 
summon all your creative powers and make my future wife smile!
As per your writings, color can be low, clarity is hit or miss, carats don’t tell the whole tale. So I don’t want to curtail you. Take some chances, I implore you. Looking for a hidden gem that might escape a less discerning eye. I’m not a stickler for ”grades” and I don’t care what its assessed value is,and don’t mind a singular large flaw that makes an otherwise unaffordable diamond within reach. Just hoping to find a stone that has ”bang for the buck”
(and if you have anything offline available I’d pay the 10% gladly if you made it an offer I can’t refuse, though I understand my purchase price isn’t heavy enough to have you sorting through the whole of Israel)
Thanks for in advance for anything you can do,
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Q: Hello, As with alot of people, I been quite overwhelmed with info during my engagement ring shopping experience. Your website is a breath of fresh air. The ring I want is http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-162.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 I am looking at spending 6000-8000 on the stone. I am basically looking for the best bang for my buck. I am quite flexible with all aspects including shape (maybe a princess cut might look nice on this ring – but I guess the safe choice is round type). note: I did order an 1ct F IF triple X from blue nile for close to $12k.. I am currently in the process of returning it after reading your website! I look forward to your advice.
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Q: Hi Ira,
First, great site, I’ve been gleaning information for the past 4 months or so researching diamonds for my upcoming engagement ring purchase. From time to time I look other places but always end up coming back for the quality and truthful insight. I’ve got a budget of $5000 and am looking at going with J.A. because of their return and upgrade policies. I’ve been searching for stones in the 1.10 to 1.30 carat range. I’m looking at this ring and stone in particular:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire-rings/ring/item_57-1906_design.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1274572.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
But was hoping to get a few other suggestions from you. I’ve pretty much been following all of your suggestions on standards for cut, color and clarity and seem to gravitate toward a higher quality polish. My G.F. wants a round brilliant diamond. Thanks for your help in advance.
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Q: Hello Ira, First, thank you for your site. It’s proven quite helpful already.
My question concerns potential vendors. I live in Los Angeles where we have a wholesale jewelry district downtown. An acquaintance, who actually picked out her own engagement ring, swears that I would be a fool to not use one of these local vendors. Is she right? (And if so, would you happen to have anyone here that you recommend?)
I love to buy online but I’m still not entirely convinced that buying a diamond online is the wisest option. Especially with the local options reportedly being so great. Ultimately, of course, I just want the best deal. Perhaps better deals will, in fact, be found online? I intend to go in soon to see for myself and have some basis for comparison, but I’d love to know what to expect. Any insight here would be very welcome. And I thank you in advance.
Best – D
PS – I anticipate going for a round cut, 1.25 or so Carat, and trying to get the cleanest, clearest one I can for *hopefully* under $8k. But that’s just an initial direction. I definitely do not intend to spend more than ten grand, and would be thrilled to find something great that’s closer to five! Anyway, thanks again for your help.
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Q: Best diamond for fixed budget. Princess D, E, F VS1 or better $2500 (stone only) She wants a square princess.
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Q: Hi, I have purchased a diamond from Jared. I think that you can do better for what i’m spending. Below are the stats. IF you can do better, let me know! Round Brilliant Cut 1.01 ct G SI 2 (nothing visble with eye) Cut: Good Depth: 63.9 Table 58% Crown angle: 36′ Crown Ht.: 15.5′ Pavln Ang: 41.4′ Pavln Dph: 44% Star lgth: 45% Lower half: 80% Gridle: thin to thick faceted Culet: NONE Polish: Excellent Symmetry: Good No Florcnt spent $5,000 Plez advise!
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Q: I’m looking for a princess cut diamond around 1.25 ct (+- .25 ct) set into a channeled band with diamonds only going halfway down on either side. Have made my mind up on clarity, color, etc. My budget is 8000. I want a combination of quality and size. I live near Miami’s diamond district and was told to look there for a good deal. I plan to go to a Jared’s or local store first so I can just look at a variety of diamonds to get an idea of what to look for. Is all this a good idea or am I still more likely to get the best deal online? Anything to look out for? Your site was highly recommended by a friend. Thanks.
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Q: Dear Ira, I was wondering if you could give me your thoughts on the following Asscher Cut Diamonds from Bluenile:
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?filter_id=0&track=head#diamonds_pid=LD01788438
http://www.bluenile.com/asscher-cut-diamond-1-carat-very-good-cut-f-color-si2-clarity_LD00439308
I am looking for the best Asscher Cut for less than $8,000 US. I would like a color grade of D-G I would like the best clarity possible and am very open to SI2 as long as it is eye clean and the inclusions are not too bad. Simply put, I would like the biggest bang for my buck. Please advise me. This has been very stressful for me and I have been to many brick & mortar jewelers in Southern California (where I am from) that have trying to persuade me to buy their diamonds. Thanks in advance!! Budget Anything else you might feel is relevant
A: Thanks for writing. Buying a diamond can most definitely be a very stressful experience. Especially going door to door in B&M jewelry stores and getting haggled by annoying salespeople whom you never know if you can trust or not.
I would be very hesitant to recommend buying an SI asscher cut from BN. The reason is simply that the large majority of SI1 and especially SI2 Asscher and Emerald cuts are NOT eye clean.
Take a look at the pic on this stone, and it’s a VS2!!
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1295751.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
So you see, you need to be REALLY careful with Emerald Cuts and Asscher Cuts because they really show off their inclusions strongly.
I really like this stone, but it’s an H Color (which, btw, I think is totally fine to get in an asscher cut):
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1304654.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – it’s 100% eye clean and a really really nice cut.
Here’s another one, but a bit on the expensive side:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1294903.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
One more, a G color. Well under your budget, and a little smaller than you were hoping to get, but has a favorable depth that makes it look bigger than it is:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1244863.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Have a look at these and let me know what you think!
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Q: hey Ira, I’m looking to find a pear shaped diamond to fit in a pretty wide (6-8mm) setting. What is most important to look for in Pear shapes? Where can i make concessions since I obviously want to get the largest stone because of the wide setting. thanks have a great day
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