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&A: “Running in circles with all other ‘expert’ diamond websites out there!”
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Q: First things first…THANK YOU for this website! I felt like I was running in circles with all other ”expert” diamond websites out there!
I am in search of the most perfect diamond engagement ring within $7000. My girlfriend has expressed simple tastes in rings, so the band I believe will work best is this:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-diamond-solitaire-ring.html
She wears a size 6 ring, if it matters. She is pretty athletic and is a school teacher…not quite sure if that helps in your judgement call, either, but that’s my girl!
I found a large number of loose round diamonds on James Allen that keep me within my budget, but just cannot decide on the best size & color for the price. I can’t see any reason to purchase one far beyond the ”eye-clean” range, but I want it to take her breath away, regardless.
I have a golden opportunity to ask for her hand in marriage in the next few weeks, so any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance Read More→
Q&A: “Stuck on two but looking for other options”
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Q: 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:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1353902.asp
and
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. Read More→
Q&A: Half Carat Round Brilliant Cut for $1500 Budget
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I would like to get a round brilliant diamond around .5-.65 ct. I am thinking about getting around a color G-I, ideal cut, and clarify of VS2-SI2. I would like an eye clean diamond. Can you suggest a diamond for a budget around $1,500?
I’ve been looking at few round diamonds available on James Allen, but I was not sure which one have the best value within my budget.Could you please take a look at them:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1338536.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1362622.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1356072.asp
Thanks! Read More→
Q&A: “Best Bang for the Buck” for a Princess Cut
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I am looking for a Princess cut for a platinum setting under $2000 (not including setting). The most important feature is the fire and clarity. I can’t handle any tint of yellow either, pet peeve.
Thanks for any advice you can give me.
P.S. I have been looking on JA and BN Read More→
Q&A: Looking for 1.5 Carat Round “Very Eye Clean” Diamond
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I am looking for a 1.5 carat round, Very eye clean, good color and excellent cut. My budget is 11k. What do you think of Brillance.com as online vendor? Read More→
Q&A: 1.5 Carat Princess Cut Diamond for $5K Budget
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Q: I have about a $5000 budget, maximum, for a diamond for an already purchased engagement ring. My fiancee has her heart set on a 1.5(can be 1.48ish or better) carat diamond. We’d like at least good cut, J color, and SI2 or better clarity. I thought I knew what I was doing until I started noticing things like Clarity Enhancement(we don’t want) and then when I researched that I came upon your articles about GIA vs. the other certifiers. Can you please help???
…….
I forgot to mention that I needed a Princess with best color, clarity, and as close to 1.5 carat as possible, all for around $5k!!! The more and more I search, the task seems to be nearly impossible!!! Read More→
Q&A: Round “.75 ideal cut that will sparkle the most”
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Firstly, thank you for putting together this website and service, great stuff. I am looking to purchase an engagement ring to best emulate this I saw in a retail store:
http://www.birks.com/en/featured/Engagement/Solitaire-Diamond-Rings/g64-712/5000022078
My girlfriend’s expectations have been set already to be very happy with a .75 carat, I would like to find the cheapest option for an eye clean .75-.8 ideal cut round diamond ’I’ color or higher (I could notice the difference with a J or lower and I think I may be slightly color blind.) Also, she prefers white gold so I think ’I’ color or higher is best. Her friend recently got engaged and received a 1 carat diamond ring but it looked cloudy and did not sparkle, I would prefer to go with .75 ideal cut that will sparkle the most.
If you could help me find the cheapest option with those criteria that would be great; if you think a flaw could definitely be covered 100% by a prong I could go for that. I totally understand that this is not an investment, but an expensive piece of enjoyment. I don’t want to get a non-certified ring with clarity enhancement, that could be considered fake by her, but if she will never see a flaw then it doesn’t matter to me.
I would like to propose mid to end of this month, May, I have been working overtime everyday to pay for the ring so I can’t answer my phone much, if you could contact me back by email I would appreciate it greatly.
Thank you in advance Read More→
