Archive for 0.5 carat
Q&A: Half Carat Round Brilliant Cut for $1500 Budget
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Q: 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→
Diamond Market Watch: Polished Diamond Prices Rose 17% in 2011
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According to the IDEX Online Polished Diamond Price Index, polished diamond prices rose by 17% last year. That puts the price of diamonds at pre-recession levels, after two years of weak progress.
While prices rose overall by 17% in 2011, they surged and fell dramatically from month to month. The beginning of the year saw prices surge while the last five months were much less volatile.
Photo courtesy of miningweekly.com
The most notable increases were in half-carat diamonds and three-four carat diamonds while those in the more middle class, i.e., one-two carat sized diamonds, showed less market change. It seems that in the post-recession market, the greatest demand has been in these two markets: the lower end, smaller carat sized diamonds, as well as high end, three-plus carat diamonds, leaving demand for the standard one carat diamond engagement ring further behind.
To what can we attribute the overall rise in polished diamond prices? For the most part, there were more positive market factors than negative ones in 2011. Here are just a few:
• Americans were optimistic about the end of the Recession and were finally ready to spend more money. This increased global demand since America is the largest global market for loose diamonds and diamond jewelry.
• China and India, countries with emerging diamond markets, increased their demand.
• Diamond dealers and retailers increased their inventories and restocked their diamonds due to uncertainty about supply of rough diamonds.
Q&A: $2K Budget for Round Diamond: Blue Nile or James Allen?
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I am looking for a ring in around 2000$ budget, platinum setting. I have find few that I like on bluenile and would like to know ur opinion. I am looking for a 0.48 to 0.50 carat, G color, GIA ideal cut, depth 58% to 62% and table 53% to 58%. Here is what I fond so far.
I’m leaning toward the diamond on the 2nd link but would like to know what you think and what are your suggestions.
I have another question, I heard that the diamond fluorescence, Negligible is the same as None, is it true?
Thanks in advance for your time!
Q&A: Seeking Round Diamond 0.5-0.6 Carat
Posted by: | CommentsQ: First of all – fantastic! That’s all I can say about your website and your information so thanks for this.
I’d like to choose a diamond for an engagement ring. I have decided I want:-
Diamond
- Round
- 0.5 carat
Setting
- Pave / Setting with Sidestones
- Light/delicate design
I’ve seen some in person and have decided 0.5C is the largest I should go to in terms of it not being too big on my girlfriend’s finger. I’ve also seen some in person which appear to have a milky dullness about them which I assume is the flourescence – this was more noticeable to me than anything else in terms of the colour or inclusions (although I am not an experienced diamond buyer and in fact, this is my first time!).
I’m still scouring my local stores in London (Hatton Garden retailers, which I guess you may be aware of) but assuming I go online, I have decided to go with James Allen due to what looks like good value, good customer service, and the ability to get someone (i.e. you!) to verify the cleanliness of the diamond. I did consider Blue Nile, but from reading your site, I was put of by the fact that there was no way of me working out if the inclusions would be an issue.
3 questions then:-
1) Do you think this http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1316034.asp is a good value for the size and purpose of diamond I’m looking for and if not, can you suggest a better one?
2) Do you know of any other places in the UK I could try which are similar value and which would ultimately mean the inevitable task of getting the ring resized would not be as much hassle as sending it back to the US?
3) Do you support my rejection of Blue Nile on the above stated grounds or is it a case that if I’m concerned about the actual inclusions, then I should just err on the side of a higher clarity rating with Blue Nile? i.e. is the key advantage of James Allen the ability to pick an apparently less clear (and hence cheaper) diamond compared to Blue Nile, but still to be able to verify that the James Allen one would still be eye-clean?
Thanks once again in advance. Cheers
Q&A: Princess Diamond for Side Stone Setting and $2K Budget
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I was hoping you could help me choose the right center diamond for the setting I have selected. The setting is from James Allen pictured here: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-4079_design.asp?module=setting
My girlfriend has very slim fingers and does not want a diamond that is too large, so since the 2 side stones together are .34 carats, I was thinking between .5 to 1 would be good for the center. My price range for the diamond is max $2000, so I had my eye on E,F color, VS1 and VVS2 clarity, and ideal cut.
Since it won’t be the largest diamond, I am really hoping for a ton of brilliance! Let me know what you think, thank you!
Q&A: Ideal Cut Round Diamond for $1500 Budget
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I will soon be purchasing an engagement ring. Soon, as in the next week or so. I’ve been researching and learning for months though, through bluenile.com, jamesallen.com, and your wonderful website. I feel like a bit of an expert now, but thought I would solicit your advice before I make the final decision. I finally have the money, I’m ready to go, I just want to find the perfect stone now.
Here’s the deal. $1500 is my absolute limit, I know it’s not much, but I want to get the best I can for that price. With the basic ring options on BN and JA, that leaves about $1100 tops for the diamond. My girlfriend and I looked at rings together about a year ago, then put the idea on the back burner because of money issues. She doesn’t know I’ve been secretly saving up this $1500 all year long. She’s a bit of a tomboy, doesn’t wear a lot of jewelry, and when we looked together we were looking at small sizes anyways. I was suprised when she was ”grossed out” by the 1 carat sized diamonds and quickly passed them off as too gaudy (lucky me!). She was happy with a .33 carat, but I could really tell she liked the half carat a lot. So, that’s my goal, a .45-.50 carat diamond. But the most important part is the sparkle, the stones we were looking at really sparkled and she couldn’t take her eyes off of it, no matter the size.
So, here I am, diamond shopping online. I’ve found what I’m looking for, in terms of size and what-I-think-will-sparkle expectations. Examples:
BN: .46, Ideal Cut, H, VVS2 for $1030
BN: .47, Ideal Cut, I, VS1 for $978
BN: .46, Ideal Cut, G, VVS2 for $1060
JA: .44, Ideal Cut, G, VVS2 for $1090
JA: .43, Ideal Cut, H, VVS2 for $990
And so on…you can tell from those 5 listings that I’m looking for something that’s Ideal, I color or better, VS1 or better, and as close to .50 carats as I can get. Is this a resonable expectation? Am I going at this wrong? Should I consider a J color or a lower inclusion rating?
Also, I’m no gemologist, so what should I be looking for in JA’s diamond pictures? How can I tell if it’s cloudy or if the inclusions are too large? I want a nice looking diamond, but I want it to have lasting value, too.
Oh last thing: white gold ring. Must be white gold.
Thank you!!
Q&A: Seeking Diamond Solitaire Pendant for Necklace
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I love your informative site! It has helped already. I’m hoping my request is easier than most. I’m looking for a .5-.75 ct diamond solitaire pendant necklace. Preferably:
-best diamond for the budget
-round stone, though I’m flexible depending on your suggestion about what cut shines best on a necklace
-color I or J at the worst
-clarity SI2 at the worst
-under $900 if possible
I’ve seen some on Macy’s, other discount websites, and even eBay but it seems they are either too good to be true or leave out the vital info. Any help is appreciated!! Thanks!
