Archive for 1.4 Carat
Q&A: Ira, “You totally changed my mind” about buying a diamond!
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Q: I was literally just about to head to the jewelers down the street today but decided to do some last-minute research. After finding your site and reading what you have to say, you totally changed my mind!
My budget is $10k including a platinum band, so I think that means about $9k for the rock. Only requirements are round cut, no visible flaws, and (maybe weirdly) I’d like to not go over 1.5 carats.
It would be so greatly appreciated if you could suggest one or two options for me! Read More→
Q&A: Blue Nile Setting Becomes Custom James Allen Setting for Brilliant Round Stone
Posted by: | CommentsQ: We are starting to look for an engagement ring and ran across your site. What great information you have avaiable! Here is the ring that we’re pretty sure we are leaning towards purchasing.
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?offer_id=12959&forceStep=STYLE_STEP
Any comments or concerns you have about the ring would be greatly appreciated. We didn’t know if these stones were significant enough in size that we have to worry about color matching to the center stone. Also was wondering how much we should be worried if the side diamonds are eye clean. I had a diamond previously that did have black inclusions (2 fairly small but visible) and it was always disappointing. Even though otherwise it was a beautiful diamond, those black dots always bothered me.
As for the center stone the most important thing to us is that it’s brilliant, white and sparkly. We are looking for a round cut, eye clean and somewhere between 1-1.35 ct. We don’t want to have to pay for something unneccessary, but would like a big wow factor. We realize that there is a lot left open on options for size, but we’re more concerned with the other factors that fit within these size parameters.
Also, I know you often suggest diamonds from james allen just because you can actually see what you are buying before you buy it. If that is the case would we be able to take the setting purchased from Blue Nile and separate center stone to a local jeweler to be set or do you have another suggestion?
Thanks for your site and all your help! It’s much appreciated.
Q&A: Round “Sparkly” Diamond for $10K Budget
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Hope you are doing well and had a great holiday! First off I wanted to thank you for providing such an amazing service. I think it is a great thing you are doing and a very solid business plan. I really appreciate how you lay everything out in your explanation on how you make money. It is a great service and great idea! So I did want to preface this with saying that when I make my purchase, I definitely want to get instructions from you on how to MAKE SURE, you get credit for the purchase.
So anyways, here are the details I wanted to provide you. First off, I am looking to buy this rign for my girlfriend, but my first main question is “Is now the time to buy?” I ask this because I am in no huge rush to purchase the ring since I won’t be popping the question until this summer. I have read on websites that buying around Christmas/Valentine’s day is not a good time to buy diamonds because prices are inflated. In your experience is that true? Let me know your thoughts on if I should wait or what you think (I do have the money to make the purchase whenever).
Now when I do purchase, I definitely want to look at all the websites, but I agree, the James Allen site looks really good. So that would be an awesome one to start with. Now below I have answered the questions you asked:
• Is your goal cheapest price for given parameters, or best diamond for fixed budget?
o My goal is to get the best diamond for a fixed budget. Now there is something her to consider as well. My girlfriend has very small hands so anything larger than 1.4 Carats actually starts looking too big. So I am looking for a size in the range of 1.25-1.4 Carats. I also want to make it as “Sparkly” as possible (sorry for the poor terms, ha). So I know I want to go with an ideal cut. Also, while getting a good deal price was is definitely awesome, I want to keep my purchase definitely between 9-10k (with a 10.5k max).
• Shape
o Round
• Desired Color Range
o I would like your opinion on this, but I am thinking that I will go with an “H” for color
• Desired Clarity
o Again I would like your opinion on this and I actually think this is where I could use the most help. Before I found your website, I was looking at VVS2, but the more I have read, it looks like I might be able to knock this down a bit and get more “bang for my buck” (aka get a very nice, very shiny ring and save some money on this feature). However, I still don’t trust my judgment on what I should get. My girlfriend is definitely not the type to go “comparing her ring to other peoples or in jewelers” so again as long as the clarity is pretty good (no big visible spots) and it gives and overall very sparkly diamond, I think it would be perfect.
• Budget
o Again, my budget is 9k-10k with a 10.5 max. And to be honest, I have budgeted for this much, so I don’t really want to go below 9k.
• Anything else you might feel is relevant
o I think this pretty much sums everything up. Again, I really appreciate this and please let me know if I can give you any more info. When I actually go about purchasing this I will DEFINITELY make sure I have the cookies on so that you get credit. Thanks again!
Q&A: “Thanks…I feel like a diamond expert now.”
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I am looking for a princess cut diamond that is I or higher in color and otherwise clean to the eye, and I’m looking to spend around $6000. Other than that, I’m just looking for the biggest carat I can get with the combination of the above variables.
Thanks for your help!
Q&A: Best Round or Princess Diamond to fit over Diamond Lined Wedding Band
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Thanks for your informative website, what a great idea!
I am looking for the ’best’ round brilliant or princess diamond in a 5-6K range, not paticular about clarity or colour (maybe, no less than VS2, I) but I’d like at least 1 carat.
I already have a wedding band so I’d like a raised, yellow gold setting to make sure they go togther.
Could I get your opinion on side gemstones. JA has beautiful rings with a round center diamond and square side rubies. I like this idea because it’s something different from the common solitaire, but I wonder if the side stones detract from the center one. What do you think?
Q&A: Should I Buy a Beautiful Loose Diamond in Bahrain, Ira?
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out.
I’m currently in Bahrain with the Navy and am planning on proposing to my girlfriend a few months after I get home (need to have the ring made). She likes a modern-looking ring and is particularly enamored with a platinum half-bezel solitaire setting (I don’t have the link to the site; will get it to you later).
I’ve heard stories of guys who have had diamonds they bought here appraised for significantly more than they paid for them. However, I only have a few more days here and don’t want to pull the trigger too fast just to have a diamond – I just want a beautiful stone that I’ll be glad I bought and that she will love.
I’d like to keep my budget around $6-8k for the stone and ring; more if I have to. My girlfriend hasn’t set any requirements for size or anything, which is nice, but I’m starting my search around 0.90ct and going up to 1.5ct or so. Based on the setting, a round brilliant makes the most sense to me, though a princess cut would be fine (though I’m nervous about there not being an organization that will classify princess cuts).
I’m torn right now because I did find an absolutely beautiful stone last night – a 0.9ct round brilliant, SI1 D GIA certified stone that was absolutely radiant compared to the other stones I saw. The dealer quoted me $3,600 or so for the stone alone, and I feel like I’m paying a lot for the perfect color (which will be relatively unnoticeable once the stone is set) that I could get back in a little more size for the same money.
Any guidance you could provide would be wonderful – thanks in advance.
Q&A: Round Brilliant between $6,500 and $7,500
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I am searching for a ring imminently and have been reading your site for a few months. Thanks for all the work you’ve done and invaluable information. Based on what I’ve learned from your site, I have been looking at round brilliants in the I – SI1 & SI2 range. I really don’t want to pay for anything that you can’t see with the naked eye. But I would like the nicest combination of brilliance and fire available.
The setting that she has chosen is this: http://design.jared-diamonds.com/item/R999560787107
My total budget is $8,000 to $9,000 so I’m looking to spend somewhere between $6,500 and $7,500 on the stone.
Based on that, this stone would put me at the lower end of my budget:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1319124.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
And this one would be towards the top:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1326077.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Finally, what about these two?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1326402.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1333868.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Overall, I think the 1.40 I-SI1 is my choice right now.
Thanks in advance…
