http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1311839.asp

A: That stone looks great. No risk of cracking in the future. Looks eye clean to me from the pic. Did you order it with a ring as well? If so, do you get a discount on the setting? If not, call them and ask them to apply the TADJ10 coupon code. It’ll give you 10% off the setting only.

Q: Ira- I somehow managed to delete your email, so I was unable to respond to what you wrote..

The inclusions on the diamond I have chosen… http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1311839.asp

This can definitely not be seen to the naked eye? I want to be absolutely positive it wont. There is an 2.51 H, VS1 but 8k more. It has better everything except the H color…

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1336141.asp

Should I bite the bullet and pay the extra 8k, or do you think I have a solid stone in the 2.51 G, SI2??

I really do not want to notice any type of inclusion to the naked eye and it want it to sparkle and be beautiful

Please let me know, I really appreciate your advice..

A: I most definitely cannot guarantee you won’t see anything. For that, you need to contact JA themselves and have someone do a physical inspection of the actual diamond.

On the other hand, the H VS1 is a really beautiful stone, so if you can afford it, that’s definitely a nice option. But I would definitely have the G SI2 checked out first. If it’s eye clean, then it’s a much better value.

Both appear to not be available anymore, though. Was that you?

…….

Sorry for that last list – misunderstanding. I forgot that you had already purchased the G SI2 a while back.

Why not just wait for it to arrive and inspect it yourself? If you can see the inclusions, then send it back and get a different stone.

Q: I am sorry I posted the wrong diamond, the H is actually this one….. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1342721.asp, which I have on hold for just in case purposes.

I am having them inspect the G SI2 today to see if it is eye-clean. I did talk to someone on chat, and they thought it wise to get it checked out too due to there being inclusions right in the center that do not look white.

I can definitely afford the more expensive diamond, so if you think the H VS1 is a better looking diamond, I am willing to pay that. I really want a nice diamond, that is a good buy. I do really like the Cushion cut above….

Tell me what you think… I noticed the depth is 70.1% and the table is 58%… is this okay? This diamond is also a premium cut, vice the ideal like the G SI2, so it isn’t cut as nice, but it appears better in my opinion.. The G SI2 also had a “Faint” florescence, whereas this has none…

I did purchase the G SI2, but it is currently in the production process, so can be changed at any time. It is not due to ship until the 18th. So I will find out today what the specialist says about it being eye-clean. I still might go ahead and purchase this H VS1, but want your opinion first…

Kind Regards!

A: That’s also a very nice looking stone. I wouldn’t worry about the 70% depth. Had it been 0.2% less, JA would have rated it as Ideal. It’s RIGHT on the border.

I think waiting and seeing what they say is the best approach. Their gemologists tend to be very picky and always err on the side of caution (because returns are very costly to them), so they’re probably going to steer you away, but it sounds to me that this is the kind of opinion you want (not necessarily negative, but very strict).

I’m not sure if I mentioned it before, but if you haven’t already, you should have them apply the TADJ10 coupon code -it’ll give you 10% off the setting.

Let me know what they say!

Q: The department inspected the 2.51 G SI2 diamond and found it to NOT be eye-clean.The inclusions were on the center and not white, so I chose a platinum setting which made the inclusions stand out more. So you were right, they advised I go with the other diamond..

To make a long story short, I chose to go with the 2.5 H VS1 instead, even though it was a bit more expensive. I had them inspect the new diamond as well and it is good to go!

I was able to use the discount code for the setting so I got 10% off.

Thank you for your help and advice, because of you, I was able to make a better choice than the one I had before!

Kind Regards!!

A: My absolute pleasure! I’m sure you’re going to be thrilled with it! Please let me know what you think when the stone arrives!

We live in New York. He’s Dutch, and we will move the Amsterdam in late 2011. He has a friend in the jewelry business in Amsterdam that I think he might want to go through to buy the diamond–however, I would almost rather go through someone who is not a friend so that we can really be hard bargainers without feeling bad about it.

My first question is, where does it make the most sense to buy the diamond? New York through someone you know? Amsterdam through someone he knows? Either?

My second question is this: I want a round solitaire 3 carat ring (the bigger it looks, the better). I feel silly saying this but what can I say, looking at all the stones here has ruined me. Is it possible to do this between $15-20k? If possible I would love an I color with medium (or strong blue) fluorescence. I say I and not J because if we get micropave sidestones on the band I don’t want them to look obviously whiter than the stone itself.

That said, what do you recommend? I would also be happy to consider using your brokering service if it will bring down the price–I know from your site that both James Allen and Blue Nile have a markup of 18%, and I would rather not pay that. My boyfriend may take quite a bit of convincing to buy from someone he has never met–and online!–but I’m sure the frugal Dutchman in him will see the sense of it if I show him how honest you seem to be from every interaction on this website. For now if you could just answer my initial questions, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you so much, in advance, for your time & advice!

…….

I want the diamond to be eye-clean–fine with VS2/SI1, even SI2–BUT the SI2 would have to be examined by someone who swears on bibles that you can’t see any flaws!

A: Thanks for writing. I’m very happy you’ve been enjoying my site!

As for your questions – I would think it makes most sense to buy in NY. It has a much higher sophisticated and well developed market. There isn’t much of a market at all in Amsterdam. Aside from the fact you’ll have to pay whatever exorbitant VAT they have there now.

Most people that come to me AFTER they’ve been to “a friend of a friend” or something like that realize that the vast majority of diamond dealers usually just lick their chomps when they see someone who’s unaffiliated with the business walk through their doors. You’re better off buying online. Btw, that 18% figure is outdated. It’s closer to 10% now.

You will not be able to get a 3 carat stone for under 20K. Your best bet is probably finding a 2.70 stone. An I SI1/SI2 will cost about 23K roughly.

Q: Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly!

A few quick follow-up questions:

- Will an I SI1 cost 23K for 3 carats, or for 2.70?

- I’d be willing to do a J with strong blue fluoresence if it will look the same as an I with medium blue fluorescence. (Maybe I will just forgo the sidestones for now.) In your opinion, how noticeable will the color difference be?? I think I have a fairly good eye for color (I’m an artist); I’m just not sure how much the fluo will actually “mask” the tint.

-I’d also be interested in a stone that is cut just shy of 3 carats for whatever reason–2.9 or whatever. Will this be hard to find?

-You say it makes the most sense to buy in NY–but I’m assuming you mean buy a stone online while we’re still living here, right? Or is there some person we should go see who you trust?

Thanks again for all your help! I have told friends who are thinking of getting engaged about your website.

A: The 23K is for a 2.70.

As for the color questions, I would strongly suggest you go to a store and look at some up close. As you know being an artist there’s no real way for me to describe in words how you will perceive the color of a diamond. You need the experience yourself.

Yes, finding a 2.90ct sotne will be near impossible.

I meant NY over Amsterdam in a head to head comparison, but your best bet is online – and having it shipped to NJ to a fedex facility for pickup so you avoid sales tax.

Thanks for the referrals!

Q: Is it still possible to get a deal like this guy ended up with?? This was why I thought maybe I could get a 3 carat for 20K…

http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/2009/12/06/qa-20000-for-3-carat-stone-interested-in-brokering-service/

A: Problem is prices are a lot stronger now. The market has picked up a lot since then.

Q: Argh–I never have any luck. OK.

One other question–are twinning wisps a pretty “good” kind of inclusion to have, even if they’re in the table? Based on the photos I’ve looked at on James Allen, it seems like they’re very hard to detect. But maybe it depends on the twinning wisp in question?

A: I personally think they’re the best kind of inclusion for the exact reason you specified.

Just curious, which direction do you think you’re going to go in regarding the diamond?

Q: This is all so interesting to me–kind of makes me want to go to diamond school! I find it fascinating that one gemstone is the center of so much psychology, detailed analysis, emotion, and wheeling & dealing!!!

Well, here’s what I’m thinking now:

If we buy the diamond sight unseen (after having someone inspect it to at least make sure it’s eye clean) I want:

-Round brilliant

-I color

-Medium blue fluorescence (am fine with strong if it doesn’t make it hazy at all)

-SI1 or S12, preferably with ONLY twinning wisp inclusions

-a table of 58-60 (I know aficionados prefer smaller, but it seems to me the diamond looks bigger when the table is bigger)

-thin to medium girdle

-3 carats OR something between 2.6 and 3 that has measurements close to 9 x 9 mm (or more!) across the top.

-GIA or AGSL cert

-Excellent cut

-Very good or excellent polish

-Very good or excellent symmetry

-no culet

Would love to get all this between 20 and 25K (obviously the less, the better). My boyfriend can deal with it–marriage is a long time and if you amortize the cost of this thing over the length of a marriage, it really isn’t that bad.

I think based on what you’ve said that it definitely makes sense to get it in the States, or maybe to go through you or someone you trust here? If I can see the diamond in person I would likely be fine with a J color with strong blue fluorescence–but I’d need to see it. I tried to go color compare yesterday and the woman showed me a 3 carat “F SI2″ but it had EGL cert so I walked out. (It was only 18K, though! Even going down 2 grades that still seemed like a good deal… but you said to stay away from EGL, right?)

Let me know what you think!

A: Those seem like good specs, but you should just know that if you limit your search to medium fluorsecence it might take you a long while before you find your ideal stone. Med fluor is not so common in I colors, especially when you’ve got relatively narrow parameters set aside from the fluorescence.

For example, looking at what’s available in Israel, this is the closest I could find:

http://www2.gia.edu/reportcheck/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.showReportVerification&reportno=5121245123&weight=2.52

This one seems to be the closest on JA:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1302005.asp

Anyway, my point is, this is a very narrow set of parameters that might be very hard to find.

As regards the EGL stone, yes, it’s a bad value. The “F” is probably an “I” and the SI2 is without a doubt an I1.

Q: The Israel stone looks nice, but if it’s VS1 I’m assuming it would be pricier. I can be flexible on the table width–can be 57-60. I can also be flexible on the inclusions as long as I can’t see them. I figured the clarity is the place where I can save money without hurting how the diamond appears, as long as I choose one that’s eye-clean.

Also, if I go look at some I-color stones and I think they look fine without fluoro, then I’m fine with none or faint fluoro. That should help widen the search, right?

What’s your feeling on culets? I’m assuming if the stone has an excellent cut there would be small or no culet.

…….

Hey look at this one!

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD01693218

But how do I know it’s eye clean??

A: An SI2 in a 3ct stone is most likely not eye clean. The inclusion plot on the cert is pointing in that direction as well.

Q: Darn it! OK, it seems like I’m going to have to go smaller–or wait till I can find an SI2 that’s only has twinning wisps. I don’t really mind waiting if it means saving.

This one looks good though:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD01631054

The measurements seemed a little odd on this one: 8.99 x 9.14–?

A: Something seems fishy about that stone.

Q: Hahaha. OK, fair enough–you’re the expert.

I think this one below looks nice and non-fishy–plus it has our favorite inclusion, twinning wisps! And is therefore likely eye-clean, right?

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD01499722

A: Yes, that stone does seem nice on paper. but even with wisps, you still need to be careful on such a large stone. Take a look at this example:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1302886.asp

Those black strings you see are twinning wisps.

Q: OK, what about this one? I found this using the search engine on your site!

http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-29011284-2.php

This one looks amazing!!! I would just need to make sure it was eye-clean and not hazy (b/c the fluorescence is strong). A J color with strong blue flurorescence will look like an H or I, right?

A: J with STB *might* make it look like an I color at best. I think you might be overestimating the whitening effect.

If you’re interested, I’d be happy to call the owner tomorrow when they open in NY. I have attached a copy of the cert.

Q: Hi there!

Sorry, I tend not to check email on weekends–since I’m plugged in all week. Oh wow, that’s so nice of you (to call him)! The cert looks pretty clean to me. I would love to hear what it looks like from someone who can see it, though. Or maybe I could even go and see it?

If it looks like an I, that’s good enough for me. The color grade differences are pretty slight (and, as you have noted in your website, relative).

Let me know! And thank you!!!

A: I called the owner. The stone is now out on consignment, but the owner said that the stone is fantastic. The fluorescence doesn’t affect it at all and the SI1 is very nice. If you’re interested, let me know and I’ll have to get back in touch with them to see if it hasn’t sold yet.

Q: Oh wow, great. I will have to let my bf know. What does “out on consignment” mean???

A: It means the stone hasn’t been sold yet, but it’s being borrowed by someone who wants to sell it. Possibly a store, etc.

Q: Can we go and see it? Is it in NY somewhere??

…….

Also, does the price of $23,652.73 include your commission?

A: Yes.

Q: Great. Can we go and see it somewhere? Is it being borrowed by someone in NYC?

A: They won’t call it back from wherever it is unless you’re on the cusp of buying. I could probably arrange for you to see it, but only if it’s available for sale in their office. Send me a reminder on Sunday, and I”ll try again in the beginning of next week.

Q: OK, I will remind you on Sunday–I would love to see it if possible!!

I’ve been looking at oval diamonds, too–they seem to be slightly less pricey. What do you think of this one??

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1334985.asp

I know you can see the flaw in the photo, but it seems like in person it would be very hard to do so. What do you think of this stone?

A: A nice oval can be very beautiful. The only issue is that it’s really hard to find a beautiful oval. Ugly ones outnumber nice ones like 20 to 1. The one you picked is actually pretty nice, it’s just that the inclusion there is almost certainly visible to the naked eye.

Q: Darn. That stone looked really nice. Any update on if it’s possible to see that round one–the one on consignment?

A: I’ll try to give them a call later today when they open up.

…….

They told me that stone isn’t available. They told me about another stone they have. See the attached cert. It sounds like it could be good. The cost for this one is a tiny bit less – 23,420 (including commission).

Should I pursue it further?

Q: Sad…that stone isn’t as nice at the other, it seems. Smaller, not excellent cut, etc.

A: He is supposed to be sending me a picture today. So lets see what it looks like. You could probably also go and see it for yourself if you’re in NY.

Q: OK, cool!

A: Attached is the pic. Despite the black inclusions, the owner said it’s completely clean to the naked eye and a very beautiful stone. Unfortunately, though, I don’t see a way for you to go see it. They dont allow private customers in their office. They’re a major wholesaler.

Q: Hi Ira! Sorry for the delay in responding. I was home for Thanksgiving and then got sick.

I think I need to shelve our search for the time being. After my boyfriend proposes (which will definitely be within the next 4 months), he and I need to talk about cost/expectations. I have already told him all about you. I sent him an email with some of what I’ve learned about diamonds and I think it made him nervous (I was just trying to be helpful).

So, whenever the happy event occurs, I will definitely get back in touch with you!!! I hope in the meantime that you have a very happy Hanukkah!

A: Thanks for the hanukkah wishes! I look forward to hearing from either or both of you when the time is right!

Q: You definitely will!!!!

…….

HE PROPOSED!!!

It happened when we were in Holland this past weekend! (he’s Dutch, as I think I mentioned before). I’m very happy; he’s a wonderful man.

Let the diamond-finding begin!

My dream stone is still about 3 carats… but he said he only wanted to spend $15,000. I don’t know how to do that and still get an excellent cut stone–seems impossible for that many carats. I would love to at least have 2.5 ct, if possible–?? Maybe we can at least get him up to 17 or 18. Or I will pay the difference, I don’t care. He’s a lawyer; he said we can upgrade the stone later–I would rather just do this once, but whatever. I don’t want to push too hard about this. if you have any words of wisdom, let me know.

I’m still looking for the same things: eye-clean, I color if possible with med fluo (unless you think “I” stones look pretty white anyway) or J (with med/strong blue fluo) and a large-ish table and low crown angle (is the crown what surrounds the table?) so that the stone looks bigger. Generally a medium or thin girdle seems to also make the stone appear bigger (or at least it makes the measurements bigger).

Alternatively, I think ovals with micropavé around them look very beautiful–IF we can find a nice oval, I would be happy to do that. I know you said it’s harder to find a nice oval. Am thinking between 2 and 2.5 carats, maybe a little more, if it’s an oval, since the micropave will make it look bigger. Then we have to worry a little more about color, though. Or maybe not–you’re the expert!

So excited!!!

A: Congratulations! Very exciting!

This stone seem sto have a lot of potential. you should have JA take a pic and send it to you:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Premium-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1333442.asp

Q: It does seem to have a lot of potential! I asked them for a photo and will send it to you when it comes in…

…….

Also this seems nice–really wish Blue Nile had photos:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD01781884

A: I’m looking forward to it!

Q: What do you think of this one? (still waiting for the photo from James Allen–very excited about that one!)

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD01287655

I noticed on your website you said color was slightly more important in oval diamonds–this one’s an H. I thought the proportions on this one seemed nice for some reason. Is there an ideal length/width ratio for oval diamonds, or is it a matter of personal preference?

Thanks!

A: No way to really tell without a pic! L/W is personal preference as long as it’s over 1.3. Under that it it looks like a lopsided round.

Q: I think this is it, right?? They never emailed me a photo but now there’s one online apparently. Also I think you have the same stone listed as brokered for less on your website.

What do you think of it? Cut looks good to me, color looks dark in the photo but maybe that’s just the photo??

Thanks!!

A: Yes, that’s the stone. The stone looks very good to me in the pic. The color looks fine to me. I think you should go for it!

Q: Awesome!! So that black inclusion won’t be visible to the naked eye?

And one last question: I want to surround it with micropave–what color should those diamonds be? Also I or could I do H?

Thank you so much Ira!!! Can I tell the James Allen people to give you a commission?? Let me know if I need to give them a heads up!! You have been so wonderful and I will definitely give you a glowing review and recommend you to everyone I know!!

A: No, I don’t think it will be visible to the naked eye. If it’s micro-pave, H color would be fine. But you shouldn’t go higher than that.

As for telling james allen about me, if you’ve clicked on my links from the email and you make the purchase from the same computer, it should work automatically. If you order it over the phone, they’ll send you a confirmation email with a link to click. If you make sure to click that link from the same computer from which you clicked on MY links, then it should all work out. Either way, it would be very helpful if you sent me your order number after you placed the order so I can confirm whether or not it worked. Thanks so much for being concerned!!

Q: What’s the deal with this guy? Never seen a 65% table. The measurements are big.

http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/diamonds/I-SI1–Cut-Oval-Diamond-15484716-2.php

…….

Sorry–by “guy”, I meant “stone”…

A: The depth on this stone is quite shallow.  I can’t get a pic, so there’s no real way for me to tell what it looks like.

Q: I’m going to compare a couple different stones at James Allen in the diamond district at some pt this week. The one you sent me, and these 2:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1302347.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1324268.asp

But now I am also curious about these brokered ones. Neither one has fluorescence but they both look good anyway, and they’re less expensive. Can I see pics?

http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Oval-Diamond-28832185-2.php

http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/diamonds/I-SI1–Cut-Oval-Diamond-15484716-2.php (I sent you a separate email about this one)

Thank you! Sorry to flood your inbox but I think we’re getting close to the end.

A: Unfortunately, these brokered stones are in the USA and I’m in Israel, so I can’t get pics. THe I SI1 is in San Fran and the I VS2 is in NY. I known the guy who owns the I VS2 and he’s not really into working with private customers. He’s purely wholesale. Plus, btw, I noticed a bug in the pricing tool on my site. That price listed is supposed to show the price including my fee, but that price shown is the actual cost of the stone. So you’d have to add 10%.

Q: Well, even with adding 10% those stones still seemed like good deals to me, if they’re eye-clean.

Vince and I have an appt for Wednesday so I will keep you in the loop…

If you hear of or see any good-looking ovals in the meantime, let me know. Also, regarding that one that has a shallow depth–what is the effect of a shallow depth on the appearance of the stone, in general? Or is it impossible to generalize without seeing it?

I’m sure you’re fast asleep by now. You must have a lot of energy to have 5 kids and still respond to all my pesky emails. It’s just that if it’s something I’m going to see every day, I want to maximize the bang for buck.

Thanks!

A: With an Oval, there’s no way to generalize about cut. Occasionally, you can have very nice shallow ovals. Just let me know if you’d like me to make the call.

Q: Yes, I would love to hear if they’re eye-clean and what the assessment of the cut/look of the stone is. Thank you!!

A: I’m sorry, but they said they’re just not set up to allow private customers to come in to look at stones.

…….

This stone is available in Israel, but it’s more expensive. This one would be about $17,000 total including my fees. The difference here is that I could inspect the stone and send you pics as well since it’s in Israel.

Q: It’s OK, I understand. I think you forgot to attach the link maybe?

A: doe!

Q: We looked at the diamond you picked and 2 others–I picked one of the others, but still, I wouldn’t have known how to pick it if it wasn’t for your help!

Here’s my order number so you can get your percent: xxxxx

Thanks so much, again, for all your time and help!

Best regards

A: Great! Did you get to use the coupon code to get ten percent off the setting?

Q: We did! Thanks!

A: Great! Please be in touch and let me know how it looks when you get the ring!

Q: I will!

…….

Hi Ira!

I hope you have been well. I just wanted to follow up with you: the ring came! Its BEAUTIFUL, and it looks bigger than I expected–!!! My fingers are slender I guess!

I think the cut is really excellent–I attached pictures of the finished product. It needs to be resized; it’s a little big.

I attached a bunch of photos to this email and the next one. Just wanted to see what you thought!

My one (very tiny) complaint: the middle stone is slightly yellower than the pavé around it (middle stone is H SI1, with no fluorescence; side stones are F-G). In certain lights you can see this (for example, under yucky fluorescent lights). Also, in some of the photos the middle of the stone looks dark–I’m guesing this is the bow-tie affect associated with ovals (unless it’s somehow the band underneath? This seems unlikely though). You don’t really see the bow-tie effect in person so much, though.

Overall I think it’s awesome–and I think my nitpicky eyes are more critical than anyone else’s, anyway.

Thank you again SO MUCH for all your help, and Happy New Year! Well, it’s not the Jewish new year, but anyway.

I hope James Allen gave you your commission on it.

Best regards

…….

Do you think a different setting would show the main diamond to better effect? I love the micropavé,…I was just curious what you thought.

Oh, and it’s set in platinum.

Thanks!!!!!

A: No, I think this setting is stunning. Why change it?

Q: Thanks so much, Ira! I’d be happy to write something on iVouch!

…….

OK–I wrote a novella on iVouch.

[LINK TO iVOUCH REVIEW]

Thank you so much, again! I wish you every happiness.

All the best

A: I’m completely speechless. When I embarrassingly ask for these silly little reviews, I never really expect people to fill them out. And even when people do, I never expect more than a couple of sentences. What you wrote shows a level of investment that is so truly unexpected. But even beyond your investment of time and effort, your review was thoughtful and touching in a very personal way. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. May you and your fiance be blessed with all of the blessings in the world.

I truly do hope one day I can accept your thanks in person in Israel!

Gratefully yours

Q: That brought tears to my eyes!

I’ve always wanted to go to Israel–so cool to know that when I do, I will know such a great guy!

All the best, and thank you!

I’m planning to get engaged early next year and have started to take a look at rings. Based on your article about Diamond Stud Earrings, I have pretty much decided to buy from James Allen, since they seem to be high quality, reliable and reasonably priced.

With that said, I’m totally open to your suggestions…

Here are my thoughts so far:

Cut:

I was thinking of going with a cushion cut, because my girlfriend doesn’t like the round cut, and the princess cut just looks a little bland to me. I like the cushion cut because it’s square-ish but seems to sparkle like a round cut. What are your thoughts on this? Would I be better with a princess cut or is a cushion cut good?

Weight:

I’d like something bigger than 1.5 karats, and smaller than 2.5 karats. Obviously that’s a huge range, but ultimately I’m looking for the best value for money. I want my girlfriend to look at the ring and have that ”wow” factor.

Color/Clarity:

This is where I get stuck. I want the diamond to be eye-clean. This is imperative. I also don’t want it to be visibly yellow to the naked eye in normal lighting. Based on my reading, I’m thinking that I need at least a VS2 and H color, but again, I want the best value for money. If it makes sense to get something better, I’m all for it.

Budget:

I’m looking to spend between $10,000 and $15,000 on the diamond itself. Obviously, the cheaper the better – but ultimately I’m looking for a purchase that will wow my girlfriend and represent outstanding value for money.

OK, so that’s all I have. If you could help me, I would REALLY appreciate it.

Thanks and regards.

A: Thanks for writing and thanks for the kind words about the site!

Here’s what I think:

1) Cut- outside of round, it’s 100% a matter of taste. Meaning, objectively, rounds are the most brilliant. But after that, it’s whatever looks nice to you. So if you like cushion, then cushion it is! No reason to 2nd guess yourself.

2) Weight – we’ll get the largest we can within your budget keeping the other parameters at a good level.

3) Color/Clarity – Color for a cushion should be H or better. Cushions and radiants show color the most out of any of the shapes. In terms of clarity, we’ll find the lowest we can that’s still eye clean.

So here’s what I found:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1317193.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1324987.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1318991.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1281685.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

Have a look at those and let me know what you think!

Q: Thanks so much for the response and sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I’m looking to make this purchase as soon as I get my bonus from work (Dec 31st).

I am still a little torn between the Princess Cut and the Cushion Cut. Do you have any thoughts/advice to sway me one way or the other. I know you said it’s just personal preference, but I’m having a really hard time choosing. If there was one diamond in either cut that represented exceptional value for money, I could be swayed one way or the other.

I noticed on James Allen’s website that Polish and Symmetry are also mentioned. Do you have any thoughts on these criteria? How important are they?

Additionally, one thing that’s important to me is that I want a square diamond, meaning that (if I choose a cushion cut) I want the diamond to be visibly square and not rectangular. It seems that there are some that are more rectangular than square out there.

Also, I wanted to know how I can compensate you for your time and assistance. Do you accept donations via PayPal, or is there some other method? I would really like to thank you for all your help.

Kindest regards

A: As for polish and symmetry, see my articles here:

http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/truth-about/diamond-polish/

http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/truth-about/diamond-symmetry/

And as for the other question about compensation, no need. See this article here:

http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/truth-about/truthaboutdiamonds-com/

Yes, it’s definitely true that most cushions are slightly square. You can find some that are square, you just need to keep looking. Princess cuts, on the other hand, are much more commonly square.

Here are a few nice princesses to compare with the cushions:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1052811.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1052813.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1284247.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

Q: Thanks for the information… Much appreciated.

I did some searching on my own on James Allen’s site and came up with these. If you don’t mind, can you take a look and give me your thoughts?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1334074.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1325864.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 **

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1281685.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/H-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1257258.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1317193.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1284247.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1259337.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1052813.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 **

The two diamonds with the ** next to them appear to be standouts to me, but then again, I’m not the expert

If you could give me your thoughts, I’d really appreciate it. Feel free to be subjective too – if you think Princess is better then Cushion (without any facts, just preference) then feel free to tell me that. I’m really bad at this stuff, so I very much appreciate your expertise.

A: Really, not that it matters, but I, personally, prefer cushions to princess cuts. Only because I like rounds the best and cushions more closely resemble rounds than princess cuts.

I like this one the best:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1334074.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

I prefer this faceted look to the crushed ice look (again, because that’s more like how a round diamond performs).

Q: Sounds good. Cushion cut it is

Can I ask, why do you prefer this diamond:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1334074.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

Over this one…

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1325864.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 **

I would appreciate your thoughts. Sorry for all the questions but as you’ll appreciate this is a huge purchase for me, not just financially but emotionally too

Thanks so much for all your help. If I am asking too many questions or taking up too much of your time, please let me know…

A: Absolutely no need to apologize for questions!

When you look at the picture of the F VS2, you see how inside the stone it looks like a bag of broken glass, or crushed ice? That’s typically the look of a radiant cut. Many cushions are cut the same way, but I much prefer the neat symmetrical look of the G VS1. It’s much more how a round diamond looks.

Q: I see what you mean now about the “crushed ice” look versus the clean look. I also like the clean (more symmetrical) look better.

What do you think of this diamond?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/H-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1342722.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s $2000 cheaper then the other one:

My other concern about this diamond is the inclusion in the center. This first link about seems to be cleaner.

Also, do you have any recommendations on settings? My girlfriend likes the pave/channel set rings best. I was considering these:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-0-54ct-French-Cut-Pave-Diamond-Ring.html?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/designer-jewelry/meno-collection-by-danhov/ring/item_412-4013.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-Pave-Set-4-Prong-Ring.html?a_aid=dmnd1357

Also, do you prefer White Gold or Platinum? I’ve read pluses and minues of both, but White Gold seems to be brighter and cheaper.

Thanks once again for all the help…

A: In terms of WG vs Plat and settings, I’m definitely not the guy to talk to. My professional experience is limited to the loose diamond trade. I was never in the jewelry business.

I think that stone you found (the H VVS2) is fantastic. It’s most definitely the better value of the two.

Q: Thanks for your help… I think I have narrowed it down to four stones now… I have the first one on hold, as I think it’s probably the best value for money. With that said, I’d like your final opinion…

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1345229.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1280627.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1345224.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

Also, I noticed from reading the GIA report that these stones have different cuts. Two of them are “Cushion Brilliant Cuts”, one is a “Cushion Modified Brilliant Cut” and the other is an “Old Mine Cut”. Can you tell me the differences/advantages of each? If you have a preference (even if personal) please let me know.

By the way, I picked a setting… I’m going with this one

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-3713.asp

Finally, if there a special “coupon code” or something I need to use when ordering from James Allen to make sure you get compensated. I would also really like to get you a gift or do something personally to thank you for all your help and attention. Please let me know what I can do…

A: The difference between the Old Miner, cushion and cushion modified is simply a matter of different nuances in their faceting patterns. This would best be expressed in the GIA inclusion plot where you can clearly see the lines that define the facets. I don’t think there’s any particular benefit of one over the other.

As for which of the four I like the best, I actually would not have chosen the H VVS2. It’s the smallest of the four by far (not in carats, but in LxW dimensions). Since it’s on hold, I can’t see the price, but if the others are too much more money, I think it might be a worthwhile move to go for one of the others. This one looks the nicest to me:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1280627.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

As for a coupon code, use TAD0611, it’ll give you 10% off the setting. You actually shouldn’t need to use it for me to get credit, but it always helps in case there’s some kind of malfunction in the tracking system. Thank you very much for being so concerned!

As for getting me a gift, I truly appreciate it, but it’s absolutely unnecessary!

Let me know what you decide to go with in the end.

Best Wishes.

Q: The H VVS2 is actually quite a bit cheaper than the others, if you remember you commented that it was excellent value for money. I believe the price was $11,400 (give or take $100). The other stones are $15-$16K, and even though they are bigger, in terms of visible area they only appear to be 0.5mm larger in length/width. I wonder if that will really be visible. I don’t have an issue spending the extra money, if you think it’s worth it.

My main priorities are that I want a stone that’s eye clean, square (ideally a ratio of 1.05 or less, 1.00 would be ideal), and represents the best value for money. I also want something that has a small “wow factor” when I give it to my girlfriend…

What are your thoughts? I plan to purchase today/tomorrow (whenever I hear back from you) so if you could let me know your final thoughts, I would really appreciate it. To me, the 1.71 H VVS2, seemed to be an excellent deal but I’m not opposed at all to buying something else, if you think there’s a better option… If you could pick a “daily diamond” to meet my criteria, what would it be?

Thanks for the coupon code. I’ll make sure I use it. I’ll also give you my order number once I’ve placed the order to ensure you get compensated.

A: Woh! That’s most definitely a meaningful difference in price! 0.5mm is most definitely noticeable. Easily noticeable. But whether or not that’s worth almost 5 Gs is definitely hard to call. If it were me and my money, I would say no. But this is completely a personal decision.

Q: I’m inclined to agree with you… It’s not that I mind spending more, but $5,000 for an extra 0.42mm in width and 0.38 in depth seems like a tough call… I think 1.71 carats is still a decent sized stone and should have a bit of a wow factor. What do you think?

I did some calculations, and it seems that the 1.71 H VVS is significantly better value:

1.71 H VVS2:

6.74mm x 6.72mm = 45.3 sq mm

$11,400 / 45.3 = $251.66 per sq mm

$11,400 /1.71 = $6,666.66 per carat

2.02 H VS2:

7.16mm x 7.10mm = 50.8 sq mm

$16,010 / 50.8 = $315.15 per sq mm

$16,010 / 2.02 = $7,925.74 per carat

A: You must have been an economics major  I agree wholeheartedly. Go for the 1.71.

Q: Actually, I was a business major but yes, I like to over-analyze

Thanks for all the advice and putting up with my never-ending analysis and questions. I’ll use your coupon with James Allen and will send you the order number once the order is placed.

Seriously though, please let me get you a gift or something… Is there anything you miss/need from the US? I can ship it to you in Israel You have been an important part of this life-changing process and I want you to know that your help and advice has been invaluable. I thank you, and more importantly, my future-fiancé thanks you too

A: I’m a b-school grad as well I actually went to Wharton undergrad and subsequently wasted my education when I went into the diamond business! (don’t tell my parents)

Your offer again really is so kind and generous. It shows a level of sensitivity on your part that is quite astonishing. I’m speaking specifically about the fact that you recognized that my wife and I are Americans living in a new country. It’s a common dilemma for people like us living in Israel; longing for things from the “old country” is a part of our daily lives. But I would never expect an “outsider” to understand that – and especially not coming to those conclusions on his own. Just to give you an idea of how appropriate your offer was, I showed your email to my wife, and she immediately called out jokingly, “tell him to send us some lysol wipes!” It’s always the little stupid things that you miss the most!

But really, it’s completely not-necessary. All I would ask is that when you get the ring and you are (hopefully!) very satisfied, you’ll write me a review on ivouch. That would be really amazing!

Q: Wharton is a great school, arguably the best in the US if not the world. One of my very good friends graduated from there a few years ago

It’s funny, I completely recognize the situation you’re in. I’m not sure if I told you this, but I’m actually British. I moved to the US 10 years ago with my job. I was meant to be here for a three month assignment, but I just ended up really liking it here, and after a year, I decided to relocate. My parents and extended family are still in the UK, but my girlfriend’s family have “adopted” me, which really helps We live in Houston, TX. It’s actually a great town, very cheap, lots to do, but obviously it lacks the history of the North-East. I love my life here, and I have no desire to move back to the UK (far too expensive) but there are things I miss. When friends come to visit, I have them bring me new supplies. For your wife, it’s Lysol wipes, for me it’s HP Sauce and Orange Squash. In case you’re not familiar with either of those, here is an explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squash_(drink)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_Sauce

I’d be absolutely delighted to leave you a glowing review on iVouch. I will do it as soon as I place the order. Also, I’d love to send you some Lysol Wipes (no joke). I really understand how it’s the small things you miss the most. If you send me your address, I’ll buy a big pack from Costco and ship them to you. It is the very least I can do, and I’d be delighted to do so.

As far as the diamond purchase is concerned, I e-mailed with xxxx at James Allen. He seems really nice. He offered to place both stones on hold and have their “graduate gemologist” examine both stones to see if there is anything else (other than the obvious) to justify the $5K price difference. Unless there is something overwhelming that I missed, I plan to order the 1.71 H VVS2 as soon as I get the report back from them.

So, what made you decide to move to Israel? I have spent some time in the Middle-East, although never in Israel itself. I’ve been to Dubai on business several times (my client in Oil & Gas has operations there). I’ve also been to Egypt when I was a child, and vacationed in Turkey when I was in my teens. It’s a magical part of the world, very rich in history and culture

Anyway, I’ve rambled on long enough. Thanks so much for everything, and let me know where I can ship those Lysol wipes

A: There are a lot of ex-Brits in Israel as well, so I’m actually quite familiar with HP Sauce As I was reading that paragraph, I was sure it was going to end with you saying that you can’t live without your fix of Marmite! That’s the big thing with ex-Brits and South Africans here. There’s plenty of both in Israel.

I’ve actually been to Houston many times. It used to be one of my favorite cities to visit for work (back when I was a traveling diamond salesman). I’ve been to Dubai as well many times (also selling diamonds, not killing Hamas operatives). Not a simple feat from Israel, but possible if you travel through mutually friendly countries like Jordan or Turkey, and if you have an American passport.

As for why we moved to Israel, my wife and I both spent significant time here both in high school and college and just fell in love. Jews have been around a long time, and when you feel like a living vibrant part of such an ancient and rich history, it fills your life with immense meaning. That’s a feeling you just can’t get living outside of Israel as a Jew. We both just felt the ultimate sense of belonging when we were here.

I discussed it with my wife back and forth. On the one hand, it’s crazy that you should be spending so much money on shipping me a box of lysol wipes – especially since I”ll be very nicely compensated for the help I’ve given you already. On the other hand, getting a shipment of lysol wipes from a customer in the USA as a token of gratitude is such a priceless story, it’d almost be a crime to not let it happen! With your permission, I’d love to turn this into a Q&A (of course with your name taken out – and I’ll change the country of origin in your private story). I’ll end the Q&A with a picture of my wife and I holding your package of wipes! My wife and I both commented that you remind me very much of my father. This is just the kind of insane thing he would do in a heart beat

So – here’s the address:

xxxxxxx

Tell your fiance to be I think she’s going to have a wonderful life.

Q: I have to say your e-mail brought a smile to my face I also like Marmite, although I’m able to find that in the local grocery store now… They have a “British” section where they sell it, along with certain other UK items…

I know what you mean about it being hard to get into Dubai. Their immigration officials are not the politest or most moderate people by any stretch… I’ve been there multiple times and could tell you numerous horror stories. Suffice is to say that although Dubai is pitched as being a “moderate” and “forward-thinking” state, they are still 100 years behind the US or UK in terms of their civil liberties… and by the way, even if you did go there to hunt Hamas operatives, I certainly wouldn’t hold it against you, haha. I’m a vehement supporter of Israel and it’s right to exist peacefully without persecution or terror

I have never been to Israel, although I hope to some day. I have always wanted to visit Eilat. I’ve heard it is beautiful…

I’d be delighted to ship you the wipes… As soon as I get back from my New Year’s Trip, I’ll send them to you. I’ll also send you a shipping confirmation once I do, so you can track them. I agree that it will make a great Q&A story. You also don’t need to change my name or country of origin (just put Matt G. or omit my last name), as I’d be happy and proud to be a small part of your website. I can also show my girlfriend once I’ve proposed and she has accepted

By the way, I also wanted to mention that I purchased from princess cut diamond stud earrings from James Allen back in October (Order # xxxxx). Please make sure you got credit for that purchase too, as it was based on your recommendations (from the site). Here’s a link to the Order Confirmation:

xxxxxxx

Ira, thanks once again for all your help I’ll be in touch once again when I have ordered the ring and shipped your wipes.

A: You want to hear something insane? That purchase you made did in fact track, but only just LAST NIGHT. That URL you sent me is actually what James Allen uses to synchronize tracking cookies for orders placed over the phone. So what must have happened was that you originally either bought the pair over the phone, or bought it from a computer that was different from the one from which you were browsing my site. And then you probably originally clicked on that link from a different computer as well (or maybe an iphone or something like that). And you probably clicked on that URL last night as you were sending it to me from your original Truth About Diamond browsing computer and only then did it finally synchronize. Unbelievable! Thanks!!!

Q: Please see below… As soon as I have the order number, I’ll send it to you. BTW, I tried to use your coupon code (TAD0611) online, just to check it worked, and it said it wasn’t valid. Regardless, I am sure the guy at JA will find the right code, but I just wanted to give you a heads up.

I’ll be picking up your Lysol Wipes sometime this week, and will let you know as soon as they are shipped.

Thanks so much for all your help

FORWARDED MESSAGE (from the customer to James Allen):

First off, I would like diamond 1342722 with the 11042P Platinum Setting (Ring Size 6.5):

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1342722.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-3713.asp

I would also like to order the 14003P matching wedding band (Ring Size 6.5):

http://www.jamesallen.com/wedding-and-anniversary/Ladies-Diamond-Rings/Platinum-French-Pave-Wedding-Ring.html

Please ship in presentation boxes.

Please also apply coupon code TAD0611 to give 10% off the engagement ring setting. I got this code from Ira Weissman (http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com) who helped me pick the stone.

Also please apply coupon code WEDDJA to give 10% off the wedding band. I got this code from xxxx during our online chat session.

A: Thanks for the update! The coupon code will only work if there’s a ring and diamond in the cart together. Was that the case when you tested it out?

Q: I believe it was, and I couldn’t get it to work. In the end, I placed the order via e-mail so it didn’t matter

Hopefully it will track with the cookies on my browser (I clicked the link from this computer to make sure), but please validate just in case.

I’ll let you know as soon as I ship the wipes

A: Great! It tracked successfully! Thanks so much. I’m looking forward to hearing your report when it arrives!

Q: Just wanted to let you know that I got the ring… Unfortunately, I have to say I was a little disappointed. The stone is nice, but they did a terrible job with the setting. So, it will have to go back to James Allen and be fixed or swapped out for something else. The way it’s set, you can’t even tell it’s a cushion cut, it looks more like a princess cut to me, plus the prongs are poorly aligned.

In any case, I have some time, so no worries I will say the stone was nice, so that’s good…

xxxx (sales manager) is supposed to call me tomorrow to get this resolved. I’ll keep you posted

Seeing as it now has to go back anyway, are there any other stones you recommend for me? Maybe something a little bigger that’s good value for money? Let me know if you have time to look and if anything jumps out at you.

By the way, I picked up your Lysol wipes Tell your wife I’ll ship them this weekend…

…….

As a follow up, I saw a couple of nice Princess Cuts on James Allen’s site. What do you think of these:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1052813.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1350178.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

Here’s the one I actually purchased…

http://www.jamesallen.com/diampics/N459-5PIC.JPG?a_aid=dmnd1357

A: I read this this morning and it left a bit pit in my stomach all day. I’m telling you the honest truth, in 2010, I referred about 500 sales to james allen, and I might have heard a complaint like yours one other time. So all I could think about after reading this was “OF ALL PEOPLE, WHY HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I feel so bad. And I commend you on your super positive attitude.

I saw the other email. If you want to switch to princess, then the 2.02 VS2 is a much better buy. You’ll notice that the LxW of the two stones is basically the same even though the 2.18 is 0.16 larger. So you’re paying for extra size you’ll never be able to see.

If you wanted to stick with cushion, then I found this nice option:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1333891.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

Please let me know what happens. If there’s anything I can do to help smooth the process over, please let me know.

Q: Please don’t feel bad at all… It’s not a big deal, and just part of the fun when buying online I’m not angry, upset or even frustrated. I don’t plan to propose until Valentine’s Day, so there’s plenty of time to make the right purchase

Also, if we really look at the issue, it’s the setting, not the stone. The stone you recommended is very nice, but given that I have to return the ring anyway, I thought I might opt for something larger. Even if I keep the same stone, I’m sure I’ll be very happy with the right setting. You were also very clear in pointing out that you don’t have any expertise on settings – just purchasing loose diamonds – so please don’t feel bad at all.

The stone was a little “darker” than I expected, although I think that’s because of the setting. It’s on a pave band which has lots of little round cut diamonds. I think cushion cuts look more “antique” by default, so I think it might only look that way because of the setting. James Allen recommended stepping up to a G color, but I’m not sure it’s worth it.

I know you’re not an expert on settings but do you have any advice/guidance for me in this area, even as a layman? I’d welcome your input, since I’m feeling a bit lost

I’ve decided that I’m going to get one of these stones (unless you advise going for the G color), in you’re honest opinion, given everything we’ve discussed and all our exchanges, which would you go for?

Original: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1342722.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

Princess: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1052813.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

Cushion: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1333891.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

The original stone was around $11,500. Prices are listed for the others.

Ira, once again thanks for everything. I really feel like we’re friends now, and I value your advice.

Look forward to hearing from you.

A: If you like the stone that you currently have, why pay so much more? The question of princess vs. cushion is totally a matter of personal preference. If you do decide to go with princess and you wanted to spend less, like the original cushion, then this might be a nice option:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1284247.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

As for the setting, I’m as much of a male as you are as it seems. My wife wore the ring I got her for a couple years, then switched to a princess cut from a round and totally changed her setting.

Would you be open to just getting a basic solitaire and going setting shopping with her after you pop the question?

Q: Thanks for the feedback… I really appreciate it.

I guess my question is this… How noticeable is the size difference between 6.74 x 6.72 and 7.14 x 7.07. I’ve tried drawing it, but honestly the width of my pen is thicker than the difference However, I’ve heard that 0.5mm is a big difference in the diamond world.

Your idea of getting a basic solitaire setting is not a bad one. My girlfriend likes the pave rings, but my honest opinion is that all the “bling” detracts from the diamond. I mean, my thought is that the diamond costs 10X (or more) than the setting, and the setting should just be a means of getting it onto the finger securely. I guess I’m weird like that

I also read that you can purchase stones from the boursa in Israel. Is there any advantage to going this route, or does JA have the best prices.

Click to Enlarge

A: The difference is just enough to notice that it’s bigger, but not really much more than that. It’s possible I could find a better deal in Israel, but probably not by much. I just took a look and I can get the stone in the attached cert for about $10,500.

But I can’t get it set for you, so you have to figure you’re going to pay more locally to get it set than you would if you bought the stone and ring from JA.

Q: Thanks for all the info. Right now, I’m leaning towards either getting a different setting, and probably keeping the same stone. I just hope they don’t damage the stone in any way when removing it from the setting. They really did a poor job of setting this one. I couldn’t take a pic (not enough zoom to see it) but see the attached diagram and you’ll know what I mean. I would have thought that the setting would be symmetrical on a square stone.

Misaligned Ring

By the way, what happened to the “Diamond Search” section on your site? It seems to have disappeared. I loved using it, as you can sort by LxW ratio, which you can’t do on James Allen’s site…

Anyway, I’ll keep you posted on what I decide, I’ll also ship your wipes to you this weekend (or next week at latest – as there’s a chance I may have to go out of town on business). I can’t wait to see the pic of your wife holding them in the Q&A

…….

Here’s another example of a setting issue. This one is even on JA’s website! Looking at the pic, the stone doesn’t even appear to be parallel with the diamond, and the prongs are absolutely not symmetrical, even though this is a Princess Cut diamond…

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/sold/settings-with-sidestones/1121/Side-Stone-Engagement-Rings.html?a_aid=dmnd1357

A: Dont worry too much about the diamond getting damaged. If it does, you’re 100% not liable at all for any damage. So trust me, they’ll be VERY careful

sorry about the diamond search. It has become too much of a pain to maintain. The only vendor who was cooperative in sending me properly formatted feeds was JA. It’s true that it’s frustrating as heck that JA doesn’t have a L/W ratio filter!

Q: No worries, I went with Platinum in the end, since that’s what all the research I did recommended. It cost me $900 more, but I figured that’s a small amount compared to $12K for the stone

Thanks once again for all your help. Once I get the new ring, I’ll send you a pic. Hopefully this one is set correctly this time. In going through the JA site, there were multiple examples of rings with the same issues that mine had. I guess maybe it’s common with setting diamonds, since I can’t imagine JA is worse than any other jeweller

I e-mailed xxxx and told him that it’s imperative the prongs are symmetrical and aligned properly this time. Hopefully that will make a difference. Once I have the new order number, I’ll send it to you to make sure you get credit.

A: Great! I’m sure they’re going to be extremely careful this time

Q: They better, or it will be going back a second time Seriously though, I’m sure it will be fine. I’ll let you know as soon as I get it.

…….

By the way, here’s the new order, just so you can make sure it tracks correctly:

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A: Yup. Came through already!

Q:  Hope you are well I just wanted to drop you a quick e-mail to make sure everything went OK with my order(s) tracking correctly. My ring is due to ship on 2/2 (my birthday) and I can’t wait to see it

Also, I tried to ship your Lysol wipes today, but unfortunately, I don’t have your Postal Code. Can you send it to me please? I can then ship the items tomorrow…

Hope all is well with you. Look forward to hearing from you…

By the way, did you know that Costco sells engagement rings? Crazy but true… I came across this awesome yellow diamond ring… It’s not for me, but seemed like great value. I had a jewelry store in Santa Fe, NM try to sell me something similar for double the cost several months ago

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspxProdid=11617924&whse=BC&topnav=&cat=88419&hierPath=108*88419*&lang=en-US

Thanks.

A: Yep, everything looks like it tracked fine. Thanks again! You actually don’t need to use the Israeli postal code, but here it is anyway if they give you trouble again: xxxxx

I actually did know about costco’s diamonds. Don’t be deterred, though, JA’s margins are still smaller. Although that is a very good price for a fancy yellow of that size.

Q: I’m glad everything worked out. I’m excited to get the ring, it should be here Thurs or Fri (weather permitting).

You’re right about Costco’s margins, on their regular diamonds, I would have paid at least $2000 more for the same stone I purchased from JA. I’m happy with what I got, and you did a great job of helping me pick it. It seems that yellow diamonds are quite a bit cheaper than regular “H color” diamonds.

I shipped the Lysol Wipes today. You have four large containers with two different flavors (well, I guess they are not edible so I should probably say “fragrances” but you get what I mean, haha). I ended up shipping them by US Priority Mail, because FedEx was overpriced. You should get them in a week or so, customs permitting

Let me know once they arrive, and I’ll shoot you an e-mail once I get the rings from James Allen

Take care.

A: you got a deal!

Click to Enlarge

Q: Hope all is well… I just wanted to shoot you an e-mail to let you know that I got the ring, and I’m very happy about it. It looks great, and my girlfriend will love it. I have attached a pic so you can see (I took it with my phone so it’s not the best quality). I wasn’t sure at first (just pre-proposal nerves), but now I absolutely love it… The stone is amazing.

Also, I wanted to see if you got the Lysol Wipes. If not, they should arrive very soon. I sent them on 2/1. They told me it would take 6 days minimum plus the customs clearance, so keep me posted.

Anyway, I guess that’s all for now.

A: The ring looks great!! I’m so happy it finally worked out!! The post office in Israel is a lot less efficient than the US postal service. I’ll be receiving a slip in my mailbox telling me that i need to go to the post office to pick it up. I haven’t checked the mail yet today – we don’t have boxes on our house. They only deliver mail to centralized mailbox stations on every block. SO it might be there. I’m going out later to pick up my son at a basketball game, so I’ll make sure to check!

We’ll be in touch!

…..

Matt - what can I say!  You are a very special person and your wife to be is a lucky woman.  The Q&A should be up in the next week or so – I’ll drop you an email when it’s finished so you can check it out.  Please be in touch if you’re ever in Israel – I would love the honor of meeting you face to face one day.

Enjoying our Gift from Matt G!

Q: Great to hear from you   We just got back from vacation early this morning…  Everything went great!  I proposed on Valentine’s Day and Erica said yes.  She also loved the ring   I’m glad you got the wipes…  Hope they were what you wanted.  I look forward to reading the blog when it is posted.

I can’t thank you enough for all the help, time and effort you spent with me in choosing the right diamond.  It’s really perfect for Erica and she loves it.

Thanks again…  When you need more Lysol wipes, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll send you another batch

A: Congrats!!  I’m putting the finishing touches on the Q&A right now. I’m very excited to put it up.  I really feel that it’s going to be very interesting for many readers.
As for your insane offer to refill our stock of Lysol wipes, this time I will forcefully refuse!  Although I will be happy to make a deal with you and gladly accept an ivouch review

If you have the time, here’s a link:

(LINK REMOVED)  (You can view the ivouch review here)

Thanks again!!  People like you make this business personally fulfilling as well as financially fulfilling.

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Carats: 2.81

Diamond Color: G

Diamond Clarity: VS1

Measurements: 7.65*7.45*5.51

Length/Width Ratio: 1.03

Depth: 74.0%

Table: 68%

Diamond Polish: Very Good

Diamond Symmetry: Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price: $28,000

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

James Allen Engagement Ring

I figured, since today is all about a new daily diamond series, and since we’re starting a whole new shape (princess cuts) after finishing a nice long series of Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut round diamonds, why not dedicate today through and through to the Princess Cut.

So, with that, I present to you our engagement ring setting selection of the day: James Allen’s 18k White Gold 3 Stone Channel Set Princess Diamond Engagement Ring.

As you can see in the picture to the right, this setting is all about the beauty of the princess cut.  The setting has 8 pave-like small princess cut diamonds channel set into the shank with two larger side-stone princess cuts creating a classic three-stone engagement ring setting look with a blinged out shank.

If your girlfriend is in love with princess cuts, this might just be the perfect setting.

After the TAD0611 discount, this setting costs $1431.

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Carats: 2.57

Diamond Color: I

Diamond Clarity: VS2

Measurements: 8.51*7.49*5.05

Length/Width Ratio: 1.14

Depth: 67.4%

Table: 61%

Diamond Polish: Excellent

Diamond Symmetry: Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price: $17,140

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Carats: 2.53

Diamond Color: I

Diamond Clarity: VS1

Measurements: 8.20*7.18*4.82

Length/Width Ratio: 1.14

Depth: 67.1%

Table: 59%

Diamond Polish: Very Good

Diamond Symmetry: Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

James Allen Engagement Ring

Diamond Price: $18,530

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

James Allen also has a large variety of engagement rings to choose from to pair with today’s daily diamond selection.  A very popular look for engagement rings these days is a relatively thin shank studded with small pave diamonds.  One great example of this popular style is James Allen’s 18k White Gold Pave Set 4 Prong Diamond Engagement Ring.

As always with our Daily Diamond selections, today’s stone is completely clean to the naked eye.  There are many different looks with Cushion Cuts, so its important to look at many sample pictures before you make your decision to figure out what you like.  For example, today’s stone is slightly off-square with a L/W ratio of 1.14.  Some people will only want squarish Cushion Cuts.

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Today, we begin with the best Cushion Cut Diamond for $20,000.

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Carats: 2.52

Diamond Color: G

Diamond Clarity: SI1

Measurements: 8.12*7.58*5.33

Length/Width Ratio: 1.07

Depth: 70.3%

Table: 66%

Diamond Polish: Good

Diamond Symmetry: Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

James Allen Engagement Ring

Diamond Price: $20,580

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

James Allen also has a large variety of engagement rings to choose from to pair with today’s daily diamond selection.  When looking for a ring to match with a diamond as significant as today’s selection, it’s probably best to choose a band that isn’t too thin and delicate as it will look overpowered by the stone.  A great design that will balance quite nicely with today’s large diamond is James Allen’s 18k White Gold 4mm Rounded Cathedral Solitaire Diamond Ring.  This ring will really bring out the beauty in today’s cushion cut.

As always with our Daily Diamond selections, today’s stone is completely clean to the naked eye.

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

A: I’m so sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. My mother and in-laws are both visiting us now in Israel and life has been a little crazy.

Would you mind telling me your budget? This would help me greatly. This way I can tell you the best Princess and Round you can get for your budget and then it will be a lot easier to decide between the two.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Q: Thanks for getting back to me, and Happy Chanukkah-my family just visited for the holiday as well so I know what it’s like! I’d prefer to spend at or below 20k. However, if there is something that dazzles the senses I might be able to manage 23-25k. Also, I know I said a 2 carat was optimum, but after reading your stories/advice-I am thinking maybe I should go bigger, and not waste the money on top shelf 4c’s, just so its “eye-clear” etc.(except Cut- I think the cut has to be near ideal/excellent to get the brillance-fire, right?).  Also, if your broker/commission service would produce a better price, and be mutually beneficial, that may be of interest-please advise. I was hoping to give it on Jan 15. I am in Las Vegas. Well, I reallly appreciate your help!

A: I think your revised priorities are right on track.  I would recommend you get an H or I color stone with SI2 clarity that I will verify to be eye-clean.  As you mentioned, you should definitely stick to ideal/excellent cut grades.

It seems like you can get a stone in this quality range clearly under $20K at 2.5cts.  That’s a significant and noticeable bump from 2cts.  If you wanted to get a full 3 cts, that would probably be around $25,000.

If I find a stone for you here in Israel, I could probably also get it set in something very basic for you to propose with, unless you already know exactly what she wants, in which case it might be better if you get it set yourself.

If you compare these prices with what you find on James Allen right now, you’ll see it’s basically the same.  Let me find a few actual stones and give you real prices, and then it will be much easier to compare.  I’m almost always able to beat the prices online, it’s just a matter of finding the right stone.

If I can’t beat the prices, then I’ll definitely let you know and help you pick the best stone online.

……

I wasn’t able to find a lot today, but I did manage to spot a very nice 2.51 I SI1 GIA certified Excellent Cut VG/VG Pol/Sym.  Your price on the stone would be 18,222.

That’s a good example of how I can be cheaper than the stores online.  Let me know if you’d like me to pursue this one further.  I can get you a scan of the certificate tomorrow and possibly even a photo of the diamond.

Q: Ira, thanks, a good start. I’m in meetings all day, but will get back to you this evening.

……

That’s a good range on carat size, 2.5 to 2.75, no need to go to 3. Yeah, I think ideal/excellent cut is a must. What’s the chance of finding a G/H and VS1/2 in my carat/price range. I know that’s mighty wishful, but it might happen. Let me know what you come up with. Talk to you soon.

A: I just checked for you and while I don’t have any specific stones now that I’m seeing, I have a feel for the price range, and it’s going to be way out of your budget.  An excellent cut H VS2 2.50 carat stone is going to be around 30,000.

But I honestly don’t believe there’s any added benefit to going that high in clarity.  If I find you an eye-clean SI2, it’s going to look exactly the same to your eye, but feel a lot different to your wallet.

……

Actually, I just saw a 2.62 H VS2 triple excellent for 28750.  It’s still significantly over your budget, but I did want to let you know about it anyway.

……

So here’s what I accomplished today. The I SI1 from yesterday is no good. IT has a black inclusion in the center that’s eye-visible.

I found two new stones today. Attached are their certs.

One is a 2.52 I IS1, and one is a 2.62 I SI2. Both triple excellent GIA. Both gorgeous stones with very nice translucent/whiteish inclusions that are totally eye clean. They both look totally white face-up. They are two killer stones. I also managed to get a picture of them both. But honestly, they’re both so nice and eye clean, that you can’t really tell them apart in the picture.

The price for the SI1 is 20,000 even. The price for the SI2 is 18500.

Cert of 2.52ct Stone

2.52ct & 2.62ct Diamonds

Cert of 2.62ct Stone

2.62ct & 2.52ct Diamonds

Q:Hi Ira, understood. 28k to 30k is too far over budget. Let’s just aim for the best that’s out there around my budget. 20k I liked the stone you mentioned, just wanted to see if there was some room to go up 1 step in clarity etc. Oh, what is” triple ” excellent?

A: Triple Excellent means that GIA gave the diamond the highest grade possible for Polish, Symmetry, and Cut.   Basically, it means the cut on the diamond is as good as it can be.  It’s top quality.

Q: Great work. I will view them today and get back to you. Going into meeting right now. Thanks Ira!

…..

Both those stones look amazing. You probably hear this alot, but, I am trusting your judgment-you have the best knowledge and experience. You certainly impressed me and I am grateful for your insight and help. To me, they look like near twins. Although, the 2.52 I SI1 appears just a hair brighter/clearer/H&A-ish. So, I guess that is the front runner to me.

One is drawn to the larger 2.62, but doesn’t the picture and lighting (or diamond itself) seem slightly less bright/clear/fire in comparison?

What do you think? Is there a difference between the two?

Is it worth going to an H color?

For what its worth, Bluenile had some 2.55 GIA Ideal H SI2 for 18-21k. However, as you pointed out, not all inclusions/color are what they say on paper and requires a trained eye to inspect it (i.e., the first one you spotted-w/ black marks).

Also, at some point, I will need to know how the whole payment-shipping will be accomplished. I will probably have it first set in a simple setting to propose. If the stone happens to be in Israel already, a setting with your contact may be easiest, especially with my desired timeline. Thanks!

A:  One thing I forgot to mention – the two stones were switched between the two pictures The stone on the right in both pictures was simply facing the camera more directly, that’s why you were able to see the H&A patterns easier. I actually think you should go for the 2.62. There’s one more stone that a vendor here in the bourse is returning from Hong Kong that is due to arrive today. I want to examine that stone first, and then we should make a decision. I very much appreciate your trust, and I want to make sure we get the best stone for you for the money.

Getting a simple setting shouldn’t be a problem, either. There might be one small issue with it, though. I’ll get back to that in a second.

The way it works when I broker stones for people in Israel is the customer wires money to my friend’s company. You can take a look at their site. www.fancydiamonds.net. Maybe while you’re there, see if anything they have looks interesting to you. They specialize in fancy color diamonds. (ie. this stone http://www.fancydiamonds.net/view_diamonds/3483.htm is 3.19 carats fancy yellow cushion cut for just under $20k) Since only official members of the Israel diamond bourse can buy and sell, they handle my transactions for me (and take a fee, of course). I’ll send you the wiring instructions when you’re ready.

The issue is that it’s very hard to get wholesale trading companies to agree to allow a return. All transactions in the bourse are final once the traditional “mazal u’vracha” (hebrew for “luck and blessing”) has been said and a handshake given. So asking a vendor to allow a return for up to a week or two is usually like pulling teeth. Getting it is difficult but usually not a problem, but it’s generally not more than a week or two. So having the stone set will simply take another day or two out of that window for you. I’ll leave that decision up to you.

So I’ll get back to you as soon as I’ve seen the new stone. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Q: Great Ira, I look forward to seeing what the Hong Kong stone is like.  Also, for clarity, which is the 2.62 diamond in the pics, they both look so much alike in size.

A: The HK stone won’t arrive until Sunday as it turns out. Do you have time to wait?

Q: No problem, Sundays fine.

A: Great. I’ll get back to you then.  Enjoy your long weekend!

Q: Hi Ira, any word yet?

A: Sorry about the delay. The company claims it had issues with Israeli customs when it was shipped back from HK. Give me tomorrow – if they don’t deliver, then its clear they’re playing games. I’ll give you an answer either way tomorrow.

…….

Ok, got some good info for you today.

The 2.51 we spoke about is finally in. The good news is that this SI1 is cheaper than the other one. This one’s 18,700 vs. 20,000 for the other one. The bad news is that the SI1 is a small black spot in the center of the stone. With a jewelers loupe you see it right away, but with the naked eye, you don’t see it right away. It’s the kind of thing where if you held the stone up to the light and looked at it very closely, you’d be able to spot it after 10 seconds or so. So you’ll have to decide for yourself whether this will bother you (and your fiance) or not. My wife’s diamond has a similar spot, and she never noticed it.

I also found for you a 2.31 I SI1. This one also has a great price, but also has a blackish inclusion in the center. But this one is even more faint than the other (and likewise harder to see). This one costs $16,500. That’s a really great price.

I also found a 2.28 H SI1. Price on this one is 19,200. The SI1 on this stone is perfect. The only downside to this stone is that it’s a VG cut, but face up it really looks beautiful. It’s very very hard to notice any real difference in sparkle.

The certs and pics of the stones are attached. The 2.51 is in both of the pics.

In my opinion, the 2.31 is the best deal out of any of these. The stone has Medium blue fluorescence which actually makes the I look a tiny bit whiter. There’s no discernable difference in color between the I with the Medium Fluorescence and the 2.28 H Color. From 12 inches away, the stone is eye clean. I just think you’re getting more for your money vs. the other four stones we’ve discussed. Even though it’s 20 points lighter than the 2.51, it’s only 0.09mm smaller in diameter. That difference in size isn’t even perceptible to the naked eye, so it really looks like a full 2.5 ct stone.

I look forward to hearing from you!

2.51ct & 2.28ct Diamonds

Cert of 2.28ct Diamond

2.51ct & 2.31ct Diamonds

Cert of 2.51ct Diamond

Cert of 2.31ct

Q: My finace will not care if a jeweler notices a small inclusion under a loup, but I definitely want it to be eye-clean. She WILL be showing it off-not b/c a snobby girl, just one that puts a lot of attention and pride in her jewelry. If looking with naked eye she can see inclusions/black outs-i want to pass on those diamonds. Thus, I’m a little hesitant about the 2.51.

The 2.31 seems like a good choice, especially b/c you favor it too. Again, I assume that b/c the black inclusion is faint and smaller than the 2.51, this will not be noticeable to the naked eye. I also like the price.

The prior emailed 2.62 is a very impressive stone also, and without the black out inclusions, this has got to be in the running too.

I do have a couple follow up questions:
1.Does the blue flour. give any milky tone to the stone in the 2.31?
2.you and i were impressed by the prior 2 diamonds(2.5/2.62), especially the white inclusions/cleanliness and triple excellent cut. So, how does 2.31 compare? Why go with the 2.31 over the 2.62?

Thanks for all your help; I think we are near a decision.

A: About the fluorescence: there’s absolutely no milkiness/cloudiness in that stone.  Med fluorescence on an I color will never be milky.  I actually recommend specifically seeking out this combination in my article about Fluorescence (http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/truth-about/diamond-fluorescence/ – see the “bottom line recommendation”)

It’s true the 2.62 is a great stone, but i’m not sure it’s worth $2000 more.  The cut (which is most important) is just as nice on the 2.31.  The color on the 2.31 is slightly better due to the fluorescence.  And both are clean to the naked eye.  And remember, the 2.31 is an SI1 whereas the 2.62 is an SI2.  So the cheaper price is really significantly cheaper.  If both were SI2s, then you could understand the price difference would be related to the size.  If the underlying price level were the same, then the 2.31 should be about the same price as the 2.62 because it’s an SI1 and the 2.62 is an SI2, but it’s still $2000 cheaper.  It’s just a significantly better value.

There’s one more issue.  The vendor that owns the 2.62 is a very rigid company. They have the largest inventory in the Israel market for large excellent cut GIA certified stones.  Their business model is that they ask high prices and wait for the right customer.  That’s why the prices last week were just OK.   But it might also be an issue with them to guarantee a certain amount of time to allow you to return the stone.  Since all transactions in the Israel diamond bourse are final wholesale transactions between dealers, we need to request a special exception in your case to allow you to return the stone.  I can’t take the risk of owning the stone myself.

The owner of the 2.31 is just a regular company looking to move their merchandise at a price they’re comfortable with.  They like to turn their inventory as fast as possible (unlike the owner of the 2.62 who is much more patient).  So it wont’ be a problem getting them to agree to a return period.

Let me know what you’d like to do!  The quicker you decide, the better the odds they won’t be sold to someone else.

Q: Your advice is sound and good. Let’s go with the 2.31 SI 1 . I need to know exactly how to pay for the diamond. Totals,wiring instr. etc. Do they accept any VISA or all in cash.

When Can you have it here? I leave January 14th, and need my guys here to set it in a ring first.

Many thanks! I am confident the ring will be great!

A: I think that’s the best choice.  You can pay by credit card via google checkout or paypal, but we’d have to add on about 5% to cover the expenses.  The best option is to send a wire transfer.  See the attached file for instructions.

If you send the wire today (tomorrow for you – Wednesday), then we’ll have it on Thursday and ship it then.  In that case, you’ll have it on Friday.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Q: Thanks for the wire instructions. Becuase of my timeline, I cannot spare the week long delay of bank procedures in order to wire the full amount. So, I will wire half, and pay the rest through credit card paypal. Does this cover everything:
($8,250) wire, ($8,250) paypal; 5% CC fee ($412.50).

A: That should work fine.  Can you get the wire out today so we can arrange the shipment tomorrow?  The diamond bourse is closed on Friday (not because it’s 1/1 – it’s closed every Friday), so the next available day to ship would be Sunday (it’s opened Sunday – Thursday.  Sunday is a regular work day in Israel).

I emailed Yossi Polnauer, CEO of Leibish Fancy Diamonds, requesting him to send you an invoice for 8662.50.  He just got back to me quickly that he prefers Google Checkout.  It works the same way.  Let me know if it’s a problem.

Q: Should get it done, in the works! If it doesn’t go out till Sun. that should be enough time too.

……

Sent full payment to Yossi today 1/2 by wire, 1/2 by Google. I gave him my shipping address too. Your help was immense. Thank you! I’ll check back with you soon.

…..

The diamond arrived today! Looks great. Taking it to get set& will let you know how it goes!

A: Great to hear! I knew you’d love it. I’d love to hear how the ring turns out.

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Carats: 2.51

Diamond Color: I

Diamond Clarity: I1

Diamond Cut: Excellent Cut

Measurements: 8.64*8.69*5.41

Depth: 62.4%

Table: 58%

Diamond Polish: Very Good

Diamond Symmetry: Excellent

Diamond Fluorescence: None

James Allen Engagement Ring

Diamond Price: $11,880

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

Same stone as above, but closer to actual size

James Allen also has a great selection of engagement rings to choose from to match with this diamond.  I love the look of a nice big round diamond matched with an engagement ring with a think band set with small side stones.  I think James Allen’s 18k White Gold 2.0mm Art-Nouveau Pave Set Diamond Engagement Ring is a great option to match with this stone.

If you don’t believe me that this stone is clean to the naked eye, take a look at the picture above. Can you see the inlcusion now? That’s much closer to life-size.

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Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here to View the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Carats: 2.40

Diamond Color: H

Diamond Clarity: SI1

Measurements: 8.18*7.24*5.01

Depth: 69.2%

Table: 67%

Diamond Polish: Excellent

Diamond Symmetry: Very Good

Diamond Fluorescence: Faint

Diamond Price: $17,730

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

Click Here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen