Q&A: Clueless about Diamond Shopping for Engagement Ring

Archive for 2 carat

Sep

Q&A: Clueless about Diamond Shopping for Engagement Ring

Posted by: DU | Comments (0)

Q: I was wondering if you could kindly help/advise me on an engagement ring for my girlfriend. She’s 3 years older than me and she’s always felt a little sensitive about it so I’m not sure on whether Princess or Round or the setting.

I’m looking for a 1.5-2ct and my budget is around 10-15k USD. I think she would pref round but I’m not sure I don’t want to screw this up like I did with the expensive bag I bought her… she’s not a high-maintenance/materialistic girl but I wanted to make her feel special and it backfired big time!

I was looking at a IF [Internally Flawless] on bluenile to be safe but after reading your site, you have a good point about the industry guilt people into overspending even if it won’t be appreciated. Eye-clean is a really strong point but does it matter in terms of the meaning to say it was IF?

Thanks for your help Ira, I hope you can get back to me with your recommendations but even so, your site has been amazingly helpful already!

I’m truly impressed with your site and yourself. I hope your site continues to grow and take off in popularity and I will lend my support

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May

Q&A: Seeking Round Eye-Clean 2 Carat Diamond

Posted by: DU | Comments (0)

Q: I stumbled on your website while doing my research, and have found it to be enormously helpful. I’m confident in my abilities to pick a stone with good dimensions, but even with the ”virtua loop” on James Allen’s site, I’m a bit nerve-wrecked over which stones will be eye clean, and which won’t.

Would you mind taking a look at an image for me and letting me know your opinion on whether this stone is eye clean? Any help you could provide would be enormously appreciated.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1189574.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 (I see a lot of inclusions at 10x, most of which look black, but will these be visible to the naked eye? I like the pairing of the I color with Med. Blue flourescence, and the 2.04 karat size is nice also.)

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Apr

Q&A: Pursuing the Perfect Princess Cut Diamond

Posted by: DU | Comments (0)

Q: Hello,

I’ve spent a fair amount of time reading your site and I want to say thank you for the abundance of honest information you’ve made available. I always do as much online research as I can before making a significant purchase of any kind and it is particularly frustrating how diverse the information is regarding diamonds. It probably stems from the ”illusion” factor of the industry you mentioned. I’m having a hard time coming to terms with spending $15k on an engagement ring because social practice says I should. I was coming to terms with it thinking of it as asset diversification till I read more about diamond depreciation. In your experience what percentage loss should I expect on the loose stone? I know the setting is a near total loss.

So far I have been working with a local independent jeweler but the online prices have me thinking otherwise. I’m happy with the setting I’ve chosen but I’m wondering if I should source the loose stone elsewhere. I’ve been looking at Princess cut, 2+ct., I+ color, SI1+ clarity, GIA/AGS. They have been in the $13k-$14k range (not including tax) for the loose stone. The setting I’ve chosen is $2k and I’d like to be out the door at $15k (preferrably less).

I have spent time browsing Blue Nile and James Allen but I’m not really comfortable buying sight unseen. The virtual loop is a nice feature but I think it is more of a gimmick than a useful tool since you can’t adjust the focal point nor do they tell you the magnification. From your experience have you been surprised by inclusions and defects that didn’t show up in the virtual loop.

I plan to open a new credit card with a zero percent offer and cash back. If the new card(s) works out I would be able to take advantage of James Allen’s and blue nile’s 30 day return policy if I wasn’t satisfied.

I would appreciate any help or advice you could offer.

Thank you.

Categories : Q&A

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Feb

Special Q&A: Cushion Cut Diamond & Lysol Wipes

Posted by: DU | Comments (2)

Q: Thanks for providing this website… It has been a wealth of useful information for me

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.

Categories : Q&A

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Feb

Q&A: Two Carat Diamond Stud Earrings

Posted by: DU | Comments (0)

Q: Great web site. Thank you for providing all this great insight.

I’m interested in buying a 2 carat total weight round diamond studs in a white gold 4 prong wire basket setting for my wife.

I wanted to ask if you would consider helping me pick one (either through an online vendor or your buying service)?

Thank you.

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Sep

Q&A: Looking for Help Building a Monster 3-Stone 3 Carat Total Weight Princess Cut Diamond Ring

Posted by: Ira Weissman | Comments (0)

Q: The information on this site is extremely helpful!

I have been looking on JamesAllen.com for a roughly 2 carat center diamond to go in a 3 stone platinum ring. I have found a ring I like on bluenile.comand I have sent the image to James Allen to see if they can produce one similar.

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-three-stone-ring?forceStep=STYLE_STEP&offer_id=5921

I am looking to spend roughly $18k on the whole ring. I was only looking at G VS2 or better, but after exploring your site I have started to look at H VS2. I just want to be sure it is completely eye clean and colorless, as well as stunning and beautiful. I am thinking roughly 0.4 carats for each sidestone, but I want to be sure they are only accents and the focus is the center diamond. I figure once I have decided on a ring and center diamond, I will just find side stones that match well. Here is a list of links to the center diamonds I have been considering, just to give you an idea of what I think I am looking for in a diamond. Of course any other diamond suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. JA is working on getting me an image of the 2.2 carat that is currently lacking a photo.

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

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1255896.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1295660.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1315768.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1243814.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1244221.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

Is the 10% commision only on the personal diamond buying service, or just to provide advice? Sorry for the long winded email. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

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Sep

Best Pear, Oval, Marquise Shape Diamond for $15,000: 2.01 Carats H Color VS2 Clarity GIA Certified Pear Shape Diamond

Posted by: Ira Weissman | Comments (0)

Following our previous selection of the best Marquise Shape for $17,000, today we move on to the best Pear, Oval, or Marquise for $15,000. I have skipped $16,000, due to lack of any viable options.

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