Archive for $3000 Budget
Following yesterday’s selection of the best princess cut diamond for $4,000, today we present you with the best princess cut diamond for $3,000.
Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):
Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge
Carats: 1.01
Diamond Color: I
Diamond Clarity: VS2
Measurements: 5.85*5.67*3.92
Length/Width Ratio: 1.03
Depth: 69.2%
Table: 69%
Diamond Polish: Excellent
Diamond Symmetry: Very Good
Diamond Fluorescence: None
Diamond Price: $3,350
Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TADJ10 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!
Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen
Q: Greetings Ira, First, I must write that your site is a must-read for any diamond shopper! Having this wealth of information and your expertise all in one place is such a help – wish I had come across your site before I was already a month into my diamond search! I am looking for a cushion-cut stone, eye-clean, and had narrowed down my list between stones on James Allen and Blue Nile before I came across your site. I have a $3,000 budget for the stone. Below are links to a few of the stones on my short list:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1276428.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1278969.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1290917.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search#diamonds_pid=LD01695503
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search#diamonds_pid=LD01731890
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search#diamonds_pid=LD01727659
My bride-to-be has mentioned to friends that she prefers a square-shape, so I’ve been limiting my search to stones with ratios of 1.00 – 1.05. Also, I was able to find out through a friend that she loves this setting from James Allen:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-171.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
For her, fire and brilliance are more important than stone size, although I would like to find her a 3/4 stone or greater. Am I on the right track with the stones already on my list, or do you see a stone or two out there that might be a better fit for what I’m looking for? Thanks for all your help! We gentlemen certainly have a tall order when it comes to finding that one stone she’ll love – your site eliminates much of the confusion that comes with the search. Kudos to you!
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Following yesterday’s pick of the best Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Round Diamond for $4,000, today we present you with the best H&A Ideal Cut diamond for $3,000.
Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the AGS Certificate):
Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge
Carats: 0.81
Diamond Color: G
Diamond Clarity: SI2
Diamond Cut: Ideal
Measurements: 5.94*6.04*3.71
Depth: 61.9%
Table: 55.6%
Crown Angle: 34.7°
Crown %: 15.4%
Pavilion Angle: 40.9°
Pavilion %: 43.1%
Diamond Polish: Ideal
Diamond Symmetry: Ideal
Diamond Fluorescence: None
James Allen Engagement Ring
Diamond Price: $2,800
Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TADJ10 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!
One of James Allen’s most popular ring styles is their White Gold Cross Prong Diamond Solitaire Ring. I believe it’s such a popular style because it has a very average width which fits most fingers (it’s not too narrow and not too wide). Plus, the cross prong design offers a bit of uniqueness without getting too wild looking.
So if you like this basic design, but you’d like to crank it up a notch and throw in a bit of bling as well, then you should try their 18k White Gold Cross Prong Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring. This ring design offers the same classic look as the solitaire version mentioned above, but with 3 accent princess cut diamonds on either side of the shank. This provides the perfect little burst of light if you’re looking for that little something extra.
Q: Hi, I am looking to find the best diamond in my price range (isn’t everyone? haha). I came across this website, which has been of great benefit to me, and was really hoping you could help me, as you have others. I have done some research and have found 4 I think are pretty good deals. I was hoping you could take a look and let me know what you think and maybe even suggest a better deal.
Here are the 4 diamonds I currently have on my list:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1280322.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1136704.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1171216.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1195694.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
I am looking for a cushion shape in the $3000 to $4000 range. I am going to be putting it in a platinum ring with sidestones (at the bottom are a few rings i like). I would like at least 1 carat, with a color no less than J, and prefer the cushion l/w ratio to be close to 1. I like the square look better than the rectangle look.
Here are the rings I am looking at getting with the stone:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-1921.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-2800.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-1960.asp?a_aid=dmnd1375
I really appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks.
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Q: Dear Ira, I hope this email finds you and your family doing well. I have really enjoyed reading about diamonds on your site and getting an unbiased perspective on diamond purchasing. I will be proposing to my girlfriend on an upcoming trip to South America. As a young guy with a non-profit career, my salary and monthly savings has not been much.
Anyways, I was planning on spending between $3-3.5K for a diamond, including the setting. I’m thinking $2.5-3K for the diamond and another $500-700 for the setting. My current search has been limited to Blue Nile and James Allen. I’ve been happy with what I’ve seen, pretty much but am worried about the inclusions.
- My parameter is BEST DIAMOND FOR FIXED BUDGET.
- Round shape. It will definitely go on a white gold/platinum setting.
THE FOLLOWING IS ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, BUT I AM OPEN TO YOUR EXPERTISE:
- COLOR: H-D
- CLARITY: I just want to make sure nothing is visible to the naked eye. We/she will never take it to a jeweler.
- CARAT: I would ideally like 0.97 or so, but am open to less. I want something that LOOKS big so she can be impressed. Maybe a large table size, without compromising clarity?
Basically, I want the most bang for the buck (doesn’t everyone). I want something that will look big and shiny to the common eye, not too worried about peripheral inclusions (although I would like to avoid them). Considering all of this Ira, how can you help me and what would your fees be?
This is one diamond I am looking at, for example: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?filter_id=0&track=bbt#diamonds_pid=LD01738126
Thanks for your help.
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Following yesterday’s selection of the best Cushion Cut Diamond for $4,000, today we present you with the best Cushion Cut Diamond for $3,000.
Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):
Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge
Carats: 1.06
Diamond Color: G
Diamond Clarity: SI1
Measurements: 6.29*5.48*3.78
Length/Width Ratio: 1.15
Depth: 69.0%
Table: 60%
Diamond Polish: Good
Diamond Symmetry: Good
Diamond Fluorescence: None
Diamond Price: $3,320
Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TADJ10 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!
Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen
Following yesterday’s choice of the best princess cut diamond for $3500, today we provide you with the best princess cut diamond for $3,000.
Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):
Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge
Carats: 1.01
Diamond Color: I
Diamond Clarity: SI1
Measurements: 5.42*5.34*3.89
Length/Width Ratio: 1.01
Depth: 72.8%
Table: 70%
Diamond Polish: Excellent
Diamond Symmetry: Excellent
Diamond Fluorescence: None
James Allen Engagement Ring
Diamond Price: $3,210
Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TADJ10 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!
James Allen also has a great selection of engagement rings to choose from to match with this diamond. Most ring designs are created with four prongs that are built to hold any one of a host of different diamond shapes. Some designs, however, are specifically suited for one shape or another. One such setting that is designed specifically to show off the beauty of the squareness of the princess cut is James Allen’s 18k White Gold Bezel Set Princess Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring.
As with all of the other daily diamond princess cut selections, today’s has a cut that could only be considered “ideal.” A total depth percentage of 72.8% combined with a table percentage of 70% is just about as good as it gets for a princess cut.
Q: Hi Ira, I have been following your site for a few months now. Your advice has been so helpful. I had some more specific questions as I get closer to actually making a purchase. I think I have found the band I like the most on James Allen’s site.http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-285_design.asp?module=setting So that leaves me with $3200 to play with for a diamond. My budget is not set in stone so there is definitely wiggle room. I have been most attracted to round cut stones as they look the most traditional, but am open to other cuts. Basically what I am looking for is a stone that will look best in the band, size and cut. I know my questions seem kind of vague, but these are stressful times and I want to be sure to get the right ring. Thank you so much for your assistance.
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Q: Hi, I have been secretly searching in jewelry stores locally for an engagement ring for my girlfriend. I do a lot of shopping online but have been hesitant with diamonds although the prices seem much better. I am looking for a round cut diamond between .80 and 1.0 carats that will be put in a white gold cathedral mount. My budget is up to $3500 for both the diamond and setting together. Most of the stores I have been at either recommended a much lower color grade or were above my budget by several thousand in their recommendations. Can you help point me in the right direction? Thanks!
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Q: Glad to come across your site! I’m very near a final decision, but wondered what you thought about the following questions: I’m really attracted to the eternity bands, especially the bezel-set ones, and figure these will provide more comfort, protect the diamonds, keep them cleaner and so on. I want to be practical, however, and have received conflicting advice on the wear that occurs to a eternity band. What is your opinion of an eternity band? I’d like to put a single round brilliant on top of this eternity band, and find various prices. I’m looking at cut as the most important factor. Color and clarity are relative to this untrained eye. So, an Ideal or Excellent cut, g-h color, SI1 or greater, .5-1 ct. I’m trying to stay between 3-4k for the whole ring. I’ve found (more than) a few options in stores and online. Do you advise staying with a local jeweler, or buying online? Hope this info is helpful to you. Thanks for your attention.
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