Archive for AGS
Q&A: Looking for Loose Round 0.6 Carat Diamond
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Q: I am looking for a loose round diamond approximately .60 carats around the $1500.00 Maximum cost that will be set in a white gold setting. From what I have read on your website, cut is the most important and I understand why. I found 2 on James Allen website: item#: 1353295 and item#: 1353294 that look appealing. I would like your opinion and preference on them. Also, feel free to suggest any others.
Q&A: Looking for Advice on Buying a Replacement Engagement Ring
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Hi, what a great site! OK, I am looking to buy a replacement engagement ring. The original ring is no more because the diamond fell out about a year ago, not to be found. Although I could afford much more, my bride would kill me even if she knew I spent my proposed budget.
Notionally, my budget for rock and ring is about $2500. The ring would probably be a solitaire 4 or 6 prong, white gold. That said, I can see a budget of $2000 for the diamond. Based on my reading at this site, current thinking is:
round, near colorless, eye clean. I’d like to get the biggest decent diamond for the budget, and I look to you for any advice you could offer with the above in mind. I saw some data about how price between say .69 and .7 can be a big step, so any of my initial specs are open to your guidance, including a small bump in budget.
Thanks so much for this.
Q&A: $2K Budget for Round Diamond: Blue Nile or James Allen?
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I am looking for a ring in around 2000$ budget, platinum setting. I have find few that I like on bluenile and would like to know ur opinion. I am looking for a 0.48 to 0.50 carat, G color, GIA ideal cut, depth 58% to 62% and table 53% to 58%. Here is what I fond so far.
I’m leaning toward the diamond on the 2nd link but would like to know what you think and what are your suggestions.
I have another question, I heard that the diamond fluorescence, Negligible is the same as None, is it true?
Thanks in advance for your time!
Q&A: Looking for Second Opinion on Round 0.84 Carat Diamond
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Great site; it’s been extraordinarily helpful in my diamond-selection process. I’m currently looking for a round engagement stone in the 6-6.5 mm size range with an upper price point of ~$5000. Being accustomed to regularly hitting these budgetary limits of mine, with your advice (and JamesAllen’s visual selection system) I think I’ve found a very nice 0.84 ct G-color stone at a much more affordable price point ($3400). The link is below; I’ve got the stone on hold:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1349846.asp
Although I was originally looking for a 0.9 ct. stone, it seems likely that the size difference here will be negligible. I’ve come to be a bit of a stickler for cut, so the great visual symmetry and and good rating (H&A Ideal; AGS) are big selling points for me. After looking at the examples on your site, I’d guess that the inclusions in the stone (left of center) will not be obvious to the naked eye, but I just wanted to get an expert’s opinion on this point. After my searching, it does seem to be very nice stone at the price point.
In short: 1. Do you think that the stone is eye-clean? and 2. Do you think that this particular stone is a good value?
Thanks so much for your advice, and thanks again for putting together such a valuable resource. Happy new year!
Q&A: Pursuing the Perfect Princess Cut Diamond
Posted by: | CommentsQ: 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.
Q&A: Helping a Soldier Buy an Antique-Style Ring for $4000
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I have a question I’m hoping you can help me with. I’m currently in Iraq, and searching online for an engagement ring. My goal is to order online so it will be waiting for me next month when I go on r&r, and I can propose. My girlfriend loves antique jewelry, and I found a website, sylviasantiques.com, that has a beautiful ring I’m thinking of buying. However when I called to ask some specifics, she told me that it is not a certified diamond, but does come with a certificate of appraisal from a GIA/AGS certified appraiser. Should the fact that the diamond itself is not certified concern me? It is a vintage ring, and the diamond is old European cut. Is this possibly why it isn’t certified? Also she lists on the website that it was appraised at 6,150, but is selling for 3,895. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Q&A: Wants Help Deciding Between Two Stones from James Allen for an Engagement Ring
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Hi there!
My fiancee and I are looking to buy my engagement ring from James Allen, and I’d like further guidance on what would be the better investment. We’re looking at a .95 carat J color vs1 True Hearts diamond or a .96 carat I color vs2 Ideal cut diamond.
What concerns me is that both have their pros and cons, and this decision is being made without seeing the stones in person first. I’m wondering what sacrifice makes more sense: 1. Going down a grade in color from 1 to J for the more quality stone. I read what you and James Allen wrote about color, but it still worries me that we’d get a yellowish diamond even if it’s higher quality in other ways. 2. Or, going from True Hearts (which I realize is just a brand, but it should be prettier and more sparkly, no?) and vs1 to Ideal and vs2 just for a color grade that we may not even notice.
You can see the predicament we’re in, so we would really appreciate any feedback on this! Thank you for your time.
