Archive for Buying Help
Q: Hello, As with alot of people, I been quite overwhelmed with info during my engagement ring shopping experience. Your website is a breath of fresh air. The ring I want is http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-162.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 I am looking at spending 6000-8000 on the stone. I am basically looking for the best bang for my buck. I am quite flexible with all aspects including shape (maybe a princess cut might look nice on this ring – but I guess the safe choice is round type). note: I did order an 1ct F IF triple X from blue nile for close to $12k.. I am currently in the process of returning it after reading your website! I look forward to your advice.
Q: Hi Ira,
First, great site, I’ve been gleaning information for the past 4 months or so researching diamonds for my upcoming engagement ring purchase. From time to time I look other places but always end up coming back for the quality and truthful insight. I’ve got a budget of $5000 and am looking at going with J.A. because of their return and upgrade policies. I’ve been searching for stones in the 1.10 to 1.30 carat range. I’m looking at this ring and stone in particular:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1274572.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
But was hoping to get a few other suggestions from you. I’ve pretty much been following all of your suggestions on standards for cut, color and clarity and seem to gravitate toward a higher quality polish. My G.F. wants a round brilliant diamond. Thanks for your help in advance.
Q&A: Best Asscher Cut under $8000. James Allen vs. Blue Nile vs. Bricks & Mortar
Posted by: Ira Weissman | Comments (0)Q: Dear Ira, I was wondering if you could give me your thoughts on the following Asscher Cut Diamonds from Bluenile:
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?filter_id=0&track=head#diamonds_pid=LD01788438
http://www.bluenile.com/asscher-cut-diamond-1-carat-very-good-cut-f-color-si2-clarity_LD00439308
I am looking for the best Asscher Cut for less than $8,000 US. I would like a color grade of D-G I would like the best clarity possible and am very open to SI2 as long as it is eye clean and the inclusions are not too bad. Simply put, I would like the biggest bang for my buck. Please advise me. This has been very stressful for me and I have been to many brick & mortar jewelers in Southern California (where I am from) that have trying to persuade me to buy their diamonds. Thanks in advance!! Budget Anything else you might feel is relevant
A: Thanks for writing. Buying a diamond can most definitely be a very stressful experience. Especially going door to door in B&M jewelry stores and getting haggled by annoying salespeople whom you never know if you can trust or not.
I would be very hesitant to recommend buying an SI asscher cut from BN. The reason is simply that the large majority of SI1 and especially SI2 Asscher and Emerald cuts are NOT eye clean.
Take a look at the pic on this stone, and it’s a VS2!!
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1295751.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
So you see, you need to be REALLY careful with Emerald Cuts and Asscher Cuts because they really show off their inclusions strongly.
I really like this stone, but it’s an H Color (which, btw, I think is totally fine to get in an asscher cut):
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1304654.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – it’s 100% eye clean and a really really nice cut.
Here’s another one, but a bit on the expensive side:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1294903.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
One more, a G color. Well under your budget, and a little smaller than you were hoping to get, but has a favorable depth that makes it look bigger than it is:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1244863.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Have a look at these and let me know what you think!
Q&A: Looking for Big and Beautiful Pear Shape for about $10,000
Posted by: Ira Weissman | Comments (0)Q: hey Ira, I’m looking to find a pear shaped diamond to fit in a pretty wide (6-8mm) setting. What is most important to look for in Pear shapes? Where can i make concessions since I obviously want to get the largest stone because of the wide setting. thanks have a great day
Q: Hi Ira, My goal is an emerald cut diamond in the 1.5 carat range. My parameters would be your suggested minimums including H and VS2. Eye clean is required. Should I assume an Emerald cut GIA VS2 or better should always be eye clean? My likely setting is this one:
I have located this diamond:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1305777.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
at James Allen and have ordered the image (which I will be happy to fwd to you for your review). It certainly seems like a nice price for this diamond. I would like your opinion on this diamond and any other similar ones you might be able to find and recommend. I assume/hope you receive some type of payment from the sources from which you recommend a diamond that is subsequently purchased. I would of course cooperate in any way necessary in this regard.
Q&A: Looking for 1.20 to 1.50 Carat Princess Cut for Around $8000
Posted by: Ira Weissman | Comments (0)Q: I have been monitoring your site for a while now and have found it very informative. I do not know the first thing when it comes to diamonds except what I have read on your site. I am looking for a center stone, princess cut diamond for around $8000. I would like it to be from a 1.25ct to a 1.50ct for that price. I have a band already picked out. below is the attached link http://www.hydeparkjewelers.com/bridal-engagement-rings/engagement-ring-collection/tacori-rings.aspx I know it is not a great picture but it is the best one I can find online. The jeweler that is selling this states that the diamonds in the channel are of G color and VS1 clarity. I have been looking into a center stone from jamesallen.com because they seem to have more resonable prices than the place I am going to buy the setting from. If at all possible I would like the diamond to be of G color and VS1 clarity. but, I am not sure if I should get the same color and clarity for the center stone. Let me know what you think. Thanks!!!
Q: I am looking for an engagement ring and happened to come across your site. Here is what I’m looking for:
* Is your goal cheapest price for given parameters, or best diamond for fixed budget:
Well, I’m looking for the best diamond that I need without overpaying for things that are not needed.
* Shape:
Round
* Desired Color Range:
F, G, H
* Desired Clarity:
VS1, VVS2
* Budget:
$5000
* Anything else you might feel is relevant:
The above parameters are flexible.
After reading your homepage, it seems like a VS2 will be acceptable if the blemish is not visible. Basically, I’m somewhat fortunate as my girlfriend does not really want a big ring as she doesn’t want it to look too gaudy. She saw a friends ring which was 1.25 carats and thought it looked nice, BUT she said she could never wear a ring like that. (note, it wasn’t round so I don’t know if that made it look bigger than the carat weight) She has relatively small, petite fingers. At a store, she saw 0.5 and 0.75 carats and she said that would be enough (but she didn’t try it on, just looking through the case). However, financially, I can afford a bit more than that. So I’m thinking of about a 0.9 carat ring. The ‘guy’ side of me wants to go even bigger since I can afford it. I don’t want to regret buying a too small ring when I could afford a larger one. Yet, I want to respect her wishes. Anyway, I’m looking for any advice or maybe the best value diamond at around 0.9 carats or something else if you recommend a bigger ring.
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/pave/ring/item_412-1960.asp?a_aid=dmnd1375
I really appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks.
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
Q: Hi there, LOVE your site – very helpful. I am looking at 2 princess cut stones GIA certified from Blue Nile. 1) 2.01 carat H SI2 Cut VG 2) 2.12 carat I VS2 Cut G These are the same price. My questions: 1) SI2 for a stone of this size – will the flaws be easily visible with the naked eye? 2) I Color on 2.12 carats – will this show any yellow or be clear enough? 3) Is a G cut grade too low? Will it be a poor sparkler? Thank you so much for your help!
