Archive for Eye Clean VVS1 Clarity
Q&A: Round Brilliant between $6,500 and $7,500
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Q: I am searching for a ring imminently and have been reading your site for a few months. Thanks for all the work you’ve done and invaluable information. Based on what I’ve learned from your site, I have been looking at round brilliants in the I – SI1 & SI2 range. I really don’t want to pay for anything that you can’t see with the naked eye. But I would like the nicest combination of brilliance and fire available.
The setting that she has chosen is this: http://design.jared-diamonds.com/item/R999560787107
My total budget is $8,000 to $9,000 so I’m looking to spend somewhere between $6,500 and $7,500 on the stone.
Based on that, this stone would put me at the lower end of my budget:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1319124.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
And this one would be towards the top:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1326077.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Finally, what about these two?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1326402.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1333868.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Overall, I think the 1.40 I-SI1 is my choice right now.
Thanks in advance…
*Special Q&A*: Cushion Cut Diamond & Lysol Wipes
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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.
Q&A: Round 1.25 Carat for $6-7K Budget
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I am looking for a round diamond in the $5500 to $7000 range for this setting:
Based on the recommendations on your site I am looking in the 1.25 carat range with H-I color, excellent cut, and ’eye-clean’ clarity (SI1-VS2). I would also be happy to get faint to medium florescence, but it is not all that important to me. I would really like to know what is the best (biggest) diamond I can get at the top and bottom of my price range.
My main concern is making sure that the diamond is truly eye-clean. Sometimes I can see the flaws in the picture, and other times I cannot. If I can see a flaw, I do not know for sure that it will not be visible without magnification. Here are some that I have found:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1321794.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1294959.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1278161.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1305286.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
The only other thing I am curious about is whether it is worth it to pay extra for the ’True Hearts’ cut quality. It seems to be significantly more expensive for the same IGA cut grade.
Q&A: Best Round, Princess, or Radiant for $4000 Budget
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I’m looking for a solitaire diamond ring for my wife. My budget would ideally be under $4000-4500 and I would like the best stone for the money. I’m looking at stones between 0.80 – 0.95 carat that are round or princess cut. My wife likes sparkly stones, so it would need to have an ideal (very good, excellent cut). The lowest I would like to go in color is G-H and clarity can be anywhere from VS1 to SI2, but perfectly the stone should be eye-clean or almost eye-clean.
What online retailers would you suggest?
I was told Costco sells pretty good diamonds is that true?
I read your article about clarity where you say to go for 60/60? Would that work for a princess cut stone?
What do you think of this ring?
Which stone would be visually bigger provided they have the same proportions round or princess cut?
Thanks in advance and I cannot wait to hear from you!
Q&A: Princess Cut, Fluorescence & Sapphires
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I am currently in the planning stage of ring shopping, and you website has been incredibly helpful. After reading through your site, and doing lots of recon, I’ve been looking at diamonds and settings trying to make a plan and a budget. I do have a few questions: After browsing through settings on James Allen, http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-colored-sidestones/Pear-Shape-Blue-Sapphire-Ring.html?a_aid=dmnd1357 really stood out to me. Knowing that fluorescence can give a slight blue-ish glow in sunlight, I wondered if coupling a fluorescent stone with sapphire sidestones would yield a particularly eye catching arrangement. My soon-to-be fiancée prefers princess cut diamonds. You mentioned, while giving advice to another diamond-buyer, that triple excellent stones do not happen by accident, so a triple excellent stone would more likely have a great cut. However, your mention of symmetry and polish on the cut page said to ignore those criteria as they were nearly undetectable with the naked eye. Which piece of advice supercedes?
Q&A: Round Cut Diamond to Fit $7-8,000 Budget
Posted by: | CommentsQ: First off and I know you get it a lot but your website is one of the most informative sites on this or any topic that I have seen! As an engineer I love the scientific aspect of diamond shopping. Your site was great in educating me and allowing me to search for the best stones out there. As well as sifting through the BS at the brick and mortar stores!
I am looking for the largest round diamond without sacrificing cut for a budget of 7-8000. I have found this stone on James Allen and thought it was a great deal. What do you think?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1284518.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
I found this stone to be slightly lower then the average price of similar sized stones. Is it because of the I color? Based off of my limited knowledge from your website and looking at a ton of stones on JA I think this is a good bang vs buck stone and should be eye clean? Does the road rash (lack of a better term) near the center concern you? Do you have any alternate suggestions?
Once again I cant complement you enough on putting together such a comprehensive website and I appreciate any feedback you can give me.
Thanks.
Q&A: Two Carat Diamond Stud Earrings
Posted by: | CommentsQ: 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.
