Archive for eye-clean
Following the previous selection of the best Pear Shape for $18,000, today we move on to the best Pear, Oval, or Marquise for $17,000.
Here’s the Stats (At this time a scan of the cert was unavailable. You can see the GIA report check here):
Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge
Shape: Marquise
Carats: 2.02
Diamond Color: G
Diamond Clarity: SI1
Measurements: 6.55*14.96*3.76
Length/Width Ratio: 2.28
Depth: 57.4%
Table: 55%
Diamond Polish: Very Good
Diamond Symmetry: Good
Diamond Fluorescence: None
Diamond Price: $16,520
Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TADJ10 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!
Q: Ira,
Your site is excellent!! Plan on doing an online diamond purchase (Blue Nile or James Allen). Not huge $$$, but I am totally obsessed with finding some value out there! And its seems your the guy. So here’s an easy one:
Total budget 9k (USD) for the stone (keeps me around 10k all in)
Parameters: Round. Thats it.
After reading every article you’ve written, I’m cutting you loose. Find me a stone 
summon all your creative powers and make my future wife smile!
As per your writings, color can be low, clarity is hit or miss, carats don’t tell the whole tale. So I don’t want to curtail you. Take some chances, I implore you. Looking for a hidden gem that might escape a less discerning eye. I’m not a stickler for ”grades” and I don’t care what its assessed value is,and don’t mind a singular large flaw that makes an otherwise unaffordable diamond within reach. Just hoping to find a stone that has ”bang for the buck”
(and if you have anything offline available I’d pay the 10% gladly if you made it an offer I can’t refuse, though I understand my purchase price isn’t heavy enough to have you sorting through the whole of Israel)
Thanks for in advance for anything you can do,
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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.
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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/engagement-rings/solitaire-rings/ring/item_57-1906_design.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
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.
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Q: Best diamond for fixed budget. Princess D, E, F VS1 or better $2500 (stone only) She wants a square princess.
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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!
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Q: I like your website- I just wanted to get your opinion on this diamond.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1249023.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
My only worry were the crystals on the table. I contacted James Allen, and they contacted the jeweler, who they say verified that the diamond is in fact “eye clean.” Given your experiences with James Allen, what do you think? Thank you
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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!!!
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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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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!
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