Archive for James Allen vs. Blue Nile
Q: My fiance and I have set a budget of $2,000 for my loose diamond, my engagement ring, and my wedding band. I am planning on setting the loose diamond in a white gold solitare setting and will have a plain white gold ring for my wedding band.
We are looking for…
A round stone that is a half carat (.45-.50); Color: H (possibly G); Clarity: SI1, SI2, or VS2 (I do not want to purchase a diamond that has visible inclusions to my eye. Also, I am unsure about buying a ring with a feather crack or cloud characteristic). A depth % of 58% to 64%; A table % of 53% to 64%; Florescense: faint or none; Polish: At least good; Symmetry: At least good; Girdle Thickness: thin, medium, slightly thick (I am having a hard time with this as well. I have read diamonds with thin girdles can chip or crack easily. I have also read thick and very thick girdles are not good to purchase either) Culet: none, very small, small
I have looked at Blue Nile as well as James Allen and am feeling overwhelmed and not sure which route to go.
Thank you for any help you can provide.
Q: I am having a hard time trying to find a princess cut engagement ring for my girlfriend. Have looked at james Allen and Blue nile. i am looking for a .80-.90 princess cut H-I color, VS1, and I am looking to spend between$2500-$3000. I am looking for a eye clean rock with lots os sparkle but am stumped w/ symmetry, polish and cut grades, any suggestions?
Q: Your website is very informative, and I like that you can be terse as well as candid about diamonds and the industry. Anyway I am looking for advice on purchasing an engagement ring for my girlfriend. She just loves the Tiffany Novo, and after searching for what I might propose to be better I really have to agree that it is pretty fantastic looking. What is your opinion on Tiffany’s – worth it or just paying too much for the name? I found a pretty similar style on BlueNile – the Petite Pavé-Set that I quite like. Looking through the diamond specs there are so many factors but yet how can I be sure (or close) to knowing what the ring will look like in real life? One diamond I found was this: http://www.bluenile.ca/build-your-own-diamond-ring?action=add&offer_id=9917&shape=&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD01648760. At $1800 CAD, this would amount to $4100 CAD with the ring and matching wedding band (is platinum worth the premium over white gold?). I’m looking at spending probably $4,000 – $5,000. I want the size to be ‘just right’ – not obviously small and not gawdy, but above all I know she wants it to be very ‘sparkly’. She likes princess cut, but would a round cut more likely sparkle more? Would I be getting a much better ring by spending a little more? I’m in Canada, so please let me know if James Allen sells to us here, since I like this virtual loupe idea. Thanks
Q&A: Searching for the Best Cushion Cut Diamond for $3000
Posted by: | CommentsQ: 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:
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!
