Archive for True Hearts
Q: First of all, I love your site. I think I’d be way behind the 8-ball if I didn’t find it, but I still feel overwhelmed with options and I want to pick the best possible diamond for my soon-to-be-fiance! Any help you could offer would be MUCH appreciated as I take this step.
Anyway, I have decided on the setting from James Allen (Platinum Double Claw Prong Pave Set) simple yet elegant:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-4114.asp
As for the diamond, I was looking at round shape, H-I color, Vs2-Si1 clarity, True Hearts or Ideal cut, and 0.9-1.05 carats. And my budget is $4000 to $5500. My girlfriend has mentioned a few times that the diamond size isn’t as important to her as the SPARKLE! So I figure you are the best person to ask. These are the four that caught my eye…maybe I am on the right track or maybe I am way off?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1316514.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1315248.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1351098.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1315233.asp
The last one I think is my favorite, but I do notice a faint inclusion in the middle, and some odd criss-cross lines on the left side (approx. at 10-o’clock). I am not sure if those lines are a reflection of some sort or an inclusion. I also notice the depth/table are more than 2% from 60, and the girdle is ”thin to slightly thick” despite the H&A designation. Furthermore I don’t know if I just like the H&A best because the TrueHearts marketing is affecting me psychologically! Nonetheless that diamond popped out to me the most on the screen. I am hoping you can tell me if it will look great in person, or if another diamond is a better buy. Thanks SO SO much in advance!!
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Q: 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!
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Q: I first wanted to say that I love your site and have been using it a lot to help educate myself while looking for a diamond to propose with. I am sold on buying from James Allen and I think I have narrowed it down to two diamonds but would like your opinion on them as well as any other diamond suggests you may have. The two diamonds on James Allen I have picked out are….
Item#: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1326118.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Item#: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1275961.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
I would like to have the bigger diamond but the picture almost looks discolored. Maybe you could let me know if that is the actual diamond that is discolored or if its just the lighting in the picture.
My criteria on any other diamonds you may suggest are as follows.
Budget: Nothing higher than $1,200 for just the diamond.
Must be at a minimum of 54ct.
Must be Ideal cut or True Hearts (if that is as good as an Ideal… not sure on that)
Nothing lower than a J on color
Would prefer a VS2 or higher but I am open to your expertise
I can’t thank you enough for your help.
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Q:Â Hi Ira,
I first wanted to say that I love your site and have been using it a lot to help educate myself while looking for a diamond to propose with. I am sold on buying from James Allen and I think I have narrowed it down to two diamonds but would like your opinion on them as well as any other diamond suggests you may have. The two diamonds on James Allen I have picked out are….
Item: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1326118.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Item: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1275961.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
I would like to have the bigger diamond but the picture almost looks discolored. Maybe you could let me know if that is the actual diamond that is discolored or if its just the lighting in the picture.
My criteria on any other diamonds you may suggest are as follows.
Budget: Nothing higher than $1,200 for just the diamond.
Must be at a minimum of 54ct.
Must be Ideal cut or True Hearts (if that is as good as an Ideal… not sure on that)
Nothing lower than a J on color
Would prefer a VS2 or higher but I am open to your expertise
I can’t thank you enough for your help.
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Q:Â 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.
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