Click on diamond for enlarged view

Here are the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Shape: Princess

Carats: 0.86

Diamond Color: H

Diamond Clarity: VS1

Measurements:  5.15*5.08*3.77

Depth: 74.2%

Table: 72%

Diamond Polish: Very Good

Diamond Symmetry:  Very Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price:$2,640

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Ideal Cut (I realize GIA doesn’t rate this for princess cuts)
D-F Colour
VVS1-VS2
65-70% Table
65-73% Depth
Excellent-Very Good Symmetry/Polish
Budget $6000-$8000

I have been reading the information on your site and have taken your advice on searching for diamonds on the James Allen website. I think I have found one I like but would appreciate your opinion on this specific diamond and any others you might recommend. I know you have said before that the images are already magnified without the use of the loupe but I do see a black spot on this particular diamond and just wonder if by chance you might be able to see it with the naked eye?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1353414.asp

Thanks very much for your help.

A: That’s a beautiful stone indeed that you linked to! I couldn’t see anything – and I wouldn’t expect to since it’s a VS1. So I’m fairly certain that whatever your seeing is a dark spot due to an artifact of the photography caused by the faceting.

I think your specs are all great except for one thing – you can be a bit more flexible on clarity – as long as the diamond is confirmed to be clean to the naked eye. Clarity doesn’t affect brilliance. So an SI1 and flawless stone will look identical to one another (if the SI1 is eye clean) and all else is equal.

So having said that, here’s what I Like for you and your budget:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1352631.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1335400.asp

let me know what you think!

Q: Thanks for such a quick reply Ira! In regards to the 1.22 smaller table diamond you picked out (I actually had my eye on that one too) -It’s a very impressive diamond, however the girdle is quoted as “very thin to thick” and I have read that this can be a problem as “very thin” can result in a weaker diamond and may be damaged in setting or just daily wear?? What are your thoughts on that?

Thanks again for your advice…the diamond world is definitely overwhelming!

A: Very thin is still fine. Just stay away from extremely thin.

Q: Hi Ira. I just wanted to let you know that I just purchased the 1.07 diamond through James Allen. All the specs looked great and I just felt like it was the right one. Thanks for your advice. With a big purchase like this, it’s nice to get a second opinion.

Thanks again

A: Sounds great! Please stay in touch and let me know what you think when it arrives!

Click diamond for enlarged image.

Here are the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Shape: Cushion

Carats: 1.28

Diamond Color: H

Diamond Clarity: VS2

Measurements: 6.35*5.97*4.10

Depth: 68.7%

Table: 57%

Diamond Polish: Very Good

Diamond Symmetry: Very Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price:$6,360

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Click on diamond for enlarged view.

Here are the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Shape: Round

Cut: Excellent

Carats: 0.90

Diamond Color: J

Diamond Clarity: VVS2

Measurements: 6.23*6.27*3.82

Depth: 61.1%

Table: 53%

Diamond Polish: Excellent

Diamond Symmetry: Very Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price:$4,020

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Here are the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Click on image for magnified view

Shape: Round

Cut: Excellent

Carats: 1.26

Diamond Color: I

Diamond Clarity: SI2

Measurements: 6.93*6.88*4.27

Depth: 61.9%

Table: 59%

Diamond Polish: Ecellent

Diamond Symmetry: Very Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price:$7,170

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

That being said, I am a normal person and am on a tight budget. I’m looking for the best round brilliant cut diamond that I can get for $1500. I have been trying to find something in the G-H color range, eye clean up to VS1 clarity, preferably an ideal cut and a size around .70 ct (up to .75 ct max). I don’t have a problem with fluorescence up to medium and am really just trying to get the most impressive stone I can and stay on my budget.

This is the link to the wedding set that I plan on putting it into.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-matching-bands/18k-White-Gold-Thin-French-Cut-Pave-Set-Diamond-Wedding-Set.html

Any advice or help is greatly appreciated. You’re site has already opened my eyes to so many realities that I wouldn’t have gotten from anywhere else (especially not the industry that is trying to keep the wool over my eyes!).

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

A: Thanks for writing, and thanks for all your very kind words about the site. Just one question before I begin – why only VS1+? Have you seen my article on clarity?

http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/truth-about/diamond-clarity/

Q: I have. I meant that the highest clarity that I was looking for VS1. I really just want something that is eye clean. Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks for responding so quickly.

…….

I reread the article from the link that you sent me and understand what you were saying earlier. I definitely agree with it not needing to be “10x magnification” clean. Eye clean, or “everyday” clean, is all that I’m looking for. Just like D,E,F, very good ratings for polish and symmetry and VVS2 and higher clarity ratings, VS1 looks super sexy on paper. However, unless I plan on permanently displaying the certificate on the ring for onlookers to see, that’s where the sexiness ends and where the unnecessary spending begins. Too much emotion involved!

Sorry for all the emails, but thank you for being thorough with me.

A: Anyway, here are a couple suggestions that will look super-sexy in real life:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1345588.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1345547.asp

Q: Holy smokes! That is really awesome. Both of those look better than anything I was coming up with.

That being said, I do have one more question for you. I completely raided your website last night/this morning and read every article and most of the posts that I thought would pertain to my search. There were a couple that were close to what I was asking for in price range, but they differed in what they were asking for. After reading all of your truth about posts and their specific success stories, I wondered what you might be able to find if I told you that I wasn’t concerned about color at all. For instance, if I said that I just wanted the best diamond that I could get for $1500 (up to $1700 as my max limit), would it affect your findings? I think that I should be able to get a little bit bigger if I’m willing to sacrifice on the color, right? Besides, after following some of your links and using their coloring scale tools, it doesn’t seem like there’s a huge disparity between F and J colors. Let me know if I’m missing something or if the links are the best I’m going to get for my budget.

I’m completely impressed already and really appreciate all your advice and help thus far.

A: There are a few I SI2s on James Allen, but none of them have pictures, so no way to tell if they’re eye clean or not. This is the largest option for you within your budget with a picture that I see will be eye clean:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1338498.asp

I wouldn’t go lower than an I because of the ring you’re matching it with.

Q: Okay, I understand what you’re saying and that’s originally why I was wanting to stay in the H color range since the accent stones in the ring set were G-H range and I wanted the colors to be similar.

I’m leaning towards going with one of the diamonds that you originally sent me the links to, but I came across this one in my final search and thought I’d send it your way. I don’t know how to tell if it’ll be eye clean or not just based on the picture. I see the problem area at the top of the, but don’t know if that’s actually the top of the diamond, off on the crown or how much it will really affect the diamond’s appearance in real life.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-I1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1196912.asp

Thanks for lending me your expert eyes and opinion.

A: That’s actually an amazing find. Nice job! Just make sure JA prongs that inclusion, and you’re golden.

Q: So you’re saying that it’s pretty much eye clean and that to “cover” or “hide” it as much as possible, I should request that James Allen orient the diamond so that one of the prongs holds the diamond in that area?

A: It’ll be eye clean once it’s set properly.

Q: Whoohoo! I’ll give them a call tomorrow and see what they say about lining the inclusion up with a prong. Is there anything I need to do to make sure you get the credit you deserve? It was your site that led me there in the first place and I want to make sure you get recognized for that.

A: It should all work automatically. After you place the order, they’ll send you an email with a link to click on and confirm your address. If you do that, it should sync up the cookies. But if you use the TADJ10 coupon code, that’ll work as a fail safe measure. Thanks! And good luck! Please stay in touch and let me know what you think when the ring arrives.

Q: Will do!

Thanks for all the help!

A: Great! If you wouldn’t mind, please let me know when you place the order. Also, if you could tell me your order number, that would help tremendously.

Q: xxxxx is my order number. I placed it this morning and used the coupon code you gave me.

If you need any other info, just let me know. I’m happy to help.

A: Looks like it tracked successfully! Thanks so much!

Please let me know what you think when it arrives!

Q: Ira,

Hello again and Happy Thursday. Man-o-man was I impressed when my rings got here. It looks absolutely wonderful and I think she is really going to like it. I’m not quite sure that I could be any more happy with my purchase on any fronts. You obviously gave me a wealth of knowledge and weighed in with your experience-based expertise. The people at James Allen were extremely courteous and helpful, as well. Not to mention, their customer service is some of the best I’ve ever been associated with from patient, knowledgeable staff members to honoring my mounting requests (to hide that inclusion) to tracking numbers that actually work. When I made the purchase over the phone the woman helping me told me that it would ship in three days and that it would be at my door two days after that and it was! That’s awesome.

Thank you again so much for all the help. Now my only challenge is keeping the secret until I pop the question when we go home to visit our families next month. Definitely can’t complain about that.

Have a great weekend

A: Wow, such wonderful news! Thanks so much for the email update – I really appreciate it! Do you think you might be able to do me a small favor? If you could leave me a short review on ivouch, I would be very grateful! Here’s a direct link if you have the time:

xxxxxx

Thanks! And I wish you and your fiance to be a long life together filled with health, happiness, and love!!

Congratulations!

Q: Done!

[LINK TO REVIEW ON IVOUCH]

Thanks for everything

A: Fantastic! Thanks so much!

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Shape: Oval

Click on image for enlarged photo.

Carats: 1.51

Diamond Color: H

Diamond Clarity: VS1

Measurements: 8.52*6.39*4.26

Depth: 66.7%

Table: 54%

Diamond Polish: Very Good

Diamond Symmetry: Very Good

Diamond Fluorescence: Faint

Diamond Price: $9,630

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

GIA

1.21

H

VS2

6.14×6.03×4.04

Pol. Excellent

Sym. Very Good

Flo. None

Depth – 67%

Table – 74%

Thanks so much for your time!

A: That stone has a bit of an odd make. It’s a bit too shallow, and the table is a bit too large. You’d be better off finding something closer to 70 on both counts. Where is this stone from?

Also, I can’t comment on whether or not the VS2 is clean to the naked eye.

Would you like some help finding an alternative?

Q: Thanks so much Ira for getting back to me so quickly! What a response time! I was not so concerned about the depth on this diamond as it was only off by 1% of what I hear is recommended, but I was worried about the large table. I’m told by the jeweler that it is 100% eye clean. I would very much like for you to look to see if you could find any alternatives! (Do I understand correctly that your 10% commission comes into play if I purchase something you’ve recommended?) I might assume that before you travel looking for a stone for me, that you might simply find others online and provide links. Please clear this up if I’m misunderstanding.

Below is the criteria that I’ve been trying to adhere to in my search.

GIA

Princess cut

1.20 – 1.25 carat, although that is not as important to me as are the dimensions of the stone

6.0×6.0 or as close as I can get to that

H to I in color, provided both face white (my current setting has .50 ctw of princess and baguette diamonds, H in color I believe, very white, so I need to somewhat match them)

VS2 to SI1 Clarity, “eye clean”

Flo – None or Faint if it enhances the stone

Polish and Symmetry – Good and above

Depth and Table – I’ll leave that up to you

Budget, $4500 to $4800

I think that’s about it. Thanks so much for any help and again I am very appreciative of your website…I know it’s a lot of work and your dedication to provide this service is commendable.

A: The 10% commission is only relevant if I broker you a stone, not for sending online recommendations. See this article here for an explanation:

http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/truth-about/truthaboutdiamonds-com/

6.0mm is going to be difficult to get for this budget. It’s possible as with the stone you found, but you’ll be sacrificing brilliance for size.

So here’s what I like for your budget:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1344038.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1318212.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-IF-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1343932.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

Let me know what you think!

Q: Thanks for explaining the procedure for your commission.

I like all of what you sent except the first one – I see a lot of yellow in that stone. It may face white once set, but I see it clearly in the photo. The other two are beautiful and I’m amazed at the IF clarity on your third recommendation. I never would have considered going to that clarity.

So, unknown to me, yesterday afternoon, my husband ordered the stone I originally inquired about. It’s due to arrive tomorrow or Saturday. I guess now I have to wait to see what it looks like and take it from there. I’ve got 30 days to inspect it and return it if I’m not happy with it. I have a great local jeweler that I will take it to and explain to him your comments on the diamond and see what kind of feedback I get from him. Obviously, I’ll probably know when I first see it if it’s missing the brilliance that I want. I’ll be in touch after I inspect this diamond and let you know where I’m at.

Thank you again for such a prompt response! Have a great day!

A: Sounds great! I look forward to hearing from you! Let me know either way.

Q: I received the diamond and it is absolutely beautiful! It is bright white – no yellow and I’d say it’s more a VS1 than VS2, 100% eye clean! I do notice it’s a bit on the shallow side and the table is large, but I actually like the look of the larger table and it still sparkles beautifully! I may lose a little pop out the sides, but to achieve the 6×6 dimensions that I wanted and for the price – it is just perfect!

Thanks so much for your input as I was in the searching process. This one is a keeper!

Have a great week!

A: Hey Kathi. Thanks so much for writing and letting me know! That was very kind of you to keep me in mind.

Thanks again!

I’ve got a budget of about $8K for the entire ring. I’m aiming for a round brilliant centre stone of around 1.2ct, set in a white gold band with smaller diamonds either side of the main diamond. Similar to a 4-claw version of:

www.diamondexchange.com.au/tray/index.php?main_page=ring_builder&cat=23&s=rb&sku=3977

I assume that the ring and side stones will cost about $1700 to buy and put together, leaving about $6.5K for the centre stone.

So, regarding the centre stone, what should I be looking for (GIA of course)? Your guidelines recommend the lowest eye-clean clarity possible, ie SI1/VS2, Ideal/Excellent cut, Good or better symmetry & polish which I am happy with.

Initially I was hoping for F or better colour with No fluorescence but that might push the price up a bit too far. You suggest H-J colour with Medium Blue fluorescence as a better ”bang for your buck” buy (particularly in a silver coloured ring), is this still a good idea given that there will be other diamonds beside it in the setting? Can you suggest any particular diamonds that would be suitable?

Also, can you offer any guidance for the smaller stones, or is it better to purchase locally from the jeweller who ”assembles” the ring?

Something else that I need to bear in mind is that anything that I import from overseas will incur about 15% in customs duty and taxes, plus insurance. Am I way off the mark with my budget?

I appreciate your help and thanks again for such an informative website.

A: Thanks for writing!

One thing you should keep in mind is that even if you buy locally, the original importer had to pay the same duties you’ll have to pay if you buy overseas (assuming he imported the diamond legally). So local prices already have the taxes built in. So just make sure you do a complete comparison when comparing prices.

If I were you, I wouldn’t try to find a supplier of the sidestones and try to have it built custom. It’s a very basic and common design – any place you buy the loose diamond from should without any issue be able to supply you that ring complete.

Here’s a nice alternative from James Allen, for example:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/Common-Prong-Engagement-Ring.html

If you like that setting, let me know and I’ll suggest some diamonds for you so you’ll end up at about $8K (USD or AUD?) total including your taxes, then you can compare this total package to what you can get locally.

Q: Thanks for the quick response!

Yes that option that you suggested from James Allen is an interesting alternative, I like the way that the centre stone is set nice and high – I’m guessing that it would allow more light underneath? I also like the way that the band rises to meet the centre setting. My only concern with that design is that you can see too much of the white gold band between the side stones, as she seems to prefer the pavé style. I think that I might be safer with something like:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-Pave-Set-4-Prong-Ring.html

Yes I am aiming at about $8K AUD – at the moment I am pretty lucky in that we are nearing parity with the USD.

A: Lets see what we can do here!

According to JA’s currency converter, about $6850 USD will cost you about $8000 AUD taking into account taxes and what-not. So taking that ring you selected, it costs 1125. After applying the TAD0611 coupon, the ring will cost $1012.50. So that’s going to leave you with about $6750 USD for the diamond.

Here are some diamonds that I think would look amazing with that diamond ring:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1326401.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – eye clean. Triple excellent.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1320385.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – ditto

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1308155.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – Eye clean. Excellent Cut.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1314483.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – Eye clean. AGS triple zero.

Let me know what you think!

Thanks again and have a good weekend.

Q: I didn’t think that I’d be in the ballpark for something quite as large as 1.35, so that’s a pleasant surprise. When I was doing my initial research, I figured that I would be forced to sacrifice some size to allow for an acceptable colour and clarity. So, taking your first suggestion (1326401) as an example, my question is would there be much visible difference between that I/SI2 with twinning wisps and surface graining (noted on the certificate) as opposed to an F/SI1?

What do you think of these examples? I find it quite difficult to get a good idea from the Virtual Loupe.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1315494.asp 1.13/F/SI1/Ideal Cut/GIA?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1324256.asp 1.18/G/SI1/Ideal Cut/GIA?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1303393.asp 1.29/F/SI2/Ideal Cut/GIA?a_aid=dmnd1357

I’m also not real sure about going with anything apart from GIA certified (based on your information on your certificates web page).

All that said, I’d definitely go with the larger stone if there is no noticeable difference between the two! *so confused*

A: In terms of clarity there would be no difference at all between the SI2 and SI1, assuming both are eye clean. As far as the color goes, if both were directly next to each other and you were viewing them face-up mounted in a ring, you would just be able to perceive a difference in shading. But if you viewed them separately, the difference would be much harder to see. When seeing the I, you would most definitely say that it looks white.

The biggest issue between the stones I suggested and the F SI1 is size. There’s about a half millimeter difference between the two which is obviously noticeable.

In theory, the 1.29 F SI2 would be great (aside from the higher price), but that particular stone you linked to would not be clean to the naked eye.

Q: Ira, that’s good news. The 1.35/I/SI2 seems like very good value!

Now, as you suggest all I might see what similar options there are locally over the next week or two – to be honest, I don’t think I’ll get close. Then it’s just a case of deciding between white gold and platinum (there’s only $300 difference between the two), figuring out the ring size (that could be a challenge…), and then I’ll be ready to go!

Thank you once again for your help. I’ll certainly be recommending you to any of my mates might be looking to make a purchase.

A: My pleasure. I would like to make a suggestion to you, though. I think you should order the ring now, so you have it locked up. Otherwise, you’re very likely going to have it sold out from underneath you. You have a full 30 days to return it for a full refund, so you have nothing to worry about. And anyway, this will allow you a better sense of comparison when you shop around.

If/when you do place the order, make sure to use the TAD0611 coupon code to get 10% off the setting.

Q: I hope you are well.

This is just a short email to let you know that I did follow your recommendation and I went ahead and ordered the ring from JA. It has since arrived and it is simply stunning. I am very impressed and I am sure that she will be too!

So I thank you once again for all your help. Should you receive any enquiries from Australia in the future, it might be worth mentioning that I was charged 5% import duty, plus 10% Goods and Services Tax – so I did end up going quite a bit over my budget, but I believe I still received far better value for money than had I purchased from here.

Best regards!

A: That’s wonderful news! I’m very happy for you! Did they let you use the coupon, btw?

If you wouldn’t mind, do you think you could do me a small favor and leave me some feedback on ivouch? If you could, I would be VERY grateful!

Thanks again! And Congratulations!!!

Q: G’day Ira,

Yes they did accept the coupon code, thanks for the tip!

I left some comments on iVouch. Please let me know if you want me to add/remove/change anything – I’m grateful for your help!

Cheers

A: It’s fantastic! Thank you VERY much!

Today I decided to get back in the daily diamond game right at a very popular price point – the best round brilliant diamond for $10,000.  Today’s stone looks like a great find.  The inclusions in the center are going to be invisible to the naked eye and the orangy inclusion on the side (at about 5 o’clock in the picture) can be covered by the prong on the ring.  An I color diamond is still going to look white to your eye as well, and the Excellent cut grade is going to ensure a very brilliant stone, so this stone really offers fantastic value.

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Shape: Round Brilliant

Carats: 1.63

Diamond Cut: Excellent

Diamond Color: I

Diamond Clarity: SI1

Measurements: 7.58*7.66*4.63

Depth: 60.8%

Table: 56%

Diamond Polish: Excellent

Diamond Symmetry: Very Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price: $9,860

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen