Hi.
I am upgrading my engagement ring. I am thinking a round 3 carat with a thin pave band. Initially I wanted an “earth” diamond, but now am seriously considering a lab created due to price difference. Have been looking on James Allen but get overwhelmed. My friend recommended your service.
Can you give me your ballpark figure of what you’re looking to spend? It will help me understand what we’re working with and what options I can find for you.
I don’t really have a ballpark figure. I have looked at 3 carat rounds for C$45k and my husband and I would be ok with that if it is a beautiful stone. Now, if I could spend closer to C$30k with good characteristics I would like that better. Which is why I started looking at the lab created. It seems like I could find a near colourless, excellent cut, good clarity stone for C$25k. So then wondered if it was worth spending 2x as much.
So I am looking for guidance on lab created as well as picking a stone.
Since lab diamonds are unrecognizable from earth diamonds, we use the same parameters for both. I’d recommend an H+ color, Excellent cut (ideally, the depth should be close to 60% and the table % should be between 54-59 for optimal brilliance), SI+ clarity (as long as the diamond is eye-clean) and no strong fluorescence (or medium fluorescence on G+ stones).
The following options looked great to me:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.04-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-9085970?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.15-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-9085975?a_aid=dmnd1357
They have fantastic overall specs.
Both of those look beautiful. I am second guessing getting a lab created. Would you have 1 or 2 suggestions for an earth diamond? Keeping cost in mind and the specs your recommended.
Absolutely!
I also found this one that’s borderline eye-clean, but it doesn’t look bad overall:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.70-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9190607?a_aid=dmnd1357
I am getting close to making a decision. I noticed that the first lab created diamond you recommended must have sold. Do you have another 3 carat lab diamond to recommend? Also, you mentioned the table/fluorescence specs I should look for in one of your emails. I don’t see those specs mentioned on the website. Do you check that the diamonds you recommend have the appropriate other specs beyond cut/clarity/color?
I didn’t find another 3ct diamond, the best-priced option is now the other one, the 3.15ct.
The specs are listed in the certificates that you can request through the customer service. I always check them prior to sending a diamond over. The 3.15ct has fantastic parameters and would be very brilliant in real life.
I purchased the 3.15 carat diamond you recommended.
Thanks!
That’s fantastic news! Thank you for letting me know, you got yourself a gorgeous diamond.
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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