| Anonymous Reader
Hi Sebastian, I’m messaging you to ask your opinion about a diamond I’m currently looking at for an engagement ring.
I’ve found your advice INCREDIBLY useful during my search, and I wanted to get your opinion on a loose diamond or see some of your suggestions. I’m trying to get the most value for my money because my budget isn’t very high. So, this is my criteria:
Preferred retailer: James Allen
Max price for loose diamond (excluding setting): $2,000
Setting: 14k yellow gold solitaire
Shape: marquise
Color: I-J
Clarity: SI1-VS1 (this is the range I’ve been looking at, but I’m open to anything eye clean)
Carat: between .7 and 1
I think this link should take you to the site with all of the filters already applied:
I’ve been looking at this stone quite a bit:
I know it’s an SI1, and I think I see a few imperfections, but none of them seem major. I just wanted to get your opinion, and given that criteria, if there was anything else on James Allen you would recommend. Thank you for your help! This is a huge purchase and trying to get it right.
Your Diamond Teacher |
| Thank you for your inquiry. I am happy to help. And I am glad to hear that the information on my website has been so helpful. Thank you!
This is a big purchase financially and emotionally! And…….. The diamond you selected below is excellent! You did a great job. I looked over all marquise diamonds that are within your criteria and you definitely picked the best option. This is a very pretty marquise. The proportions are great. It is a “high” I color, which means it’s whiter in appearance than other “I” color diamonds. It is an eye-clean SI1, meaning the inclusions will not be visible to the naked eye. And the inclusions will not impede the diamonds ability to reflect light. You can purchase this diamond with total confidence. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. |
| Anonymous Reader
Thank you so much for your help! Ok, I was just curious if you could let me know your thoughts on two more diamonds. I expanded my range up to $2,300 because of access to a promo code, so I wanted to know your thoughts between these three:
The original (.80 Carat I-SI1):
.80 Carat I-VS1:
.80 Carat I-VS2:
I’m just trying to decide if these other two diamonds are worth the price increase over the one we just talked about. The .80 Carat I-VS1 is longer, and the .80 Carat I-VS2 is about the same in L/W but has excellent polish and symmetry.
At least to my untrained eyes, they all look pretty similar in color, but I’d love your opinion on if you think one would stand out for a particular reason. I don’t know how important excellent ratings in polish and symmetry are. Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you!
Your Diamond Teacher |
| You, again, have selected excellent diamonds.
If I were you, I would choose between the below two:
I personally, slightly prefer diamond sku 18127292. It appeals to me visually a bit more. And it does not have a “bow-tie” effect. Let me know your thoughts! |
| Anonymous Reader
Sebastian,
That was exactly what I was thinking as well. I felt like those two offered the most value, and I like that the .80 Carat I-SI1 diamond doesn’t have the bow-tie effect. I think that’s what I’m going to go with!
Again, I just want to thank you again for your help. Like you know, this is a huge and exciting purchase and I, like you, have a tendency to research A TON and want to make sure I’m getting a good ring.
I appreciate the time you’ve taken to help me out, and I know that she’s going to love it. Thanks for running such an informative and helpful website.