islandmouse
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2014
- Messages
- 40
Hi all --
After spending some time looking at local vendors, my boyfriend and I decided to give James Allen a try. I've read through a lot of posts on PS and there seems to be a general positive feeling about JA. We have not been particularly happy with local jewelers, and JA seems well priced in comparison. After looking in person, we've also learned a lot and feel we have a better idea of what we're looking for in a stone.
I'm just curious if anyone can give us some advice for dealing with JA. We are looking for a 2.25-2.5 carat round brilliant, excellent cut, VS2 or SI1 (eye clean) stone. We're flexible on color, but would prefer nothing below J. I know from looking at the forum, we're supposed to ask JA for an Idealscope before purchase. Is there anything else we should ask for? The GIA grades are on the sites, which helps significantly.
If it's SI1, to me it's important that you can't see marks on the table of the stone. We've been shown supposed "eye clean" SI1 stones that neither one of us thinks were eye clean at all (i.e., could see inclusions just looking at the stone). I'm okay if there's some marking that can be hidden by the prong (i.e., on the crown). For the setting, we are looking for a Tiffany-styled knife edge platinum band (uncertain if four or six prongs at this moment, but probably four). I'm also only looking at stones with an excellent cut grade (for me, that's the most important "C").
Once we narrow down the stones, I'll definitely post for insight and advice. But I just wanted to see if y'all had any tips on dealing with JA before we move forward.
Thanks so much and have a great night!
After spending some time looking at local vendors, my boyfriend and I decided to give James Allen a try. I've read through a lot of posts on PS and there seems to be a general positive feeling about JA. We have not been particularly happy with local jewelers, and JA seems well priced in comparison. After looking in person, we've also learned a lot and feel we have a better idea of what we're looking for in a stone.
I'm just curious if anyone can give us some advice for dealing with JA. We are looking for a 2.25-2.5 carat round brilliant, excellent cut, VS2 or SI1 (eye clean) stone. We're flexible on color, but would prefer nothing below J. I know from looking at the forum, we're supposed to ask JA for an Idealscope before purchase. Is there anything else we should ask for? The GIA grades are on the sites, which helps significantly.
If it's SI1, to me it's important that you can't see marks on the table of the stone. We've been shown supposed "eye clean" SI1 stones that neither one of us thinks were eye clean at all (i.e., could see inclusions just looking at the stone). I'm okay if there's some marking that can be hidden by the prong (i.e., on the crown). For the setting, we are looking for a Tiffany-styled knife edge platinum band (uncertain if four or six prongs at this moment, but probably four). I'm also only looking at stones with an excellent cut grade (for me, that's the most important "C").
Once we narrow down the stones, I'll definitely post for insight and advice. But I just wanted to see if y'all had any tips on dealing with JA before we move forward.
Thanks so much and have a great night!
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