A newbie needs some much needed help please!!

[billythekid]

Hi All,

I’m in need of some much needed advice! I’ve been lurking the forums for a while now, have been into a couple of stores, but still feel somewhat overwhelmed!

i’ve had friends purchase engagement rings from both online (James Allen and Bluenile) and locally, so I wanted peoples thoughts on purchasing via Bluenile? (as I prefer the look of their bands).

I have a budget of $5800 AUD, including the 10% GST fee….

The bands that I am contemplating are either a 14k white gold petite micropave (https://www.bluenile.com/au/build-y...r=customizer&track=alternate-metalsCustomizer), or 18k white gold petite pave band (https://www.bluenile.com/au/build-y...r=customizer&track=alternate-metalsCustomizer) is there much difference between the 14 and 18k?

Now the difficult part, narrowing down a round set diamond to go with the band! wondering if people can suggest any suitable diamonds that I could possibly consider, as despite all the research, I’m still at a loss!

Any guidance or help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[miraj]

Unfortunately, Blue Nile links don't work well when you copy/paste them. It helps if you put the search terms that you use to find it. I think the first ring is available if you search 'petite micropave diamond ring 14k white gold' (also note that the Blue Nile website varies based on the country selected), but I'm not sure about the second ring.

In my experience (in the US), very few ring styles are unique to a vendor. If you ask around, most jewelry stores can find the casting mold that is used to create the style that you like. I also found I can also get a custom ring made at a price not much higher than standard cast rings. I got my diamond online and had it set in a locally-sourced ring.

 

[ac117]

I recommend you reconsider JA since they provide magnified videos of all of their stones. You could get $100 with a referral code and ask for a PS discount.
Ring (we highly recommend platinum if you're doing pave, especially under 2mm and we don't generally recommend pave rings under 1.8mm): https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/platinum-petite-pave-engagement-ring-item-56283

I calculated your budget at ~$4k USD, which should leave you with enough $ for import taxes.
Stones staying under budget:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-f-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2666480
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2131614
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2351331

Maximizing budget to get 6mm stone:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2278716
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2622397

I'll have a look at BN to see what I can come up with...

 

[Stephan]

Years ago, I bought a diamond on Bluenile.
It came with an AGS certificate that mentioned a GIA inscription on the girdle.
AGS was I color, GIA was J color (checked it on the website).
Anyway, I bought it because it was GIA EX/EX/EX and AGS 0.
However, what certificates don't tell is the tinge of the stone.
It was not a yellow J, but a slightly brown one.
So if I were to buy a non branded stone, it would be JamesAllen, not Bluenile.
The 360 view will give you an idea of the tinge and the inclusions.

 

[billythekid]

I recommend you reconsider JA since they provide magnified videos of all of their stones. You could get $100 with a referral code and ask for a PS discount.
Ring (we highly recommend platinum if you're doing pave, especially under 2mm and we don't generally recommend pave rings under 1.8mm): https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/platinum-petite-pave-engagement-ring-item-56283

I calculated your budget at ~$4k USD, which should leave you with enough $ for import taxes.
Stones staying under budget:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-f-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2666480
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2131614
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2351331

Maximizing budget to get 6mm stone:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2278716
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2622397

I'll have a look at BN to see what I can come up with...

Thanks for the advice so far guys, I did wonder if James Allen was better for those reasons outlined, so I'm happy to go with that option, provided I can find a similar band (which it looks like won't be a problem).

My partner indicated she prefers white gold to platinum, is this an issue? as I'd like to keep to her wishes where possible?

So far from what I can ascertain, my budget locally would allow for a size of between 0.70-0.75, ideal cut, G colour, SI clarity.. so that's why I'm not sure if purchasing via James Allen or elsewhere online might provide more bang for buck so to speak?

Open to further suggestions and thanks again for the input so far, really appreciate it!