autigers10
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2016
- Messages
- 25
Hello everyone. I have been lurking for awhile and taking the advice of this great community, but I am on somewhat of a time crunch at the moment (setting customization will take 6 weeks) and I want to try to make the best diamond purchase from James Allen the first time around.
I guess I'll start with this... my girlfriend is really wanting a rose gold setting w/ halo, and we leaned towards the pave settings with a thinner twisted shank. After intending to look around in store but buy online, we went into a Robbins Brothers store and found a setting that she fell in love with. After sitting down with the salesman I realized right away that it was way overpriced and basically left but was told they could do better and to give them a chance. After doing more research, I know of all of their tactics, certifications, etc., but despite the not great reputation I want to get the setting from there and find a great cushion cut to go with it. Unfortunately they want 6 weeks to add to the halo because the stone I'm looking for is bigger than the setting intended. I know that I could probably get it customized somewhere for similar price, but right now I'd rather just not deal with that part and keep the setting that we found there.
Now the hard part. After countless emails back and forth with the salesman, and turning down multiple offers, the warranty, etc. he finally convinced me to let him try two diamonds from their online inventory that he would pick out for me, requiring a 10% refundable downpayment, to compare to the online diamond that I insisted was way better value wise. Since I am almost 100% on getting the setting from there, the two 10% amounts together didn't exceed the setting price so its no harm to me to do it, and he said he picked out two very square 1.44 and 1.50 ct for me to compare.
Obviously I want to make the right choice, so if his 2 and the one I order doesn't look good to me, I'll wait. But by my own fault I didn't expect a 6 week turnaround time, so I'd like to make the right choice the first time around.
I'm pretty sure I like the chunky "x-factor" better than the crushed ice pattern which I am pretty sure I will see with his two. I am targeting around the 1.50 ct area, but obviously the cut is more important. So a great cut, larger surface area sized diamond is preferred. You all have the experience that I don't have, and I know in reality I should ask JA for the additional lab images (name escapes me), but in the interest of time I'll probably skip that.
TLDR: looking for best cushion cut, chunky "x-factor" style diamond from James Allen. prefer the best cut I can get, larger surface size over weight, and color isn't a huge issue bc of rose gold setting.
My search parameters: J-D color, SI1+ quality, top of budget is $6800 (unless I find a discount), table 56-70, depth 59-70, florescence none-faint. I am aiming for something that would look pretty square to the naked eye! ~6.50x6.50 seemed to be a good rough estimate for size.
#1) $5710 - this one seemed to almost be a hybrid. chunky looking but more crushed ice, smaller facets on outside. curious to hear everyone's opinion on this one and similar styles.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.52-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-786087
#2) $5830
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.41-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-749025
#3) $6070
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.50-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-839877
#4) $6170
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.50-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-804669
#5) $6480 - faceting looked great, but seemed cloudy to me. not sure if it's the camera or not?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.52-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-628795
#6) $6600
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.61-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-598403
Obviously if you all think you can find better in that price range, I am all for it. Those were my best guess as far as diamonds that met my search criteria. Assuming JA's refund doesn't take super long, I might use a second card and order two to speed up the process. I'll hang up and listen.
I guess I'll start with this... my girlfriend is really wanting a rose gold setting w/ halo, and we leaned towards the pave settings with a thinner twisted shank. After intending to look around in store but buy online, we went into a Robbins Brothers store and found a setting that she fell in love with. After sitting down with the salesman I realized right away that it was way overpriced and basically left but was told they could do better and to give them a chance. After doing more research, I know of all of their tactics, certifications, etc., but despite the not great reputation I want to get the setting from there and find a great cushion cut to go with it. Unfortunately they want 6 weeks to add to the halo because the stone I'm looking for is bigger than the setting intended. I know that I could probably get it customized somewhere for similar price, but right now I'd rather just not deal with that part and keep the setting that we found there.
Now the hard part. After countless emails back and forth with the salesman, and turning down multiple offers, the warranty, etc. he finally convinced me to let him try two diamonds from their online inventory that he would pick out for me, requiring a 10% refundable downpayment, to compare to the online diamond that I insisted was way better value wise. Since I am almost 100% on getting the setting from there, the two 10% amounts together didn't exceed the setting price so its no harm to me to do it, and he said he picked out two very square 1.44 and 1.50 ct for me to compare.
Obviously I want to make the right choice, so if his 2 and the one I order doesn't look good to me, I'll wait. But by my own fault I didn't expect a 6 week turnaround time, so I'd like to make the right choice the first time around.
I'm pretty sure I like the chunky "x-factor" better than the crushed ice pattern which I am pretty sure I will see with his two. I am targeting around the 1.50 ct area, but obviously the cut is more important. So a great cut, larger surface area sized diamond is preferred. You all have the experience that I don't have, and I know in reality I should ask JA for the additional lab images (name escapes me), but in the interest of time I'll probably skip that.
TLDR: looking for best cushion cut, chunky "x-factor" style diamond from James Allen. prefer the best cut I can get, larger surface size over weight, and color isn't a huge issue bc of rose gold setting.
My search parameters: J-D color, SI1+ quality, top of budget is $6800 (unless I find a discount), table 56-70, depth 59-70, florescence none-faint. I am aiming for something that would look pretty square to the naked eye! ~6.50x6.50 seemed to be a good rough estimate for size.
#1) $5710 - this one seemed to almost be a hybrid. chunky looking but more crushed ice, smaller facets on outside. curious to hear everyone's opinion on this one and similar styles.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.52-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-786087
#2) $5830
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.41-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-749025
#3) $6070
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.50-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-839877
#4) $6170
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.50-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-804669
#5) $6480 - faceting looked great, but seemed cloudy to me. not sure if it's the camera or not?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.52-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-628795
#6) $6600
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.61-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-598403
Obviously if you all think you can find better in that price range, I am all for it. Those were my best guess as far as diamonds that met my search criteria. Assuming JA's refund doesn't take super long, I might use a second card and order two to speed up the process. I'll hang up and listen.