Please help! Considering buying James Allen diamond

[NicoleP]

Hello!

I'm so confused, I really am unsure of what to do. My boyfriend and I have never bought a diamond before or anything close to being this expensive. We are so nervous we are going to make the wrong choice. That's why I have come to you guys. I have been stalking this site for a while now and it seems like you all are so helpful and educated about diamonds. I would really like to hear your thoughts on the diamond my boyfriend and I would like to buy.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/3.71-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-sku-216340

I was told that this was a really great deal, something that might not come up again. Also that the J color looks fantastic. Honestly I really wanted a diamond higher then a J, but if this is a great deal I really wouldn't care. This diamond JUST makes our budget and is exactly the size I want 3.5-4ct. I haven't found any other clean diamonds that weigh this much for this price, so hopefully I can make the decision soon before someone else snatches it up.

I was suggested to buy it and bring it to a gemologist, then if not what we desired return it (James Allen return policy- return within 60 days full refund). Even with the return policy, it's a lot of money for us and we would want to really be certain about it as much as possible.

Please give your honest opinions.

Thank you so much!

-Nicole

 

[GemFever]

I don't have any advice regarding the stone itself. But I wanted to say -- it may be good to put the diamond on hold while it is being discussed here. This stone is rather expensive so I imagine there are not many lurkers who could buy it from under your feet, but this kind of stuff can happen.

Best of luck in your search! I'm sure you will get a lot of good advice here.

 

[GemFever]

I couldn't help but run the diamond video, and although I don't know anything about pears, that particular stone wasn't visually appealing to me. Check out the pear in this thread, for example -- that I would consider to be a beautiful stone. Of course it's considerably smaller. (and check out the oval, that's my personal favorite out of the whole lineup ).

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-dream-3-carat-stone-would-you-pick-among-these.192242/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-dream-3-carat-stone-would-you-pick-among-these.192242/[/URL]

 

[NicoleP]

Ok, thank you so much! I will definitely put the diamond on hold just in case.

 

[NicoleP]

Aww :/ ok. Thanks for being honest! It really does help to get opinions, I really don't want to be making the wrong decision.

 

[WillyDiamond]

Nicole
I am no expert on this but I looked at the video and the GIA report. If you look at the GIA report and see where the inclusions are on this stone and then look at the video, it appears that there is a "needle" very close to the surface of the stone and quite visible, so therefore as people on this forum say, "it is not eye clean", that would bother me when looking at the stone with a naked eye and seeing this needle. Best of luck.
edit: You say this is a great deal.......I firmly believe you get what you pay for especially with diamonds, therefore there are no deals (my opinion)

 

[bunnycat]

I don't know anything at all about pears, but at JA you are able to get 3 idealscope (or ASET, in the case of fancy cuts like this) to help evaluate the performance. If you can get an ASET of it and a gemologist review from JA, then you could post the results here for discussion.

 

[NicoleP]

I couldn't help but run the diamond video, and although I don't know anything about pears, that particular stone wasn't visually appealing to me. Check out the pear in this thread, for example -- that I would consider to be a beautiful stone. Of course it's considerably smaller. (and check out the oval, that's my personal favorite out of the whole lineup ).

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-dream-3-carat-stone-would-you-pick-among-these.192242/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-dream-3-carat-stone-would-you-pick-among-these.192242/[/URL]

Wow, that pear looks amazing! I think you you are right, compared to that pear the pear I was considering does not look the pleasing anymore. Thank you for showing me this, it really did help a lot. I think I just got caught up with the size :/ and everything seemed to look better because of that.

 

[NicoleP]

Nicole
I am no expert on this but I looked at the video and the GIA report. If you look at the GIA report and see where the inclusions are on this stone and then look at the video, it appears that there is a "needle" very close to the surface of the stone and quite visible, so therefore as people on this forum say, "it is not eye clean", that would bother me when looking at the stone with a naked eye and seeing this needle. Best of luck.
edit: You say this is a great deal.......I firmly believe you get what you pay for especially with diamonds, therefore there are no deals (my opinion)

Yes, I see your point. I thought this was eye clean but I see now it is not. I think I need to do more research and educate myself a little more, maybe even a lot more, on diamonds. So thankful I came on here because this all was really helpful. Thank you!

 

[NicoleP]

I don't know anything at all about pears, but at JA you are able to get 3 idealscope (or ASET, in the case of fancy cuts like this) to help evaluate the performance. If you can get an ASET of it and a gemologist review from JA, then you could post the results here for discussion.

Next diamond I am interested in I will definitely do this! Thanks!

 

[msop04]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/3.71-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-sku-216340

I was told that this was a really great deal, something that might not come up again. Also that the J color looks fantastic. Honestly I really wanted a diamond higher then a J, but if this is a great deal I really wouldn't care. This diamond JUST makes our budget and is exactly the size I want 3.5-4ct. I haven't found any other clean diamonds that weigh this much for this price, so hopefully I can make the decision soon before someone else snatches it up.

I was suggested to buy it and bring it to a gemologist, then if not what we desired return it (James Allen return policy- return within 60 days full refund). Even with the return policy, it's a lot of money for us and we would want to really be certain about it as much as possible.

Hi NicoleP

As the other poster mentioned, you really need to put this on hold with JA while it's being discussed. As far as pears go, it's my opinion that this one isn't great, it's just large. I can see the inclusions quite easily. But if you're ok with the faceting and it's clean enough for you, let's get right down to it... COLOR.

How are you planning to set the stone. If in a bezel or set very low in a halo, I think you may be okay with the color. If your setting will offer side views, then it will show considerable body color.

If you don't mind the J color, then you will love love LOVE it. HOWEVER, if you have one inkling of doubt about wearing a warmer diamond, then I can about guarantee you will not be comfortable with this stone. Pear shapes show more body color than rounds and it is concentrated in the tip. This stone's color will show a lot more at such a large size. Have you been able to view GIA J pears of this size IRL (and not just under the "magic lights" of the B&M...)?

Don't get me wrong, I'm all about maximizing the diamond budget. I own a round in a J (8.7 mm, GIA XXX), and the reason I went down in color was to get the size I wanted, so I understand where you're coming from believe me!! I am happy with it because it's set such that it is really only viewed face up (and not from the sides), so it appears very white. That said, I know I would not be happy with any setting that showed the side, as it would be too yellow for my taste.

The only true way to know if you'd be happy with it is to go ahead and purchase it... Since you're budget is so generous, I'd even have them go ahead and put it in a very modest solitaire setting in the color of metal you will eventually use for it. This way, you can put it on, look at it for a bit, then make your decision. If you don't love it immediately, give it a week or so... if the color still bothers you, it is doubtful you will grow to be comfortable with it. You never know, you may get it and it just speaks to you!!

Are you set on the pear shape, or would you be open to others? I may be mistaken, but I think the idea of such a large stone may be the thing that's making you swoon... but no matter how large, if it's not what you want in color/clarity, faceting, or anything else... you will be unhappy. Don't be content with size alone. <--- and this is coming from an admitted size whore!!

A wise person once said, "It's only a good deal if you get what you want."

 

[msop04]

I couldn't help but run the diamond video, and although I don't know anything about pears, that particular stone wasn't visually appealing to me. Check out the pear in this thread, for example -- that I would consider to be a beautiful stone. Of course it's considerably smaller. (and check out the oval, that's my personal favorite out of the whole lineup ).

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-dream-3-carat-stone-would-you-pick-among-these.192242/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-dream-3-carat-stone-would-you-pick-among-these.192242/[/URL]

Wow, that pear looks amazing! I think you you are right, compared to that pear the pear I was considering does not look the pleasing anymore. Thank you for showing me this, it really did help a lot. I think I just got caught up with the size :/ and everything seemed to look better because of that.

I think this may be the case, NicoleP!

 

[AprilBaby]

That face inclusion and color would drive me nuts.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Sometimes when a diamond is priced much lower than comparables on carat/color/clarity, there is a reason Like innclusions, or cut...

In this case I think the stone has more bow-tie than I personally like to see.

What is your budget and desired specs?

Are you willing to consider very tinted older cuts to get the size you want (the best way IMO)?

 

[NicoleP]

Hi NicoleP

As the other poster mentioned, you really need to put this on hold with JA while it's being discussed. As far as pears go, it's my opinion that this one isn't great, it's just large. I can see the inclusions quite easily. But if you're ok with the faceting and it's clean enough for you, let's get right down to it... COLOR.

How are you planning to set the stone. If in a bezel or set very low in a halo, I think you may be okay with the color. If your setting will offer side views, then it will show considerable body color.

If you don't mind the J color, then you will love love LOVE it. HOWEVER, if you have one inkling of doubt about wearing a warmer diamond, then I can about guarantee you will not be comfortable with this stone. Pear shapes show more body color than rounds and it is concentrated in the tip. This stone's color will show a lot more at such a large size. Have you been able to view GIA J pears of this size IRL (and not just under the "magic lights" of the B&M...)?

Don't get me wrong, I'm all about maximizing the diamond budget. I own a round in a J (8.7 mm, GIA XXX), and the reason I went down in color was to get the size I wanted, so I understand where you're coming from believe me!! I am happy with it because it's set such that it is really only viewed face up (and not from the sides), so it appears very white. That said, I know I would not be happy with any setting that showed the side, as it would be too yellow for my taste.

The only true way to know if you'd be happy with it is to go ahead and purchase it... Since you're budget is so generous, I'd even have them go ahead and put it in a very modest solitaire setting in the color of metal you will eventually use for it. This way, you can put it on, look at it for a bit, then make your decision. If you don't love it immediately, give it a week or so... if the color still bothers you, it is doubtful you will grow to be comfortable with it. You never know, you may get it and it just speaks to you!!

Are you set on the pear shape, or would you be open to others? I may be mistaken, but I think the idea of such a large stone may be the thing that's making you swoon... but no matter how large, if it's not what you want in color/clarity, faceting, or anything else... you will be unhappy. Don't be content with size alone. <--- and this is coming from an admitted size whore!!

A wise person once said, "It's only a good deal if you get what you want."

Yes, I do think I got caught up with the size haha! I just got SOO excited finding a pear diamond that size that fit my budget, I guess everything else seemed a blur. My boyfriend and I have both been saving up for a while now and we really really want to make sure this is everything we both want. I do also believe, now looking at this with a clearer head, that both my boyfriend and I most likely would be bothered by the color.

You mention hiding the color by hiding the sides with the setting. I never thought of that! That's a great tip!!

Honestly I think every shape is beautiful and really would be happy with any shape. I chose a Pear cut because I wanted something different from my friends. I also found online that they face up bigger than most shapes... lol I think I might be a size whore too!

I knew I was making the right choice by posting on here. The feedback is great and it's all for free! haha!

Thank you for the help!! Everyone has helped me so much!

 

[NicoleP]

Sometimes when a diamond is priced much lower than comparables on carat/color/clarity, there is a reason Like innclusions, or cut...

In this case I think the stone has more bow-tie than I personally like to see.

What is your budget and desired specs?

Are you willing to consider very tinted older cuts to get the size you want (the best way IMO)?

My budget as of right now is 30k. I really really wanted something in the 3.5-4ct range and something of higher color but this diamond that I posted was the only find within my budget that size . Because of the size I thought I would be able to get over the color, but thinking about it now I don't think I could. I'm very sensitive to color too. I don't know what I was thinking with this diamond, I got completely blinded by the size.

I love all cuts! I would love a D, E, or F but I doubt my budget would allow that for the size I would like. I don't care about clarity as long as it is eye clean. I am in no rush either. I could wait as long as Jan. to get a diamond if needed.