Question on engagement ring from JA & Blue Nile

[jana1120]

I'm helping my son research and pick out an engagement ring to surprise his fiancee.

He found this setting (which is what she likes based on pinterest)
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/platinum-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-2018

and diamond on JA for $5,690
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-564519

and this one on Blue Nile for $5,998

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/petite-pave-ring-platinum_17875

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD05800645

Compared to WF, this seems like a steal. We are both new at this diamond thing. Is there something we are missing? He wants to go with an excellent or greater cut, and not below VS-2 or H on clarity & color, with the largest carat between $4-$7K (hes a school teacher so has limited budget) and these seem to fit the bill, but seems too reasonably priced compared to WF.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Jana

 

[JDDN]

Hi Jana,

I just posted to your original thread on the BN and JA links.

I think I understand what your definition of quality is....color and clarity. Yes, the BN and JA stones have better clarity than the WF stones in his budget, but the goods come down to the cut. The other C's are definitely important, but the cut is what gives the diamond the sparkle, brilliance and fire.

The WF stones are a bit pricier b/c they provide all the performance imaging for you and they are precision cut. For some it's worth the extra money and for some it isn't. One way isn't better than the other .

With a diamond scoring below 2 on the HCA, you are not guaranteed a diamond with optimal light return and performance. An Idealscope and or an ASET image will tell you those things (along with your eyes over some period of time in various environments).

Out of your two picks, I would choose the BN stone as long as the strong blue fluorescence has no negative affects. The JA stone has a very shallow crown angle and it will make for a pancake like diamond. It will also be lacking in dispersion.