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Blue Nile or James Allen to Canada?

NightOwlInCanada

NightOwlInCanada

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 5, 2017
Messages
50
Hello everyone,

We are looking at several diamonds and settings right now and need a bit of help with suggestions and such. We live in Canada and would like to buy something from Blue Nile or James Allen (or another vendor if you have suggestions!)

Here is what we're stating at:
14k or 18k white gold
Tacori, Verragio or Carizza inspired setting
Mains diamond around 1 carat, best color and clarity possible for the cut
Assher or cushion (recommendations welcome!)
Setting that puts the accent on the main diamond, not against side stones
No petite band
We're looking for the best ring for the price: our budget is about $7000 CAD.

We like styles like these:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...bezel-and-pave-set-engagement-ring-item-17425

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help!
 
I believe that the vendors would be able to source any of the Stuller or Adwar settings that are available, which should be relatively cheap options, so it might be worth seeing if you can find the different options that are available online.

What are your preferred/acceptable parameters/priorities for the stone? Are you colour sensitive? Does it need to be 'mind-clean' or just 'eye-clean'? Do you need a certain size to fit in with local social norms?
 
Both Blue Nile and James Allen (as well as all the other vendors here on PS) ships diamonds and engagement rings to Canada on a regular basis. Thus, you are able to purchase from any of the vendors here on PS and have your ring shipped to Canada quickly and easily.

People assume that Blue Nile has an advantage because they have an office in Canada and that they will not pay the same import/excise taxes and fees because Blue Nile has nexus in Canada. However, the taxes and fees apply to all vendors across the board, including those with a presence in Canada. In the case of Blue Nile, the taxes will be applied to the transaction when the shipping address is entered into the order, because at that point they are able to calculate the taxes which vary by region.

With this in mind, I would focus on finding a diamond that meets your specifications and not limit the search to one vendor or another, since that will provide you with the largest selection of inventory to choose from.
 
Todd Gray said:
Both Blue Nile and James Allen (as well as all the other vendors here on PS) ships diamonds and engagement rings to Canada on a regular basis. Thus, you are able to purchase from any of the vendors here on PS and have your ring shipped to Canada quickly and easily.

People assume that Blue Nile has an advantage because they have an office in Canada and that they will not pay the same import/excise taxes and fees because Blue Nile has nexus in Canada. However, the taxes and fees apply to all vendors across the board, including those with a presence in Canada. In the case of Blue Nile, the taxes will be applied to the transaction when the shipping address is entered into the order, because at that point they are able to calculate the taxes which vary by region.

With this in mind, I would focus on finding a diamond that meets your specifications and not limit the search to one vendor or another, since that will provide you with the largest selection of inventory to choose from.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Todd,

I'm looking at purchasing the following diamond, but I'm a bit out of my league. I'm told that on viewing, it is not hazy or milky on inspection and that it's eye clean. From this link, are you able to tell?
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD06819592

Any advice that you can offer would be greatly appreciated. They will only hold it until tonight as they has a policy of holding it for 48 hrs and I just found you.

Best,
Paula
 
Thank you for the replies.
I was hoping to get a few suggestions of settings and diamonds, if you'd be so kind?
Thank you again!
 
Calling on @Matthews1127 @tyty333 @whitewave @valeria101 to help with asscher and cushion options...
$7000 CAD (setting + diamond)
cushion or asscher
high color
eye-clean

Asschers and cushions are quite different. Asschers are a step cut, and cushions are brilliant. Have you seen these in person? What attracts you to these? Have you seen diamond IRL to think about color? Step-cuts often need to be higher color than brilliants to appear "white".

Cushions come in a few options. Antique, crushed ice and brilliant.
Antique. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.82-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3596265

Clear facets.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.10-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3596694;
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3488628 {don't worry about the black you see, it is just reflecting the camera facing it}

Crushed Ice. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.12-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3084335; https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.06-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2727609 {not the most perfect examples, but they are really hard to find}

Which of these appeal to you?

Here are two current asscher thread you can read.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-me-find-an-asscher-diamond.236723/#post-4267846
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/asscher-cut-how-to-choose-the-best-cut.236729/
 
I heard the call. I have the flu since Sunday night and today my head is so congested, I can't think straight. I'll stop by later when it clears up...
 
This is something else - www (cushion, within budget). GemConcepts certainly does interesting cushions (www) and asschers galore, although I am not seeing anything just within specifications, on their shelf, today ... If you like these things, it might be worth asking.

[I woudl be fun to look for options at JA& BN ! if I can ... ]
 
ctd.

A JA 'Asscher' - WWW (5.8mm H/IF $6K)

and

a slightly larger square step cut WWW (6.25mm H/VS $6.3K) with a very different personality ... I mention it because I am hoping that this video is biased in the same way that other videos of step cuts at JA were in the past: showing way too much pitch black contrast .. that turned out to be RED under ASET (indicating that these are nicely bright areas of the diamond, not dark; and that the video setup at JA is not friendly to step cuts ... )

Would be nice to see ASETs of both.

I was not looking for H & certainly not for IF - just went for weight, budget & the first impression of the cut. I have passed quite a few other very nice ones, for sure ! [gottago]
 
I'll throw this asscher out there (no expert...so get others comments)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3304092

Edit ...another one
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3596354

$7000CAd = $5590US

- $1040 for setting leaves about $4550 for stone? Is this the correct amount you have for the stone or was the full $7000CAD for the stone only?

Edit...size-wise (if it matters...and it usually does :) ) looks like you will be better off with a cushion
 
Last edited:
.

Likely within budget: USD 4K, 1 ct E/VS 5.4 mm WWW

This one caught my attention the first time around, sure enough - it seems happy bright.

Going up even a little in weight limits choice allot, as usual. I would be confortable calling H-I/VS colourless & flawless, but I have let the impression of the shape & brighteness overrule grades (within reason) & just about everything else (for example, J/VS WWW with a merely 'Good' symmetry grade & some happy sparkle, methinks - I am not sure I am seeing in the contrast pattern any hint of whatever made GIA downgrade symmetry ... maybe I do as it is shown, at 10X ...)

___

I would vote for the 1 ct E / VS - it seems faultless in every way, at least until the ASET comes in.

Good luck !
 
Last edited:
So many beautiful diamonds, thank you everyone! I will probably go to a few jewelry stores tonight to hopefully see asshers and nice settings in person. Anyone would know a good jewelry in Montreal to start my search? I know this is a long shot but who knows...

Thank you again!
 
rockysalamander said:
Calling on @Matthews1127 @tyty333 @whitewave @valeria101 to help with asscher and cushion options...
$7000 CAD (setting + diamond)
cushion or asscher
high color
eye-clean

Asschers and cushions are quite different. Asschers are a step cut, and cushions are brilliant. Have you seen these in person? What attracts you to these? Have you seen diamond IRL to think about color? Step-cuts often need to be higher color than brilliants to appear "white".

Cushions come in a few options. Antique, crushed ice and brilliant.
Antique. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.82-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3596265

Clear facets.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.10-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3596694;
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3488628 {don't worry about the black you see, it is just reflecting the camera facing it}

Crushed Ice. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.12-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3084335; https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.06-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2727609 {not the most perfect examples, but they are really hard to find}

Which of these appeal to you?

Here are two current asscher thread you can read.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-me-find-an-asscher-diamond.236723/#post-4267846
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/asscher-cut-how-to-choose-the-best-cut.236729/
Click to expand...

I'm definitely leaning towards Clear facets... Very informative, many thanks.
 
Paula Mc said:
Hi Todd,

I'm looking at purchasing the following diamond, but I'm a bit out of my league. I'm told that on viewing, it is not hazy or milky on inspection and that it's eye clean. From this link, are you able to tell?
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD06819592

Any advice that you can offer would be greatly appreciated. They will only hold it until tonight as they has a policy of holding it for 48 hrs and I just found you.

Best,
Paula
Click to expand...
Paula, you may wish to start your own thread with the diamond you’re looking at for others to help you evaluate it along with Todd if he’s online.
 
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