Narrowed down to 3 James Allen diamonds, help me choose!

[kevbox]

Hi everyone,

Appreciate all of the great information that's been on this site. You've made this difficult process quite fun and it's great to have the community support.

I'm buying a diamond engagement ring from James Allen and have narrowed my choices down to three. I'm waiting on a JA gemologist to schedule a consultation with me.

My general search criteria was:
Cut: Excellent (GIA), Ideal (AGS), HCA < 2.0. The True Hearts was a plus but not a requirement.
Clarity: SI1+ eye clean, although I gravitated more towards VS2
Color: H+
Carat: 1.15 - 1.25
Price Range: $8,000-$10,000

Here they are:

PS Price: $8,370
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.23-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-197215

PS Price: $9,180
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.22-carat-G-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-194877

Price: $9,120
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.15-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-Ideal-cut-sku-73728

I am looking for the diamond that has the best light return, sparkle, brilliance, etc etc. So far I'm a big fan of the 197215, since it's at such a good price point. Is the True Hearts going to perform that much better? It's possible that the first two I listed will be dazzling as well since they are highly rated, and they could have just been missed by the James Allen gemologists in their filter. Thoughts?

Also, has anyone picked out this setting?
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-289

I love the petite pave style, but I'm not sure of the gaps between the stones. I do like the stones a little more flush together, like the blue nile example. Anyone have any opinions?

Thanks everyone!!

 

[JulieN]

I like the first one, too. You can ask for Ideal Scopes on the first two.

The thin french-cut pave is seriously thin! It is fashionable but it could have a shorter lifespan than something thicker. I would at least get it in platinum, or move up to the 2.1 mm version.

 

[JulieN]

The shared prong is probably less metal-y http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/side-stones/platinum-0.30ct-common-prong-round-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1982

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Agree with Julie that you need to request idealscope images and I also highly recommend switching to the setting she linked.

 

[kevbox]

Thanks for the fast responses, yeah that setting looks great! I'll report back with the idealscopes when i get them.

 

[kevbox]

Okay, I just received the idealscopes! The gemologist said that the 1.22 G VS2 performed better than the other two hands down. She said that it provided the most light return, was the whitest, and had the biggest diameter as well. She also says the idealscopes confirm her observations of the diamonds. Thoughts?

PS Price: $8,370
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.23-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-197215


PS Price: $9,180
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.22-carat-G-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-194877


Price: $9,120
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.15-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-Ideal-cut-sku-73728

 

[kevbox]

I am thinking to go with the platinum thin French pave. My gf has very small fingers and I feel like the diamond could really pop on such a thin band. Either way, still a hard decision!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You will have durability issues with a very thin band of 1.6mm. I wouldn't even consider it. The other one that Julie linked is only 1.9mm, but it is better. Someone here was having trouble losing stones out of one of these settings and posted in the last couple of days. I need to go back and look that up. (I looked and the setting that had problems is like these but 2.1mm. Just understand a pave ring is delicate and she must treat it carefully. I just urge you to make the 1.9mm one the minimum size you consider. That is still very thin.)

I think the G VS2 looks great. The 1.23 H VS2 also looks fine.

 

[kevbox]

I'm just about to place an order for the 1.22 G with the Common Prong in Platinum !

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.22-carat-G-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-194877
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/side-stones/platinum-0.30ct-common-prong-round-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1982

Appreciate your help!! Will keep everyone updated on the build process.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Great choices!!! Can't wait to see the finished ring!

 

[HSC32]

Hi Kevbox,

Good luck w/your purchase.

Sorry if this is a little off-topic but can you share why your James Allen prices differ from the JamesAllen.com website? I know there's a pricescope discount but I can't seem to get it to apply. I tried using the pricescope diamond search but get the same pricing as the JA website. Did you get those quotes by talking to a sales rep there? Your help is appreciated...thanks in advance!

 

[JulieN]

You have to talk to a sales rep. Their chat is very helpful.

 

[kevbox]

Yes, Julien is right, you'll need to online chat or call their representatives. JA is extremely helpful and I've had an excellent experience so far. I have found that it's good to get a few opinions from different CSRs, as each have their own personalities, but I'd say that the advice given by all of them has been consistent. Good luck with your search!

 

[HSC32]

Thank you all for the help!