“Sykovski’s Choice” Diamond Engagement Ring Recommendations and Comparisons

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You get three excellent engagement ring recommendations / comparisons with each edition of Sykovski’s Choice.

Refer to this handy card to better understand the grading terms

“Sykovski’s Choice” Diamond Engagement Ring Recommendations 5-25-20: James Allen Price vs Tiffany

To make this a more concise comparison, I’ll simplify.

We’ll compare diamonds of all the same quality and size (or very very close). (Very similar color grades, clarity grades, cut grades, and carat.)

They differ in where you buy them — Tiffany or James Allen.

Yeah! But what about Blue Nile vs James Allen, hmmm?

I’m asked why I don’t include Blue Nile, and other James Allen type diamond retailers. And my answer is always the same:

It’s like asking why not include Rakuten.com along with Amazon. Amazon is … in my opinion, much better. So there’s no need to compare Rakuten.

In the same way, James Allen is, in my opinion, like the Amazon of diamond retailers. There’s no real need to look elsewhere. (I’m also an affiliate of James Allen’s. That means they pay me a small commission, at no extra cost to you, whenever you buy something there via a link of mine. But that doesn’t change the fact that James Allen is simply the absolute best online diamond retailer in the world in terms of 3D imaging, prices, selection, and buying experience.)

Prices better than James Allen? I don’t think so.

If you see the same grade of diamond at Blue Nile (or any other reputable retailer) for less than what I quote it here at James Allen, then let me know. I want to know about it. Also let James Allen know and they will probably match the price. Here’s a link to their price match guarantee.

#1 Sykovski’s Choice May 25, 2020: GIA-Graded Diamond Engagement Rings for Less Than $1,500

1. Choose a $240 14K White Gold setting. (14K gold is the most common, best setting in the world because it is as beautiful as 18K gold and yet it is harder, more durable than 18K gold.)

You can get incredibly inexpensive yet high quality settings at James Allen. Note that this $240 setting will drop to $180 if you next choose a True Hearts diamond, due to the 25% off sale also pictured just below.

Which you will, if you follow my suggestions …

2. Choose an $830 0.4-Carat True Hearts diamond

I’ve pre-set the filters for you in that link. (If it doesn’t work in your browser — and there’s a very LOW chance that it won’t work in your browser — then just look at my image above and set all your sliders/filters to the same.

THAT’S how you find this incredible deal … a James Allen True Hearts diamond, with that beautiful setting, for $1,010!

Note that there are only 3 such diamonds in their inventory right now. Every diamond in inventory is unique. So, after those three are gone, there may not be any more at the present time.

And that’s it! You’ve just saved over $2,500 compared to the Tiffany offering.

Are Tiffany and James Allen offerings of equal quality? The answer will shock you.

Quality is subjective.

But diamond quality is graded by experts. Who do you think has the more universally respected experts? James Allen or Tiffany?

Well, I can’t answer that. I CAN say that

James Allen uses 3rd-party, objective, qualified experts from the GIA, AGS, or IGI.

Tiffany just grades their own diamonds, without any 3rd-party grading

Which do you trust to shoot the straightest? It’s just one man’s opinion, mine… but as for me, I prefer the independent, 3rd-party grading system.

I have zero evidence to tell you that Tiffany fudges the grades for its own diamonds, in order to increase their value on the market. But it’s just my opinion, that a 3rd-party grading lab such as the GIA is better. Maybe just me?

Bottom line: Both Tiffany’s graders grading Tiffany’s own diamonds, and the GIA, AGS, and IGI graders grading the James Allen diamonds, grade these diamonds as the best of the best in Cut quality.

So why is Tiffany’s thousands more dollars expensive?

You tell me. I don’t know. I personally have an opinion however. My opinion is that Tiffany can charge a premium for its brand name. For me? That’s not worth the extra cost. If the extra cost is $2,000 or more, then write that in red letters: it’s not worth the extra cost.

#2 Sykovski’s Choice May 25, 2020: Tiffany vs James Allen 1-Carat, H-Color, VS1-Clarity, Excellent-Cut Diamond Engagement Rings

At Tiffany this ring is $12,300! Wow….

Tiffany grades their own diamonds. I tend to trust their grades. But at the same time, “tend to trust” is not the same, to me, as knowing that the GIA, IGI, or AGS graded the diamonds.

At James Allen, get a very similar ring for under $7,000!

First, choose this platinum setting at James Allen, similar to the platinum setting at Tiffany …

Then, choose a very similar diamond for $6,000 or so … graded by third-party graders. That means the GIA, the IGI, or the AGS.

Are 3rd-party graders more trustworthy than Tiffany’s own graders of Tiffany’s own diamonds? You tell me. I can’t say for sure. But personally I tend to trust independent, 3rd-party diamond grading labs more than I trust any retailer’s own graders.

That’s makes a total, for the James Allen ring, of $6,780.

That’s a savings of $5,520!!

Virtually the same quality, in my view: GIA or IGI or AGS graded the James Allen diamond. Tiffany graded their own diamond. Both diamonds were graded to be essentially the same.

So why is Tiffany’s $5,000 more expensive?

You tell me. I don’t know. I have an opinion. Just one man’s opinion. And that is: Tiffany has a hugely desirable brand name from last century into this century, so they can charge a premium.

To me, just me perhaps, that’s not worth an extra $5,000.

#3: 1.45-Carat, D-Color, IF-Clarity, Excellent Cut Tiffany Diamond Engagement Ring vs ….

… #3 continued … compared to James Allen’s 1.64-Carat, E-Color, IF-Clarity, Excellent Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

Click the image to be taken to this selection. (Each diamond in the James Allen inventory is unique, so it’s possible it may have sold by the time you go there. Get moving ASAP if interested … )

$680 for the setting plus $27,820 = $28,500 total, for a bigger ring, of very similar quality as the one at Tiffany for $48,500.

That’s a savings of $20,000!

“Sykovski’s Choice” Diamond Engagement Ring Recommendations 4-25-20: James Allen vs Tiffany vs Szul!

1. Tiffany & Co. 1-Carat I VS-1 Excellent Cut Diamond Engagement Ring in Platinum for $12,400

In this James Allen vs Tiffany bout, let’s begin with this Tiffany & Co. diamond engagement ring:

To get this “Sykovski’s Choice” diamond engagement ring:

1. Start here.
2. On that page, click on the words “Your Diamond Selection”.
3. Select the 1.03-Carat diamond.

• Diamond Certificate / Grading Report: Tiffany & Co. only; no 3rd-party grading report or certificate such as GIA, IGI, or AGS.
• Carats: 1.03-Carat
• Color Grade: I
• Clarity: VS-1
• Cut: Excellent
• Shape: Tiffany True, a new square mixed-cut diamond shape exclusive to Tiffany.
• Setting: Platinum. It’s a unique Tiffany setting, with a “T” incorporated into the setting, when viewed from the side.
• Money-Back Guarantee: 30 days, with reasonable conditions.
• Pros: Signature Tiffany designs in the stone and the setting.
• Cons: Price is more than some want to pay for a 1-Carat, I, VS-1 Excellent Cut diamond.
• Diamond Imaging: none found

2. James Allen GIA-Certified 1-Carat I VS-1 Excellent Cut Diamond Engagement Ring in Platinum for $3,202

Now we get to the James Allen similar diamond and similar setting in this James Allen vs Tiffany contest.

James Allen’s engagement rings are all custom chosen. You choose a specific loose diamond and a setting, and James Allen creates the rings.

To get this “Sykovski’s Choice” diamond engagement ring:

1. Start here. (It lands you on the settings choices.)
2. On that page, select “Platinum Claw Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring Flush Fit Item.” (It’s $790, on sale at the time of writing for $592.)
3. After completing #2 above, go here and click “Select This Diamond.” (Each diamond is unique, so it may have been purchased by the time you get there. If it is, then simply use the diamond filters here to look for a similar one.)
4. On the next page, click “Add to Cart” and then proceed to checkout, if you choose to buy this diamond engagement ring.

• Diamond Certificate / Grading Report: GIA
• Carats: 1-Carat
• Color Grade: I
• Clarity: VS-2
• Cut: Excellent
• Shape: Cushion Modified
• Setting: Platinum
• Money-Back Guarantee: 30 days, with reasonable conditions
• Pros: You can visually inspect the diamond with James Allen’s incredible 3D imagery; also the diamond has an AGS diamond certificate.
• Cons: None
• Diamond Imaging: James Allen’s incredible 3D imaging. The diamond I selected is here. (Each diamond is unique, so it may have been purchased by the time you get there. If it is, then simply use the diamond filters here to look for a similar one.)

3. Szul AGS-Certified 0.75-Carat J-K Color, I2-I3 Clarity, Good Cut Princess Diamond Engagement Ring for $1,179

I always like to bring a very low priced diamond engagement ring in to disrupt a James Allen vs Tiffany contest. This affordable diamond ring could steal the show for many readers.

To get this “Sykovsky’s Choice” diamond engagement ring, click here and add it to your cart.

• Diamond Certificate / Grading Report: AGS
• Carats: 0.75-Carat
• Color Grade: J to K. (These are a collection of diamonds. They range in color from J to K. That can be a fairly yellow diamond, by colorless standards.
• Clarity: I2 to I3 (These are a collection of diamonds each on their own ring, and they vary from I2 to I3 Clarity. That’s pretty well included/flawed. See the card at the top of this post.
• Cut: Good.
• Shape: Cushion Modified
• Setting: Platinum
• Money-Back Guarantee: 30 days, with reasonable conditions
• Pros: An AGS certified diamond at a relatively low price. 14K yellow gold is the most popular choice for diamond engagement rings, and very durable and beautiful. Also, this may be the most responsible purchase if you really shouldn’t spend $3K to $13K on an engagement ring right now; for a vast majority of people, this ring is still a respectable symbol of love, commitment, and sacrifice.
• Cons: The color and the clarity may be less than what you would ideally want. Also: if you can responsibly afford $3K to $13K for a diamond engagement ring, you should know that no diamond is really a bargain. You get what you pay for.
• Diamond Imaging: None.

Which diamond engagement ring comes out the winner for you in this James Allen vs Tiffany contest?

The unique Tiffany cut and design are definitely attractive to me.

But at that price, $13K for the Tiffany ring vs the $3K price for the James Allen ring?

I’d choose the Tiffany Ring if it were a lot closer in price to the James Allen ring. Or if I had money to burn. But it’s not so, either one of them.

The Tiffany ring is over 3x as much. And I don’t have money to burn. The unique Tiffany cut and design are worth that premium to some people. But as for me, I’d have to go with the James Allen ring in this matchup.