How to Rock the Blue Nile Build Your Own Ring Tool 2022

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June 1

The Blue Nile Build Your Own Ring tool lets you quickly and easily create something unique. Whether you begin by choosing a diamond or the setting makes no difference. Deciding which option to start with is strictly a matter of preference.

Some people prefer to start by looking at the engagement rings to ensure that Blue Nile has their favorite style. The odds are that they do because they offer the latest and most popular designs.

Others start with the diamond since that is the primary focus, and the ring is secondary. We highly recommend reading our tutorial on how to set the advanced filters for an effective Blue Nile Diamond Search.

How to Use the Blue Nile Build Your Own Ring Feature.

Pick Your Favorite Blue Nile Ring.

Blue Nile Build Your Own Ring Basics:

Blue Nile Diamond is a leading source of engagement rings and fine jewelry, including the exclusive Astor Ideal and a massive inventory of GIA Excellent Cuts.

If you're shopping for a Blue Nile diamond engagement ring, you're in for a treat. This tutorial explains how to pick the best-looking diamond quickly and easily.

Blue Nile offers one of the largest inventories of GIA-graded diamonds online. They also have a generous 30-day inspection period with free shipping and returns. Here are the three best ways to build your own Blue Nile engagement ring:

Is the Blue Nile Build Your Own Ring Tool the Best Way?

Blue Nile Diamond Carat Weight Examples of 0.50, 1 ct., 2 ct., 3 ct., Blue Nile Diamond Carat Weight Rounds

0.50 ct., 1 ct., 2 ct., 3 ct., Blue Nile Diamonds.

The best approach is to take advantage of our free Diamond Concierge Service. Let us know what you're looking for and we’ll conduct the search and recommend the best options.

One of those inquiries is the inspiration for this tutorial. In that case, our client wanted a 2-carat diamond and had thirty thousand dollars to spend.

In case you're wondering what different sizes of diamonds looks like, this photograph is a good reference. This is how a half-carat, 1-carat, 2-carat, and 3-carat diamond look in a solitaire setting from Blue Nile.

Blue Nile Build Your Own Ring vs Loose Diamond Search:

Blue Nile Side stone, Solitaire and Halo Settings.

Which Blue Nile Setting Style Is Your Favorite?

It doesn’t which method you choose to Shop for a Blue Nile Engagement Ring because you'll eventually choose a diamond and setting either way.

Under those circumstances, it might be simpler and more straightforward to present the options a different way. In other words, there is the first option where you choose a diamond and then pick a setting.

There is also a second option where you pick a setting and then search for diamonds. You’ll be working from the same inventory regardless of which method you choose.

In that case, it really doesn’t matter which option you choose. However, I recommend this range of proportions to search if you want the best light performance. With that in mind, I’ll show you how to set the Advanced Filters to maximize your success. Then you can pick your favorite style setting from Blue Nile.

Blue Nile Build Your Own Ring Step-by-Step:

As a matter of fact, I don’t use the Ring Builder on Blue Nile when I search for diamonds. That’s because they use cookies to store the information on the client-side which is your computer. Under those circumstances, the information that I need will not be passed along in the links.

Although that may be true, you don’t have to worry about that if you’re conducting the search. After all, you’re not going to be passing the links on to anybody else. With that in mind, let’s learn how to build a ring on Blue Nile.

Let's Design Your Blue Nile Engagement Ring:

How to Use the Blue Nile Ring Builder

Blue Nile Ring Builder.

First, open the Blue Nile Ring Builder in your browser. Then click on "Build your own ring” or on the picture of the type of jewelry you want to create.

Consequently, you can choose from any of the popular types of jewelry. For example, you can create a custom engagement ring. Or, you can build an anniversary ring, a pendant, or a pair of diamond earrings.

As a matter of fact, the process is identical, regardless of what type of jewelry you want to build. In this case, we’re building a diamond engagement ring.

With that in mind, you’ll click on the picture of the diamond engagement ring. That’s a pretty simple and straightforward process, right? Although that may be true, you’ll want to take advantage of the advanced filters to improve the search results.

How to Set the Advanced Filters:

In the first place, if you only use the basic search options, you’re going to be overwhelmed with the options. Secondly, you need to be aware that the majority of GIA Excellent cut diamonds aren’t very good. Obviously, that’s a matter of opinion, but I have 35+ years of experience to back up that statement.

Blue Nile Diamond Engagement Ring Reviews

Blue Nile Ring Reviews.

As a matter of fact, the GIA Excellent rating represents a spectrum of possibilities. In that case, you’re going to find diamonds on the upper and lower ends of the spectrum.

Under those circumstances, you want to focus on diamonds with proportions in the middle of the spectrum.

In other words, if you search Blue Nile for 2-carat round diamonds, then you’ll get 5000+ results. If you limit the range to a minimum of VS-2 clarity and H-color, then you’ll reduce the options significantly.

Consequently, you’ll reduce the number even more by setting the diamond cut quality to Ideal or Astor Ideal. However, the real magic occurs when you take advantage of the additional filters.

Of course, we haven’t set the price range yet. Shall we say thirty grand? That seems like a reasonable starting point for a 2-carat diamond ring. In which case, there are  535 diamonds to choose from and we’ll eliminate most of those momentarily.

Use These Advanced Settings:

  • Polish Excellent.
  • Symmetry Excellent.
  • List Element
  • Fluorescence between none and strong blue.
  • Total Depth between 59 – 61.8%.
  • Table diameter between 53 – 58%.
  • Add the column for Culet.

Under those circumstances, then your screen should look something like this:

Blue Nile Diamond Search
2-carat diamond ring prices
Best Clarity for 2-carat diamond
Ideal Depth for Round Diamond.
Ideal Table Diameter for Round Diamond
Strong Blue Fluorescence H-color Diamond

In this case, the number of diamonds that we have to consider is less than fifty. As a matter of fact, that's still an overwhelming number of choices. With that in mind, we'll use the crown and pavilion angle measurements to narrow things down further.

The Best Crown/Pavilion Angle Offset:

As a matter of fact, the range of proportions for the zero ideal cut rating is too broad. Under those circumstances, there are a lot of round ideal cut diamonds that don’t perform well. With that in mind, we’re going to focus on a much narrower range of proportions. To be specific, we are only looking for round diamonds with the following measurements:

  • Crown angle between 34.3 – 35.0 degrees.
  • Pavilion angle between 40.6 – 40.9 degrees.

Obviously, this is a very tight range and you don’t want to deviate from it. The reason is that even the slightest deviation from these measurements will have a negative impact. In other words, the diamond will either leak more light or it will affect the balance of brilliance and dispersion.

Monique Lhuillier Blue NIle Diamond Engagement Rings

Blue Nile Rings by Monique Lhuillier

With this in mind, you’re going to open up the details pages for each of these Blue Nile diamonds. Then, you’re going to look at the proportions diagram and close the tab if it doesn’t have the right measurements.

To put it differently, don’t waste your time looking at anything that isn’t likely to perform well. After all, you’re about to spend thousands of dollars on a rock.

Under those circumstances, it should be the shiniest and sparkliest rock you can find. After all, when you propose, you want your Blue Nile engagement ring to take her breath away

Watch Me Search Blue Nile for Diamonds:

How to Search Blue Nile | YouTube Video by Nice Ice Diamonds.

How to Search Blue Nile Using Nice Ice Presets.

Evaluating Blue Nile Diamond Details:

Obviously, there isn't much that you can tell about a diamond by the basic line listing. With that in mind, you're going to need to look at the individual details for each diamond.

How to search Blue Nile

GIA Excellent Blue Nile Diamonds.

Under those circumstances, the best way to do that is as follows. Simply right click your mouse over the listing and then open the page in a new tab in your browser.

In this case, that means that you'll have 47 open tabs in your browser. The next step will be to determine whether the proportions meet my selection criteria.

Where is the GIA Diamond Grading Report?

In order to verify the proportions, you'll need to look at the diagram on the lab report. In which case, you'll need to click on the GIA icon that can be found on the diamond details page.

Diamond Details Blue Nile GIA Excellent

Blue Nile LD12475431 Diamond Details.

Although this might seem obvious, you'd be amazed at how many people ask where to find the lab report. In addition, they might ask me whether Blue Nile Diamonds are real.

Under those circumstances, knowing where to find the GIA diamond grading report goes a long way to resolve both issues. As a matter of fact, the location of the lab report is subject to change.

In other words, there are times when I have to look for it thanks to some designer changing the layout. Fortunately, the use of the GIA icon pictured on the left seems to be consistent.

In that case, you only need to click on the GIA icon to see the report. Unlike some dealers, Blue Nile makes it easy to find the report.

How to Use the Clarity Photo and Video:

Blue Nile Reviews, LD13584227

Blue Nile Diamond Reviews.

This 2.01 carat, H-color, VS-2 clarity, GIA Excellent cut diamond from Blue Nile is the first on the list. As you can see by the red outline, there is obstruction under the table facet.

In other words, this diamond is leaking light in that region. Under those circumstancs, the diamond is going to look dark, so there is no need to consider it further.

After all, this is a tutorial on how to search for the best diamonds on Blue Nile. Obviously, we can do better than this, but it also provides a good opportunity to talk the proportions.

In this case, the 41-degree pavilion angle is not conducive to good light return. In addition, the 43.5% pavilion depth is something you want to avoid. As a matter of fact, it's "the critical tipping poing" where light begins not to strike fully off the pavilion facets.

In other words, this GIA Excellent cut diamond from Blue Nile does not have the proportions we're looking for. At the same time, it is readily apparent that there is room for improvement in terms of optical precision.

After all, the tips of the arrows are fading out in several positions and light is not reflecting evenly. Under those circumstances, you don't even need an ASET Scope to verify that this diamond will not perform well.

Blue Nile Diamond Reviews, GIA #2201172984:

Blue Nile Diamond Reviews, GIA 2201172984

Blue Nile Diamond Reviews.

This 2.26 carat, F-color, VVS-1 clarity, GIA Excellent cut diamond from Blue Nile meets my selection criteria. First, there are no signs of obstruction under the table facet.

Second, the 40.8 degree pavilion angle is a good offset for the 35.0 degree crown angle. In which case, the diamond should exhibit a high volume of light return and a virtual balance of brilliance and dispersion.

At the same time, you can see that light appears to be reflecting throughout the diamond pretty evenly. As a matter of fact, this looks like the best of the six diamonds that have the right proportions out of the 47 options.

Although this may be true, we would need an ASET and Ideal Scope image to verify the light performance. Unfortunately, Blue Nile does not provide those images on their diamond details pages. In which case, we can only go by the proportions and hope for the best.

Blue Nile Reviews, GIA Excellent Cut Diamond:

Blue Nile GIA Excellent cut diamond, LD12620581

Blue Nile GIA Excellent Cut.

This 2.10 carat, H-color, VS-2 clarity, GIA Excellent cut round diamond from Blue Nile is my second choice. In other words, out of the 47 diamonds remaining in the search results, this is the second best.

In the first place, you can see that light is reflecting throughout the diamond pretty evenly. Secondly, there are no major signs of obstruction visible under the table facet.

In addition, the 40.8 degree pavilion angle should produce a high volume of light return. While the 35-degree crown angle produces a virtual balance of brilliance and dispersion.

Although that may be true, I'm wondering whether you're able to see a difference between these two diamonds. As a matter of fact, the length of the lower girdle facets changes the look of the arrows pattern.

 In this case, the arrow shafts are bolder looking because of the 75% lower girdle facet length. Whereas the arrows look thinner in the 2.26 carat because of the 80% lower girdle facet length.

Blue Nile Diamond Reviews, GIA #6342959924:

Blue Nile Diamond Reviews, LD13729586

GIA Excellent Blue Nile Diamond.

This 2.09 carat, G-color, VS-2 clarity, GIA Excellent cut diamond from Blue Nile is third on my list. To begin with, the 40.8 degree pavilion angle should produce a high volume of light return.

The 35-degree crown angle should also produce a virtual balance of brilliance and dispersion. Although that may be true, it seems obvious that the other two diamonds face-up a little nicer.

In other words, it looks like the light reflects more evenly throughout those other two. There also appears to be a difference in the width of the arrows shafts. 

For example, the arrow shaft in the nine o'clock position looks thicker than the rest. Under those circumstances, it's likely that an ASET or Ideal Scope image will reveal inconsistencies in optical precision. Be that as it may, this diamond is well within the Top 1% of the annual production for rounds.

Put Your Diamond Evaluation Skills to the Test:

As you may recall, there were 47 diamonds remaining after applying the filters for table diameter and total depth. There were six diamonds remaining after the crown/pavilion angle offset was taken into account. Obviously, the top three appear above along with my opinions and observations.

The next three have proportions within the scope of my selection criteria. In that event, they should exhibit a high volume of light return and a virtual balance of brilliance and dispersion. Of course, the degree of optical precision is going to influence how evenly light reflects throughout the diamonds. With that in mind, take a look at these three diamonds and let me know what you think:

As a matter of fact, these diamonds are listed in order of preference with the first three being my top picks. Although these three diamonds have proportions within the same range, they face-up differently.

In other words, I want you to focus on how evenly light is reflecting throughout these diamonds. Under those circumstances, I'm certain you'll see the reasons why the diamonds are presented in this order.

Boxing Up this Blue Nile Build Your Own Ring Tutorial:

Blue Nile Diamond Cut Quality Shines Through.

Blue Nile Diamond Cut Quality Shines Through.

So there you have it, an in-depth tutorial on how to use the Blue Nile Ring Builder. Once again, it is largely a matter of personal preference.

However, I prefer to look for the diamond first, and then select a setting. Of course, it really doesn’t matter whether you begin with a diamond or a ring.

Although, as a diamond buyer with 35+ years of experience, I tend to focus on finding the diamond first. After all, that is the centerpiece of the engagement ring.

In that case, I think that it makes the most sense to find the diamond first. Be sure to take advantage of our Diamond Concierge Service if you want help.

After all, it makes sense to consult with a professional on a purchase of this magnitude. As a matter of fact, we’re happy to run all the searches and provide you with an in-depth evaluation.

All we ask in return is that you use our affiliate links to access the diamond details pages and make your purchase. In that way, it’s a win/win for everybody. Of course, there is no obligation to buy or any charge for our services.

About the Author

Dive deep into the glittering world of diamonds with Todd Gray, the CEO of Gray Matter Development, LLC. Todd has 35+ years of experience as a diamond buyer and trade consultant. He ghostwrites content for several online vendors and is an avid Freediver, currently exploring the Cenotes of Yucatan, Mexico. Dive into brilliance with Todd Gray!