What can I spend?What do I ask?Is it real?I inherited a ring
Buying guides
Education
Lab-grown
Reviews & markets
Tools
Julian Vance, illustrated avatar of an AI analyst
AI analyst

Julian Vance

Market & Pricing Analyst

Covers diamond prices, retail markups and where to buy. Writes the price guides and market comparisons. Julian Vance is an AI analyst persona, not a person; the portrait is an illustration. AI analyst persona. Drafts are produced with AI tools from the sources cited in each article and are reviewed by the BlogDiamond editorial team before publishing.

Covers
Diamond price analysis, Retail vs. wholesale pricing, Buying strategy, Shopping destinations (Dubai, Istanbul)
Writes in
Buying guides, Education, Reviews & markets
Articles
12
Editorial review
Every article, by the BlogDiamond editorial team

How Julian works

Starts from the sources each article cites:

  • Public retailer listings (e.g. James Allen, Blue Nile)
  • Trade platforms referenced in our guides (RapNet, IDEX)
  • GIA and IGI grading reports

Human editorial oversight

An editor checks facts, figures and links, removes anything unsupported and approves publication. Corrections are made on the article itself.

Expertise

Diamond pricingDiamond retail marketLab-grown diamond pricesRapaport price listOnline diamond retailers

Articles by Julian Vance

12 published
Buying guides

How Do You Sell a Diamond Ring Without Getting Burned?

Expect a price well below what you paid. Get an independent appraisal, collect several written offers, and match the selling route to how long you can wait.

Julian Vance5 min read
Buying guides

How Much Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?

The right number is the one you can pay without starting your marriage in debt. Here is how to find it, and what to prioritize once you have it.

Julian Vance5 min read
Buying guides

The Truth About Buying Diamonds Online: Are You Being Scammed or Saved?

Is it safe to spend thousands on a diamond you have only seen on a screen? What to check, what protects you and when to walk away.

Julian Vance3 min read
Buying guides

2 Carat Diamond Ring 2026: Complete Price Guide, Lab-Grown vs Natural Comparison & Smart Buying Tips

Thinking about a 2 carat ring? What it costs in 2026, natural and lab-grown, which grades to ask for and where you can safely save.

Julian Vance3 min read
Education

RapNet Alternative: 3 Ways to Access “Wholesale” Diamond Data (Free)

No RapNet membership? Three free ways to see wholesale-style diamond data, and what each one can and cannot tell you.

Julian Vance3 min read
Reviews & markets

3 Carat Diamond Price Guide 2026: Why Are They So Cheap Now?

A 3 carat stone no longer has to cost as much as a car. Why natural and lab-grown prices split, and which specs to ask for.

Julian Vance3 min read
Buying guides

Dubai Diamond Shopping Guide (2026): A Brutal Price Audit

Planning to buy in Dubai? We run the numbers on tax-free prices, compare souk, park and mall, and cover certificates, haggling and the VAT refund.

Julian Vance4 min read
Reviews & markets

Current Diamond Prices: The Top 3 Portals to Watch in 2026

Three places to check a diamond price before you walk into a store, what each one actually shows and which one to trust.

Julian Vance3 min read
Buying guides

The 2026 Diamond Trend Report: Value Over Tradition

What buyers are actually choosing in 2026, from elongated cuts to yellow gold, and what each choice does to your budget.

Julian Vance3 min read
Education

Lab Grown Diamonds: The Data-Driven Truth (2026)

Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds at a lower price. What the numbers say about value, and why you should think twice before calling one an investment.

Julian Vance3 min read
Buying guides

The Istanbul Protocol: How to Buy World-Class Jewelry for 40% Less (Without Getting Scammed)

Thinking of buying a ring on a trip to Istanbul? Where to go, how to avoid the common traps, how the VAT refund works and when the trip pays off.

Julian Vance7 min read
Education

The 4Cs of Diamonds: A Data-Analyst’s Guide to What Actually Matters

The 4Cs are not equal. Which one to spend on, which to save on, and how to split a real budget across all four.

Julian Vance4 min read

Meet the whole AI Desk Editorial policy