Author: Mike Fried

Q&A: Choosing a Round or Cushion Cut Diamond for a Platinum Ring With $5,500 Total Budget

Last Updated On: June 29, 2020

I would love some help purchasing an engagement ring. I am shopping Blue Nile. I want the most affordable clean looking diamond for my money. I’m looking at a 1 carat that will fit in a halo setting. The two halo settings I’ve chosen are the Cushion Halo Diamond Engagement Ring and the Petite Twisted …

Diamond Q&A

Q&A: Looking for a Pear or Heart Shape Diamond With a $3,500 Budget

Last Updated On: June 29, 2020

Hello! I’m looking for help finding the right diamond for a custom engagement ring. I’m looking for a pear cut, $3,500 budget (I already have the setting budgeted separately). Priority is cut quality, but I would like to keep color at I or better and clarity at SI1 or better (eye-clean). Most of what I …

Diamond Q&A

Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond for Around $10,000 Budget

Last Updated On: June 29, 2020

Hi, I am looking for help selecting a diamond for an engagement ring. I have visited the James Allen site but would like guidance on whether a diamond will be eye clean or not. My budget is $10,000 and I am hoping to find a round diamond in the 1.50 ct range. Let me know …

Diamond Q&A

Q&A: Choosing a 1.00 Ct. Cushion Cut Diamond for a Halo White Gold Setting

Last Updated On: November 9, 2019

Hello, I’m looking for for a cushion cut diamond for an engagement ring. I’ve learned a lot from your site it has been such a great resource thank you. I was wondering if you could guide me a little more. This is what I have so far, my girlfriend wants that setting, but the diamond …

Diamond Q&A

Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond for a Yellow Gold Pave Ring With a $2k Budget

Last Updated On: November 9, 2019

Hi, I am looking for an engagement ring (somewhere in the range of $2,000) and found this on James Allen. Setting – 18K YELLOW GOLD SOLO INFINITY ENGAGEMENT RING Diamond – www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.60-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5586476?a_aid=dmnd1357 My fiance loved the setting, so I am going with this one but I am not sure about the diamond if it is …

Diamond Q&A

Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond for Around $3,200 Budget

Last Updated On: November 9, 2019

Hello, I have a budget of $4k give or take. I’m currently looking at a platinum solitaire ring setting that costs around $800 so that leaves me with $3,200 for the diamond +/- tax. I need the ring to be purchased from James Allen since I can pick it up myself without notice. For the …

Diamond Q&A

Q&A: Looking for an Oval-Shaped Diamond for a Platinum Halo Setting With Up to $2,500 Budget

Last Updated On: June 29, 2020

Hi, I am looking to purchase a diamond from Blue Nile to go in the Oval Halo Diamond Engagement Ring in Platinum. The budget for the diamond is up to $2,500. We’ve done some research and are aware of the bowtie effect, but are hoping you can help us find an eye-clean diamond with a …

Diamond Q&A

Q&A: Choosing a Princess Cut Diamond for a Floating Halo Ring Within a $4k-$6k Budget

Last Updated On: June 29, 2020

Hello, I’ve been looking at diamonds on Blue Nile’s site and have selected a few options. Because it is online, and I’m not a jeweler, I just don’t know if the diamond will look as I expect once I order it. Blue Nile LD10752064 Blue Nile LD10659781 Blue Nile LD10315092 What I’m looking for is …

About the author

Mike Fried Mike Fried has over 25 years experience in the diamond industry working with Leo Schachter Diamonds, Moshe Namdar Diamonds, and joining The Diamond Pro in 2007. He is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as Us, People, Page Six, The Next Web and more.