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Q&A: 1.2 Carat Round Diamond with Complementary Side-Stones

By Mike Fried,

Thanks for taking the time to put all this great information on your website. I have learned a huge amount reading this.

I’m hoping to get your opinion. I’m looking to buy a diamond around 1.2carat, round, G, S1 or S2. Budget for the stone is $7000. I came across this S2 and would be grateful for your opinion.

Also, I’m planning to add this as centre stone in a ring with an E color .5 carat which my wife already has and purchase another G, .5 to make up the three. Do you think there will be an obvious colour difference?

Many thanks for your help.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1373145.asp

I really like your stone selection. I think it’s probably the best stone out there for you. The only issue is that pesky E color stone. If you have a G color center stone and an F on one side and a G on the other side, it’s going to look very strange. I think you’re going to either have to buy another G color stone (2 in total). Or, alternatively, you could select an F color center stone and other side stone.

If you go with the first option, you could maybe convert the E color stone into a pendant or something like that? Would you like some help choosing the additional stones (with either option)?

Thanks for your very prompt and helpful reply. I have been worried about the colour difference and appreciate your advice. The budget won’t stretch to buying the additional E stones so I will take a look at some .5 G stones to get 2 to match the centre. Do you think the proportions I’m proposing will work (.5, 1.2, .5)?

……

Sorry to bother you again, but I found a couple of G, .5 stones I’d be grateful for your view on. Key for me is eye clean, brilliance and a good match for the 1.2 stone selected earlier. Not sure about the brown patches appearing in the second stone – are these just reflecting the background or are they a problem?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1364243.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1376175.asp

I would actually recommend you go down to an H for the side stones. Like this:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/matching-pairs/view.asp?item1=1358381&item2=1376987&

This will better bring out the color in the center stone, and you’ll save some money in the process!

Many thanks Ira. Sounds like good advice.

……

I wanted to say thank you for all your assistance with my diamond purchase on JA. I ultimately went with the 1.2c G SI2 you liked and then the .5c G SI2 that I showed you. Both appear brilliant and I’m very happy with the results. I haven’t yet given them to my wife but I’m sure she will love them.

Thanks again.

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What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
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  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
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