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Q&A: Choosing a 1.50+ Ct. Round Diamond for a Halo With a $15-17k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Firstly thank you very much for your extremely informative website. I truly learned a lot, though I am still way too much of an amateur in this!

I was looking to buy an engagement ring and was shooting for an all in budget of around 15k USD (round shaped is preferable, and was hoping for around a 1.5-1.6 carat range). Also, I read about having a halo ring would help make the ring more prominent – any comments on that pls?

I really do appreciate all your help!

The setting style is all about fashion and style; this is uniquely personal and not an area we can really help with. I think its best to leave you to pick out the style.

As for the center diamond, how about something like this?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2871653?a_aid=dmnd1357

I searched in the SI+ range and this one happened to be the first eye-clean diamond there. It’s beautifully cut and will be very brilliant.

What do you think?

That’s great – I appreciate the prompt reply and your suggestion. Definitely looks very nice! Since we can get up to 3 diamonds checked by their in house specialists I believe, can you maybe suggest 2 more and then we can get all 3 evaluated at the same time?

Maybe a couple in the 13-16k range too and around 1.6 carats + a good cut and all the other features along with it?

Thanks in advance!

Apologies but loads of work came up and by the time I looked again the 1.80 was sold. Kind of looking at that carat range, and price range is give or take the same up to 17k. If you could pls pass along your top recommendations, I am looking to make the purchase in the next couple of days 🙂

Thank you once again for all your help!

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
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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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