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Q&A: Choosing a 1 Ct. Center Round Diamond for a Tiffany Style Setting

By Mike Fried,

Hi, I’m looking for an eye-clean 1 carat round diamond set in something similar to “the Tiffany setting” such as James Allen’s platinum trellis engagement ring knife edge setting. I have an all in budget, including any duty/taxes and delivery, of around £6000 (I’m from the UK). Ideally I would like the diamond to be H colour with little/no fluorescence with excellent cut quality and vs1/vvs2 clarity, although open to suggestions of other combinations.

Many thanks!

Because you are from the UK, I’d recommend using Blue Nile. They have operations in Dublin, which makes things easier for you.

I found this combination that I love for you:
Blue Nile LD07688162

I chose an I color diamond as there is no reason to go that high when you’re putting it into a solitaire setting. It will still look colorless.

Let me know what you think.

Also, Blue Nile gave us these unique coupon codes for $100 discount that you can use as well. [contact us for your own unique coupon code]

I was under the impression from the website that it would always be best to purchase a diamond that I can see actual imagery of, rather than a sample image, is this the case? Or with vvs2 does it not really matter?

Thanks.

It doesn’t matter with VVS diamond. But also, you can ask Blue Nile for the actual image. They usually have at least one photo of each diamond so they can send it to you directly.

I was looking at this diamond (link below) and was wondering if I should be wary of the the slightly thick faceted girdle or anything else you may spot?
Blue Nile LD07443689

Many thanks!

It’s absolutely perfect. It must be new because it wasn’t in their inventory when I was searching there. It’s slightly cheaper, thus a perfect choice. Go for it. It’s a winner.

The VVS2 has more inclusions than the VVS1, but they are insignificant and that’s why it’s graded so high.

I think I am going to go ahead with the VVS1 diamond, so I requested an actual photo from Blue Nile which I’ve attached, sorry for being pedantic but would you mind having a look and confirming everything I.e. Symmetry and colour looks as described.

Many thanks!

No problem.

It’s, of course, eye-clean. The color is nicely white (the medium fluorescence helps a little). The symmetry is great. They took the photo slightly from an angle instead of from the front so it might seem to be a little off in the picture, but it isn’t.

Go for it.

I was going to purchase the 1.03 carat diamond today when I stumbled across this one, per carat its better value as well as being larger and is has the same grade spec in terms of cut, symmetry, and fluorescence, it seems to have less flaws with only a small feather but is this more significant than the several pinpoints on the 1.03 carat diamond?
Blue Nile LD07912683

Again thank you!

It’s a perfect choice. Get the 1.09ct one! It looks amazing.

I managed to get a photo of the 1.09ct diamond, to me the symmetry appears better on this photo than the other diamond, what do you think of the center though? The colour doesn’t appear as white, but I think that this maybe due to the conditions they were taken in etc. what do you think? I was just a little curious to why a larger diamond was priced similar to the smaller sized ones yet appears to have great clarity etc?

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Yes, it looks great. The color seems to be less white only because of the way the photo was taken. I wouldn’t worry about it.

I can’t find any reason for the similar price, but since it’s sold for that price, I wouldn’t wait.

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.
What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free International Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisals
  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
  • Free ring inscriptions
  • Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • Best-in-class packaging
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisal
  • One free resizing within the first year of purchase
  • High quality images of about half of their diamonds
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
  • Best in class fulfillment
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