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Q&A: Choosing a 1.00 Ct. Oval Diamond for a Yellow Gold Side-Stone Setting With a $5-7k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi,

I was reading your review and saw that you are willing to take a look into a diamond that I am looking at for an engagement ring.

I am looking on Blue Nile’s website currently. I am looking for a 14k yellow gold side stone band with an oval diamond.

The diamond I am looking at is stock number LD10392182, it has a VS1 clarity, D color, and 1.01 carat. I am just trying to figure out if it passes the eye test and if that shape of diamond would look good on a side stone band.
If you need any more info please let me know. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The diamond you’re looking at is ok, but you can definitely do better than that. If you are going to use a yellow gold band, D color is a huge waste of money. You can go as low as an H color. The metal color will add a slight hue to any diamond so there is no point in paying extra for the higher grades.

Something like this is going to look exactly the same to the naked eye and is a much better value:

Blue Nile LD10041676
It’s beautifully shaped and will be very brilliant.

What do you think?

I definitely get what you are saying by the D being a waste of money if used with a yellow gold ring, I never thought about that. That being said the budget I have set for myself is between $5,000 and $7,000.

So, my question is, since the color isn’t as important with the color of the band I want. What would be the difference between the diamond you showed me and say this diamond Blue Nile LD10001681?

I know that one is a G color, but I was looking more into the size. Would a 1.11 carat be noticeably bigger compared to a 1 carat? And does that even really matter? I don’t necessarily need to go all the way up to my max budget, but would it be noticeably different if I used the money saved on color for clarity or size?

I don’t think that the difference in size would be noticeable. Also, the G-VS1 you sent me has a small culet which is an issue. You should get only “none”. I’d stick to the 1ct option.

I see. So, then would shelling out more money for a better clarity with no culet make any difference? Something with a VVS1 or IF?

Again, I’m not trying to spend more if I don’t have to. Just want to make sure I get the best bang for my buck.

I know, but higher clarity grade would not at all make a difference. Once the diamond is eye-clean, it’s simply eye-clean and it doesn’t matter what the grade is. That said, the VS1 I recommended would look exactly the same to the naked eye as a VVS1 or IF. That’s the trick.

That’s music to my ears! You just saved me a lot of money that I wouldn’t have ever thought about!

Thank you!

My pleasure!

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.
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!

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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.
  • 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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