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Q&A: Choosing a 1.00 Ct. Round Diamond for a Solitaire Setting With a $4k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi! I’m helping my brother buy his engagement ring. He is looking at a 1 carat round diamond. His budget for the diamond alone is $4,000. It will just be solitaire ring.

We were looking at diamonds on James Allen but we were overwhelmed with the selection. Here are two of what we think are good.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.05-carat-j-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7193141?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-j-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7768223?a_aid=dmnd1357

We would really appreciate any suggestions.

As for the diamonds you found, the first one (www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.05-carat-j-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7193141?a_aid=dmnd1357) is perfectly cut. I don’t see any red flags. The second stone (www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-j-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7768223?a_aid=dmnd1357) has even a bit better cut. Also, the medium fluorescence will help the diamond look a tad whiter. Great finds!

It’s not necessary to stick with such a high clarity. Here are some beautiful alternatives that you might consider as well:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7513837?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7699561?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.06-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7559149?a_aid=dmnd1357
They’re well-cut, eye-clean and brilliant.

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions! I told my brother about it and your insights about clarity. However, my brother really liked this diamond.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-j-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7768223?a_aid=dmnd1357

And with minimal price difference with the 1 carat that you recommended (www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7699561?a_aid=dmnd1357), he decided to just stick with the one above.

Again, thank you for all the help!

Both are perfect choices, but it’s true that the clarity is higher and the price difference isn’t significant. I’m glad you found something you loved!

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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