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Q&A: Choosing a 1. Ct Princess Cut Diamond for a Solitaire Setting with Around $3,5k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Can you help with your suggestions on the below engagement ring specifications?

.9x, NOT a full carat.
CUT = IDEAL _ PRINCESS
COLOR = H
CLARITY = VS
FLOURESCENCE = NONE
GIA/AGS certification
White gold band

Can you also tell me what style of setting (solitaire, halo, pave or other) you’re going to use? Different settings suit certain colors better. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

One last question, what’s your approximate budget? Then I’ll be happy to send you my suggestion.

I’m looking for ~4 diamond quotes.

~2 quotes for > .95 carat diamonds
~2 quotes for > .95 carat diamonds

Can you include a quote for a solitaire ring setting as well?

Here are stones with the quality I’d recommend for a solitaire style setting:

Blue Nile LD09560636
Blue Nile LD09387233
Blue Nile LD09318632

Here’s also a collection of solitaire style settings on their site:

Blue Nile Solitaire Settings 

Below are the diamond + setting that I would buy if I had the funds available today:

Blue Nile LD09318632 + Petite Nouveau Six-Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring

But will not be able to purchase today. I expect that this specific diamond may be sold by the time I’m ready.

So is my next step to reach out to you again for an updated quote?

Thank you for your feedback.

Yes, I think that there’s a high chance that anything we find now will be gone in a couple of days. So feel free to contact me if this stone is gone by the time you are ready to purchase. I’ll be happy to send you another suggestion of a 1.00 carat stone.

Hi. Will you please update your below quote?

Here’s my suggestion of a 1.01 carat stone with the quality I’d recommend:

Blue Nile LD09639066

Looked great, but it’s already been sold.

Can you send me another quote?

I’m sorry to hear that the stone was gone so quickly. Here’s another great option I found:

Blue Nile LD09669921

Done. Thanks a lot!

My pleasure helping you.

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. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
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. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
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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