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Q&A: Choosing a 1 Ct. Round Diamond for a White Gold Setting with Side Stones on $4000 Budget

By Mike Fried, Updated October 24, 2017

 1. $4000 max
2. White gold or Platinum
3. Side diamonds

 

…

Looking for a 1 carat round diamond. I am trying to find the best value for my money. Would consider enhanced diamond. I have been on James Allen looking, but hard to know what inclusions I live with. 


 With a pave/sidestone settings, you should get an I+ center diamond. If you can bump up your budget to $4,300, you can get a nice 0.90ct. 

 How much do I need to budget for a 1 carat? 

 I would say about $5,500. Is that doable? 

 I need to stay around $5000. What are my options here? 

 

 I would recommend this diamond as the best option:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-174856?a_aid=dmnd1357

Ask JA to have their gemologist inspect it to see if its eye-clean. 

 I am going to budget for $5500. What options do I have now? 

 I would go with this one:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-146868?a_aid=dmnd1357

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!
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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.
Click to Visit
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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