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Q&A: Choosing a Center Diamond for a Floral Twist Halo Setting Within a $8k-10k Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hey,

I’m looking for a ~1 carat round diamond for an engagement ring. My total budget is somewhere in the $8000-$10000 range. With that budget in mind, would you recommend I look for something like a Brian Gavin Signature diamond or use Blue Nile or James Allen instead?

Thanks.

If your main focus is an extraordinary brilliance and perfection, I recommend Brian Gavin. What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stone, halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) are you going to put it in?

Three stone bypass setting.

To answer your other question, I’m not really sure what my main focus is. I just want to get the best looking ring that’s within my budget. From looking at your website and others, it does seem like cut and brilliance matter more than the other characteristics so I was leaning in that direction but if I should be looking at something else, definitely let me know.

You’re right that the cut is the most important aspect of a diamond. That’s what makes a diamond look brilliant and beautiful.

Look at this BG diamond I found:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.074-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104100653072?a_aid=y
It’s over 1ct, gorgeously cut (as all of their stones), absolutely clean to the naked eye and very brilliant.

It would be a perfect fit in the setting you like. The diamond uniqueness will match the setting unique look.

Let me know what you think.

I had to re-evaluate after talking to my girlfriend a bit because it seems that the settings I was thinking about don’t really match what she was looking for. Would you be able to help me find some diamonds for this setting:

Floral Twist Diamond Halo Engagement Ring

Here are two diamonds from Blue Nile:
Blue Nile LD09677081

Blue Nile LD10483401

Both are eye-clean, well cut and will look very bright and brilliant.

Thank you so much for your help! I’m working on finalizing an order with Blue Nile.

Does your team have any advice on what insurance company to use for a ring? There doesn’t seem to be a guide about it.

That’s great! I’m happy to hear that.

Insurance companies change a lot and it’s not easy to write a guide. Some people use the same company that ensures their houses. Ask Blue Nile, they probably know some as well.

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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