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Q&A: Choosing a Center Diamond for a Pave 18k White Gold Setting for Under $9,00 Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi! Can you help with a comparison between these 2 models from James Allen – what is the main thing the extra $3,000 is getting me with the more expensive one?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.12-carat-f-color-if-clarity-sku-1918886?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.05-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-6275655?&a_aid=dmnd1357

The first diamond ( www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.12-carat-f-color-if-clarity-sku-1918886?a_aid=dmnd1357) is much better cut, it’s significantly bigger and it’s an IF clarity which is rarer. I would recommend that one over the other for sure.

On the other hand, if it was up to me, I’d go much lower in clarity and lower in color (to G/H) and save money. Look at this one:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-6363417?a_aid=dmnd1357

But even if you stick with at least VVS clarity, you can get a much better value with a lower color that looks equally stunning as the F:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.21-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-5813286?a_aid=dmnd1357

Let me know what you think.

This is amazing, thank you! After consulting with my sister, she thinks I should get round. Can you suggest one or two round diamonds? I’m also thinking a pave ring.

Budget-wise, I’d like all this ring stuff (the diamond, engagement ring, both wedding rings) to be under $9,000.

I would recommend going down in color and clarity. I+ and SI+ is what we recommend (clarity can be lower as long as the diamond is eye-clean).
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/

Have you found a setting that you like for the round diamond? Here are two diamonds I would recommend that are eye-clean and would look gorgeous:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.05-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6435416?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.17-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6433977?a_aid=dmnd1357

What do you think?

Great! It’s a beautiful one. Both of the diamonds I sent you before would fit perfectly.

Thank you – just bought it!

Great news!

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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