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Q&A: Choosing a Center Diamond for a Pave Infinity White Gold Setting Within a $17,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Good morning.

Thank you for your site first and foremost, very educational and what a shock seeing what local jewelers are asking for their diamonds compared to James Allen and Blue Nile.

I am about to pull the trigger on this ring combo and would appreciate a second set of eyes on what I have picked. Amazing how much time I have spent trying to put together the perfect ring. I’d like to keep the diamond budget under $17k, looking for round 1.7-2 carat diamond. This is going on a 14k white gold pave ring. I have included links to the ring as well as the diamond I’ve narrowed down to. Looking to finally pull the trigger within the next couple of days.

Ring:
14K WHITE GOLD PAVE INFINITY DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING

Diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.77-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4578878?a_aid=dmnd1357

Wedding Band:
14K WHITE GOLD TWO ROW PAVE RING (.30 CTW.)

Thank you for any and all help!

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.77-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4578878?a_aid=dmnd1357
Unfortunately, this diamond is not a good choice. The IGI lab is weaker than GIA and inflates the grades. We merely recommend purchasing diamonds certified by GIA or AGS only. That’s what ensures that the diamond you are getting actually matches the quality claims.

I’d go with something like this instead:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.72-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6517676?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.79-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6789542?a_aid=dmnd1357
They have fantastic specs and either of them will look amazing in a pave setting.

Thank you for your response and the two suggestions! I am leaning towards the 1.72 VVS2 you recommended. My goal is to pull the trigger in the next couple of days.

Thank you again for steering me in the right direction and will let you know once I complete the purchase.

Great, I’m glad you like it. It’s a gorgeous diamond and the H color will look absolutely colorless in a pave.

Let me know how it goes.

Will do! I’m very excited and can’t wait to put my order in. Thank you for making sure I get a good diamond for this ring.

Just placed my order. Thank you again for all your help!!!

That’s great news! Let me know how you like the ring when it arrives.

The ring came in yesterday and I proposed last night at dinner. The ring looks absolutely stunning!
 

Thank you so much for the beautiful picture, the ring is breathtaking!

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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