We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.

Q&A: Choosing a Cushion Cut Diamond for a Halo Setting With Up to $60,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stone, halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) do you have in mind? I can see that two of those diamonds are I colors, which indicates yellow gold. Am I right?

The two GIA I color cushions look good. And if you’re putting it into a yellow gold setting, they might work.
The second one you sent me is IGI certified which isn’t the most reliable lab. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/igi/

White gold or platinum. Are they too yellow for that?

Yeah, they are. I color cushions usually have a yellow tint that is obvious when set in white metals.
I found an alternative in a higher color (H), but on Blue Nile:
Blue Nile LD08216786

It’s hard to find an H+ color cushion in that size for less than 60k. It’s always a miracle when that happens.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Tell me about it. I’ve been looking for months. The perfect combo seems to be in the $70-$80K range. The one you sent is great, what about the fluorescence though?

Medium fluorescence is a bonus on H and lower colors. It makes it look a tad whiter, so it’s no problem at all.

Awesome. Thanks!

I have the one you suggested on hold and will be purchasing tomorrow when the agent gets back to me with setting and shipping details.

Thanks again!

My pleasure.

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
Arrow down
Arrow up
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!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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
Arrow down
Arrow up

Still afraid of getting ripped off?

Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.

Ask your diamond purchase question here

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

Here is your coupon code: GFDSF3GF

Diamond Pro

Diamond Pro

  • Unfortunately, the AI chat we worked so hard training is not helping our readers the way we would like. You deserve the best advice you can get.

    Would you like to contact a human diamond pro? Just fill out this email form and we will answer you ASAP (usually within one day).

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.