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Q&A: Choosing a Radiant Cut Diamond for a Halo Setting With Up to $3,800 Budget

By Mike Fried,

My boyfriend and I have been looking at engagement rings. We found a setting that I love at Shane Co. After doing some reading through the reviews on your website we realized that getting a diamond from Shane Co would not be the best route to do. So we have been searching on Blue Nile and have found 2 radiant cut diamonds that we love.

The engagement ring that I am going with is a simple halo setting, but I am have it kite set. The two diamonds that we have found are 1.0 carats. The color on one is E and clarity of VS2 while the other is G with clarity of VS1. My question I guess is between color and clarity which would be the best route to go because we have read that color G is very hard to detect a difference alone the colorless diamonds from the top view.
Both diamonds are within about $175 of each other price wise.

Thank you so much.

I’m sorry but there is no way for me to know whether the quality of the diamonds you saw is high or low. Without seeing a certificate, I can’t comment on them. Can you please send me their numbers/links so that I can check them?

Thank you for your quick response. I have pasted the links below.

Blue Nile LD10093134

Blue Nile LD10914851

The second stone is perfect: Blue Nile LD10914851. It’s nicely cut and has great specs. Nice find! I wouldn’t recommend going with the other diamond (Blue Nile LD10093134) because of the medium fluorescence. In case of G-D stones, it’s better to avoid medium or strong fluorescence as it may cause a hazy/milky look (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/).

Awesome!! Thank you so much for your time and your help. I really appreciate your feedback!

You’re welcome. It was my pleasure helping you.

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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