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Q&A: Choosing a Round Cut Diamond for a White Gold Rope Setting with Around $4,200 Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

First off, thank you SO much for all the information you provide. This quest for a diamond has made me feel dumb, and the advice you’ve given others makes me feel slightly less-uneducated.

I was wondering if I could get your help in finding a 0.9+ct round diamond for this setting from James Allen.
14K WHITE GOLD PAVE ROPE ENGAGEMENT RING

Total Budget: $4200
Diamond; no more than $3400

Specs:
0.90-1.00 Ct.
Color: G-J
Clarity: VVS2 – VS2
Cut: Ideal (preferably)

All of the rounds I’ve looked up on JA seem to have flaws that I can see on the table immediately. From prior emails, I see that you were able to find STUNNING diamonds with similar specs (within my budget) with ease,

Please help. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH IN ADVANCE.

For the type of setting you want, I recommend an H-color center stone. Lower colors would have a yellow hue compared to the tiny diamonds in the band. Clarity grade can be basically anything as long as the diamond is eye-clean.

This is the largest eye-clean option I found:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4707289?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s beautifully cut, eye-clean and will be very brilliant.

What do you think?

Wow, such a quick reply.

The stone is beautiful. I was initially looking for a 0.90 because I had read, to the casual observer, there would be no real size difference. I know I don’t have too many options with my budget, but would this particular diamond look that much smaller?

Unfortunately, I’m not able to tell whether the diamond is “too small” as that’s something entirely personal (for me, it would be too big) Have you seen some diamonds in person? I wouldn’t worry about it much though as nobody usually knows what a 1ct is supposed to look like.

That’s the perfect answer. 😮 You are good. Lol. Thank you so much. I’ll be purchasing that ring.

Great!

Let me know how it goes.

Placed the order, received a confirmation just now.

Thank you so very much again for your help!!

That’s great news! I’m glad I could help you decide on the diamond.

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!

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
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