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Q&A: Choosing a Round Diamond for a Classic White Gold Solitaire Setting Within a £1000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Good morning, the guides on your site have been really useful in educating me about diamonds but I was hoping you could help me with my purchase.

My budget is around £1000 GBP and I want to purchase a white gold solitaire style ring with a 0.4 carat diamond. I have spent hours on Blue Nile and found a classic four claw white gold setting for £336 but cannot decide between these 3 diamonds via Blue Nile:

Blue Nile LD11942161

Blue Nile LD11819044

Blue Nile LD12030085

I would greatly appreciated any advice or alternatives that you may have to offer.

The issue with your diamonds are the clouds listed as the only (or first) clarity characteristic. Clouds on SI diamonds negativelly affect the brilliance of the stone and we recommend avoiding them if possible.

I’d go with something like this instead:
Blue Nile LD11806901

It’s beautifully cut and will be very brilliant. Color-wise, it’s going to look identical to your diamonds.

Thanks so much for letting me know about that and recommending an alternative.

My only other question is what the price point would be for any kind of noticeable upgrade?

For instance, if I was to spend closer to £700 on the diamond would there be any discernable difference or would you stick with your previous recommendation?

At this point I’m happy to make my purchase based on your recommendation but I just wanted to make sure that I was getting the best quality within my budget.

You’re welcome, I’m happy to help.

You can get a better value by decreasing the color grade. This will allow you to go with either a cheaper 0.40ct diamond or a slightly larger one while maintaining the colorless impression (J is our usual recommendation for solitaires).

Blue Nile LD11521919

Or
Blue Nile LD12317292

I think i’ll be going with the first diamond you suggested.

Classic Four Claw Solitaire Engagement Ring
&
Blue Nile LD11806901

Thanks so much for all your help.

I’ll be recommending your company to people for advice in future.

You’ve been great, thanks again!

That’s great news!

Thank you for the nice words. I’m happy I could help you, let me know how the ring looks when it arrives.

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. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
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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