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

Q&A: Choosing a Round Diamond for a Pave Rope Setting With Up to $4,500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

I am looking for a round diamond somewhere between .7-.85 and trying to spend a max of $4,500.

If I read correctly it seems as if cut would be the most important quality I’m looking for and things like color and clarity can be less noticeable to help get the best bang for my buck.

I just want to confirm a couple things I read. If the ring is going to be white gold/platinum is there a significant difference between D/E color and F-H? What is the best clarity for this type of diamond? I’ve been searching James Allen and Blue Nile for diamonds that fit many of the qualities I am looking for but feel lost trying to settle on one.

Do you have any suggestions or could you provide a diamond or two that I could use as a template of qualities to look for? Thanks for any potential help!

We think that going above H color grade is a waste of money. An H color diamond will look colorless.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

Can you also tell me what style of setting (solitaire, halo, pave or other) you’re looking for? We might be able to go even a little lower with the color grade. Then I’ll be happy to send you my suggestion of a stone with the quality we’d recommend.

Thanks so much for the help. I am looking at pave settings. Something like this one seems to be the direction I am looking.
14K WHITE GOLD PAVE ROPE ENGAGEMENT RING

Thanks so much for the help! These stones look great and I will most likely be choosing the .85 carat one to go with the setting I sent. I can’t express how much easier you made this process!

I’m very pleased to hear that you like my suggestions! It’s been my pleasure. And thank you very much for your kind words.

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