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Q&A: Choosing a Round Diamond for a White Gold Setting With $3k Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello!

Thank you for all the great information on your site! I was going to go to Shane Co. until I stumbled upon your excellent resources here!

I would like to make a ring purchase online and have spent a fair amount of time on James Allen. Based on your recommendations and my budget of approximately $3000 (including setting). I have been looking at round, H and I color grade, True Hearts cut, VS2 or SI1 stones. Are there any out there that you think are particularly good buys?

Obviously I would like to maximize carat weight while getting a beautifully cut, eye-clean stone that will look great as a solitaire in a white gold setting.

Thank you!

As much as we love JA, we don’t find the True Hearts cut consistently more brilliant than our own selection.

Here’s a stone with the quality I’d recommend:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3044813?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s very well cut, eye-clean and going to look colorless: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/.

What do you think?

That diamond looks amazing. While it is below my budget (not complaining!), it looks like I would only get another .1 carat by going all the way to $3000! Doesn’t seem like a good use of $800 something dollars. I will be using this email when purchasing, so you will most definitely get the credit for my purchase 🙂

Is there anything else you think I should know before buying? What are your thoughts on platinum vs. white gold for the setting? White gold seems like a great value, but I can technically afford the platinum given the price of the stone.

Thank you!

I’m pleased to hear that you like my suggestion so much.

As for the metal, we recommend WG over PT. The reason is the huge disparity in upfront costs. As our article says, the WG has to be dipped every few years and the platinum needs to be polished as well because it scratches. So ultimately, platinum costs you more in the beginning and doesn’t end up saving you any money in the long run.

I think that this is all you need to know before you order. Feel free to ask me if you have other doubts or questions.

Keep me posted.

I did more research after my last and answered my own question – like you said, Platinum is a waste of money 🙂 I am ready to buy.

You are an awesome help!

……

Ordered! 🙂

Thank you for your confirmation and kind words. That’s fantastic news!

It was my pleasure helping you. And please let me know how you like the ring once 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.
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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