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Q&A: Choosing a Round Diamond for a Yellow Gold Solitaire Setting With Up to $7,700 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello!

I am looking a diamond and really like it – 1.55 Carat, VVS1, triple Excellent GIA graded.

However, I have been reading your articles about the cut (table 60% and depth 61.8%), and am concerned about how these dimensions might present themselves in the stone’s appearance. How can I tell whether the diamond will have a sparkly appearance? Do you recommend that I only buy a diamond with the most ideal specifications? I am certainly not trying to obtain the most perfect diamond ever made – I just dont want it to be dull, etc.

My other issue is color. The diamond is J colored, which is giving me pause. It does have a medium blue fluoresence, and it is going in a yellow gold setting, both factors I have read might help hide or negate any color. At around 8k, do you recommend that I steer away from J? If so, what color do you recommend I look at?

Can you please send me the GIA cert so that I can check it for you? Without seeing the cert, I can’t comment on it. You didn’t mention the shape of the stone so I can’t tell you more about the specs. Do you remember its price? Does it come from a reputable seller? Also, what setting style (solitaire/pave/side stones/halo) are you planning to go with? Then I’ll be able to tell you more.

Thank you for the prompt reply. I have attached the GIA certificate to this email.

As for the other questions:

1. Blue Nile
2. Approximately $7700
3. It will be a solitaire setting on a yellow gold ring.

Thank you! I look forward to hearing from you.

J color works well with solitaire settings. And yes, the medium fluorescence helps the diamonds look a tad whiter. The cut of that stone is a little bit off though- it’s better to keep the table under 59%.

I’d suggest these instead:
Blue Nile LD12359404
Blue Nile LD12373220

Thank you so much. I did like the second option a bit better than the first one. Given the parameters you provided, I also saw this similar stone, which had a slightly smaller table and contained medium blue fluorescence:

Blue Nile LD12339562

Would you recommend this one or the second one you sent the link to?

It’s a nice option too (Blue Nile LD12339562), I don’t see any red flags. The other one is slightly bigger for the same price, that’s why I would probably choose the Blue Nile LD12373220 (see the actual measurements). But both are excellent choices.

Thank you! I’ll pull the trigger tonight.

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.
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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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