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 Yellow Gold Triple Shank Pavé With $4,500 Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

I have a budget of $4000 for the ring in 14/18k yellow gold. My girlfriend prefers a central round cut stone in a 4-prong setting, with diamond shoulders (3 rows). I’d rather spend my budget on the central stone and am not so bothered about the quality of the stones on the shoulders as long as they are clear without any color in them. Can I get a 1 ct or better central diamond on my budget?

I can send you a picture of her prefered design if you wish.

Thanks.

If you can send me the picture of the design your partner likes, it will help me with the search.

Thanks for your reply. Please see attached picture.

Thank you for the picture.

Here are my suggestions:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.96-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2691280?a_aid=dmnd1357

You can contact JA directly and ask if they can cover the crystal by a prong. It should not be a problem.

Here’s another option I found for:
Blue Nile LD08356878

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

What do you think?

What did you mean by “cover the crystal by a prong”?

And will JA make up the complete ring similar to my design?

Thanks.

You can ask them if they can custom make the setting for you, too.

As for the comment, there’s an inclusion (crystal) at the edge, if they can cover it by a prong of setting, it’s a great way to go.

I hope it makes more sense now.

Sorry, but looking at the diamond again, I notice the price for the diamond alone is $4k, whereas my budget for the ring is $4k.

Can I drop colour to K for instance? I could increase $500 to $4.5k.

Is that do-able?

You can drop the color to I if you want to keep the colorless effect. A K color stone will have a warm tint. Unless you want to achieve this impression, I wouldn’t go lower than for an I+ grade.

What’s your maximum budget for the diamond itself?

It​ all depends on the price of the setting and smaller shoulder diamonds. You may know better, but I would guess $2k?

So budget would be c. $2.5k for the central diamond.

……

I have been using the chat and setting is $2k.

I have also been looking at diamonds and can increase my budget to $3k and am happy with J or K colour as it will be in a yellow gold setting.

Thanks.

A J color stone is slightly stretching but I think it will be fine for a yellow gold pave. The thing is that the small stones aside are usually high colors. That’s why I wouldn’t go down to a K color stone. The difference will be too significant. K color stones are great for a yellow gold solitaire (without any other diamonds in the setting).

Here’s my suggestion of a J color stone:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.83-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3017541?a_aid=dmnd1357

What do you think of this one?

Yes, I like it and I see what you mean.

I had been looking myself and had selected:
Item # 2386474
Round 1.01 carat J I1 clarity diamond GIA
Price: $3,020.00

What do you think of my choice?

I can go higher in price if we could get nearer to 1ct?

The issue with the stone you found is its Very Good cut. It’s too deep, which leads to lack of brilliance.

Also, the I1 clarity grade is a problem. The feather on the edge is severe. And there’s a high chance that it impacts the integrity of the stone. When we search for stones, we filter SI2+ clarity, excellent cut with depth up to 62.6% and table 59%. You can keep J color and strong fluorescence.

That’s why I’d stick with my suggestion.

Keep me posted.

Just wanted you to know my ring has been delivered with the diamond you recommended.

It’s superb!

Thanks for your help!

That’s fantastic news! I’m happy to hear that you like the ring so much.

It was my pleasure helping you. And feel free to contact me again if there’s something I can do for you in the future.

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

Diamond Pro

Diamond Pro

  • Unfortunately, the AI chat we worked so hard training is not helping our readers the way we would like. You deserve the best advice you can get.

    Would you like to contact a human diamond pro? Just fill out this email form and we will answer you ASAP (usually within one day).

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.