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Q&A: Choosing a Round Diamond with Fluorescence for a Platinum Solitaire Setting With Up to £5500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi. I’m from the UK and I’m looking for a new engagement ring with a total budget of £5500. I’ve been looking mainly on Blue Nile as they ship from Ireland.

My question is will a J colour diamond still look white in a platinum solitaire setting? I want to maximize carat (1.2), have an eye clean, excellent cut diamond. I’m wondering if I should get a smaller diamond in a better colour.

I forgot to say it is a round brilliant diamond I’m looking for and a classic Tiffany style 6 claw setting. I also want to get a stone with excellent light performance.

J color looks perfectly colorless when set as a solitaire. There are no additional diamonds to make a color difference.

Here’s what I’d recommend:
Blue Nile LD03264504

It’s fantastically cut and will be very bright and brilliant.

What do you think?

Thanks for your help. This is actually one of the diamonds I already shortlisted on blue Nile. I wonder if you would take a look at my other shortlisted ones and let me know which you think is best? They are:

Blue Nile LD11804064

Blue Nile LD11942848

Blue Nile LD12029663

Blue Nile LD11791318

A couple of these are smaller I coloured stones. Would you advise staying away from fluorescence altogether? 

I’m glad you liked my diamond.

Here’s my opinion on the four you sent me in your previous email:

Blue Nile LD11804064
Not bad, but the depth % of 62.7 is on the upper edge of what we recommend. My suggestion has a much better cut.

Blue Nile LD11942848
This one is fantastically cut. The only issue might be strong fluorescence. It’s usually fine on J and lower colors but in rare cases it causes haziness. My diamond costs less and has no red flags like this in the cert.

Blue Nile LD12029663
In this case, strong fluorescence is a problem. For H and I-color diamonds you should get only none, faint or medium fluorescence.

Blue Nile LD11791318
The same issue here.

Thanks for your opinions, they’re much appreciated. It’s between the diamond you chose and Blue Nile LD11942848. I’ve asked Blue Nile to take a look at the diamond and get back to me about the fluorescence. Is the diamond with fluorescence a better cut than your choice or are they about the same? I’ll wait and see what they say and make a choice between the 2.

You’re very welcome.

The cut on those two diamonds is about the same. Cut-wise, they are excellent options. If BN confirms that your diamond would not be affected by the strong fluorescence, it’s definitely a go as well.

Last question, I promise 😊. BN have confirmed the fluorescent diamond is not oily/milky and has no negative effects from fluorescence. If you had to pick between the 2 which would you choose? I like that the fluorescence may make a J colour look whiter, but I don’t want it to look obviously blue in daylight. Aargh decisions!

Now that we know what the situation is, we have two beautiful options on the table. I’m leaning towards my original recommendation as it’s a) slightly larger, b) considerably cheaper, c) equally well cut, d) you don’t need to worry about any blue hue in your diamond. But the final decision is yours 🙂

Thanks. I’ve ordered my ring!

You’re welcome.

If you can also write me back once you receive the ring, that would be great. I’d love to know how you like it in person.

Just wanted to let you know my ring arrived today and I love it 💕. I chose the diamond with fluorescence and it looks amazing. I’ve included a photo. Thanks again for your advice.

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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  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisals
  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
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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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