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Q&A: Choosing a Split Shank Halo Ring with a Round Cut Diamond For $10k-15k

By Mike Fried,

I am looking for engagement ring to proposal my girlfriend and not sure where to start.

Found you site and just wanted to see how you may help.

It’s a good idea to start with a setting and then search for the best diamond to pair it with. What type of setting would you like? A solitaire, a pave/side stones or a halo? And what diamond shape are you considering?

Lastly, knowing your ballpark budget would also help a ton. Then I’ll be able to help you more.

I just don’t have much idea on the ring.

For my budget, I am planning on spending between $12,000 to $15,000.

I see. How about you take a look around and if you find something you like, then I’ll help you build the ring? Without knowing what we’re looking for, it would be difficult to come up with specific recommendations.

You can check our Instagram for inspiration, or other people’s finished rings:

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You can search by price, ring style, diamond shape, metal…

That sounds great.

I will check it out and follow up with you.

Just wanted to keep you updated.

First, I’m thinking I am going to go with the round cut on the diamond. Still looking for the ring setting.

Also, I am going to look for the between 1 to 1.5ct on the diamond.

I am setting my budget around $10,000 – $15,000.

Now I am looking at ring on bluenile.com.

Thank you for the info. Once you have the right setting, send me a link to it and I’ll find some nice options to go with it.

I found this setting:
Split Shank Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

Also, I added this diamond:

Blue Nile LD12413147

I would love to have your thoughts and advice on this.

To be perfectly honest, that diamond is not such a great choice. Strong fluorescence is a kiss of death on I+ diamonds. Sure, you can have it checked by an unbiased gemologist, but is practically guaranteed to have a hazy/dead look in most lighting. The cut on that diamond is also nothing special, it’s mediocre at best.

In addition to that, getting a D-color diamond with strong fluorescence gives you terrible resale value. You can have a beautiful diamond with no red flags flying around and even pay less:

Blue Nile LD12368892

This one is superbly cut and will look much more beautiful and brilliant than the poor D.

Thanks for your input.

How about F or higher rate?

G+ diamonds are nothing more than a great marketing strategy. In reality, the difference in colors isn’t recognizable from anything above an H grade. I’m happy to recommend any grades you want, but you’d be paying a premium for something you wouldn’t even be able to see.

Thanks for the advice. I will stay within your advice. I like the diamond that you showed me. Let me look around a bit.

How about this one?
Blue Nile LD12470243

Strong fluorescence.

For DEFG diamonds you should get only none of faint fluorescence. Also, that diamond is cut way too deep and will be less brilliant than my recommendation. Try to keep the depth % below 62.5 for optimal brilliance.

It’s not high color and clarity grades what makes a diamond beautiful, it’s the cut. It makes no sense to pour money down the toilet on the highest color and clarity grades unless you are also getting a superior cut diamond (something that is far more important). The two aspects you’re (probably) giving the most importance are the two that we believe are the least important.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/cuts/

If you want something extraordinary (that comes with a justified premium), you can check out Brian Gain and their extremely brilliant diamonds. They are the creme de la creme you can get in this category.
https://www.diamonds.pro/reviews/brian-gavin/

Thanks for the update again.

How about something in this range?
Blue Nile LD12512574

That one is not the best options either. Its cut is a bit off. The depth % is a bit higher than what we recommend and the crown and pavilion angles are not optimal either. Technically, there’s nothing wrong with this diamond, but it’s just an average stone, nothing special.

Do you have one that you be able to recommend in that range?

This one?
Blue Nile LD11446902

That one is a great option, it has a nice cut and the price is good for E VVS2. If you like it, go for it, it’ll make a beautiful ring. Nice find!

Thanks for all your help and advice. I am going to order this now.

You’re very welcome, it was my pleasure helping you.

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!

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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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