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Q&A: Choosing an Emerald Cut Diamond for a Petite Cathedral Pave Setting with Around $5k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi, I am planning on purchasing an engagement ring on Blue Nile after liking the look of an emerald cut diamond 1.01ct D SI1 in a high street store.

I have a budget around £5000 and looked at a few different VS1/VVS2 options, can you help me decide which emerald diamond is cut better in that price range?

I looked at the petite cathedral pave setting on Blue Nile.

I like these options for you:
Blue Nile LD10671118

Blue Nile LD09994580

They are well cut, eye-clean and either of them will make a beautiful ring. Buying a D-color diamond is a waste of money as the difference in colors isn’t usually recognizable from anything above an H grade.

Thank you for the reply, are these two options both cut well and give maximum sparkle? Will the ratio of 1.35 and 1.44 be a noticeable difference?

I have heard that the colour grade difference is more obvious in an emerald cut is that true?

They have great specs. We always search for the best stones that are currently available for your buck.

The difference between ratios might be visible if you put the two of them, unmounted, side by side. We find the L:W ratio of 1.35 – 1.45 to be ideal, either of the diamonds I recommended would look great. Regarding the color, it is more obvious in all fancy shapes, that’s why we don’t recommend going lower than an H. H looks perfectly colorless in most settings, I wouldn’t waste money on higher grades. You’d get the same look to the naked eye with a significant price difference.

I liked both the diamonds but prefer the facets and reflections of the 1.20ct diamond. Can you find one similar with a higher ratio and similar or slightly lower price range? (above 1ct)?

I am considering LD10463590, but worried that it might look cloudy comparing this to LD10407579.
Which one do you think will be brighter and reflects better?

Clouds are absolutely not an issue on VS1 diamonds. There is no way that tiny cloud somewhere in the structure might affect the stone in any way.

I, personally, like the G-VVS2 better, I like how the facets are layered.

That’s really helpful, thank you so much!

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. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
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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