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Q&A: Choosing an Oval Cut Diamond With Up to $4,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I’m looking for an oval diamond.

My preferences are:
-0.9 carat minimum
-D – F Color
-SI1 minimum
-4k Budget (5k total for the ring).
-1.3-1.4 L/W ratio

Do you think I can find something in the budget?

Here’s my suggestion of a stone with the quality I’d recommend:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4623771?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s very well cut, eye-clean and with the quality I’d recommend.

What do you think?

Is it possible to get something with a smaller l/w ratio? This one is at 1.45.
Also, do you think that with my budget, I can get something that has a 7.5mm/5.5mm?

Here’s another great option I found:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-2818126?a_aid=dmnd1357

This stone is slightly above 4k. Is this price range still fine for you?

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate your efforts!

That diamond looks beautiful. Not much of a bow tie effect at all. One thing though is that in the 360 image, I can see a scratch (not sure what it’s called) on the top of the diamond. Is that just me?

I think that the stone will look eye-clean when you see it in person.

Awesome, thanks!

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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  • Provide insurance appraisals
  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
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  • 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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