We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.

Q&A: Choosing an Oval Diamond for a Platinum Ring With £3,100 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi,

I’m looking at a few diamonds if you wouldn’t mind having a look at them and letting me know what you think?

Blue Nile LD11960564
Blue Nile LD12099660
Blue Nile LD12099802

What are your thoughts on these stones and are there any others you would recommend? Maximum budget of £3,100 (less if at all possible as this has already pushed my initial budget significantly). Intended for a platinum setting with side and shoulder stones.

As for the first stone (Blue Nile LD11960564), I would exclude it for two reasons – the extremely thin girdle and the cloud in clarity characteristics. Ideally, it’s better to avoid extremely thick and extremely thin girdles (if possible). Other thickness is okay and won’t have a significant impact on brilliance. A girdle is an issue that has little to no impact on the visual appearance of a diamond. But extremely thin girdle might chip.
We always advise our readers to avoid getting SI diamonds under 1ct that have clouds mentioned in the first place in the clarity characteristics (there is no clarity plot in the certificate that shows how big the cloud is and where it’s located). Such stones may look cloudy and milky. That’s the case of the third stone as well.

Regarding the second stone Blue Nile LD12099660, I really like it. It’s perfectly cut. There is a feather that might or might not be visible. I’m not 100% sure if it will be visible. I don’t think you would be able to perceive that feather but I can’t confirm it for sure.

Here is what I found:
Blue Nile LD11894402
Blue Nile LD12099678 (The feather might be covered with a prong)

Both are nicely cut and brilliant stones.

Those options are really beautiful!

This is the one I like most: Blue Nile LD11894402

Thanks for finding that for me, I’ll let you know once I’ve completed.

Thanks again for all your help.

OK, perfect. I’m glad I could help.

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.