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Help Finding an Eye-Clean Round Cut Diamond 1.25ct ($4000-$6000 budget) and 1.5oct ($6000-$8000). Color H-J with little bit of fluorescence to “improve” color?
I’d be happy to make some recommendations for you, but I need a little more info.
What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) do you want to use? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).
Once I know this, I’ll be able to help you more.
Thank you very much for your email! I’m quite familiar with your website and it’s been an integral part of the diamond search process thus far. I’m looking to line up a purchase here in the next week or so and figured I’d finally submit an official Q&A via your website. To better assist you:
I’m looking for best value between 1.25 and 1.50 carats (eye clean, w/ possible florescence to mask a bit of color grade H-J?). This will be very simple – solitaire setting (6 prong) in white gold. Ideal budget is around $4000-$6,000 but willing to move up to $8000 if there is a great diamond out there towards 1.5 carat.
James Allen is the main site I’ve looked at thus far.
Great, thanks for the additional info.
For a white gold solitaire setting, J color is what we recommend and it looks fantastic. There are no additional diamonds in the band that might make the difference in colors noticeable.
Have a look at these options:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-six-prong-knife-edged-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-22590?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1840192?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.41-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1961227?a_aid=dmnd1357
The diamonds are well cut, eye-clean and will be very brilliant.
What do you think?
Well, I really think for the price the 1.41 is a no-brainer. What are your thoughts on 4 prong vs. 6 prong? This is a J color and the warmth of the diamond is clearly present. Will the 6 prong mask the color a bit? However, will it take away from the brilliance of the diamond. Maybe because it’s zoomed in but the J looks fairly “yellow” (I know you’re right on the border of near-colorless once at J) but would there be any improvement in color for same cost up to G-H or would that increase be noticeable. Maybe I’m just over analyzing this and the J will look fantastic. The price point is perfect and the diamond looks fantastic…
Thank you AGAIN for your help 🙂 You, as well as your site, have been absolutely fantastic and I’ve already recommended it to a few friends who are, or will be shortly, in the business for a diamond.
Cool, I’m glad you like it 🙂 And thanks for the kind words.
Generally, the setting choice depends on personal preferences. 6-prong setting would add additional security if you wish to do so.
Color-wise, we never determine the color of the diamond from just looking at its picture (which can be misleading). The GIA J color is our usual recommendation for a solitaire setting and it still looks fantastic. I can search for some higher grades for you if you want, but you’d get the same look for the naked eye with a significant price difference.
Here’s a beautiful I color option, but I wouldn’t go higher than that:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2139536?a_aid=dmnd1357
Let me know your thoughts.
SO, I went with the 1.41 carat round option in the 6 prong white gold solitaire setting. I just locked ‘er in with James Allen. I just wanted to thank you, and everyone at The Diamond Pro, for all of the feedback and guidance. I’ve already pushed a couple of my friends your way who are also in, or almost in, the market for a diamond. Please, please, please let me know what I can do for you if you need a review, etc. I will also make sure to send you a picture of the ring when everything is said and done.
Thank you, again!
That’s great news! You’re welcome, I’m glad I could help you decide on the ring.
I hope you’ll love it when you receive it. If you could let me know how it looks when it arrives, I’d appreciate it.
If it’s not too much to ask, do you think you can do us a quick favor and write us a small review on www.ivouch.com after you receive the ring?
I wish you and your partner a life of happiness and fulfillment.
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
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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