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Q&A: Choosing an Eye-Clean Oval Cut Diamond with a $4k-$5k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Thank you so much for your time. I stumbled upon your website and Wow…I feel much more comfortable making the purchase on line.

I’m looking to purchase this setting and would am searching for an oval cut center stone carat or more it. that is clean to the eye. Can you recommend an oval center stone that would work while with the halo setting that will be a close match in color. My budget for the stone is $4-5Kish..I’ll go a little over it yields a stunning diamond.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-17437?a_aid=dmnd1357

 

I can spot inclusions pretty well but have no idea about depth, table and all those other factors that create a nice sparkler. I’ve visited several box stores and the quality of loose stones and prefabbed engagement rings is lacking. Any help you can provide is appreciated.

 

It’s very nice. It has small black inclusions near the center and sides of the diamond. Will those be visible to the naked eye? I tend to spot the black carbon inclusions very easily. Due to my price range will I have to accept some black inclusions near the face? What do you think? I can go up to 5K. 

I am fairly certain the diamond is eye-clean. You can ask JA to have their gemologist inspect it and confirm. 

Thank you for all your help. I’m going to call them and confirm. I’ll send you a pic of the final ring when I receive it. 

Sounds great. Please keep me posted. 

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. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
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. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
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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