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Q&A: Choosing a Radiant or Emerald Cut Diamond for a Yellow Gold Setting with Around $2,800 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Greetings — My 40 year old engagement diamond finally removed itself from the setting and my husband wants to get me a new ring for my birthday — which was yesterday. I’ve been pouring over the James Allen site for weeks and can’t make a decision on the stone.

I want a plain 14k yellow gold solitaire because my wedding band is yellow gold and I can’t get it off so I’ve decided SKU 17001y14 will work well.

Don’t want a marquise or heart shaped stone and prefer something other that round in the 2800.00 range and bigger than .85 carat. Have these saved, just to illustrate what interests me.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-1798318?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.89-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-636547?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.87-carat-i-color-if-clarity-sku-536820?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.96-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2270602?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/0.85-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2238450?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks for your help.

The stones you found are all very nice. They have great overall specifications. The only issue is the strong fluorescence on the D color pear shape stone. It can cause a hazy look on high color stones.

As you plan to go for a yellow gold solitaire setting, I suggest sticking with an I color diamond and VS+ clarity grades. There’s no need to pay extra for an IF stone.

I suggest narrowing down the choice up to two shapes. Then I’ll be happy to send you my suggestions, too.

Thanks for the quick reply. Let’s go with an emerald or radiant cut stone.

I really like the James Allen website — It’s very easy to use and I’m already signed up with them so they have my email address.

Greetings. I like all 3 stones you picked. I have a few questions.

Does the fraction of a carat difference in the 2 emerald cut stones make the big difference in price? Will the radiant cut stone have more “flash” and sparkle because of the way it’s cut?

Thanks.

The first emerald diamond has more black windowing effect than the other one and it’s slightly deeper (which is not necessarily an issue). But the second emerald has a better cut.

Here’s one more option:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2069422?a_aid=dmnd1357

As for the brilliance, radiant cut stones return light with more brilliance than emerald cuts in general. So if you search for this quality, I’d stick with radiant.

Let me know what you decide.

Greetings. I just purchased a ring from James Allen and used your recommendation of the 0.96 carat emerald cut stone (sku 837647).

Thanks so much for your help.

That’s fantastic news! It was my pleasure helping you.

Please, let me know how you like the ring once it arrives.

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
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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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