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Q&A: Choosing a Round Brilliant for a Blue Nile Nouveau Solitaire with Around $4,500 Budget

By Mike Fried, Updated June 29, 2020

Hello,

I am interested in buying an engagement ring with an eye-clean 0.85-1.00 carat round diamond. I quite like this setting:
Blue Nile Petite Nouveau Four Claw Solitaire Engagement Ring

Could you help me pick a diamond? I was looking at these two (both 0.9 carat):
1) Blue Nile LD08066526

2) Blue Nile LD08185130

What do you think? Any other suggestions?

Many thanks!

Both diamonds you found have great overall specifications.

This one:
Blue Nile LD08066526

has a slightly bigger table than what we usually recommend. But I like it a little more because it’s slightly bigger and less expensive.

If you’re willing to go down with the color, here’s one more option for you:
Blue Nile LD08247849

An I color diamond is going to look colorless and it saves you money.

Let me know what you think.

I think I would like to stick with H color. Do you think the table is too wide? I did some quick research and it seems that 61% is outside the margins for what is usually considered an “ideal” cut.

She wears a size 4 ring and the setting will only be 1.9mm wide so I was thinking about a slightly smaller diamond, like these:
0.85c (C$4,955): Blue Nile LD08539868

0.87c (C$5,323): Blue Nile LD07179731

vs

0.90c (C$5,596): Blue Nile LD08066526

Thoughts? Any other options that I should consider? Do you have any Blue Nile coupons?

Thanks again!

The stones you found are also beautiful. But I found one more that’s slightly less expensive and the same size as the first diamond you sent:
Blue Nile LD07028617

Since your partner has petite hands, I’d stick with this size and price range.

And yes, I’ happy to send you this unique coupon code that gives you $50 off: [contact us for your own unique coupon code]

Let me know what you decide.

Great! Are VS1 diamonds “eye clean”? Is there a way to confirm before buying?

When you open the cert it says that there’s cloud and pinpoint. These inclusions are not going to be eye-visible on VS1 clarity grade. There’s no need to worry.

I noticed that this diamond is not available at the moment. Did you put it on hold?

Thanks – I put the two diamonds on hold and have attached pictures of each from Blue Nile. What do you think? The seem to look rather yellow?

Here are links to the diamonds:
Blue Nile LD07028617

Blue Nile LD08539868

……

What about upgrading the color: this G diamond seems to be the same price range?
Blue Nile LD08520648

Thanks for your patience!

Color is very difficult to distinguish on a screen as the photo can distort it a bit. H color diamonds are going to look colorless and I don’t see a reason for you to pay the extra buck without getting any additional benefit.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

This diamond is my favorite as it has great overall specifications, the size is the same or slightly bugger than the G color diamond and it saves you money:
Blue Nile LD07028617

Thanks – I went for the diamond you suggested.

Thanks again!

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

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What we love about them:
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