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Q&A: Choosing a Round Brilliant for a Halo Setting with Around $16k Budget

By Mike Fried,

We are looking for an eye clean diamond with the best combination of size (bigger is better) and absolute brilliance (super ideal cuts), could you please help? Thank you.

Budget: $16,000 (center stone only)
Type: round;
Color: I or better (is color I going to look yellow in a platinum setting?);
Clarity: SI1 or better;
Cut: we are looking for a diamond with the best fire and brilliance;
Size: at least 1.6 carat;
Setting: platinum halo pave setting

Thank you very much!

If an extraordinary brilliance is what you’re looking for then I I’d suggest Brian Gavin Signature Hearts and Arrows. That’s exactly what they focus on and you can be sure that you’ll receive the best of diamonds. Not only do these conform to the strictest of cut parameters, but Brian himself selects them for optimal brilliance. Brian Gavin is known as one of the worlds experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds. If you want to spend extra on their cut, it’s a great way to go.

Have a look at this diamond:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.510-h-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104091071001&a_aid=y

I chose an H color stone as I wanted to make sure that it’s going to look colorless in a halo setting.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

What do you think?

Thank you. I would prefer a different stone because (1) carat is smaller than I would like, and (2) it has medium blue fluorescence.

What is your opinion on either of these?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.82-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2100109?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.83-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2154028?a_aid=dmnd1357

Medium blue fluorescence on H and lower colors can help the color to look brighter. It’s not an issue, especially on diamonds from BGD.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/

But I’m happy to find another stone for you.

I’m afraid that the inclusions right on the table of the 1.83 carat diamond are eye-visible. The main issue with the stones is their color. I color diamond will have a warm tint in comparison with the small stones in a halo setting. That’s why I recommend choosing an H+ color diamond.

Have a look at these stones:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.80-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2356726?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.75-carat-h-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2315418?a_aid=dmnd1357

They are both colorless and eye-clean. I rarely recommend an IF clarity grade diamond. But this 1.75 stone has wonderful overall specs and a beautiful cut. Such cut is usually marked as True Hearts. And i you compare the measurements, the 1.75 is bigger than the 1.80.

What do you think?

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.
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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
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