Q&A: Choosing a Round Center Diamond for a White Gold Pavé Setting With a $4k – $6k Budget

I’m looking for a great diamond – like I’m sure many of your customers are. I’m looking to spend 4-6k on a ring and diamond combo, I went and looked Brick & Mortar on Saturday – finding a .74 carat, D SI1 round cut diamond. It is GIA certified. I put the diamond in layaway but have continued to look and compare to see if it was truly a good price. I thought the diamond was gorgeous. The diamond was 4,175 before tax. Was this a good deal? If not, where else would you recommend? Thanks in advance for your help. I really appreciate it.

Thanks for the reply. I sent that message after I had been out looking for most of the day – but I hadn’t necessarily done my homework on purchasing online. After reading through many articles and customer reviews, James Allen is an appealing option – and they have a setting that is very much what I’m looking for (and really I mean what my girlfriend is looking for!).

The GIA number for the stone on hold is: 2136538512

When in the store I had three diamonds compared side by side – an H, E, and D. I thought there was a clear yellow hue to the H diamond and the D & E were much prettier. That is why I have the preference in color. However, I thought the difference between D & E was marginal (I was barely able to tell the difference). I think dropping anywhere in the F-D range would be great if it meant a larger stone.

Also – after browsing James Allen’s site, I noticed the True Hearts Collection vs. Excellent cut according to GIA. What is the difference and is the premium on the True Hearts collection truly worth it?

I would love to see some other options if you wouldn’t mind. I would like to spend anywhere from 4-6 on the whole ring. The setting I’ve found is a little over $1k, leaving anywhere from 3-5 for the diamond itself. I do not care about the clarity so much as is it is “eye clean”.

Also – which stores do you have a partnership with where you receive compensation?

Thanks in advance for your help and reply. I really appreciate it.

Thanks for your honest advice on the diamond. I put it through a Holloway Cut Adviser and it also scored very poorly. I think I will be taking that particular diamond and setting off hold.

So that leaves me likely ordering online – the prices and availability of information while I shop make me much more comfortable and confident than being in store. I feel I can cross check while I shop.

Thanks for the recommendation on the James Allen stone. I have found two others that I really like on the site – mind giving me your opinion?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2526452?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2434230?a_aid=dmnd1357

One is a slightly larger stone and the other is a true hearts, although I’m not sure what a true hearts vs excellent cut really means. Would you mind explaining the difference and whether it’s worth it?

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.

……

I’m so sorry to double you up with emails. But tonight I’ve created five rings with various diamonds. I was curious if you could take a look at all five and give me your honest opinion on which is the most “bang for the buck.”

This is the cheapest one:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2536082?a_aid=dmnd1357

This is the 2nd least expensive one:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.86-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2508355?a_aid=dmnd1357

This is the middle one:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2586792?a_aid=dmnd1357

And this is the 2nd most expensive:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2526452?a_aid=dmnd1357

And this is the most expensive:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2527440?a_aid=dmnd1357

I really like all five and they vary in price by about 600 from least to most. The first and fourth are “True Hearts” diamonds, while the other three are not. I really appreciate your help.

Thank you for informing me that those diamonds are not eye clean! That instantly rules them all out, it needs to be eye clean. Should I stick with VS2 to ensure that the diamond is eye clean?

I like the one you recommend quite a bit and think it balances most of my priorities well!

Could you provide a couple other options (potentially a cheap(er) one and a medium priced one) just so I can compare price points and value? I’d be willing to sacrifice a little on color and carat to knock the price down. Then I can compare all three and come to a decision. Again – I really like the first recommendation and it is about what I was looking to spend (4,175 is what I will pay for the diamond at shane co and this is a clearly superior diamond for an extra $5) in total for the ring so I will certainly entertain that option.

I am hoping to buy it soon and be able to see it in advance before I propose in case I don’t like it and need to design a new one!

Thanks for all your help. You’ve been a lifesaver!

……

I went to purchase that diamond you recommended today but it is now no available! What a bummer – I really liked the stone.

I am sold on James Allen because they have the perfect setting:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-pave-rope-engagement-ring-item-52625?a_aid=dmnd1357

It is exactly what she is looking for. For this style of ring, what color do you think I could go to without noticing a difference? I would like to get a slightly larger (thinking around .8-1 ct.) diamond with a perfect/ideal cut. Whatever suggestions you have I’d be super grateful for.

Again, my budget is about $4-6k. The setting costs $1,130 so that leaves me with about 3-5k for a diamond. Please let me know what you find! I’d love to make a purchase sometime over the weekend to get the process started.

I love the Brian Gavin cuts but I cannot find a similar setting.

Thanks again for all your help.

……

As a brief follow up, I’ve found these two diamonds tonight, what’s your opinion:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.95-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2352532?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2569315?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks so much, I just placed my order. It fell right in the middle of my budget, nearly exactly at $5k.

I couldn’t be more excited! Now I begin the anxious process of waiting for it to arrive. I know we inspected it online, but I can’t wait to lay eyes on it myself just to make sure it’s perfect.

I really appreciate all of your help and patience! I’ll let you know how it looks when it gets here!