We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.

Q&A: Choosing a Round Diamond for a White Gold Solitaire Pendant

By Mike Fried,

I’m looking for a well cut, eye clean, round brilliant diamond for a white gold solitaire pendant necklace. My budget is $1200 for the diamond alone. I’m looking for something in the H/I/J color and SI clarity range (and am open to advice on a different parameters). Because the pendant design is from James Allen, I’d like suggestions from their selection of diamonds. Thank you.

I looked around and this would be my recommendation:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.50-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2426982?a_aid=dmnd1357

This diamond is well cut, eye-clean and bright. It’ll be very brilliant.

What do you think?

Thank you for the recommendation. I’ll be making the purchase from this email address.

I’ve read on the site and some other places that is possible go down in clarity to SI2 for diamonds in this carat range and still have a good chance at it being eye-clean because it is harder to spot inclusions on smaller diamonds. Do you have any SI2 clarity suggestions?

What do you think of:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.56-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1931782?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.53-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1978114?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.55-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2310071?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.54-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2157087?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thank you!

I would exclude the SKUs 1978114 and 2157087 as their clarity plots look troubling (when there’s just ‘Cloud’ listed in the plot of an SI diamond it can significantly influence the appearance of a stone in a negative way).

As for the SKU 2310071, I’m not a huge fan of its cut.

The 1931782 looks fine, but make sure you ask JA if they can get it inspected by their in-house gemologists (there’s also a cloud on it and you need to know whether it’s not an issue).

Let me know what they say.

I went with your original recommendation (2426982) and placed the order under this email address. Thank you for your help!

That’s great news! Thank you for letting me know.

I hope you love it when you receive it. I’d love to see the finished product. If you can send me the link to the completed ring (James Allen will email you a link when with a photo), I’d appreciate it.

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
Arrow down
Arrow up
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
Arrow down
Arrow up

Still afraid of getting ripped off?

Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.

Ask your diamond purchase question here

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

Here is your coupon code: GFDSF3GF

Diamond Pro

Diamond Pro

  • Unfortunately, the AI chat we worked so hard training is not helping our readers the way we would like. You deserve the best advice you can get.

    Would you like to contact a human diamond pro? Just fill out this email form and we will answer you ASAP (usually within one day).

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.