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Q&A: Choosing The Best Emerald Cut Diamond for a Rose Gold Solitaire Setting with Around $2,800 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi there,

We are looking to purchase a role gold solitaire ring from James Allen. Our budget is $3350 and the ring setting will cost us $500, so we have $2850 to spend on the diamond. Although I believe my sweetie says he would be pleased if we kept the entire purchase to $3100, he’s a bit flexible.

I’ve been looking extensively at James Allen and reading all about the 4Cs and it’s still very difficult to know how to proceed and choose.
I feel strongly about not having visible inclusions, and about it appearing white rather than yellow, and I’d like for it to be over .8 carat I think.

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.85-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4359551?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-6710044?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-6549434?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.87-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-4811056?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.91-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-2123143?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-6123787?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.92-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-6551897?a_aid=dmnd1357

How negative is a very thick girdle? Am I on the right track with the Cs? I read about the depth and table and ratio but I think I need help.

The first and the last one have way too much the windowing effect (the black spots in the diamond). That is undesirable and it’s better to avoid it.

But the rest looks great. Here are my favorite three:

1) If you want to spend a little less but still get a properly sized and gorgeous diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.87-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-4811056?a_aid=dmnd1357

2) If you are Ok with being on the upper end of your budget:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.91-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-2123143?a_aid=dmnd1357

3) In case you like this shape, it’s a great value and it will look the biggest from all thanks to the length:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-6710044?a_aid=dmnd1357

That’s incredibly helpful, many thanks!!!

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.
  • 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
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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. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

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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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