Q&A: Experience Shopping for a Round Diamond for a Halo Setting on a $7,000-$7,500 Budget

Hello,

I have begun the process of purchasing a diamond ring and have found your site to be extremely helpful.

I am going to be purchasing a white gold halo setting from JA and I would like for the diamond to be 1.25 carats or more.

The current diamond budget that I have set for myself is $7,000-$7,500. In this price range, I have been looking at diamonds with ideal cut, colors in the G-H range and clarity range of VS1 or VS2.

What I would like your advice on is am I headed in the correct direction to get an eye clean diamond or are there things that I can move around to achieve the best carat size and eye clean quality?

Any advice or recommendations you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Thank you for your information and guidance on the two diamond options you sent. One of them has sold, but as I was looking through the diamonds I came upon the one listed below. Would you please let me know your thoughts as to how they compare to what I mentioned I am looking for?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3726438?a_aid=dmnd1357

This is excellent feedback, thank you for the prompt response and keeping me on the right track.

If I may, I have been continuing to search and keep moving back toward Ritani halo settings over the settings on JA.

I know I am being kind of a pain here, but do you work with Ritani and if so can you recommend a diamond that is eye clean, 1.10 carat + within a diamond budget of $6,800 or less? Below is the setting that I am most fond of:
https://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/6115

I do appreciate all of your help with my questions.

Thank you for all of your help with this!