Hello, my budget is $10-11k, looking for round or oval. I’m tall with long fingers so I’d like something that looks as large as possible. Thank you!
I’d be happy to make some recommendations for you, but I need a little more info.
What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) do you want to use? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).
Thank you for getting back to me. I am pretty open as far as setting. I have two thoughts — a cathedral setting with side stones, but I’ve heard this can detract from the center stone and make it look smaller. I’m open to a solitaire setting as well. Either way I’d like to add a diamond wedding band, so I’d want a ring with a setting that can accommodate a band next to it. Does not need to be a matched set at all. Metal choice is 14K white gold. Thank you!
Thank you for the additional info. I think its best to leave you to pick out the style. The setting style is all about fashion and style; this is uniquely personal and not an area I can really help with.
Regarding the center stone, these two look great to me:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1054505?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-1837021?a_aid=dmnd1357
They are well cut, eye-clean and either of them will be very brilliant
What do you think?
No problem on the setting, I thought you were asking me about setting! Those are both very nice choices, I see they are both 1.5 but I’m hoping for 2 carats. I’m willing to go lower on color and clarity in order to get there. Is that possible do you think? Thank you!
……
What do you think about this one:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2307938?a_aid=dmnd1357
I was asking you about the setting and you mentioned you’re going to use a side stone type. In that case, I color is the lowest color grade I would recommend if you want to get a colorless looking diamond.
The diamond looks great cut-wise, but unfortunately, it’s not eye-clean.
Thank you for your helpful feedback. Do you think it’s possible to get a 2 carat or larger diamond for $10-11k? I would be willing to forgo side stones and do a smaller diamond band maybe? To me it is important to have the 2 carat or larger stone, round, pear, oval would be my preference of shape.
Really appreciate your help on this!
Well, there’s one option how to make that happen. If you go with a yellow gold solitaire with yellow gold prongs, you can put a K-color round diamond in it. This will allow you to reach the 2ct mark you are striving for.
Surprisingly, these diamonds are the cheapest 2+ct stones I found in that range:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.23-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2232910?a_aid=dmnd1357
They look great. Personally, I love the cut on the 2.15ct one.
What do you think?
I love these! I’m really interested in what you love about the cut of the 2.15 over the other one? Thank you…
The depth% on the second one is a little lower and the angles just work very well with the table/depth%.
Question — I’ve seen a 2 carat K color round set in white gold, with diamonds on the band. It looked great, didn’t look yellow at all. The stone had a strong blue flourescence, though. Do you think that might have made the difference? I’m not 100% on the yellow gold setting. I wonder if to a jewelry expert the K color is visible but to me it might not be?
Well, strong fluorescence is a bonus that helps K and lower colors look a bit whiter, true. If you have a superbly cut K color diamond with SF, it might be ok to put it in a white gold setting, but I can’t guarantee that it will look colorless. Based on our experiences and expertise, a K color diamond looks colorless only in a yellow gold solitaire. However, JA have a great return policy, so I’d say it’s worth the try. If you don’t like it, you can always return it and focus on something else. What do you think?
For me I’d like a diamond that looks as big as possible so I’m leaning toward the 2.23. Also the 2.15 is $320 over my max amount. But I am well aware that the cut makes all the difference in the appearance. Can you say if there’s a big difference in the size appearance of the two diamonds you selected?
The K stone I mentioned earlier was bottom heavy so it looked more like 1.75 even though it was 2 carats. I very much want to avoid that.
Size-wise, there’s basically no difference between the two of them. Both of the diamonds will have a lot of fire so if #1 suits you better, go with that one. There’s also the added bonus in terms of fluorescence.
Just to be sure I understand, with #1, do you mean the fluorescence if it goes into a white gold setting? I had mentioned that earlier in our email exchange — that I prefer white gold. So #1 with some fluorescence might look ok against white gold? Thank you…
Exactly, medium fluorescence should whiten up the appearance of the diamond. I wouldn’t worry about the diamond being hazy, that’s usually an issue on higher color grades (D-G).
I put the 2.23 on hold last night! Need to just figure out how to pay to maximize reward points. I assume that’s OK that I put it on hold, or do I need to do that through you? You were very influential in helping me make this choice… I couldn’t have done it without your help. Of course I need to see the diamond but I’m feeling pretty confident. Wish I had gone to Diamond Pro a long time ago. Honestly the reason I didn’t have a diamond is that I didn’t trust anyone…
Thank you for the kind words. You don’t need to do the purchase through us, just go ahead with it anytime you feel ready. I hope you’ll love the diamond when you receive it and if you can let me know how it looks when it arrives, I’d appreciate it.
It’s been a pleasure helping you.
Have a great week!
Hello, updating you that I love the diamond I purchased from James Allen and so appreciate your help.
After much online (and mall) shopping, I ended up going to a local family jeweler with many stores in the CT/MA area, and they made a custom diamond band and diamond wedding band for me. It was exactly what I was looking for and their price and service was outstanding. Hannoush Jewelers, Michael Hannoush.
Thanks!
I’m so glad you are happy with the ring. Thank you for the wonderful feedback, I appreciate it.
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
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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