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Q&A: Help Choosing a Cushion Cut Diamond for a White Gold Pave Ring With a £2,500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi, I am buying an engagement ring with a cushion shape diamond in a pave style ring. I’ve read all the information on your site and have made a selection on Blue Nile.

I’m looking for some advice on my diamond selection to be sure I have a good choice. I selected two similar diamonds. One is a better clarity but lower carat weight, the other higher carat weight but less clarity.

The links are below:
Blue Nile LD13282794

Blue Nile LD13297748

Petite Cathedral Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring in 14k White Gold (0.14 ct. tw.)

Blue Nile LD13282794
This one is nicely cut, but medium fluorescence is a problem here. It might make the diamond look hazy/milky in daylight. For DEFG diamonds, I wouldn’t go higher than none or faint fluorescence to avoid any possible haziness.

Blue Nile LD13297748
This one is unfortunately not eye-clean, the black crystal would be very visible in person.

I’d go with something like this instead:
Blue Nile LD13147537

Blue Nile LD13385626

Color-wise, they are going to look identical. They also have a great cut and no visible inclusions. Either of them will be very bright and brilliant.

I went with your recommendation for the Blue Nile LD13385626 diamond in the end.

Thank you!

Awesome!

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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