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Q&A: Help Choosing an Oval Diamond With a $20,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi – I am looking to purchase an oval diamond for my (cross-the-fingers to be) fiance.

My budget for the diamond is up to ~$20,000, and after a bit of research, it seems like a higher quality 1.4-1.7 carat stone is appropriate to expect for this price range. The preferred setting will be a ~2MM wide solitaire band in platinum or white gold.

What are your thoughts on either of these two diamonds? The proportions seem to be pleasing (~1.4 L/W looks best to my eye) and other attributes (girdle, shoulders, depth, table, etc.) within an acceptable range for a diamond in this range.

Interested to hear your expert thoughts and thank you very much in advance!!!

Blue Nile LD04832443

Blue Nile LD10093430

I’d go with the E VVS2, it looks more symmetrical and has a less obvious bow-tie. The symmetry on the other one is a bit off and the bow-tie effect is more pronounced there.

Focusing on the E VVS2, how would you compare it to this one (see link below)? The characteristics are very similar though the clarity seems to be better/ inclusions fewer and less noticeable in this other one.

Blue Nile LD04981268

The most recent diamond has a bit too obvious bow-tie.

Another issue with that stone is medium fluorescence which is a problem on G+ diamonds as it usually causes haziness.

Understood .. thank you very much! So last comparison of the one we’ve been looking at versus a new one I came across .. what do you think between the two?

One we’ve been looking at/ focusing on…
Blue Nile LD04832443

New one ..

Blue Nile LD10833157

Also, on the one we’ve been looking at, would that be considered visually clean?

All of the diamonds we’ve discussed would be considered eye-clean.

I’d go with the 1.53ct. It’s perfectly shaped.

Great! Thank you so much for all the help!!

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.
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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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