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Q&A: Help Choosing a Cushion Cut Diamond for a White Gold Pavé With a $5k Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

Got your email from my brother in law who you helped with the buying of a diamond for his now wife’s engagement ring. I am beginning my process and would like some help as looking for stones online can be a bit hard. I believe I have most answers on what I am looking for and I was told you’re the guy to get a hold of.

Thanks.

I’m glad your brother in law had such a good experience with us!

We’ll be happy to help you too. What shape diamond, style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones, halo) and metal (yellow gold, white gold, platinum) are you looking for?

And what is your ballpark budget?

Awesome! I am on the hunt for a cushion cut diamond with a French pave setting or petite diamond setting depending on the style in white gold. Ballpark budget is around $5,000. Thank again for the help.

Thank you for the sent links.

For the setting I liked the low profile and rounded shape of the first one. The second one is very nice as well. Not sure if I like the edges on the metal or rounded.

As for the center diamonds. Like you said these are the biggest stones out there. So if clarity was lowered to a VS1 or VS2 what would be the price difference or even size of diamond difference…

Thank you.

I always search for SI2+ diamonds to get the best value possible, but sometimes it happens that the cheapest eye-clean diamond has a higher clarity grade.

I also found this 1.02ct on Blue Nile that thanks to the fact that it’s shallower, it’s the same size like the two from JA, but it’s less expensive.

What do you think?

Thanks.

You said said the first two links you sent me were of the biggest diamonds in my price range around. I’m guessing that’s of the actual crown of the diamond? The proportion of which it looks bigger than it really is?

The measurements show the width and length of the crown and the depth of the diamond. The width and length are what you see when you look at the diamond from the top.

With that being said, I like the 1.06 carat diamond you first sent due to the fact that it will be more of a evenly squared shape. How often do these different companies update with new diamonds? Do you think this diamond is my best option? I really appreciate the help your providing.

Thanks.

So far I haven’t found anything better. James Allen put new diamonds on their website almost every day. But there is no guarantee that they will get a better diamond.

Still looking for that right stone. Been talking to some local dealers as well but I’m getting close to that decision time. Can you send me some new options that are online around the $4,000 range.

Thank you.

They’re all great. I checked up on the first ones you sent and this one is still available… Where does this one sit amongst the recent ones you just sent?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.03-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-1919981?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks.

I’d choose between these two:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.03-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-1919981?a_aid=dmnd1357

Blue Nile LD08611770

It depends on how much you want to spend. The JA diamond is the largest one.

Ok great, I can spend up to $4,000 so I’d like to find the all around best stone for that value.

Thanks.

It’s beautiful! It’s measurements aren’t that much different of the 1.03 diamond. Would most of the carat be lost in that stone?

There is quite a difference there. However, you would see it only if you compare them side by side. If you are OK with the smaller one, go for it.

My local Jewelry shop found this stone for me for $3,200. How does this compare to the others that you recommended?

Here is the GIA for the diamond.

Thanks.

I would still prefer the 1.03ct I sent you. It’s much larger and there is only $450 difference.

My thing is that I would like the stone to be more of a square shape than rectangular.

Thanks.

……

What about this stone?

……

Or this one? These last two I sent seem pretty nice sized but I’m listening to you here.

……

Thank you.

The first GIA report (out of the two photos) looks nice. The other one seems to have a very flat crown which could negatively affect the brilliance.

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!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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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