Q&A: Help Choosing a Round Brilliant for a Tapered Pavé Setting with Around $6,500 Budget

Hello,

Heard about your site via a friend via Art of Charm. I’ve done my reading on your website and was hoping you could give me a second opinion on a couple of stones I’m looking at:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2786679?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.32-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2844940?a_aid=dmnd1357

I would prefer to go with the 1.4 carat because I want to maximize the size of the table and maintain an excellent cut (max sparkly factor). I’ve used this website to further pare down the excellent cuts (since your website mentioned about 55% of diamonds are of excellent cut). Let me know if you think this Holloway Cut Adviser is legitimate or if I should stop using it.

Now on to the main ask, because these are SI2 and SI1 diamonds, I want a second opinion on if these would be considered eye clean. They seem to be rather colorless inclusions vs dark or black. I’m most concerned about the feather on the 1.4 since it seems to be opaque whereas I’m 90% sure the 1.32 would pass the eye clean test.

Thanks for your help and I look forward to your response.

Thanks for the feedback.

I’m looking at a solitaire setting in 14k white gold, one that looks simple from a distance but contains additional detail up close (she wants something a little more personalized than the Tiffany setting type). Specifically from James Allen, the 14k white gold modern tulip (with its non-standard prong setting). Definitely open for suggestions.

I’m hoping to keep my budget under $6.5k on the diamond, so I’m willing to size down to keep the budget in check.

Thanks.

Thanks!

I really like the second setting as the mini row of diamonds in the side are a perfect nuanced detail that I think she would really enjoy. Seems like JA would accommodate a switch if she decided on a different setting.

It appears I thought eye clean loosely translated to no black inclusions rather than the diamond you’ve shown me. Unfortunately it looks like I’m too late and that one has been snatched up.

Is it ok if I reach out to you again next week for another recommendation? My timeline has shifted slightly so I will be dealing with other issues and will regroup with you next week. Thanks again!

I am ready to resume the search again. Just to reiterate my preferences from our earlier conversations:

– James Allen
– I’d like to maximize the carat size (between 1.3 – 1.4) while staying under budget of $6.5k (stone only). I’m fine with going slightly over budget if you find an unreal specimen.
– J color should be fine as I will be selecting a white gold solitaire setting (the Pave Accented Tapered Solitaire that you recommended)
– eye clean

Thanks.

Through my own research, I’ve found this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2784064?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s similar to your find, although I like the VS1 and lack of inclusions in the center of the diamond.

I’ve included this email in my order with JA so please feel free to claim credit.

Thanks so much for all your help through this process. I will be recommending your service to my friends.