Thank you so much for all of the information you provide, this site has been a huge help already!
I am hoping that you can help me track down a great diamond on James Allen. I am looking for a round diamond to put in a halo setting. My budget is around $7000 for the diamond (can go a bit higher if needed) and I am looking for something in the 1.5 CT range. It seems there is a lot of options that fit this criteria so if you could help me narrow down the choices it would be great.
Thank you in advance for your help!
Thanks for all the info. I searched JA and this is the largest diamond I was able to find within your budget:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.22-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1947154?a_aid=dmnd1357
It is well cut, eye-clean and bright. It’ll be very brilliant in any halo setting you choose.
What do you think?
Thank you very much for getting back to me. That diamond does look great.
One question I had for you is on the color. I see that on the website it states the best values for round diamonds are often in the H-J range. The one you recommended is a H and I am curious is that because it will be set in a halo? Would say an I or J stone not look as good in a halo setting because of the surrounding stones? If I were to decide to go with a non-halo setting would that potentially change your recommendation?
Thank you very much for your help!
I’m glad you like it.
You are right. For a halo setting, H color is what we recommend to make sure it doesn’t look yellowish compared to the smaller diamonds around it. For a pave/sidestone, I color is what I’d go with as the additional diamonds are not that close to the center stone. For a white gold solitaire you can easily drop to a J and it’ll still look great.
Thanks a lot, that definitely makes sense.
Not to change things up on you completely but the other option I am considering is a cushion cut diamond (also set in a halo). I understand that these tend to retain / show color more than a round diamond so have limited my search to H and above. I would think going a little higher up (down?) the color scale may be a good idea if it will be set in a halo. What do you think of the below two choices? Any other recommendations on a similar budget (up to $7500ish)
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.50-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-375236?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.41-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-997801?a_aid=dmnd1357
Hopefully once I have an idea of what I can get in both round and cushion cuts I will be in a good place to make a decision. Thanks so much for your continued assistance.
I wouldn’t recommend those diamonds. That E-color one has strong fluorescence which often causes haziness. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/
The L:W ratio on the second one is too high, we like to keep it below 1:08.
You’d be happier with something like this:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.25-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-977620?a_aid=dmnd1357
Normally, we don’t recommend such high color grades, but this diamond happened to be a better value than some of the Hs and Gs in that range.
What do you think?
Thank you so much for your continued assistance. I have decided I will be going with a round diamond.
One more question for you. I am considering a halo setting from Brian Gavin and have also been taking a look at their diamonds. What do you think of these two options as compared to the round James Allen diamond you have picked out below? Which would you recommend of the 3?
Sorry for the multiple questions and thank you again!
Brian Gavin is an excellent choice. He is known as one of the worlds experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds. BGD’s Signature diamonds are truly fantastic. They are incredibly brilliant.
The ones you selected are superbly cut, but for a halo setting, you should still stick with H color (or a very well cut I at the very least).
If you want some added brilliance, go with BG diamond. If you want to get a larger diamond, go with that JA’s one. Just to be clear, both of them will have a lot of fire. BGD is just an added bonus in terms of perfect cut.
Let me know what you decide on in the end.
I just wanted to let you know that I have gone ahead and made my purchase from Brian Gavin, using this same email address.
Thank you so much both for all of the information on your website and for the guidance you provided throughout this process. I feel so much more confident in my choice having your expert assistance!
That’s great news! I’m glad that I could help you decide on the diamond.
I hope you’ll love it when you receive it. If you could let me know how it looks when it arrives, I’d 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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