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Q&A: Help Choosing a Round Diamond for a Halo With a $5k to $6k Budget

By Mike Fried,

I am looking for a brilliant cut loose diamond for a halo setting.

The budget is about $5k-$6K for the loose diamond. I really want something that sparkles but won’t look “warm” in color next to the halo diamonds. Anything around a carat and a quarter?

Any help would really be appreciated!

Welcome back.

Is the setting still going to be in platinum?

No, I think the setting will either be 14 or 18k white gold.

Pretty! And for an SI diamond, it truly looks eye clean. Size throws me a bit. She want’s a setting similar to this:

Her hands aren’t big by any means, but they aren’t small either. I am afraid the diamond will not be very prominent on her finger. I may have something similar to this setting, with a halo keeping the hexagon shape to make the diamond look bigger? I know that this is what she likes about that setting is the hexagon shape and it’s uniqueness.

What do you think of this?
Blue Nile FLD08322204

Thanks for getting back to me!

I like the BN diamond you found as well. It looks great and it’s eye-clean. Similar price for a slightly larger diamond. Great option.

If you go the BN route, here is  $50 coupon code BN gave us for the education we provide on our website: [contact us for your own unique coupon code]

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.
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  • 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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