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Q&A: Help Choosing a Round Diamond for a Yellow Gold Setting With a $6k Budget

By Mike Fried, Updated October 16, 2017

Hi,

I am so glad I stumbled across your alls site. I am currently looking at some James Allen diamonds and am having a hard time making a decision. The problem I keep questioning is why some have higher “ratings” via GIA and cost less or smaller and cost more with worse ratings. I am looking in the 1.16ish-1.3ish size. I have been looking at these two specifically:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.24-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2565710?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.18-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1888610?a_aid=dmnd1357

Could I trouble you for some opinions/advice or something alternative to look into? This industry has me lost.

Thanks in advance!

The clarity grade is the reason that the smaller diamond is less expensive than the larger one.

However, I wouldn’t recommend either of those two. The reason is the strong fluorescence. On I+ colors, it usually causes a hazy/milky appearance: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/.

Could you tell me what style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones, halo) and metal (yellow gold, white gold, platinum) you’re planning to use? I believe it’s possible for you to go lower in color to get better-priced options, yet still colorless for the setting: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/.

Thanks for getting back so quick! I am deciding between doing a solitaire with 18k yellow gold (what I am leaning towards) or a thin pave in yellow gold.

Thanks.

Thanks for the info.

Because you’re choosing yellow gold, you can easily lower the diamond’s color. The slightly warmer tones won’t be visible in the already yellow setting.

Here is what I found:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2363305?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s a larger diamond with even better clarity for less any either of your options. Let me know what you think.

I think that looks nice especially with no inclusions that are super visible. Is there a risk of that diamond being on the yellow side when you look at it due to the J color? Or will it look clear due to the yellower band?

You wouldn’t notice the yellow tinge because the surrounding is yellow as well. We usually also recommend K colors for a solitaire setting, so J is absolutely perfect.

Thanks,

I wanted to also ask if you had any more recommendations in the 1.18-1.3 ranges to kinda have a couple to look at and choose from. Thanks for all your assistance.

Here are two more options:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.19-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2394184?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2578282?a_aid=dmnd1357

One of those sold quick. What are your initial thoughts on this one:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.21-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2701340?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks!

It’s a great diamond as well as the second one from my last email.

You can’t go wrong with either one.

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. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
Click to Visit
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
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  • 24/7 Customer Service
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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. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
Click to Visit
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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