Q&A: Help Deciding for a 1.5 – 1.8 Ct. Round Diamond for a White Gold Solitaire Setting with a $7k-$10k Budget

Hey there! First off, thank you so much for your website. It’s easily the most informative and trustworthy site I’ve found on diamond shopping and info. Most of us are new to this, and it’s great to find a place that cares about us not getting ripped off and being informed.

I was hoping you could help me: I’m looking for a diamond with a budget between $7k – 10k (including setting which I budget $400 – $600) and the following traits:

Round diamond, 1.5 – 1.8 carat, Excellent cut (which I believe would account for ideal table and depth measurements for that baby to shine!), J color (I color if you think needed but it sounds like a round with an excellent cut will look fine in a setting), SI2 – VS1 (probably closer to SI2 given the carat and budget I have), medium to none fluorscense (should I actually want faint to medium since the color is a J?), and GIA rated.

I have been looking at James Allen thanks to you guys and absolutely love the pictures and ability to see the inclusions/flaws/etc. I’m actually surprised with how many diamonds have noticeable issues on them (which makes me worry about buying anywhere else without a pic!) – I know it shows at 20X but I believe my understanding is correct that if i can see marks on 20x easily, then that would fail the naked eye test.

With all that being said, I wanted to show you a few of my favorites and just see if you guys can find some better ones for better prices or a better diamond for a similar price. However you can help me would be much appreciated.

High end on the budget: www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.67-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1959849?a_aid=dmnd1357

Second largest from a carat standpoint: www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.59-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1114144?a_aid=dmnd1357

A beauty (to me) given it’s a S1 and J color: www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.54-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1788060?a_aid=dmnd1357060

There were a few others I saved which are pretty similar but didn’t think I needed to include.

Thank you again for everything!! 

Yes, I plan on using a solitaire setting without any additional settings.

And if it helps, I’m planning on 18k white gold. 

Thanks! Two last questions I have: should I worry at all about the J color? I’m thinking in the setting it won’t be noticeable but I’m just not
sure.

Also, do you all recommend six prong solitaire ring or four for these type
of rings?

Thank you!!