We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.

Q&A: Help Finding a 1 Ct. Round Diamond for a Yellow Gold Solitaire to Replace a Lost Stone

By Mike Fried,

My wife’s wedding ring got smashed when she was trying to return a heavy Laserjet printer to Costco. She’s looked everywhere but can’t find the diamond. She would like to look for a replacement. We would like something with inclusions that can’t be seen by the naked eye. The cut of the diamond is round brilliant cut. Her old diamond was 1 ct weight.

thank you

Can you also tell me what style of setting (solitaire, halo, pave or other) and metal (platinum/white or yellow gold) you’re going to use? Different settings suit certain colors better. Then I’ll be happy to send you my suggestions.

Her old setting was yellow gold. It was a solitaire diamond. I found an appraisal done 13 years ago and the color was G and the clarity was I1. We are looking for something that can’t be seen by just the eye. We spent $2200 for the last one. Probably on this one we’ll spend around $3000.

I hope I answered your questions.

Thank you.

Here is the largest G color I could find. However, you said that your diamond had only an appraisal, which means that the true color of that stone could have been much lower. Appraisals aren’t that accurate.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.71-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2510550?a_aid=dmnd1357

As you mentioned that you’re going to use yellow gold solitaire style setting, you can go down to a J or K color diamond and it’s still going to look colorless. Have a look at these two stones:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.82-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2537856?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2338731?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

The prices went up. So if you wish for a 1.00 carat diamond, you’d have to increase your budget.

Let me know what you think and which of the stones is your favorite.

I will forward it to my wife.

Thank you.

OK, I’ll be waiting for your feedback.

The insurance company is going to reimburse us for the cost of the ring and the diamond. Once we get the money (a couple of weeks), we will be in touch.

Thank you.

……

My wife is going to take over from me and work with you. She’s willing to spend more than $3000. Thank you.

……

My husband thought I should communicate with you directly about replacing my old diamond.

What I am looking for is a bigger diamond than what I had, but of the same or better quality and sparkle. I was thinking of something in the range of 1 carat.

We will go with a yellow gold or rose gold setting. Our budget would be between $2400-5000. My husband was pointing out that spending more money does not actually mean more sparkle, so I will defer to your expertise on that.

I am sending you our original diamond gemology report so you can see what I had before.

I just barely filed the insurance claim, and we should be getting back about $2200, maybe a bit more if they update the value of the original diamond from 14 years ago. They were going to have me send the setting back. I like the design of my old setting. I was not sure if I could just have the prongs replaced to fit the new diamond, or whether it is best to get a new setting for the new diamond.

I am very interest in your recommendations and look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for all the information.

Since you’re going to use a yellow or rose gold solitaire style setting, I suggest searching for a J color diamond. It will look colorless and it will save you money.

As for the brilliance, it’s mainly dependent on the cut. In our experience, stones with depth up to 62.6% and table up to 59% return light with the most brilliance.

Have a look at these two 1.00 carat diamonds:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.08-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2476115?a_aid=dmnd1357

Blue Nile LD08372705

These are the best options I found at the moment. They are both very well cut, eye-clean and going to look colorless.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

Regarding the setting, I suggest asking one of your local jewelers. If he can mount your setting with a new diamond, there’s no need to go for a new one.

Let me know what you think.

I am going to a jeweler now to show the setting. They said I can probably use my old setting with a new crown installed that would accommodate the larger diamond. I really liked the Blue Nile one that was for $4285. Is there a way I can reserve that one?

The insurance will do a payout for the old diamond.

Thank you for your help.

Thank you for the information.

I’m glad that you like my suggestion. You can contact Blue Nile directly and ask to put this diamond on hold for you or start an order. They will be happy to help you with the whole process.

Keep me posted.

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.
  • 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
Arrow down
Arrow up
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!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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
Arrow down
Arrow up

Still afraid of getting ripped off?

Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.

Ask your diamond purchase question here

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

Here is your coupon code: GFDSF3GF

Diamond Pro

Diamond Pro

  • Unfortunately, the AI chat we worked so hard training is not helping our readers the way we would like. You deserve the best advice you can get.

    Would you like to contact a human diamond pro? Just fill out this email form and we will answer you ASAP (usually within one day).

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.