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Q&A: Help Finding a 1.25 Ct. Round Diamond for a Classic Platinum Ring for Under $12k In Total

By Mike Fried,

Dear Diamond Pro,

I am writing to you about purchase on Blue Nile. I am about to place an order because sadly I lost my engagement ring… It was from Blue Nile and I am looking for something similar. 1.25 carat, round brilliant, ideal cut, G or H color.

Would your recommend some choices? Also would you be so kind to give me a discount code? Thank you!

Can you give me your ballpark figure of what you’re planning to spend?

Here is the coupon code for $50: [contact us for your own unique coupon code]

Thanks for getting back to me so fast. I have in fact previously consulted you on my purchase on Leibish and I am still in love with my oval yellow diamond!

Unfortunately, I just lost my engagement ring… Probably got stolen out of my bag… So I’m looking to replace it. The setting would be on a classic four-prong platinum band and the diamond would be in round ideal/excellent cut. My budget is about $10K for the diamond itself.

I was looking at below and please let me know your thoughts:
Blue Nile LD08867555

Thank you very much for helping out this careless and very remorseful newly wed…

Thank you!

Thank you for the additional information.

The diamond you picked is a beautiful stone! Are you aiming for a G color? Or would you be willing to go down to “I” since the setting is a solitaire?

Thank you! Here’s what I am looking for:
ideal cut
H color or better
Eye clean
1.3 or bigger
Maximum price all included is $12K

I was also looking on James Allen and would be open to both, depending on which diamond is the best value!

Thank you for your help!

I already have an account with Blue Nile and James Allen, both with this email address. Thank you for your advice!

Thanks for the details.

Here are the best options I found:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3252416?a_aid=dmnd1357

Blue Nile LD08952657

They are eye-clean, well cut and will look very bright and brilliant. They both have some inclusions on the edge that could be covered with a prong. Let me know what you think.

Thank you for the suggestions.

My question on the Blue Nile piece is that its symmetry and polish are both rated “very good” instead of “excellent”, does it make a difference? I do like the look of it otherwise.

About the James Allen piece, the black cloud in the center of the diamond seems quite visible from its high-res photo. Any possibility to get a better clarity?

Thank you!

The symmetry and polish don’t have to be excellent. As long as it’s not fair/poor, it doesn’t affect much.

I’m not sure what “black cloud” you are referring to. There are some twinning wisps which are inclusions that aren’t visible to the naked eye in 95% of the time and some very small feathers that aren’t noticeable.

I am glad to let you know that I have purchased the Blue Nile diamond you’ve recommended!

Thank you for your help!

Excellent news! Thanks for the message. I’m glad that I could help you decide on a diamond.

Let me know how it looks when you receive it.

……

The ring has arrived very promptly, and I really love it! It looks big and very very white! I am very surprised that the H color could look like this!

Thank you very much!

Thank you for the message. I’m glad that you like it so much!

I wish you and your partner a life of happiness and fulfillment.

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
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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!

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
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