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Hi, have a $10k budget looking for a round diamond.
The size matters to my girlfriend. The brilliance and sparkle matter to me. Will be set in Tiffany style platinum solitaire setting. We’ve seen up to 1.8’s in I and J color, SI2, Excellent/ideal cut, Excellent Polish and Symmetry. On Blue Nile and James Allen. However, I’m worried it may look too yellow.
Can you offer some advice and stone suggestions? Am I better to go down to a 1.6’s and look for H’s?
For a simple solitaire setting (no additional diamonds in the band), J color is absolutely fine. There won’t be any yellowness.
These are the largest eye-clean diamonds I found in the 10k range:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2820805?a_aid=dmnd1357
They are nicely cut and either of them will look great in the setting you have in mind.
What do you think?
I just want to be comfortable about a “J” not appearing yellowed. I saw at least one J at a local jewelry store but it was in a 3 stone setting. That one appeared yellowed when viewed.
Why is it that a J will appear yellowed when in that type of a setting but not set as a solitaire? Do you think I should consider an “I” and go down a little in size?
Also, curious about fluorescence. What does medium fluorescence do to the stone’s appearance? Thanks.
J color is not that low on the scale and looks absolutely colorless when set as a solitaire – there are no additional diamonds to make a color difference. Melee diamonds or side stones (like in the three stone setting you mentioned) are usually H/G color and that’s why a J color center stone can appear yellowish compared to them.
It’s also important to know if we’re comparing apples to apples (my recommendations with GIA certificates vs. the diamonds in a store, were they certified by the GIA lab?).
Fluorescence is actually a bonus, it can help the diamond look a bit whiter.
We went with your recommendation. Thanks for your help.
That’s fantastic news! It was my pleasure helping you.
Let me know how you like it when you receive it.
Just wanted to thank you again for the professional advice and reassurance. When the ring arrived, it was just as you related and what we hoped it would be.
Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback. I’m glad you are happy with your new ring.
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
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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