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Q&A: Help Finding a 3.00+ Ct. Round Diamond for a White Gold Solitaire Setting on a $20k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Looking for the best 3 carat ring for my money around the 15k-18k range.

Can you also tell me what style of setting (solitaire, halo, pave or other), metal (white or yellow gold) and shape of diamond you’re looking for? Then I’ll be happy to send you my suggestion.

Sounds good. Round diamond. A very thin pave band and white gold.

Thank you for the additional information.

I’m afraid that I won’t find a quality 3.00+ carat diamond within the budget you mentioned.

Have a look at this one:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.20-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3584983?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s very well cut, eye-clean and going to look colorless in a pave style setting.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

What do you think?

Can you send me your 3 carat recommendation as well. Or anything close to 3 carat around the 19 to 20k range.

Your thoughts?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.90-carat-k-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4267597?a_aid=dmnd1357

A 3.00 carat stone with the quality I’d recommend for a pave style setting would cost around 30K.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.01-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4639743?a_aid=dmnd1357

The issue with the once you found is its IGI certification. You should search for stones with either a GIA or AGS cert.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/diamond-certification/#igi-certification

Also, the table is bigger than we’d recommend. It will lead to a lack of brilliance.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/cuts/

And a K color stone will look warm in a pave style setting.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

Here’s one for about 20k:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.40-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4464045?a_aid=dmnd1357

Can you recommend any 3 carat on a different setting around 20k?

If you decide for a white or yellow gold solitaire (setting with no additional stones aside), we could go down with the color grade.

Have a look at this one:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.21-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4597941?a_aid=dmnd1357

This one was the best 3.00+ carat I found among J color stones at the moment.

And if you decide for yellow gold solitaire, you can also check this one:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.07-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4273394?a_aid=dmnd1357

I’m going to go with the 3.21 on a solitaire setting. Thanks so much for the help. You are a life saver.

That’s fantastic news! It was my pleasure helping you. I’m happy to hear that we found what you were looking for.

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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.
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  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
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