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Hi, I’d like to find a truly great ring design that is contemporary and a has a superior stone hopefully in the .75 to 1.00 carat range. My price range is $4k – 5k. Any suggestions?
I’d be happy to make some recommendations for you, but I need a little more info.
What shape diamond are you looking for?
What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) do you want to use? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).
Looking for round diamond, white gold or platinum, and a pave or side stones setting.
Thank you for the additional info.
For metal, we always recommend white gold over platinum because of the huge disparity in upfront costs: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/platinum-vs-gold/. Both metals require upkeep every few years. WG needs to be dipped to retain its color and luster while PT needs to be cleaned and polished because it gets scratched and duller over time. So in the end, platinum costs you more in the beginning and doesn’t end up saving you any money in the long run. And I’d recommend 14k white gold. It’s cheaper and more durable than 18k.
Let’s start with the setting. Here’s a bunch of them you might like:
Blue Nile Heirloom Petite Milgrain Engagement Ring
Blue Nile Petite Diamond Engagement Ring
Blue Nile Petite Milgrain Diamond Engagement Ring
Blue Nile Verona Petite Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring
Blue Nile Riviera Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring
Does any of them look like something you would consider?
Even though she is petite with small hands, my personal preference is that all those settings are a little too simple.
I could deal with this one:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-22644?a_aid=dmnd1357
but I prefer something like this:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/side-stones/14k-white-gold-041ct-common-prong-round-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1105?a_aid=dmnd1357
OR even this:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/side-stones/14k-white-gold-pave-trio-engagement-ring-item-10619?a_aid=dmnd1357
Great, thank you for the additional info.
This would be my recommendation:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2645135?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s fantastically cut, eye-clean and will be very brilliant.
What do you think?
How much more to go with a little larger stone like 1.00 carat?
I would look like this:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2599030?a_aid=dmnd1357
Let me know your thoughts.
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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