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Q&A: Help Finding a .75-1.00 Ct. Diamond and a Contemporary Ring With a $4k-$5k Budget

By Mike Fried,

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

www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7092?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-petite-pave-engagement-ring-flush-fit-item-56252?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-petite-diamond-accent-engagement-ring-item-50124?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-22644?a_aid=dmnd1357

Does any of them look like something you would consider?

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?

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. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
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.
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  • 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!

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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.
  • 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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