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Q&A: Help Finding a Marquise Cut Diamond for a Yellow Gold Setting With Sidestones

By Mike Fried,

Hello!

I’m looking to purchase a marquise cut diamond engagement ring with a yellow gold setting. My budget is currently between 6.5k and 10k. I’m hoping for some guidance as to which jewelers to direct my focus toward, as well as what I should be looking for in terms of diamond specifications. I have been doing some research, but my simple online queries will not help me compared to the knowledge of professionals, so that is why I am gladly reaching out for assistance. In the meantime I plan on reading through the educational material you provide on your site.

I look forward to hearing from you. Have a great day!

Marquises are more about the look than anything else. Of course, they have to be well cut, but unless they are too shallow (under 50% depth), I wouldn’t worry about it.

James Allen is probably the best company for marquises as they provide high-quality photos you need to determine the bow tie effect (the black figure eight running north-south through the center of the diamond). You want to minimize it as much as possible.

I found this beautiful 1.60ct diamond that I thought you would like:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/1.60-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2438427?a_aid=dmnd1357

They are a lot of varieties in L/W ratio, so please let me know what you think of the shape.

Thank you so much for all of your help and apologies for the delay. It’s tricky to find an opportunity to look at engagement rings without giving anything away to the recipient 🙂

James Allen sounds like a fine idea, and that diamond you sent me looks beautiful. I initially saw it when you sent it to me, but then I spent a bit of time comparing different settings and must have lost out on the opportunity to purchase.

I did have a question about settings. Is it possible/easy for me to purchase the setting separate from the actual diamond? I am looking for something a bit more whimsical/delicate in 14k gold, with a triple diamond side stone or pave. For reference, I was looking at this setting with the diamond you sent me, but felt that the band itself (excluding the side stones) looked too bulky/bland:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/side-stones/14k-yellow-gold-triple-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50200?a_aid=dmnd1357

I guess based on what is in my mind’s eye it does seem I’m leaning toward a vintage-style setting. I just found this setting that I do think would fit my girl friend’s tastes:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/14k-yellow-gold-enchanted-filigree-engagement-ring-item-58673?a_aid=dmnd1357

Do you think that you’d be able to help me locate a diamond similar to the one you sent me before? And do you have advice on the setting?

Again, I appreciate you helping me during this buying process. I’m definitely looking to buy as soon as possible.

What about this diamond?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/1.50-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-324173?a_aid=dmnd1357

The vintage setting you chose is gorgeous. Just make sure that JA can put a marquise in it. It’s originally built for a round only.

That’s a beautiful diamond, but I notice that it has some fluorescence. Would that be something that I would have to worry about over time were it to be exposed to sunlight?

Also, if I get a setting with smaller surrounding diamonds, is a difference in color between the side and center stones noticeable to the naked eye?

A faint fluorescence is something you don’t have to worry about. You wouldn’t even notice it. Even a medium fluorescence would be perfect.

The color’s not an issue. Since the setting is in yellow gold, the I color will look great.

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.
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  • 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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  • Provide insurance appraisals
  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
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  • Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
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  • Best-in-class packaging
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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
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