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Q&A: Help Finding a Pair of Round Cut Earrings With a $1,500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Please review this for me. I\’m looking to see if this is a good buy. They are a gift for my wife\’s 60th birthday.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.45-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6089042?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.42-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6637551?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.37-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7004092?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.37-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7035674?a_aid=dmnd1357

I would also appreciate your thoughts on 4 prong basket setting versus a 3 prong martini setting. I think I prefer the three prong but have read that they can sometimes hurt the ear as it\’s end is more pointed against the ear than flat against it like a basket setting.

Thank you for your assistance.

The 0.42ct/0.43ct pair isn’t good. The diamonds are cut too deep (63.2%). It’s better to keep the depth below 62.6% to get the best brilliance out of them.

The second pair looks absolutely great:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.37-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7004092?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.37-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7035674?a_aid=dmnd1357

As for the setting, I haven’t heard anyone complaining about it hurting their ears. But it’s possible that it just didn’t get to me. Both styles look great in an ear and if you have doubts about the martini setting, go with the basket. It looks equally amazing and you’ll be sure it won’t hurt.

Many thanks!

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.
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
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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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