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Q&A: Help Finding a Radiant Cut Diamond for a White Gold Side-Stone Setting With a $1,500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Looking for a radiant half a carrat or higher. I would like the ratio to be square. Looking to spend no greater than $1,500 on stone.

What setting are you planning to go with?

Thank you, let’s say I could stretch the budget to $1,600 for the stone. Recommend any good 3/4? Also, what are you looking for in a radiant?

For radiants, the depth should be ideally under 72% (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/radiant-cut/). We recommend H+ color. The clarity isn’t important once the stone is eye-clean, the clarity grade doesn’t matter. The crown shouldn’t be flat. The culet should be none/pointed.

I found one bigger stone: www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.70-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-6913463?a_aid=dmnd1357.

Thank you for your help! Should I hold out for a stone that’s better, or should I go with the .70 Carat one?

Companies update their inventories on a daily basis but there is no guarantee that there will be anything better later within your budget. But something new may pop up. However, good diamonds get sold very quickly. It’s up to you how you decide. You can at least put it on hold so that nobody else buys it.

Could you recheck inventory for me and see if there’s any others you’d recommend?

Sure thing! I found this diamond but it’s a bit smaller (and less expensive too): www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.62-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4281471?a_aid=dmnd1357. So far, the 0.70ct stone seems to be the best.

What makes the .7 so special? Just asking, I just want make sure it’s the best I can get for the money.

The specs are perfect. But I meant it in a way that it’s the biggest possible option within your budget. If you want to get a smaller, cheaper stone, it’s not a problem at all. I have already sent you some smaller options in my previous email. The inventory didn’t change much, I couldn’t find any better options than the ones we have already discussed.

I would rather have a quality eye catching stone than bigger, unless you advise otherwise. But it does need to be at least .5 or higher. I can’t spend more than the .7 suggested. I guess I need less options to make a decision.

Well, all of them are perfectly cut and very brilliant. Radiants are the most brilliant diamond shape. They will all “sparkle” a lot.

I’ll go with the .7 then. Many thanks for your help!

My pleasure.

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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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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