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Q&A: Help Finding a Round Center Diamond for a White Gold Solitaire Setting with Around $5,500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi there,

I’m looking for 1.1-1.5c round diamond for solitaire WG 14k engagement ring. Looking for something that fits in 5.5k budget thats classic in style. Look forward to hear your thoughts.

She is looking for something that is classic with quality that we can pass down in the future. Looking currently at JA and BN.

Other questions: how important is color against clarity and cut when shopping for round diamond?

For a simple solitaire setting (no additional diamonds in the band), I recommend J+ color and SI+ clarity (as long as the diamond is eye-clean).

Cut is the most important aspect of a diamond so the highest cut grade is a must.

Something like this is going to look great in any solitaire setting you choose:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.10-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4688990?a_aid=dmnd1357
Blue Nile LD10203633
They are well cut, eye-clean and either of them will be very brilliant.

What do you think?

I really like the first one from JA. Is there anything bigger in carat weight around 1.2-1.3 for my budget? Or do I need to increase my budget given the same treats and quality as that 1.1 from JA?

Thank you for the email and your feedback. I really like the first 1.1 one you showed me, is there any discounts you know if I order from JA?

Unfortunately, we have no coupons for JA, only for Blue Nile.

What coupon do you have for Blue Nile?

Thank you so much for all your help. Really appreciate it. Will let you know if you have any questions.

Anytime. Keep me posted.

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.
  • 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!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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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