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Q&A: Help Finding a Round Center Stone For a White Gold Three-Stone Setting With a $20,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I am getting ready to propose to a very special lady and I would appreciate your help. I have lurked around your site for several months and have gained some basic knowledge based on your great articles!

So I started looking at JA and found this combo and wanted your advice based on this ring and diamond. I am not 100% sure about the ring but I do know she likes white gold and round diamonds. Of course if you could save me some money on something comparable that would be awesome, I would like to stay under $20k.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.17-carat-i-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7728048?a_aid=dmnd1357

14K WHITE GOLD THREE STONE ROUND AND PAVE SET DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING

We don’t really recommend IGI certified stones. They are looser in grading than GIA or AGS (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/igi/). GIA and AGS are the most consistent and reliable labs.

I found these alternatives for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7693183?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7762751?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7793959?a_aid=dmnd1357– The inclusion can be covered with a prong.
They’re well-cut, eye-clean and brilliant.

After talking to her daughter she said she would recommend not much bigger than a 1.5ct stone. I wondered if you could recommend one like this?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7730940?a_aid=dmnd1357

I was looking a little more and found an “E” Color that I would like your opinion on.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7870469?a_aid=dmnd1357

That diamond is perfect, the cut is great. I don’t see any red flags. Nice find!

Both are perfect stones. I suggest putting both of them on hold so that they are not sold before you decide. Keep me posted, please.

I went ahead and purchased the E color below.

Your site has been amazing between the general education and specific help with my request. I do understand I probably went higher than I needed to for color. But I think she will love it (hopefully she says yes).

That’s wonderful news! Thank you for your kind words. It was my pleasure helping you.

I will absolutely let you know when I get it and I will send you pictures too 😀

I got the ring (Pics attached), the pictures just don’t do it justice (no matter how many I try to take). It’s beautiful. Thank you so much for your help and insight into picking the perfect stone for the ring! I showed her daughters and they both thought it was stunning too.

I really enjoyed the education on what to look for from your site, and the personalized service provided by you was just over the top!! It was very comforting to know Diamond Pro’s had my back! I also appreciated the filter parameters for JA that you had in one of your articles!

Thanks again for all your wonderful help!
 

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!

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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