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Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond for a Classic Halo Setting with Around $9,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi!

I’m looking at diamonds on Blue Nile. I would like to find one that is at least 1.5 ct, at least I color, definitely eye clean SI1/VS2 clarity. I also would need it to be excellent/ideal cut, excellent symmetry, and excellent polish.

I would like to keep it between $8000-$9000. I would like to avoid very strong fluorescence as I will be proposing on a beach and don’t want the stone glowing blue. If strong sunlight won’t make the stone glow I am open to fluorescence. The most important thing to her is that is sparkles so I would like to avoid any milky/hazy stones.

Here are a couple that I’m looking at:

Blue Nile LD10654885

Blue Nile LD10748241

Blue Nile LD00091699

Open to advice on these and any others that you may find that meet the criteria above. Thanks for your help!

I’m not a big fan of the inclusions on those you chose. The first two aren’t eye-clean and the second one would look milky as it has a huge cloud right on the table.

Before I search for an alternative, can you please tell me what style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) you’re planning to put it in? I just want t make sure that the I color won’t be an issue.

I’m planning on a round diamond in a 14k white gold halo setting with pave diamonds on the band. Because my girlfriend is a nurse we will be going with a medium to low profile setting.

Alright. Thanks a lot for the additional info.

Since you’re putting it into a halo setting, you shouldn’t go below H color otherwise the diamond will look yellowish compared to the smaller diamonds around it.

That said, I’m afraid that you wouldn’t be able to find an eye-clean 1.50ct+ diamond within 9k. Would you be OK with a smaller diamond or a slightly more expensive one?

Thanks for your quick reply. I could up the budget to $9500 but I would ideally really like to stay in the 8-9k range with the I color. We went to the store and looked at rings/diamonds together and she was not that sensitive to color.

We were looking at settings similar to this Classic Halo Diamond Engagement Ring which averages I color and SI2 clarity.

Also, would some fluorescence help the stone appear whiter?

No problem then!

A medium fluorescence would help a little, but it’s not worth it to focus on only that. You could easily end up with a far more expensive diamond only because it has some fluorescence.

Here is the best diamond I could find within 9k:
Blue Nile LD10417815

It’s eye-clean (the inclusion on 7 o’clock would be coverable with a prong (the rest won’t be noticeable in the halo setting), it will look bright and brilliant.

Let me know what you think.

I’m going to sleep on it tonight and tomorrow get the stone you recommended. Thank you!

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. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
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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
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