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Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond for a Rose Gold Pavé With Up to $5,300 Diamond Budget

By Mike Fried,

I am looking for a round diamond for an engagement ring. My budget is about $5K for the diamond alone. The larger the better, but realistically, would like it between 1.29 ct. and 1.7 ct.

I’d be happy to make some recommendations for you, but I need a little more info.

What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) do you want to use? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).

I would like pave, white gold.

Thank you for the additional info.

This would be my recommendation:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2599030?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s the largest diamond I can recommend. It’s beautifully cut, eye-clean and will be very brilliant.

What do you think?

That is beautiful, but I would like something larger, even if it goes above into the $5500 range.

These look great! Thank you!

You’re welcome. Let me know what you decide on in the end.

Would you recommend this diamond?
Blue Nile LD08706082

I wouldn’t recommend it. The color J is too low for a pave setting and the diamond might have a yellowish tinge. Also, it’s not eye-clean, the black spot will be very visible.

Would you recommend buying this round diamond from Brilliance:
www.b2cjewels.com/dd/9411781/1-50-carat-round-diamond-k-color-vs1-clarity

Is this K color okay?

I wouldn’t recommend it either. It’s poorly cut and will look yellow in the setting you’re using.

Would you recommend this stone?

Again, it’s way too deep. Also, their site won’t let me see the report which is a little suspicious.

I know I’ve made several requests, so I thank you very much for all the help. This may be my last request before I make my final decision. Would you recommend this diamond?
www.yadavjewelry.com/products/Round-diamond-K-VS2-YD767489

I am planning to use a rose gold setting, with side stones, no halo.

I’m very sorry I have to keep saying that, but that diamond is a big no-no. It’s horridly cut and a K-color diamond will have a strong yellow tinge in the setting you’re using.

Thank you so much for the advice and for all your recommendations so far.

You’re very welcome.

Would you recommend buying this round diamond from Brilliance:
www.brilliance.com/loose-diamonds/round/1-32-carat-k-color-super-ideal-make-vvs2-clarity-gia-certified-SKU-D13279195

I just read your review on them and am a little concerned, but the price for this diamond seems really great.

I’m not a huge fan of its cut, it will be less brilliant. Also, we only recommend K color for a yellow gold solitaire setting with yellow gold prongs. In any other type of setting it will look yellow. Can you tell me what style setting you are using in the end? I’m happy to help you find a better alternative if you like.

Any extra help would be great. I want to stay under $5300 for just the diamond. I want to prioritize cut and carat, but also don’t want a diamond that has visible inclusions or is too yellow/brown. The setting will be rose gold with side stones. No halo.

Alright.

For that type of setting, I+ would be where I’d go to make sure there won’t be any yellowish tones in it. Have a look at this one:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.05-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2876260?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s beautifully cut, eye-clean and will be very brilliant.

What do you think?

It looks great, but would like a higher ct.

I’m very sorry, but that is the largest diamond I can recommend for 5300.

Understood. Thank you!

You’re welcome. If there’s anything else I can help you with, just send me a quick email.

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. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
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. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
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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