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Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond for Around $15,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Would like some recommendations on which diamond would *POP* the most!

Ultimately, looking for a 1.5-1.6ct brilliant round cut that looks eye-clean and colorless with the most sparkle in a petite platinum band. My budget is in the $10k-15k range, and the three below are on my list of prospects, but if there are any comparable to my choices for less, I would be open for consideration.

What I landed on so far:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.57-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6865166?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6950616?a_aid=dmnd1357

Blue Nile LD11900940

Thanks, Diamond Pro!

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.57-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6865166?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6950616?a_aid=dmnd1357
These two diamonds are not goot options. Medium and strong fluorescence is going to make them look hazy/milky in daylight. For DEFG diamonds you should get only none or faint fluorescence. Also, James Allen took the GIA reports off their website so I can’t see the cut parameters and clarity notes, you’d need to request them.

Blue Nile LD11900940
Medium fluorescence again + the diamond is cut too deep and will be less brilliant.

I’m happy to recommend better options for you, can you just tell me if you’re going with a simple solitaire setting or are there going to be additional diamonds in the band/around the center stone?

For the setting, I would like a simple solitaire setting with no diamonds around the center stone:

Thank you for the additional info, it helps a lot.

For a simple solitaire setting, you can easily go with a lower color grade and get the same look to the naked eye. G color would be a waste of money, you wouldn’t be able to see the difference between the G and let’s say an I or even a J. I’m happy to recommend diamonds with any grades you want, but I wanted to point this out first so you could make an informed decision (and either save some money or get a larger diamond). Let me know what you think.

Thanks for the feedback! I’d prefer to buy closer to colorless in the chance my soon-to-be fiancée wants to set it with diamonds some time in the future – If you think H and I are comparable, I’d be happy to consider a larger and less expensive diamond.

Aha. Of course, in that case, it’s a good idea to start with an already high enough color grade. I’d say H is the sweet spot where you’re not overpaying for anything and have the colorless impression in all settings.

I found the following options:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6287835?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.59-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-7193784?a_aid=dmnd1357
Ask for the certificates, please.

Blue Nile LD12289633
Blue Nile LD12209903

These two are fantastically cut, eye-clean and will have a lot of brilliance.

What do you think?

Here are the certificates for the two James Allen diamonds. Can you please let me know how the cuts compare to the Blue Nile choices?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6287835?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is nicely cut, but the knot inclusion is a potential problem, it might negatively affect the diamond’s integrity. I’d skip it.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.59-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-7193784?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is fantastic, it has an amazing cut.

I pulled the trigger on https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.59-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-7193784?a_aid=dmnd1357 in the platinum 2mm comfort fit solitaire band. After taxes and fees, it was perfectly within my budget!

Thanks for helping me choose a diamond and making the process so much more seamless – it was really nice to have someone with experience available when making such an important decision. I couldn’t be more excited for the big day now!

That’s fantastic news! You got yourself a beautiful diamond.

Thank you so much for the nice words, it’s been a pleasure helping you. If you can also write me back once you receive the ring, that would be great. I’d love to know how you like it in person.

Wow! Wow! WOW! I’ve been holding on to the ring for a few weeks now and finally had the perfect proposal over the weekend.

The diamond is stunning!!!! The scintillation is simply beautiful and absolutely blinding. The size of the stone looked MUCH larger on her finger than the 1.50-1.60ct rings we tried on in the store. My fiancee and our friends could not keep their eyes off it.

Here’s a picture:

Thanks so much for finding this diamond in the rough!

Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! I’m glad your fiancee is turning heads with her new ring 🙂 The picture you took is beautiful, thank you very much for sharing it with me. And congratulations on your engagement! 🙂

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.
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  • Provide insurance appraisals
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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!

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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
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
  • Best in class fulfillment
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