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Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond for Around £7,500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Help!

I’m looking for a round brilliant diamond to be set in a white gold, halo and pave style setting which can be set with a diamond of maximum carat 1.38 so I’m looking to get the biggest diamond to set within my budget of £7,500 that looks colourless and also eye clean.

I’ve followed your website tips and going for an excellent cut but here’s the part I’m struggling with; I want to go for an eye clean diamond which looks colourless and I’m not sure whether it’s best to go for colour grade I with clarity of VS1 / VVS2 or a diamond with better colour grade of H and clarity grade of SI1 as both have diamond options within the 1.30 carat range, but I’m not sure which to go with to get a diamond that looks colourless and eye clean?

I’m looking to purchase the diamond and setting from Blue Nile. Can you help?

For the setting you have in mind, I’d recommend an H-color center stone to ensure the colorless impression. Clarity grade can be anything as long as the diamond is eye-clean. I always search in the SI-IF range and pick the first eye-clean option I find.

Here’s a great diamond that meets your budget and will look amazing in a halo setting:
Blue Nile LD12761895

What do you think?

That looks great, i think I’ll probably go with that one… but out of interest did you find one which was eye clean closer to 1.30 carat? Or was the the largest eye clean one at 1.25?
I came across this one but not sure if it’s considered eye clean?

Blue Nile LD12760669

Unfortunately, I didn’t find any decent 1.30 carats for ~7,5k. The one you sent me has a huge knot which is a big issue, it might disrupt the integrity of the diamond.

If you are worried about the size difference, don’t be. Check out the real measurements of both stones, they are basically the same size.

That’s great. You’ve been incredibly helpful, thank you so much!

I’m going to go with the diamond you suggested, it fits perfectly with what I was looking for.

That’s great news! I’m glad you like my suggestion so much!

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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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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