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Q&A: Help Finding an Emerald Cut Diamond For a White Gold Setting Within a $2k-$2.5k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello Diamond Pros!

I recently purchased a beautiful diamond, wedding ring, and band from James Allen for my wife for our 25th anniversary (upgrade time!). You were instrumental in finding great value on a gorgeous diamond!

My son is now approaching that magical time in his life where he will be purchasing an engagement ring for his soon to be fiancee!

I was wondering if your team would be able to work with him to find another beautiful diamond at a great price! His girlfriend is interested in a rectangular diamond specifically.

He is currently looking for something like the one in the link below…

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-11130943?a_aid=dmnd1357

Congratulations! Of course, I’ll gladly help you find the perfect diamond!

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-11130943?a_aid=dmnd1357 – Could you please send me the certificate? I can’t access the cert and that diamond is no longer available. Do you have a ballpark budget for the center stone? What setting style and metal are you planning to go with?

If it is the GIA or AGS certifications that you are referring to then I did not have access to them either or at the least could not find them.

I was planning around $2,000-$2,500 for the center stone. She cares a lot more about color (really doesn’t like the yellow-earthy tinge) than occlusions which is why I aired on the side of higher color grade and lower clarity.

She wants a very minimalist band and cares more about a cleaner looking diamond than a fancy band. She has zero interest in yellow gold and definitely wants a white gold band.

I assumed you put the diamond on hold, in which case you could ask the customer service to send you the certificate. But if it wasn’t you, then good – that diamond is not a great option anyway as it has a very strong black windowing on the sides and an empty center.

If your girlfriend likes icy stones (no warmish hue), then G+ color is the way to go. This color grade is already high enough to look absolutely colorless in a white gold setting.

I found this stunning 0.8ct:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8902073?a_aid=dmnd1357
It has a tiny inclusion on the table, but I don’t think it would be noticeable in person. This diamond has symmetrical faceting and a beautiful cut and would make an amazing ring.

I also found this beautiful E VS1 and if you look at real measurements, you can see it’s basically the same size:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.76-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-8509440?a_aid=dmnd1357

I really loved the second diamond! So much so that upon review with my family I ended up purchasing it. Thank you so much for your assistance in this matter

That’s wonderful news! I’m glad you liked it so much, I hope it will meet (or exceed) your expectations once it’s in your hands.

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!

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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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