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Q&A: Help Finding an Incredibly Brilliant Round Diamond for $15k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello!

I’m looking for a diamond for an engagement ring. I’ve got my eyes set on a round diamond set in a white gold solitaire setting.

I understand that I want the best cut, I’m easy on the color and clarity as long as it is hard to tell with the untrained naked eye.

I do hope for the size to be at least 1.57 carats and am happy to pay up to $15k for it.

I was wondering if you would be able to help?

Have a look at this diamond:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.64-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3718838?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s beautifully cut, eye-clean and going to look colorless.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

What do you think?

It looks really nice. The only question I have is that James Allen seems to have a cut grade of “True Hearts” is that something worth paying for? Or not really?

I’m pleased to hear that you like my suggestion.

As much as we love James Allen, we don’t really pay attention to their True Hearts cuts as we don’t find them consistently more brilliant than our own selection. The cut of the stone I sent is fantastic. So there’s no need to worry about that.

At the same time, if an extraordinary brilliance is what you’re looking for, then I suggest Brian Gavin Signature Hearts and Arrows. That’s exactly what they focus on and you can be sure that you’ll receive the best of diamonds. Not only do these conform to the strictest of cut parameters, but Brian himself selects them for optimal brilliance.
Brian Gavin is known as one of the world’s experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds. If you want to spend extra on their cut, it’s a great way to go. Let me know if you want to see my suggestion from their site.

For the colour of the diamond you sent, I just had a thought. It is quite common to wear the engagement ring with a wedding band that has smaller diamonds on it. Would that make it more obvious that the color is I? Should I be looking at a higher grade diamond colour?

How much extra would a ring from Brian cost? If you have a rough guide I’m happy to consider it.

An I color grade is safe. The stones in the band are usually so small that the difference in color won’t be noticeable.

And here’s my suggestion of a stone from Brian Gavin:

www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.583-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104095241008?a_aid=y

This H color stone is the best 1.55+ carat stone I found on their site at the moment.

What do you think of this one?

Thanks for that! I decided that I’ll buy the Brian stone.

You’re welcome, it was my pleasure.

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.
  • 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!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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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