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Q&A: Help Finding an Oval Diamond for Around $6k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I am looking to buy an engagement ring for my girlfriend.

With help from her friends, I know that I’m looking for an oval or pear-shaped diamond on a simple Tiffany style ring. I have an appointment with a jeweler tomorrow but I was advised to come to your site first.

My budget for a diamond is around $6,000 so that with the ring I would spend no more than $7,000. My girlfriend isn’t very tall and her hands are pretty small.

I appreciate any help you can provide.

Thank you so much for your help. I think I’ve decided on an oval-shaped diamond. I do like the one that you sent me but should I be nervous about the medium blue fluorescence?

Also, your website says that an excellent oval cut should be between a 1.35 and 1.50, 62% depth% and a girdle of very thin to slightly thick. It also says that you should get the best cut diamond that you can. I assume that the diamond that you sent me is so close to these measurements that it would still be considered excellent?

I do like that you found a 1.2 carat diamond as I thought I would only be able to afford a 1 carat. If I were to raise my diamond budget to $7,000, is there any other diamonds that would compare to this one?

I did go to my appointment at a jeweler today. The best of their bunch was a 1 carat oval diamond (G color, SI2 but looked clean, 61% table%, 61% depth%, and a very light bow-tie) that was priced at $6,300. Needless to say, I like the price at James Allen better. Are there any drawbacks to buying online??

I’m pleased to hear that you like my suggestions so much.

Yes, as you mentioned, the cut of this stone is great. The parameters of oval shapes on our site are just approximate. We do focus on bow-tie a lot when it comes to pear and oval shapes. And the cut of this one is fantastic.

As for the fluorescence, medium can help H and lower grades look slightly brighter. So it’s actually a bonus.

Well, there are a lot of companies online. We can’t recommend purchasing from every one of them. But generally speaking, you get better value online. A general rule is to find a stone with either a GIA or AGS cert (these two labs are legitimate). There are other important specs to look at but that’s why we are here. Also, James Allen offers 30 day free returns. So there really is nothing to lose or worry about.

Just so I understand, you don’t believe that the diamond has any bowtie?

I was looking at settings and James Allen doesn’t seem to have a petite solitaire like Blue Nile does. Would you consider this diamond a good value?

Blue Nile LD08361956

If not, I can likely look at pave settings on James Allen unless you see a better diamond on Blue Nile.

Yes, the one I sent is fine in terms of bow-tie.

But if you prefer settings on Blue Nile, let’s stick with this site. The stone you found is very nice. I also found this one:

Blue Nile LD10668887

It also has great overall specs and it’s less expensive.

What do you think?

The settings on Blue Nile are closer to what I’m trying to find. All of my girlfriends Pinterest pictures show rings with a petite solitaire setting without any cathedral effect. I can’t find anything like that on either James Allen or Blue Nile.

Unfortunately, the diamond that you originally sent from James Allen has sold.

This new diamond that you sent seems like a great deal. Almost $1,000 less than the one I found! The specs are almost identical except that the more expensive one is a little bit longer and wider. The less expensive one also seems to have more indented inclusions.

Are these differences recognizable? Which diamond would you prefer if the prices were the same? I don’t mind spending more and I obviously will make sure you get your commission either way.

If you think I should hold off on both of these, I am not in a rush to buy and can wait for the perfect stone.

Sure, not a problem. Let’s stick with Blue Nile.

Both stones are beautiful with great overall specs. And yes, the one you found is bigger in size. The difference will be noticeable. But I’ll leave up to you whether it’s worth the extra buck. Whichever you like more, go for it.

I noticed that the setting that I’m looking for is on James Allen but the diamond cannot be bigger than 1.1 carat.

14K WHITE GOLD 1.5MM COMFORT FIT ENGAGEMENT RING

Do you think you could do one more search for me on James Allen?

I’m looking for a 1.1 carat (or slightly smaller) oval diamond with a budget around $7,000. Eye clean, maximum brilliance/ fire and minimum bowtie (you already knew that 🙂 )

I found these but I can’t tell if they have a bowtie or if they are going to sparkle. What do you think?

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.08-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-5400800?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.09-carat-d-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5051812?a_aid=dmnd1357

If you find a few different ones, I’m happy to compare.

The stones you picked are beautiful.

I also found these:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-5389246?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5143764?a_aid=dmnd1357

They are also going to look colorless and are significantly less expensive.

What do you think?

I ended up going with the 5400800 diamond. Thank you so much for your help.

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!

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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