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Q&A: Help Finding an Eye-Clean 1 Ct. Diamond for a Platinum Setting with Side Stones for Around $5k

By Mike Fried,

Hello, thanks in advance for your help. Looking at a ring from James Allen. It is Platinum with G-H color round side stones. I would like to add a round center stone that is 1.0 ct or larger. I’m assuming I need to stay in the H color range because of the side stones. My biggest concern is making sure the stone is eye clean. Can you recommend a few round center stones that would look great on the ring for around $5K? Thanks so much for your help. 


We usually recommend I+ for setting with side stones. You don’t need to go higher if the diamond is bright.This is my recommendation for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-288496?a_aid=dmnd1357

This diamond is absolutely eye-clean and perfectly cut. It will look great in your setting. What do you think?

And if you want a piece of advise, reconsider your metal for setting. I would change it to White Gold. Our partner wrote an excellent article about it http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ira-weissman/the-5-cs-of-white-gold-vs_b_3351028.html.

Thank you so much for your input. The diamond looks good with most of the imperfections toward the edge. My only concern is the carbon spot in the middle but I’m assuming when under normal view it can’t be seen. I will move forward with this one as it is saving me quite a bit of money compared to the H/si1 stones I was looking at. Thanks again!!! 


I am fairly confident its eye-clean. 

Thanks again for all your help. I grabbed it yesterday and looking forward to seeing the ring in the next couple weeks. 

Sounds good. Keep me posted. 

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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