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Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond for an 18k White Gold Solitaire Around $5,500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi,

Thank you guys for the awesome website!

I would need some help with choosing a round diamond for an engagement ring.

The setting will be a 18k white gold solitaire. This is the one I have chosen:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-engagement-ring-item-5816?a_aid=dmnd1357

My budget for the diamond is around $5k and I am looking for the best sparkle for the money.

I went through some of your past answers, and I saw that you often recommend ‘excellent cut’ and ‘I’ color, but there are so many alternatives and I am afraid I am missing some of the details.

Could you give me some recommendations for a round diamond?

Thanks!

Since you plan to use a solitaire style setting, I suggest searching for a J color diamond. It’s going to look colorless and maximize your budget. Have a look at this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.11-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2600281?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s beautifully cut, eye-clean and with great overall specifications.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

Let me know what you think.

Thank you!

I have two follow up questions:
1) Will a J color still appear colorless on a white gold solitaire ring?
2) I noticed that the diamond you selected has faint fluorescence. Will that have an impact on the perceived color?
3) Everybody says that cut is the most important feature of a diamond. Regarding the cut, I noticed that James Allen has two grades above ‘Excellent’ i.e., Ideal and True Hearts. Do you think that Ideal or True Hearts cuts are worth the extra money?

Sorry for so many questions, but there are 20-30 diamonds on the James Allen website, with very similar (or same) characteristics and very different prices.

Thank you for your help.

Yes, a J color diamond will look colorless. Unless you’re extremely color sensitive, I wouldn’t go for a higher color grade.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

As for the faint fluorescence, it’s perfectly fine for any color grade.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/

We usually don’t find TH consistently more brilliant and better cut than our own selection. That’s why I’d stick with the one I sent. And regarding the grade Ideal, it’s just a different terminology for excellent (AGS uses ideal and GIA excellent).

Thank you!

I will place an order today, and I will send you my email address so that you can get your referral fee.

That will be fantastic. I’ll be waiting for your email.

Purchase completed.
This is the email I used.

Thanks!

Thank you for the conformation of the email address.

Let me know how you like the ring once it arrives.

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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