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Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond With a $9k – $10k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi. I am looking for a round diamond for a James Allen setting. I want sparkle, clear without florescence over size of carat. My budget is 9,000-10.000 for the diamond.

Wondering if you can give me some ideas. I was looking at the lotus basket setting on the pave style ring.

Thank you.

Have a look at this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.02-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2231678?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s very well cut, eye-clean and going to look colorless in the style of setting you like: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/.

Let me know what you think.

Thank you. I’m still looking. Having a hard time deciding on a band.

OK let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.

Thank you for helping me. I have a new dilemma.

My boyfriend and I went out shopping yesterday at LaRog Jewelers here in Portland. I found a setting I love and the jeweler was pushing us to purchase a synthetic diamond. After coming home and researching I don’t think that is such a good idea. (They ironically are the only jeweler here in Portland that sell them.) Is it possible to buy the setting and then get a loose diamond online? They also have a Blue Nile shop here in Washington Square. The setting I am looking at is a solitaire with a round diamond, 4 prongs with diamonds on the side, set with the prongs.

Thanks for your help, I think I am getting myself way too confused.

Honestly, I think lab created diamonds are a waste of money. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think you should be investing in diamonds, nor will I try to rave about how amazing they are. The creator of this site (my partner) wrote a great article about this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ira-weissman/7-reasons-why-you-shouldn_b_1720870.html.

The problem with lab created diamonds is they are way too expensive. Keep in mind that they don’t have legitimate certification (GIA/AGS). At best they have IGI certificates which inflate the color/clarity grades by one (average). So the prices are almost even with that of natural diamonds (I have never seen one that was more than 5% cheaper than a comparable natural diamond).

While we don’t think diamonds are a good investment, you shouldn’t ignore the value entirely. If a natural diamond loses 50% of the value when you buy it, a lab made diamond loses 90%. So it makes no sense to buy them given the fact they are the same price.

Yes, you can buy a setting and a diamond separately. But buying them from one place is usually easier in terms of mounting, returns and repairs.

Did you find any setting you like from Blue Nile?
Blue Nile Ring Selection

Have a look at this diamond:
Blue Nile LD07302697

What do you think?

Yes, I found a setting. I picked the Riveria Cathedral pave, in 14K white gold. 1/2 carat. I have one question about the color I. I was looking to stay in the EDF range maybe even G. I want it clear white, sparkly, no fluorescence. If I have to go down more weight, that’s ok. What do you think? Everything else looks great (from my lack of knowing anything other than the 4C’s).

Thank you for the information.

As for the color grades, an I color stone is going to look colorless in the style of setting you like. I don’t think there’s a need to go higher with the grade as you won’t notice the difference with your naked eye. For the vast majority of our readers an I or J color stone will look colorless in this setting.

But if you feel more comfortable with a smaller but higher color diamond, have a look at this one:
Blue Nile LD07928614

You can also read more about fluorescence here: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/.

Let me know what you decide.

Thank you so much. I will forward what I need to. You have helped tremendously. I emailed 3 diamonds, my boyfriend can make the decision from those. 🙂

It was my pleasure helping you. Let me know what you decide and 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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