Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond for a Pavé Setting With a $6k Total Budget

I’m looking for a diamond for an engagement ring.

I really like both cushion and round diamonds. What is your opinion on these 2 cuts? I’ve seen that, given similar characteristics, for the same price I can get a slightly bigger cushion diamond. Is it worth it or a round diamond still has a better look?

Thank you very much, I just started learning about diamonds and ring and I’ll probably make my purchase in the next few months. I may go to some local jewelers to have a better feeling of the different cuts and settings, but I’m planning to purchase from online jewelers: James Allen, Blue Nile, Brilliant Earth (even though, this last one don’t have a very good BBB rating).

Is there anyone else that you would suggest?

Thank you for your feedback!

Thank you very much. I’m getting a better idea of the ring I’m planning to buy.

I’m still thinking to my exact budget, but, as of now, it’s $6000 split between about $4500 for a diamond and $1500 for the setting.

I know for sure that she likes platinum settings and the pave design (the one with many smaller stones on the ring edge). I was able to find few nice designs from James Allen and Blue Nile. For the stone I’m leaning toward the round settings about 1 carat.

I’ve seen that price varies a lot based on color, cut and clarity and I have some doubts:
– Color: initially I was thinking about a G or H color. However I’ve read online (http://yourdiamondteacher.com/diamond-4cs/color/best-diamond-color-for-platinum-settings/) that even a I or J color looks good on a platinum setting. What is your opinion?

– Clarity: when I look at the pictures on James Allen website, everything VS2 and below looks full of inclusions and imperfections. Even among VS1 diamonds I can find very few that do not show clear defect. So I was looking only at VVS2 and above. However, I’ve read on many forum that SI1 diamonds are very good and looks flawless to the naked eye. What is you opinion regarding clarity? Am I too much worried by the magnified pictures? (I also have a big screen that may increase the magnification more than 20x)

– Cut: I was looking at Very Good cut diamonds. May it have sense to compromise Color and Clarity for a better cut?

Thank you very much!

Sorry if I did not reply for a while. I spent some time visiting ring shops to have a better idea of different diamonds. I also spent some time thinking about the settings that I liked because I felt that it could impact the diamond choice.

Now I have a much better idea of what I want.

I did some research on James Allen and I found 5 diamonds that I believe can be a good value. As I told you I have a $6000 budget (it’s not super a hard limit, I can get 100-200 above, but only if it really means finding a much better quality diamond for a limited extra).

The settings I like costs $1160 and it’s this one:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-inspired-diamond-engagement-ring-item-41042?a_aid=dmnd1357

I changed my mind and I prefer 14k white gold instead of platinum. It can be also in 18k gold and the difference between the 2 is $110 (1270 for the 18k). Since she works in a lab and she’s sporty girl I think 14k gold can be a better choice. Do you think the 18k can justify the extra cost?

Here are the diamonds I’ve found:

1)1.00 CARAT G-SI2 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND SKU: 2641822
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2641822?a_aid=dmnd1357
$4850 not much impurity better color

2) 1.06 CARAT I-SI1 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND SKU: 2850501:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.06-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2850501?a_aid=dmnd1357
$4510 bigger but with a bit more impurity. Price seems low for the size.

3) 1.01 CARAT I-SI2 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND SKU: 2675189:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2675189?a_aid=dmnd1357
$4520 a bit more impurity but better price

4) 1.00 CARAT I-SI1 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND SKU: 2844844:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2844844?a_aid=dmnd1357
$5010 a bit too pricey. I would go for this one only if the quality justifies the extra price.

5)0.90 CARAT F-VS2 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND SKU: 3123999:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3123999?a_aid=dmnd1357
$4940 smaller but much better quality

I’ve seen many 0.9 carats diamonds with the same price range, but better quality. My only doubt is that the settings I like has stones that become bigger close to the main diamonds and I believe that may result in making it look smaller that it really is.

I’ve also seen that almost everyday some new diamonds are listed. If you are aware of some good deal, please let me know.

Please, let me know what you think about these diamonds and which one, for you are the better. I already found her ring size and I’d like to start the purchase process soon.

Thank you!

Thank you very much.

Yes, in my mail I forgot to add that I’ve put the diamond in the order I liked most too, so #1 was also high on my list.

I’m not 100% sure that I’m able to see the feather reported in the certificate and that you mentioned. Is it that sort of “cloud” (forgive the term) that I can see on the top right part of the stone when it faces forward? Initially I was more concerned about the small indent on the left side, but I thought that the setting will probably cover it.

If I find some time this weekend I’ll go ahead and get in touch with James Allen for the purchase. Otherwise next Tuesday evening she’s leaving for few days so I have time that night or Wednesday morning. I’m getting the 2641822 with the setting I’ve shown you. Is there any special instruction I should give to correctly place the diamond?

Again, thank you very much for the advice. I’ll let you know when the purchase is finalized and the email address I used.

Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I’ve completed the purchase of the ring from Jame’s Allen.

I got the 2641822 diamond with the setting 17012W14.

I’d like also to use this opportunity to thank you for your help and all the feedback you gave me. I had several doubts at first, but I also enjoyed a lot learning about diamonds and understanding the differences between different stones. I was skeptical at first about buying online, but after comparing the experience in the store and the search online I feel I did a much more informed selection. Nevertheless I believe your inputs helped me to balance the different trade offs and I’m really happy of the diamond I found (hopefully my girlfriend will be as well).

Please, let me know if you need any other info about this purchase.

Thank you!

I used the same address I’m using to write to you.

Thanks!