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Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond for a Pavé Setting from James Allen for Around $6,500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I have been researching diamonds for the last month or so and was under the assumption I needed very small inclusions or higher until I read your article. I would love some additional advice on finding a diamond. I am hoping to get a white gold pave solitaire setting with a >1 carrat stone. One stone that I recently found is:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.19-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2439416?a_aid=dmnd1357

My concerns were the strong fluorescence, h color, and si1 clarity. Looking at the photo, it seems to pass the eye check, but I am worried that the diamond might be disappointing.

Also, I am wondering about time frame of when I should purchase. I will be proposing in about 2 months. Do you have any further suggestions or advice in regards to timing an diamond selection?

Thanks!

The diamond you selected is well cut and eye-clean (well done!), but strong fluorescence is a BIG problem here. It usually causes haziness: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/.

I’m happy to help you find an alternative. For a pave setting, you can easily drop in color to an I and it’ll still look fantastic.

Have a look at this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.13-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2460666?a_aid=dmnd1357

The overall specs are great on it.

What do you think?

Hello,

Thank you for the advice! I looked at the diamond you suggested and I have two concerns, one it seems like there is a rather large inclusion directly on the face of the diamond which I would prefer not to have. In addition, I am using an hca tool to review the cut of the diamond and the diamond you recommended is a good stone but not an excellent one. I am willing to pay more for a truly ideal cut diamond and will sacrifice a bit of size for this. My budget for the diamond itself is around $6,400. I did a little more research and found the following diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.06-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2373829?a_aid=dmnd1357

In addition, if it helps, the setting I am planning on using is:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-petite-pave-engagement-ring-flush-fit-item-56252?a_aid=dmnd1357

Please let me know if you think this is a good deal for this diamond or if you have any advice for a similar diamond.

Thanks again!

Alright, thanks for the additional info.

The new diamond you found looks great, it’s fantastically cut.

I also looked around a little more and found something very similar, just larger and for a much better price:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.09-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2423668?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thoughts?

Wow that one is really great and much cheaper! I do have a little more room in my budget though, if you would be able to find one of similar characteristics but slightly larger.

Also, I’m not sure if you have any insight, but do you think it is smart to buy now or should I wait a bit more? Do prices tend to drop?

Thanks again for all of your help!!

Thank you. This one is slightly larger and will also have a lot of added brilliance:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2454767?a_aid=dmnd1357

As for your other question, we know nothing about the companies’ marketing and policy, so I’d say when you see a diamond you like, go for it before someone else does.

WOW!! I think that one might be the one! It looks incredible and is huge versus the ones I looked at in stores for the same price. My last question, just to ease my mind before purchase, under the zoom I can definitely see some of the pinpoint inclusions on the face of the diamond. Will I end up being able to see these by the naked eye? Thanks again!

I’m glad to see how excited you are about it. That’s exactly one of the major advantages of online shopping.

None of the pinpoints and dots will be visible with the naked eye, they are too insignificant. You’ll get yourself a gorgeous diamond.

I just wanted to follow up with you. I ended up purchasing the diamond you help me pick out using this email address). Thanks again!!

That’s great news! I’m glad I could help you decide on the diamond.

I hope you love it when you receive it. If you could let me know how it looks when it arrives, I’d appreciate it.

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. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
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. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
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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