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Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond for a Platinum Halo With a $10k to $12k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Currently looking at a 1.42ct round, ideal, G, VS1 paired with their “Studio Heiress Halo” platinum setting. Am now considering dropping down to H after coming across your colour guide for Platinum rings. Any recommendations? My budget is between $10-$12k for the diamond. Looking for largest size, eye clean, ideal, colour – not sure whether I can get away with H?

You’re leaning towards the right direction. H color is our usual recommendation for a halo setting and it looks great.

I looked around and I love this one for you:
Blue Nile LD07650404

It is fantastically cut and will be very brilliant.

What do you think?

Just wondering, is it necessary to go VVS to ensure it is eye clean?

Also, I am leaning more towards James Allen but I haven’t yet found a setting that I really like.

VS1+ is what we recommend when buying from Blue Nile. However, have you tried sifting through their inventory? You can often find VVS diamonds that are cheaper or larger than some of the VS1s in that range.

Blue Nile is a reputable company and we recommend it to our readers often. Sometimes you can find a great value there (as I found in this particular case). We have found out a huge improvement in Blue Nile’s service lately and their prices have dropped to the point where you can often find a VVS diamond that is a better value than an eye-clean SI elsewhere.

I’d be happy to recommend some JA diamonds as well as soon as you find a setting you like there.

Thank you for responding so quickly. I’ll think about it for a few days – I do really like the setting from Blue Nile.

2 quick further queries:

– I saw it mentioned somewhere that you may have promo codes for Blue Nile, is that still ongoing?

– Would a G and a H colour diamond in halo settings be easily distinguishable if they are right next to each other?

You’re welcome. Yes, we do have some BN coupon codes [contact us for your own unique coupon code].

As for your second question, G and H color look basically identical.

I have found out that my partner would prefer a smaller diamond but in a D or an E and VVS2 or better. Sorry about that, but I have now had to change the range of diamonds I am looking at.

Found a couple on the Blue Nile website:

1) Blue Nile LD07113774

2) Blue Nile LD07776634

Any advice or other diamonds in the same range we should consider?

The reason I am currently only looking at diamonds on Blue Nile is because I really like the following setting:

Blue Nile Studio Heiress Halo Diamond Engagement Ring.

Thank you for all your help.

Thanks for the update. The diamonds you picked look great in terms of color and clarity, but I’m not a huge fan of their cut. Also, strong fluorescence is a big problem on such high colors! It usually causes haziness:
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/.

You’d be better off with something like this:
Blue Nile LD06901387
Blue Nile LD07463989
Blue Nile LD07565607(Personally, I love the cut on this diamond the most. It’s superb and this diamond will be incredibly brilliant).
Blue Nile LD07481298

They are all fantastically cut.

Thoughts?

Thank you Jenny for the info, I hadn’t really considered fluorescence as a factor until now!

I am considering the first diamond (1.13ct) that you have listed, the other 3 are slightly over my budget once GST and customs are taken into account, would prefer to keep the total cost under AUD 20,000. I don’t really know how to judge the quality of the cut, is that based on the measurements and ratios? No pictures available for those diamonds.

I’m glad that one suits you.

How well the diamond is cut depends on its proportions and the angles. Different angles work better with different depth/table combinations.

Let me know what you decide in the end.

So sorry to be a pain, I went back to make the purchase during the week and found that the first diamond you had recommended had already been sold. I am now contemplating purchasing the second diamond you recommended:
Blue Nile LD07463989.

However, it is slightly over what I originally budgeted. I am hoping to finalize the purchase this week. Are there any other prospects, preferably under $13,000 AUD? I presume the promo code you provided previously is still valid?

Thank you again.

How about something like this?
Blue Nile LD07681538

Blue Nile LD07483939

They are superbly cut.

Have finally made a decision, can you please resend a promo code for Blue Nile, the last one doesn’t seem to work anymore.

Thank you.

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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