We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.

Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond for a White Gold Pave with $2,500 – $3,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi, thanks so much for an amazing website with such an incredible amount of useful information. I’m in the market for a .7-.8 ct. round diamond for a white gold pave or classic setting. I, like everyone else, am looking for the best sparkle for the money. I’m not terribly picky on the color, clarity as long as it’s eye clean with no visible flaws. I’d prefer an ideal cut most likely as this is the most important aspect for me. My budget is in the $2500-$3000 range.

Here’s a diamond that seems to have excellent depth and table which should give optimal sparkle. Thoughts?

Thank you so much, I appreciate your help.

If an extraordinary brilliance is what you’re looking for then I I’d suggest Brian Gavin Signature Hearts and Arrows. That’s exactly what they focus on and you can be sure that you’ll receive the best of diamonds. Not only do these conform to the strictest of cut parameters, but Brian himself selects them for optimal brilliance. Brian Gavin is known as one of the worlds experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds. If you want to spend extra on their cut, it’s a great way to go. Here is a great choice from BGD:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.604-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104057888039?a_aid=y

The stone is eye-clean and going to look colorless in the settings you like.

The Complete Guide to Diamond Color Scale

Let me know what you think.

Thanks so much for getting back to me and helping me out with my search. I think i’d prefer to go with james allen or bluenile for my selection. I’m sure Brian Gavin has exceptional diamonds but I’d prefer get the diamond and setting from the same place for convenience sake and the settings they have are much more expensive. I’m so sorry, I don’t want to seem ungrateful, I just don’t want to overpay for a similar product.

Again, thanks so much and sorry to be a pain.

It’s not a problem at all.

Have a look at this diamond:
https://goto.bluenile.com/c/1323400/504049/8660?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bluenile.com%2Fdiamond-details%2FLD07041807

It’s very well cut and going to look colorless.

Let me know what you think of this one.

I was never able to see that diamond. It said it was unavailable. Could you let me know how this one looks to you?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2233376?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks so much!

I’m sorry to hear that. Anything I find for you now is going to be gone within a couple of days. I suggest purchasing as soon as possible.

The issue with the stone you sent is its strong fluorescence. It can cause a hazy look on an I color stone.

What Is Diamond Fluorescence (And Why It Matters)?

What do you think of this one?:
https://goto.bluenile.com/c/1323400/504049/8660?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bluenile.com%2Fdiamond-details%2FLD07796217

That one looks great. Just a couple questions. There’s a white spot almost directly center on the front surface. Do you think that’s just something on the diamond or is that an inclusion? If it’s an inclusion will it be very noticeable? Also, I know you guys say 60/60 for depth and table is ideal for sparkle. Is 62.6/56 close enough?

Also, here’s the setting that I’m going with. Just want to make sure you think this diamond will work with this setting.
https://goto.bluenile.com/c/1323400/504049/8660?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bluenile.com%2Fbuild-your-own-ring%2Fdiamond-engagement-ring-14k-white-gold_20305
Thanks so much!

Thank you for sending the setting. Well, I think that the inclusion will be fine but it’s slightly over your budget. Have a look at this diamond I found for you:
https://goto.bluenile.com/c/1323400/504049/8660?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bluenile.com%2Fdiamond-details%2FLD07578143

Thanks to the way this diamond is cut, it’s only 0.14 and 0.05mm smaller.

Also, Blue Nile loves our education and wanted to offer a coupon for our readers. Here is a unique coupon code for $100 off. [<a id=”contact-us-link-preface” class=”cta-ask-form” href=”#”>contact us for your own unique coupon code</a>]

As for the cut, in our experience, stones with depth between 59-62.8% and table 54-59% return light with the most brilliance.

Let me know what you decide.

Thanks for sending the new link over. I actually think I’m going to be upping my budget a bit. I stopped by a bluenile showroom to see settings and diamond sizes and thought the .6 to .75 was a little smaller than I liked. I definitely think the .8-1.0 is a better size range so that first diamond you sent over would work as long as you don’t think that inclusion would be an issue. I worry a bit about it just because it’s so close to the surface and front and center. I really wish bluenile had more diamonds that you can see the 360 view. Not having an actual view of the diamond makes it really hard to shop.

Thanks also for the additional info about depth and table. That’s very helpful.

Thank you for the information. The first stone I suggested seems to be gone. Have a look at this diamond:
https://goto.bluenile.com/c/1323400/504049/8660?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bluenile.com%2Fdiamond-details%2FLD00300651
It has great overall specifications. Can you contact them directly and ask for the GIA certificate of this diamond?

Let me know what you think of this diamond.

I love this one! It looks perfect. I’ll get in touch with them now about the GIA cert. Is there anything in particular I need to see about it or just make sure they have one for it?

Thanks so much, I really appreciate your help.

I’m happy that you love my suggestion. It sometimes happens that the cert of a certain diamond is missing on their site due to an error in the system. They have it and I just want to have a look at the cert as well. But there shouldn’t be anything wrong.

Here’s the GIA certificate. Anything to worry about? They placed a 48 hour hold on it for me.
https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=14764683

……

I ordered the ring. I used this email to place the order. I think that’s what you needed to get credit. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks so much!

That’s fantastic news! Thank you for the confirmation of email address you used.

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
Arrow down
Arrow up
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
Arrow down
Arrow up

Still afraid of getting ripped off?

Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.

Ask your diamond purchase question here

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

Here is your coupon code: GFDSF3GF

Diamond Pro

Diamond Pro

  • Unfortunately, the AI chat we worked so hard training is not helping our readers the way we would like. You deserve the best advice you can get.

    Would you like to contact a human diamond pro? Just fill out this email form and we will answer you ASAP (usually within one day).

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.