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Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond With Up to $2k for a Custom Made White Gold Setting

By Mike Fried,

We were quoted an excellent cut, 0.80 carat, E, SI2 for $2,995. Is that a fair deal? We are looking for a diamond in the range of 0.70- 0.90 carat, excellent cut, no flourescence, VS1-Sl2, F-I range in color. Our budget is up to $2,000 for the diamond. Thanks!

Is the diamond GIA or AGS certified? If so, can you send me its report number?

Also, what style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) are you planning to use?

We went to check out “Design Jewelers” in SF as our first stop in our search. The diamond that was shown to us was GIA certified but I did not take a photo of the certification report number. I can ask them about it once I hear back about their estimates on the custom work tomorrow.

I had a very specific custom design in mind, white gold (14K or 18K). It’s an organic simple design with peek-a-boo halo very similar to a Ken and Dana Designs (NY) ring called Novella.

We’re shopping for the right diamond as I’ve mentioned the specification in the previous email. Our budget for the entire ring is $2,500-$3,200.

Hope you can help. Thanks very much!

Alright, great. I’ll be able to help, but it would be helpful to know the price for the setting first. Then I would know how much is left for the diamond itself. It would save us some searching. Once you have the estimate, please let me know.

So the setting was estimated to be about $1,200 for 14K white gold and $1,300 for 18K white gold.
I was quoted $1995 for this diamond (0.71 carat, H, SI2, triple X, GIA report: 3195606084).

Not sure if that’s a good deal? They are willing to do the ring for $3,000 but I was wondering if I could find a better diamond, maybe for an 0.8 carat with similar specs (GIA report: 7246634378).

We can go up to $2,000 for the diamond if necessary. I’m just not sure where to begin or what the best way to go about this search.

I’m looking around to maximize carat, cut, and clarity in the best way within budget so was wondering if you would have any options to show.

Thanks for your help.

Have you seen the diamonds? How much is the 0.80ct one? The price for the 0.71ct is great. I found a similar diamond (0.70ct) for slightly more, but it’s definitely eye-clean:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2807966?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thank you very much for your feedback!

My pleasure. Let me know how it goes.

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