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Q&A: Help Finding the Best Cut Round Diamond for a Solitaire Setting on a $3,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

I am looking for a diamond and my range is $3000.

For me the most important factor is clarity. Can you suggest some of the diamonds from Brian Gavin/James Allen/Blue Nile.

Like everyone, I want to make most of the 4c characteristics within my price range. Some of the links which I filtered, which one is the best option among these:

www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.765-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104101862134?a_aid=y

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4266442?a_aid=dmnd1357

Blue Nile LD10620492
 

The diamond from JA isn’t eye-clean. Since eye-cleanliness is the most important aspect for you (as you mentioned), that stone shouldn’t even be considered an option.

The Blue Nile diamond is beautifully cut, but the strong fluorescence is an issue. It usually causes a hazy/milky look in daylight on such high color.

The Brian Gavin diamond looks gorgeous. As all their stones, it’s gorgeously cut and will have a lot of brilliance. It’s the winner.
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.765-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104101862134?a_aid=y

To make sure what to search for, can you please tell me what style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) you’re planning to put the diamond in?

Basically I am looking for solitaire in white gold/platinum.

In my last email, I incorrectly mentioned clarity, it should be cut. Brilliance and sparkles is the most important factor for me. my budget is $3000.

Can you please suggest some good options within my price range?

No worries. I understood that you meant cut. That’s why I went with the BGD diamond. Not only was it the only one without any problems, but it was also the one that would give you the most brilliance and fire.

But since you’re putting it into a solitaire setting, you can easily go with a J+ color (especially with BGD as thanks to their perfect cut, the color is much less noticeable). J diamonds don’t have any noticeable color in solitaire settings. This way, you can end up with a similar diamond, but for less money:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.738-j-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104101862131?a_aid=y

Thanks for the useful information.

Just checking if this is worth to spend $600 more on this one which you sent me last time. Does color difference will be visible considering the small size 3/4 carat diamond.
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.765-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104101862134?a_aid=y

If you have been to my place, which one you will purchase without compromising clarity and color?

They both are gorgeous and will look amazing. If I were you, I’d go with the J color one and save the $600. Most people aren’t able to tell the difference between an H and J in a solitaire setting and the BG cut makes it even harder.

That’s really helpful. Thanks so much!

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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