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

Q&A: Help Picking an Eye-Clean Round Brilliant for a White Gold Engagement Ring with a $5k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi there, Thanks in advance for your help in helping me find a loose diamond! I am looking to design my ring on James Allen, as you suggested, and my girlfriend has asked for a simple design, hence, this setting:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7115?a_aid=dmnd1357

My budget is around $5,000, and I would like a round brilliance cut just under 1 carat, of course, 0.99 carats being ideal. As you suggested, the cut quality for round brilliance should be at least ideal (at least on James Allen, where they don’t seem to distinguish between ideal and excellent), and the color should be H-J, while the clarity only needs to be eye clean, no matter what the actual grade is.

I appreciate your help very much! Thank you! 

 

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.03-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-275513?a_aid=dmnd1357

I love this diamond for you. Its bright, eye-clean and superbly cut. You are coming in under budget with a slightly larger diamond. I searched 0.95ct+ and this was the best option. What do you think? 

It looks great, thanks a lot for your help! I purchased the diamond you suggested with the setting I listed earlier. Thanks again!

Sounds great. Please let me know how it looks when it arrives. 

Thanks again for all your help! The ring looks great! The packaging, information attached, and of course, the ring was true to all of its qualities as advertised. It looks gorgeous. Thanks again! 

Thanks for writing and letting us know. I’m delighted that you were pleased with our help.  We wish you and your partner a life of happiness and fulfillment. 

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.