Q&A: Help Selecting a Cushion Cut Diamond for a Pave Halo Ring with Around $5k Budget

Hi there, I was wondering if I could get some advice on a diamond engagement ring I looked at today.

The stats are:

0.7ct, F colour, VS1, cushion cut, set in 18k white gold halo setting with 0.3ct of diamond. The diamond in this instance was a branded diamond, it was a Canadian one with a certificate that could trace the stone back to the mine (sorrry the exact branding escapes me, could be Fire and Ice). I also looked at the GIA cert and noted that it was an excellent polish, very good symmetry and no flourescence.

The price for this is USD equivalent (I am from AUS) is roughly 7500USD before any haggling (I reckon I could get at least 10% off).

Now looking on James Allen, the average for a diamond with those stats with a similar halo set is around 3200USD. Even if I get 15% off the diamond I was looking at, it’s almost double the price.
But having looked closely at the ring in question, the setting it much nicer (in my opinion) than anything James Allen or Blue Nile offers, and from as far as I could tell was very nicely made.

I assume that the premium comes from the fact that it is a branded diamond – which to me personally doesn’t really add much value, apart from the fact that the diamond comes from Canada (and not somewhere with greater ethical issues). But unfortunately, the ring I saw is pretty much exactly what I was after.

It’s clear that this product is a bit overpriced – but in your opinion, how much so and perhaps what would be the best course of action? I guess I have to keep looking to try to find something similar?

If you could provide some guidance that would be much appreciated. 

Thanks for the advice.

Yeh definitely did not buy the ring – it was just way too expensive. Sorry I didn’t get a note of the report number unfortunately.
In terms of the setting, that was more of a subjective thing, I just don’t particularly the styles that JA offers.

Would you suggest perhaps buying a diamond and then getting the setting done locally?
I basically have a budget of about 5K USD and looking for a cushion cut with halo setting.

Thanks for getting back to me. 

 Thanks for getting back to me.

I actually found a setting on James Allen that I like:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/18k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-17428?a_aid=dmnd1357

I was thinking about spending about 5000USD total (for ring + diamond) so I was wondering what would work for that setting?

I have been looking at diamonds in the 0.7-0.8 range, but if it is possible to have a 1ct that doesn’t sacrifice too much in looks that might be worth a shot.
I guess at the end of the day I’d rather have a better looking diamond in terms of color, cut and clarity as opposed to carats.

(My budget is 6K AUD, but with import taxes and conversion rate it works out to 5K USD).

Thank you so much.