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Q&A: Looking for a 1.5-1.65 Ct. Diamond for a French Pave Platinum Ring with a $11k-$14k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi, I am looking for a round brilliant diamond for an engagement ring. I am planning to set it on a French Pave style Platinum ring. My budget for the diamond is between $11k to $14k and looking for anything above 1.5 ct. but prefer 1.65 ct. or higher. I am not sure if I want to get the ring online along with the stone or buy a diamond and get it set by my local jeweler. Can you help me pick out a diamond. I’ve been looking at both Blue Nile and James Allen but haven’t been able to decides.

Just to make sure we’re on the same page here, are you looking for a round diamond?

I searched both on James Allen and Blue Nile and in the end, I found the best options on Blue Nile:
Blue Nile LD06984595
Blue Nile LD07223248
Blue Nile LD07106706

They are all well cut and either of them will be very brilliant in the setting you picked.

It’s always easier to buy both the setting and the loose diamond from the same vendor. They’ll set it for you and you’ll receive a complete ring.
I would recommend changing the PT setting to a WG one. The reason is the huge disparity in upfront costs. As our article says, the WG has to be dipped every few years and the platinum needs to be polished as well because it scratches. So ultimately, platinum costs you more in the beginning and doesn’t end up saving you any money in the long run.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/platinum-vs-gold/

Blue Nile French Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring

What do you think? 

Thanks for your suggestions. I really like the 1.75 ct Blue Nile LD06984595 looks like a great price.

I’ve been looking at both sites and didn’t see this one you mentions. Here’s the list from James Allen that i was picking from but nothing as good in price, ratio and the 4 C’s

As for the setting. I think my gf prefer PT because if she don’t take it to service, no one will notice but i’ll definitely think about switching to WG.

I’ll keep you updated once i made up my mind.

Thank you for your recommendation. I just ordered the Blue Nile LD06984595 using this e-mail address. 

That’s great news!

I looked at your selection from James Allen and there were some lovely diamonds as well, but that BN one was still the best value of them all.

I hope you’ll love it when you receive it. If you could let me know how it looks in person, I’d appreciate it.

Also, thanks for thinking about us. Have a wonderful day. 

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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