Q&A: Looking for the Best Round Diamond for a Halo With a $9,000 Total Budget

Hi there,

I’ve already been looking for an engagement ring online for a few weeks and I’m trying to get the best diamond for my money. I have to admit that I have very high standards for anything I buy so it’s been a bit difficult. I really want the best possible for my girlfriend, so I want the diamond I buy to look really spectacular. With that said, I’m looking for the largest diamond I can afford with an ideal cut, color between F-D, and clarity (if possible) no less than SI1 (although I know there are actually very good diamonds in some of the other categories). I only have $9000 to spend on a setting and a diamond so I think my budget would be $7500 for the diamond. It really seems like you have a great site here, and any help you could provide would be awesome.

Thanks!

I really do like those diamonds, I think they look really good. I also really like that those are from Brian Gavin. I am a little bit concerned about the H color though. In my previous experiences, I’ve been able to see a visible difference between an H and say an F color. Now those were in direct comparisons but still, it does worry me a little. The super ideal cut is very enticing to me however.

As for setting, I’m finding that I’m extremely particular about this. I’m not completely sold on a particular setting but I think I want a halo setting of some kind. I apologize for my pickiness, but what I’m looking for looks something like “The Anita Halo” on Brian Gavin’s site. Again, I’m not sold on this but I’m looking for a halo that has, ideally, a micro pave on the band and the halo. I’d like the halo to be cushion shaped, and I’d like the diamond and the halo to not be flush with the band. I’d like the setting to have some height to it.

Thanks so much for all your efforts.