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Q&A: Looking for the Best Value Round Diamond in the 1-1.5 Ct. Range For a White Gold Pave Setting

By Mike Fried,

Hi, I want to get your opinion on this diamond.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-j-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2043198?a_aid=dmnd1357
It seems like that should be higher priced if it really is 1.2 carats, internally flawless, J color, with medium blue flourescence? The GIA report says it doesn’t show “minor details of polish” is that something to be concerned with?
If you have other recommendations, I would love to hear them. I am kind of looking for the biggest bang for my buck – my maximum spend is $7000 on the stone itself, but would prefer to spend less than that. Really I am looking anywhere in the 1.0-1.5 carat range, and looking for whatever stone I can find that seems to offer the best value proposition. So in that regard, this particular stone I am sending you seems to be a good value proposition (maybe too good to be true) which is why I would spend $5600 on this one that is only 1.2 carats, even though my budget would allow me to go bigger. Does that make sense? Probably makes your job more difficult! But anyway – would love to get your feedback on that one as well as recommendations if you think something else could be better for me.

Thank you so much for your advice! Your website has been very informative and has greatly reduced my stress throughout this process!

Thanks. 

I’m very happy that our site has helped you so much.

I checked the diamond you sent. The table is slightly too big. In our experience, diamonds with table of 55-59% and depth between 59-62.8% return light with the highest brilliance. You can read more here: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/carat-weight/

I wouldn’t go so high with clarity grade either. The minor details in polish are not a problem at all, especially on an IF clarity grade.The point is to find a balance between all important specifications (cut, carat weight, clarity, color and others). What style of setting (solitaire, halo, pave or other) and metal (platinum/white or yellow gold) are you looking for? Unless you want to place it into solitaire white gold or yellow gold (solitaire, pave) setting a J color will have with a slightly warm tint.

If you tell me the mentioned specifications (setting, metal) I’ll be happy to help you with the search.

Thanks for the feedback. I have definitely been looking for a good balance of characteristics, and was just surprised to find one with such high clarity ranked as one of the lowest priced diamonds on my James Allen search. I certainly wasn’t seeking out the high clarity, just stumbled on it in my H-J, 1.0-1.5, medium blue flourescence, price low to high search.

I am looking at a white gold setting, pave, solitaire. 

Thank you for the information.

I found this diamond for you:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.14-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2061448?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s very well cut, eye-clean and it’s going to appear colorless in a pave setting. You could set a J color stone into a solitaire style (without any additional stones in the setting) but it would seem to have a warm tint in a pave.

What do you think? 

It’s great! That’s perfect for what I am looking for. I’ll be using this e-mail address. Before I buy it, is there anything I need to do to make sure you get credit for it? 


I’m happy that you like my recommendations so much.

Thanks for thinking of us. If you are using this e-mail address, that is all we need to double check with JA at the end of the month.

Let me know how you like the ring once it arrives. 

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. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
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.
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  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisals
  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
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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. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
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)
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