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Q&A: Looking for a Marquise Cut Diamond Within a $4k Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi. Thanks for the blog/website. Very informative.

As anyone, I want to get the best possible ring for my girlfriend. I am very interested in a marquise cut – I love the style and uniqueness and think it will look great on her finger. She is a smaller size, like 5.5 or maybe 6.

I originally targeted about 3/4 carat for my budget. I can spend $3-4k but prefer to keep it closer to $3k so that we can also get a nice diamond-enhanced band.

I am going to start doing some research on my own but would be interested in hearing your suggestions.

Here is a beautiful diamond I found on James Allen:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.75-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4244920?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s very well cut, eye-clean and going to look colorless.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

What do you think?

The stone you sent is close, but not quite…:-) After seeing some stones on James Allen, I think I’m going to push toward a 1 carat size. It’s not important to me to be any bigger than that, and 3/4 isn’t out of consideration, but around 1 seems right. I’m willing to spend $4k for the right stone and setting…maybe even a little more if it just feels like the right one.

I’d like to stay D-H if I can, and VVS or better. But I’m throwing these terms around like I know what I’m talking about…:-)

A 1.00+ carat diamond with the quality I’d recommend would cost around 4.5k. So I’m not sure if that is a little too much over the budget. Here’s a beautiful 0.90 carat I found:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-4397617?a_aid=dmnd1357

Would you be willing to look at a few stones on James Allen and offer your opinion? I have a list of a dozen or so, but three that seem the best choices.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.80-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-4324035?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.83-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4412647?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.90-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4389360?a_aid=dmnd1357

These seem to offer the best combination of factors and price.

The issue is that they have medium fluorescence. It can cause a hazy look, that’s why I don’t recommend purchasing any of them.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/

Thanks for taking the time to look at those. So that’s another characteristic I will have to consider.

Still shopping…still browsing…but still anxious to get this done soon so the ring will be ready in time!

What did you think about the other stones I sent?

The first was on the smaller side, and after seeing the cost online I was motivated to go a bit larger.

The second one is really nice. I was initially shocked a little by the price but after looking at similar stones, it’s becoming obvious that pricing is pretty consistent.

So now I am just considering those available and all the various characteristics and trying to decide.

I now have two rings in the shopping cart, ready to buy.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-4397617?a_aid=dmnd1357 (it’s the one you recommended)
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.83-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3656675?a_aid=dmnd1357

The stone you found is also beautiful with fantastic overall specifications. In this case, I would say, whichever you like the most, go for it.

I chose the .83 carat stone to keep in line with my budget. It allowed me to also pair it with a platinum setting rather than white gold. I picked a more traditional looking setting that worked great with the marquise shape. I can’t wait to see it!

Hope you have a great day – thanks again for the help.

It was my pleasure helping you. Please let me know how you like the ring once it arrives.

The ring arrived yesterday, and it is perfect. The stone looks larger than I expected, and I think the setting is a perfect match – gives it a vintage feel.

We’ll see what she thinks in a few weeks!

The packaging from James Allen is on another level! Really adds a nice touch.

Thanks again for the invaluable assistance along the way!

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. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
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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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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