I want some advice re buying a three carat ring, here is what I am thinking at the moment:
– Budget – approx. $28k
– Round shape
– Halo setting
– Ideal or excellent cut
– Clarity – what do you recommend? How low can I go?
– Colour – what do you recommend? How low can I go?
I’m afraid that it will be very hard to find a high-quality, eye-clean 3ct ring within that budget. Here is a nice option (but it’s a little bit of a borderline of eye-cleanliness): Blue Nile LD12652147. Would you like to consider some smaller diamonds?
Perhaps you could send me some smaller carat options that would be the best quality you can recommend within the budget, plus some three carat options over budget?
Sure thing!
Here you go:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.39-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7758705?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.53-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7762727?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.01-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7366052?a_aid=dmnd1357 (This stone is kind of a borderline of eye-cleanliness)
Blue Nile LD12968796
Blue Nile LD12200171
Thanks for all of these.
I also had a few more questions for you:
– re the setting, I like the look of a halo setting but is there a better setting for maximizing brilliance?
– is platinum better than white gold?
– I’d previously read your article about lab created diamonds and decided against them but now having another think. Would the diamonds below be eye-clean? Or if not, can you advise some lab created diamonds that would be?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.72-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-8143890?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.05-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-7799830?a_aid=dmnd1357
1) Choosing a setting is a matter of personal taste and preference. The less metal is around the diamond, the more light can go through. So I would probably exclude bezel settings.
2) As for the metal, it’s up to you if you choose yellow gold, rose gold, platinum or white gold. You’ll need to maintain all metals. As our article says (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/platinum-vs-gold/), 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. But there is one advantage of platinum – it’s hypoallergenic.
3) I wouldn’t recommend the D SI1 stone as I’m not a big fan of the black crystal on the table (www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.72-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-8143890?a_aid=dmnd1357). But the other stone looks good to me (www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.05-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-7799830?a_aid=dmnd1357), it seems the inclusion wouldn’t be visible to the naked eye.
I also found this one:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.01-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7919994?a_aid=dmnd1357
I have now ordered! This one below. Thanks again for all your help! 🙂
That’s wonderful news! It was my pleasure helping you.
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
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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