We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.

Q&A: Looking for a Pear or Heart Shape Diamond With a $3,500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello!

I’m looking for help finding the right diamond for a custom engagement ring. I’m looking for a pear cut, $3,500 budget (I already have the setting budgeted separately). Priority is cut quality, but I would like to keep color at I or better and clarity at SI1 or better (eye-clean). Most of what I have been able to find in that price range is around 0.8-1 ct, which is fine.

In case of pears, we recommend sticking with H+ color with none, faint or medium fluorescence (medium and strong fluorescence on D-G colored diamonds can cause a hazy/milky look in daylight – https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/). Check out our article about pear-shaped diamonds: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/pear-shaped/.

Regarding the stone you found, the strong fluorescence is an issue.

Here are my recommendations:
Blue Nile LD11024350

Blue Nile LD10756082

Blue Nile LD09164372

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/0.76-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-3598634?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/0.75-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-5251492?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/0.92-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-6120486?a_aid=dmnd1357
All these diamonds are beautifully cut, eye-clean and brilliant.

These are some great options within my budget. Do you have a couple of particular favorites among these?

All the diamonds I sent you are great choices. But I also like the 0.90ct H SI1 stone from Blue Nile a lot.

Good to know. I’ll request an ASET image to double check the light quality on those two Blue Nile stones. Thank you for the assistance!

OK, perfect. Let me know when you get them.

Unfortunately they don’t offer ASET data. That first 0.9 was also bought or pending purchase a little while ago, but I did have another request.

Could you pull up some heart shapes in the same price ranges (just found out she likes them as well)? What qualities should I be prioritizing for hearts that are different from how the pears were evaluated?

Personally I prefer the pears, but I wanted to make sure to compare good stones in both shapes.

OK, no problem. Let me know if I can help with anything else.

I just put this one on hold! I’ll be getting her ring size in the next few days and then it’ll be on the way! Thank you so much for all your help.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/heart-shaped/0.92-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-5899389?a_aid=dmnd1357

Sounds great! I’m so happy you like it.

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
Arrow down
Arrow up
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
Arrow down
Arrow up

Still afraid of getting ripped off?

Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.

Ask your diamond purchase question here

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

Here is your coupon code: GFDSF3GF

Diamond Pro

Diamond Pro

  • Unfortunately, the AI chat we worked so hard training is not helping our readers the way we would like. You deserve the best advice you can get.

    Would you like to contact a human diamond pro? Just fill out this email form and we will answer you ASAP (usually within one day).

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.