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Hello, I am looking for an engagement ring and would appreciate your help! I’m planning to buy a yellow gold, six prong, solitaire band and a diamond and have been looking at James Allen, Ritani and Blue Nile. I’m looking for a round shaped diamond, 1.5+ carats with an $8,500 budget. I’ve read the color rating isn’t as important for a yellow gold band, but not sure if that’s really true. Seems like the other three C’s should be as good as I can afford. Can you help? Thanks!
It is true, for a yellow gold solitaire you can go with a J (or a very well cut K) color and it’ll still look beautiful.
I like these options for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2775771?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-70-Carat-J-color-GIA-certified/D-232F66
www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-80-Carat-K-color-GIA-certified/D-26SRY7
They are well cut and any of them will make a beautiful ring.
What do you think?
Thanks for your help!
I’m not looking on Ritani as much anymore because I don’t like their band options as much.
I’m worried because the ones you provided, particularly the J and K on James Allen’s website, look so yellow. Do you think in person/with the yellow gold band that would be as noticeable?
With my budget, do you think it’s more worthwhile to get a slightly smaller but more colorless diamond? Or will the color not be an issue with the band?
Thanks!
You’re welcome.
I wouldn’t worry about the color. Also, the color of the diamond is never judged from its photo. It can be misleading. It’s the color grade in the GIA report that matters. For a yellow gold solitaire, K color is fine, but let’s stick to a J if you want to be on a safe side. I wouldn’t go higher than that.
Ok. Thanks. So of the ones you found, the two below seem to be the best bets for me. Besides the slightly larger weight of the James Allen one, are there any real differences? Is one better than the other?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.68-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3176161?a_aid=dmnd1357
Both of them are excellent choices. They are equally well cut and either of them will make a beautiful ring. I’d go with the BN one as it’s cheaper and I don’t see any reason to pay more for the same quality.
Thanks. Unfortunately, the BN one is no longer available – can you recommend any similar BN diamonds in that same $8,000 range? Thanks!
That’s a bummer. Here’s a new option:
Blue Nile LD08195121
OK – thank 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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