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Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond for a Platinum Halo Setting With a $12,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi,

I am looking for an engagement ring diamond that is 1.3-1.4 carats. I have about $12,000 to spend for just the diamond.

This is going to be in a halo setting and round in shape. The setting is from James Allen so I would like the diamond to be from there as well. Any recommendations and advice would be greatly appreciated. I would like it to be as colorless as possible/practical.

Thank you for very much.

Here’s a diamond that would look amazing in a halo setting:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5631548?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s gorgeously cut, eye-clean and will be very bright and brilliant.

I am looking for something in the colorlesss spectrum if possible. The halo setting I am using will be platinum. Other than that the diamond looks amazing. I am willing to go down just slightly in carat weight to maybe 1.25 or similar if that helps obtaining more results.

H color is our usual recommendation for halo settings as it looks absolutely colorless. Are you looking for a diamond with a higher color grade because you are extremely color sensitive? The thing is, G+ diamonds are a brilliant marketing strategy, but in reality, the difference between an H and a D is hardly noticeable. You’d need to inspect the diamonds, unmounted, side by side in lab conditions.

At the same time, I respect your preferences and found this beauty:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6081276?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thank you for the quick reply. I will take a look at those two.

I looked at the two you recommended. I think I am ok going with an H color, but it seems as if the H color you showed me versus the F color you showed sparkles a little less. Am I just seeing things? Or does it look that way to you too?

JA focuses on the technical side of the diamonds in their photos, not the brilliance. The brilliance is caused by the cut parameters that you can find in the cert. It doesn’t matter that one of the diamonds looks “less sparkly” than the other. That’s not important there.

I am going to get that diamond. The first one your recommended. Thank you very much.

I’m glad you liked my suggestions so much. It’s an excellent choice.

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
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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. 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
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