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Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond for a Platinum Pave Setting With a C$4,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I found your website very helpful.

I’m looking to purchase a ring (engagement style plus wedding band) for my partner.

I’m looking in the 0.6-0.8 carat range (budget under $4,000 CAD for the loose diamond). The ring will be set in a pave style ring.

I’d be happy to see what you’d recommend from James Allen or Blue Nile.

Thanks in advance!

If you want me to make some specific recommendations, can you please tell me metal (white gold/platinum/yellow gold/rose gold) you’re planning to go with? Different settings suit different colors better (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/).

What shape of diamond (round, princess cut, cushion, emerald, oval, radiant, asscher, marquise, heart or pear) do you like the most? This info will help me set the right search parameters. Then I’ll gladly send you some suggestions.

Regarding the diamonds you suggested, all are great and very close to what we were looking for with respect to size and price range.

One question…is it worth it to go for True Hearts cut? If so, what do you think about this one?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.79-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-6166783?a_aid=dmnd1357

Is Astor Ideal similar to True Hearts?

Yes, Astor Ideal (Blue Nile’s best cut) is similar to True Hearts (James Allen’s best-cut diamonds). Even though JA’s True Hearts (or BN’s Astor cut) aren’t our choice #1 when selecting a diamond for our readers, it’s sometimes possible to find a good option there that would be worth the money. We use our own strict parameters for picking out diamonds and we haven’t found those particular cuts to be noticeably or consistently more brilliant.

As for the stone you found (www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.79-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-6166783?a_aid=dmnd1357), it’s a perfect choice too. Nicely cut diamond with great specs.

I wouldn’t recommend any of them. The first two are IGI certified. We don’t recommend IGI certified diamonds. They are looser in grading than GIA or AGS (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/igi/). The problem with the third stone is the strong fluorescence. It may cause a hazy/milky look.

I would recommend these instead:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.71-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6364649?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.74-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5705003?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.75-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6198003?a_aid=dmnd1357

Yes, I color is perfect for a platinum pave setting.

I personally love this option: www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.75-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6198003?a_aid=dmnd1357. It’s perfectly cut and has great specs.

Fantastic. I think I’ll proceed in ordering in the next day or two.

Great!

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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