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Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond for a Rose Gold French Pave Setting With a $2k-$3k Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hey there,

I’m very interested in buying an engagement ring for my significant other.

I am comfortable spending $2,000 – $3,000 total on the engament ring. I know that she likes rose gold. Also, she does like having small diamonds set into the side of the band.

I really want to go for something that is quality. I think she will like a smaller, more beautiful diamond, rather than something huge that is poor in quality.

I have been doing some research, and I feel like this might be a good fit. I have linked both the setting that I am considering and the stone.

Setting (Rose Gold): 14K Rose Gold Modified French Cut Six Prong Engagement Ring

Stone: www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.74-carat-k-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8445327?a_aid=dmnd1357

The setting you’ve chosen is gorgeous. I like it a lot. Regarding the stone you linked to, K is unfortunately not enough for a ring with smaller diamonds in the band (they are G/H and would make a color difference). I’d go with at least an I to ensure the colorless impression.

Something like this would look great:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.68-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8678264?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thank you for the information – I was wondering if the color difference would matter – so that is good to know!

I had found this I color stone: www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.65-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8891269?a_aid=dmnd1357

Or maybe something like this would be better: www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.66-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9188252?a_aid=dmnd1357
I am a bit curious why some diamonds seem to look symetrical head-on, while others don’t.

Just from my limited and brief understanding of the diamond, it seemed that the slightly smaller one that I found may be a bit more clear than the .68 carat you mentioned. Is there any other advantage that you see in picking one over the other? The $200 price difference is interesting to me. I’m sure that I am missing something – haha!

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.65-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8891269?a_aid=dmnd1357
This diamond is stunning.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.66-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9188252?a_aid=dmnd1357
I wouldn’t go with this one, the IGI lab is less reliable and we try to stay away from them as much as we can.

As for why some diamonds look more symmetrical than the others: sometimes it’s the way they are cut, but usually it has more to do with the photography than anything within the diamond. As long as the cut specs are fine, it will look great.

Thanks so much! I just placed my order!

That’s great news! I’m glad I could help you find the perfect diamond.

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!

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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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