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Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond for a Solitaire Engagement Ring With a $4k In Total

By Mike Fried,

I’ve put this together, would you think this is a good match?
Blue Nile Classic Six Claw Solitaire Engagement Ring
Blue Nile LD08964463

The diamond you selected is no longer available. Have you purchased it already?

Thanks for getting back to me.

I have reserved this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3185383?a_aid=dmnd1357

I gave James Allen the brief of around £3,200 for the diamond alone, and as close to 1ct as we can get. This would then go in a white gold 18kt 6 prong setting. The above is what they suggested, what are your thoughts?

Alternatively, I’d be grateful if you could recommend others that fit the above brief.

Any help would be greatly appreciated and once again, I love your site!

Thanks.

The one they recommended is gorgeous. I can’t see the price as you have put it on hold.

Does the price of £3,200 include VAT or not?

I have put it on hold and will be purchasing it if you give me the go ahead 🙂 My only concern is the inclusion on the right of the diamond that is quite large and bubble shaped.

£3200 not including VAT. So overall including VAT and customs and setting we would need to be around £4,000.

Thanks.

If they put a prong over the crystal, you won’t even notice it in a setting.

Go for it. It’s a great stone.

The new one is also amazing, but it seems like it’s more expensive. If I’m right, I’d stick with the first one.

Okay, I have a friend who is travelling out to New York and could collect it for me which would save me paying the customs/tax hence why I have gone for a perceived higher quality diamond.

The new one is around £600 extra. Do you feel that is worth it?

My overall budget is £4,000 including setting and the new one with setting would take me to £4,000 whereas the other one leaves me with £400.

I don’t think spending the extra £400 is necessary. Because you’re putting it into a solitaire setting, you wouldn’t benefit from the H color. It wouldn’t look that different.

Also, if your friend can pick it up outside NY, you wouldn’t pay the sales tax as JA is based in NY.

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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