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Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond for a White Gold Halo or Pave Setting With a $16k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hiya,

Just wanted to say you have a great website with lots of useful information.

I am trying to find an engagement ring for my girlfriend and was wondering if you can help suggest some diamonds and rings?

I’m looking for around 2 carats and have a budget of between $15-16k inclusive. Brilliant round diamond.

Should I go for a pave or a halo? I am not sure if they will affect the choice of diamond you would select or not?

Let me send you the choice of shank I like and let me know:

Diamond Eternity Engagement Ring in 14k White Gold
Floating Halo Diamond Engagement Ring in 14k White Gold

14K White Gold Cut Down Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring
14K White Gold Pavé Halo And Twisted Shank Engagement Ring

Yasmine
Leana

The setting is 100% a matter of personal taste and style. I’ll leave that one to you.

Here’s how we would proceed:

1) James Allen – Since James Allen use G/H diamond accents for most of their settings, I’d recommend at least an I+color (for a pave) or H+ color (for a halo) center stone to make sure there wouldn’t be any yellowness.

2) Blue Nile – Blue Nile use I and H color diamond accents so you can get away with slightly lower grades: J for a pave and I+ for a halo.

3) Brian Gavin – With them, you can for sure choose a lower color as those diamonds will always be absolutely gorgeous. Because of their absolutely perfect cut, the color isn’t noticeable. I’d recommend a J color for their pave settings and an I color for a halo. BGD diamonds are incomparable to others, they are incredibly brilliant. Brian is one of the world’s experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds. He even uses the same parameters for cutting for the smaller stones in settings which nobody else usually does. That gives you the absolute brilliance in every part of the ring.

Now, on to the diamonds. I found the following options that I thought would be fantastic choices for you:
Blue Nile LD14666918
Blue Nile LD13726635

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10026877?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9815046?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.538-J-VS2-Round-Diamond-AGS-C-104109608012?a_aid=y
www.briangavindiamonds.com/1.370-I-VS2-Round-Diamond-AGS-C-104108826131?a_aid=y
They are beautifully cut and all of them would be very bright and brilliant in real life.

Blue Nile LD14666918
This one is going to be too small. One thing my girlfriend really wants is a 2 carat ring minimum! I’m not sure she really cares much about the setting etc. but she definitely wants 2ct minimum.

Blue Nile LD13726635
I love that this one is internally flawless and nearing the right size but I do think we need to go bigger (2ct minimum). Also does it have a yellow tinge?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10026877?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is the right size

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9815046?a_aid=dmnd1357
I like this one but only if it’s a bit bigger.

If you need the diamond to be 2ct minimum, let’s stick to that. Although there’s really no noticeable difference between a 1.9 and a 2ct stone (keep in mind that the 2ct is the weight of the diamond, it’s not an indicator of its size).

The color grades I’ve recommended would look colorless in the settings I recommended them for. The color recommendations are based on our expertise, experiences and most importantly, the feedback we receive from our readers. I’m of course, more than happy to find diamonds with high grades if that would put you more at ease, but they would naturally end up being pricier (or smaller).

Yes, I think the 2ct minimum is what she wants! Lets stick with diamonds at a minimum of 2ct or above.

Noted on the weight but would also like a diamond that is as big as possible for me personally!

With regards to colour, you are the professional. I am happy to take your opinion and as long as they look colourless then fine! Just don’t want them to look yellow tinged!

No worries. You know what you want and there’s nothing wrong with it.

I know from experience that J color looks colorless in a solitaire setting, but if it makes you feel nervous, we can aim for higher grades. It’s important for me that you feel confident and comfortable with the purchase.

I found some more 2ct options:
Blue Nile LD13928659
Blue Nile LD14601444
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.07-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8521394?a_aid=dmnd1357

Ok, I finally decided and bought the ring and diamond I wanted.

In the end I went for this one which I think was the best value:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.07-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8521394?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks for all your help with helping me choose the diamond!

That’s fantastic news! That diamond was 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. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
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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