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Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond for a White Gold Three-Stone Setting Within a $4k-$5k Budget

By Mike Fried,

If buying a ring with side stones, should the center stone be the same color or just within a range?

This is what I am looking at.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10098795?a_aid=dmnd1357

14K White Gold Trio Diamond Engagement Ring

For the type of setting you’ve settled on, I’d recommend an H color at the lowest. Lower grades might have a yellow hue compared to the side stones.

Also, stick with the GIA or AGS lab. We recommend avoiding IGI diamonds as much as possible, this lab is less reliable and tends to inflate the grades.

Would you like me to find some options for you?

I did notice when I went back to look that this was an IGI diamond. I had never heard of them, so I was looking for some other options. If you could make some recommendations, I would appreciate it.

May I ask what’s your ballpark budget for the center piece?

$4,000 – $5,000

I didn’t find any recommendable 1ct options, but I found this absolutely stunning .90ct H VS2 stone:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8707525?a_aid=dmnd1357
It has a gorgeous cut and would make an amazing ring.

Thank You! It looks very nice. I was actually looking again last night, and was looking at some .90 options, nobody would know the difference.

You’re right, nobody knows what a 1ct diamond is supposed to look like, and frankly, the difference between a 1ct and a 0.90ct is negligible. The 0.9ct I sent over is an excellent option.

That’s fantastic news! I’m glad you liked my recommendation so much.

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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