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Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond for an Engraved Solitaire Yellow Gold Setting Within a $10k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I am looking for a round diamond for a “vintage” (engravings on the sides) solitaire 14k yellow gold setting.

I’d like the max budget for the diamond to be around 10k dollars, but anything below that would be great!

For the specs the cut would have to be ideal and the clarity eye-clean (as well as GIA certified).

I think an “SI1” would be great. Since it is set in yellow gold, I think I could go for a “J” rather than an “I” in color, but am unsure.

Lastly, for size, anything from a 1.5-2.0ct, but I think it would be ideal to find something within the 1.65-1.80 range.

Thanks so much!

For the type of setting you want (no additional diamonds in the band), J color is perfectly fine. It is going to look colorless.

Regarding the clarity grade, there is no rule. You can find a great VS or VVS diamond that’s cheaper than an average SI. Most SI diamonds of that size are not eye-clean.

I looked around and I like these options for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.60-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4569668?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.64-carat-j-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5307137?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-j-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4822546?a_aid=dmnd1357

They are well cut, eye-clean and all of them will be very brilliant.

What do you think?

I really like the 1.64 VVS1 that you sent, but I want to see if we can find something around the same price range (or less expensive) that is bigger.

What do you think of these?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.79-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5259048?a_aid=dmnd1357

Blue Nile LD10665998

Blue Nile LD10393559

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.79-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5259048?a_aid=dmnd1357
This diamond looks great, I like it a lot. It has fantastic specs.

Blue Nile LD10665998
Another great option (but there’s a rare chance strong fluorescence might make it look hazy).

Blue Nile LD10393559
This one is cut a bit too deep and is also not as clean as the other two.

Thanks so much for your help! We discussed this and decided to go with the 1.79ct from James Allen.

That’s great news!

If you can also write me back once you receive the ring, that would be great. I’d love to know how you like it in person.

The diamond is absolutely gorgeous and completely up to my expectations!!

I can’t thank you enough for helping me find the right diamond.

It’s great to hear back from you, thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! I’m glad you are happy with your new diamond 🙂

If it’s not too much to ask, do you think you can do us a quick favor and write a small review on www.ivouch.com? If you could, I would be extremely grateful. Here is the link:
[LINK TO REVIEW ON IVOUCH]

I wish you and your partner a life of happiness and fulfillment.

I wrote you a stellar review!

Thank you again so much for all your help 🙂

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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