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Q&A: Looking for a Round or Oval Diamond for a White Gold Halo Setting With a $7,500 Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I am looking to buy an engagement ring which will have an oval diamond with a 14k white gold halo setting. My budget is between 5,000 to 7,500 US$. I appreciate the guides on your website which have helped me in my search thus far. I have been using James Allen and located the following diamond:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4276692?a_aid=dmnd1357

Would you consider this a good purchase, or do you have any other advice to lead me in my search? I am concerned some of the imperfections will be visible to the naked eye on close inspection.

I’m afraid that the inclusions will be eye-visible. That’s why I wouldn’t go for this one. Are you willing to go down with the color grade a little? An H color diamond will look colorless as well:
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

I found this stone for you:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-5030814?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s very well cut, eye-clean and going to look colorless.

What do you think?

That diamond looks like a great find!
Do you believe it would it work well with this setting? In terms of color, I think an H would be alright, but I’m concerned that it says the average color of the surrounding halo diamonds are between F-G color and the possibility it may contrast? Please let me know what you think:

14K WHITE GOLD PAVE HALO DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING (OVAL CENTER)

I kept searching throughout the morning and saw these also. Do you think any of these stones would be good choices as well?

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-4747979?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4673171?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-4761012?a_aid=dmnd1357

The stones aside are so small that the difference in color won’t be noticeable. Unless you’re extremely color sensitive, I wouldn’t worry about it.

The issue with the G and D color stone is their fluorescence. Medium or strong on G+ grades can cause a hazy look. And the bow-tie on the E color stone seems to be quite noticeable. That’s why I wouldn’t go for these.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/

Ah I understand thank you!

Sorry to go off topic from ovals, but if I were to instead go the route of getting a round cut stone, do you think this one would be a good choice?

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5211051?a_aid=dmnd1357

It looks fantastic! It’s beautifully cut and also the other specs in the GIA report look great. Nice find!

Thank you for your help. I eventually decided on the round stone.

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.
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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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