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Q&A: Looking for an Emerald Cut Diamond for a White Gold Three-Stone Setting Within a $15k-$20k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi,

Just found your site and love the advice!

I am looking for an emerald shaped solitaire white gold engagement ring. My max budget is $15k and was hoping you could help me select a ring from James Allen.

I was looking some more and was wondering if I increased my budget, would it make a significant difference?
I searched some more with a budget of $20k, and it seemed to get me closer to a 2.0 carat stone, with better color and clarity.

Here are some that I saved:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/2.01-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-8029587?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/2.01-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-9313432?a_aid=dmnd1357 (Too much windowing effect?)

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.90-carat-f-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-9693321?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/2.02-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-10184370?a_aid=dmnd1357

I was also thinking about them in maybe this ring:
18K White Gold Three Stone Emerald And Pavé Set Diamond Engagement Ring

What do you think? Am I getting more bang for my buck? The ones you picked out for me were around 1.7 carats with G colors. The new ones are around 2.0 carats and have D or E colors. Would these differences in size and color be noticeable?

The three stone emerald ring is gorgeous, great choice! Since the side stones are F/G color, you can easily stick to a G/F color center stone and it would match perfectly. There’s no need to aim at higher color grades, the difference wouldn’t be noticeable.

As for your newest findings, I’m not a huge fan of the black windowing here:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/2.01-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-8029587?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/2.01-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-9313432?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/2.02-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-10184370?a_aid=dmnd1357
Some of the diamonds also have an empty center (the facets are transparent) which is better to avoid. Also, strong fluorescence on a D color would give the diamond a dead/hazy look.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.90-carat-f-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-9693321?a_aid=dmnd1357
This diamond is beautiful, but it’s basically the same size as 10205578 and that one is significantly cheaper.

So, are you saying that the 10205578 (G-color, VS1 clarity) would not be noticeably different from the 9693321 (F-Color, VVS1 clarity) to the naked eye?

Not at all. The difference in colors isn’t usually noticeable from anything above the G grade.

I’m glad I could 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!

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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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