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Q&A: Looking for an Oval-Shaped Diamond for a Platinum Halo Setting With Up to $2,500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi,

I am looking to purchase a diamond from Blue Nile to go in the Oval Halo Diamond Engagement Ring in Platinum.

The budget for the diamond is up to $2,500. We’ve done some research and are aware of the bowtie effect, but are hoping you can help us find an eye-clean diamond with a minimal bowtie.

From the diamonds I’ve looked at online, I’d personally prefer not to get her an H color diamond and I’m guessing with my price range and the small size of her finger that we’d be looking at a diamond around 0.70 carats. We went to a chain store to confirm she liked the appearance of the oval and we discovered that we’d like to stay above/around 7mm in length and 5mm in width — hope that’s not too much trouble. The ratio could be anywhere between 1.38-1.50. Here are some of the diamonds we’ve looked at so far. Can you tell us which of them looks the best or recommend a better one?

Thanks for considering, and for any help you can provide!

Blue Nile LD00053312

Blue Nile LD09690030

Blue Nile LD09991855

Blue Nile LD11077801

As for the diamonds you listed, I like the first one the most (Blue Nile LD00053312). It’s perfectly cut with a minimal bowtie.

You may consider these alternatives as well:
Blue Nile LD09960258

Blue Nile LD10581544

They’re also well-cut and brilliant.

Thank you for getting back to us so quickly and taking the time to look at the diamonds we had selected. Unfortunately, one of your recommendations became unavailable, but we’ve reserved the other two you recommended–including your favorite among the four that we sent you. We are leaning toward the Blue Nile LD00053312 and we really appreciate you helping us narrow it down.

Thank you again!

Today I found one more stone you may consider: Blue Nile LD11119520. It’s also perfectly cut and has great specs. It’s the second biggest option (see the actual measurements, not the carat weight).

I showed her LD11119520 and it’s her new favorite. I reserved it this morning just in case, and we both thought it was the most eye-clean out of all the ones we’ve seen so far in that price range. Great diamond stats too, we definitely agree. Thank you very much for sending it our way!

Happy to 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. 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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