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Q&A: Looking for an Oval-Shaped Diamond for a White Gold Pave Setting With a $10k-$12k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi,

I have been reading your site and searching online for a diamond/engagement ring, your site has been incredibly informative but holy options batman!

My tentative budget is $10,000, if another $1,000 would make a big difference based on diamonds available I could flex the budget up a little bit.

In talking with my girlfriend she would like an oval shaped diamond set in a white gold thin band pave setting, either cathedral or floating style she didn’t have a preference.

We would like a bigger diamond for the best value and wow factor than spend the same money on a flawless diamond. Through my online browsing I have been looking at mostly SI2’s but it is hard for me to determine which flaws in an SI2 would actually be noticeable in person and which ones would not.

I was hoping you could help me out and give some guidance on that as well as color. Diamond suggestion links welcome 🙂

Thank you!

Thank you for the response!

I think I was hoping to get something a little larger for the money. Since it is an oval with a white gold setting, would you not recommend going any lower than an H on color?

Thanks again.

I’m sorry. Ovals tend to show their color more, so we don’t recommend going lower than an H (unless you are using a yellow gold solitaire setting with yellow prongs).

If I were to bump my budget up just a bit what do you think about this one?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.70-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3268282?a_aid=dmnd1357

I was hoping to be in the middle between the 1.5-2 carat range but I would be happy with the 1.5. Just seeing what a little increase in budget can do!

Thanks!

That one is perfectly fine, there are no red flags in the cert.

Okay great! Do you guys get any special offers or promo codes with James Allen?

Unfortunately, we don’t have any promo codes at the moment.

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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