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Q&A: Looking for an Oval-Shaped Diamond for a Yellow Gold Pave Setting Within a $5k-$7k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi there,

Hoping to get your suggestions on a diamond purchase for an engagement ring. I’m looking to buy the diamond and ring separately.

Here are my ideal parameters:
Budget for diamond: USD 5-7k
Diamond Shape: Oval
Ideal size: between 1.25 -> 1.5ct
Diamond will be going into a yellow gold ring solitaire setting w/pave band.

Prefer to use either James Allen or Blue Nile for the purchase.

Thanks for your help!

If you don’t want anything smaller than 1.25ct, you might have to pay 7k+. These two diamonds would be great options:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.25-carat-i-color-if-clarity-sku-6359650?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.24-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-6760175?a_aid=dmnd1357

But if you decided to go even slightly lower, to 1.20ct which isn’t that big of a difference, you can save quite a lot of money:

Blue Nile LD06631628

Blue Nile LD12042516

What do you think?

Thanks for getting back to me. This has been a helpful starting point.

I think I should note that I will be purchasing the diamond in CAD. I’m realizing now that the range I initially gave was a bit on the low end. My top end would be around CAD 10,000 (some flex) so that might open up a few more options.

Out of the two initial options you presented, I like LD12042516 as it seems to offer a better visual spread and has a better facet arrangement (in my opinion) when compared to the other diamond you’ve picked out. I’ve reached out to BN to see if they’re able to provide some more information on the diamond (ASET, Idealscope, HD images, etc.) to hopefully round out the evaluation.

Had a couple of questions for you that have come up in my research. Hoping you can offer some clarity:

– I’ve been careful in considering the potential bow-tie when looking at ovals, though it’s difficult to tell from the magnified photos if the diamond is likely to have a prominent bow-tie in person. Is there any way rule of thumb, or way I can evaluate this online?

For example, I’ve picked out this 1.29ct from JA that seems to offer good value https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.29-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-6852215?a_aid=dmnd1357 – but am concerned about the bow-tie.

The effect from the images is moderate relative to the rest of their inventory, but certainly more noticeable than the two diamonds you’ve suggested.

– More of a general observation after looking through the inventory on both Blue Nile and James Allen: the diamond images on Blue Nile seem to have less prominent bow-ties than James Allen across the board. Is this just a matter of lighting used by each of the companies when taking the pictures? Have you noticed this in your experience?

– In terms of color grade, I’m thinking an “I” diamond should appear colorless with a yellow gold ring. However, the diamonds in the pave bands I’m looking at have an average color grade of H->F. Will this be too sharp of a contrast with the main stone? I’m assuming that it shouldn’t be an issue given the size of the diamonds in the band (i.e. 20 diamonds, 0.17ct total).

– What are your thoughts on going with a J color diamond? Would there be a discernable difference in the yellow gold setting when compared to an I or H diamond?

– You always have to look at the videos and see the diamond all around. The bowtie is a bit of a pickle to determine and I reject a lot of diamonds before I recommend one to our readers. There is no easy rule that makes this easier.
The bowtie on the JA diamond you sent me isn’t bad because it’s scattered but it’s still pretty prominent when looking from the top.

– I haven’t noticed that one company would have less bowtie than the other. I feel like I reject pretty much the same percentage of diamonds on both sites. The lighting is different, that’s true, but you just have to get used to it and take that into account.

– You’re absolutely right about the pave diamonds and the main stone being “I.” The diamonds in the band are too small to make any color difference. But I wouldn’t go lower than an “I” for the center. That would most probably cause some yellow look.

I ended up going to a few local jewelers to get a sense of the diamond size/colors in person. I was a bit more sensitive to “I” color diamonds than expected so I’d like to focus on H+ ovals.

I wanted to get your opinion on the following diamond from JA:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-6563714?a_aid=dmnd1357

While the clarity grade is a bit higher than needed, I thought this diamond looked best when compared to others at this price point.

My notes:
– The bowtie seems to be fairly minimal when looking from the top and fairly well distributed while rotating.

– Evenly distributed flashes of light throughout as it rotates and crisp faceting

– good girdle dimensions and L/W ratio within my preferred range.

You picked out an excellent diamond. I like it a lot. The bowtie is always a question, but it doesn’t look bad on the diamond. I think it’s a great choice.

Just wanted to let you know that I ended up buying the VVS2 diamond from JA that I shared with you previously. Thanks again for your help with this process!

Thanks for the message. I hope you like it when you see it in person.

If you could let me know what you think of it after you get it, I’d appreciate it.

Just wanted to close the loop on this one. I received the ring last week. The diamond looks great in person and I was really happy with the quality of the setting and workmanship from JA.

My girlfriend (now fiancée I suppose) absolutely loved it.

Thanks again for your help!

That’s excellent news! I’m glad to hear that you both love it so much.

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.
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  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
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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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