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Q&A: Looking for Eye-clean Round Diamond for $15K Budget

By Mike Fried,

I’m looking to buy an engagement ring with a round stone. Budget 10-15k. I dont consider this an investment so I’m looking for the nicest diamond to look at for the money.

Thanks for writing. I’m very happy to help! Tell me, do you know what kind of setting you want to put it in? Could you do me a favor and browse the settings on jamesallen.com and send me a link to the ring you like?

Not really – the choice of setting is really a completely personal matter of choice and style – not much I can tell you objectively. So here’s what I like for you in terms of the diamond:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1375618.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1377260.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1301514.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1182287.asp

let me know what you think of those!

They all look the same to me ; )

I actually had made note of this one which may be similar to your choices:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1339613.asp

And if I wanted to go up slightly in price?

to how much?

15000

You could get something like this:https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1372525.asp

But it’s not worth the extra money. I didn’t see anyway you could get an upgrade in size by going from $13500 to $15000 for the diamond.

……

Actually, I found this which I like:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1375618.asp

Thank you. So will these look any different to the untrained naked eye? I’ve seen numerous diamonds in person and I cant really tell the difference about anything other than size.

No, not really. Most of these will look the same to you.

I bought the H-SI2.

When I get this and look at this with my eyes only, is it fair to say that I should see NO inclusions/marks? With a magnifier, it will look like it does using the one online?

This is what you mean by “eyeclean”?

that’s right.

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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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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