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Q&A: Looking for Round Diamond for a Platinum Bypass Setting Within a $5k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi! I am looking for a larger diamond 1.25-1.5 in the $5,000 range. I am not afraid of inclusions that could be hidden by the prongs. What else can I cut back on but still have the large look? Preferably round, but I am not against another shape as long as it sparkles!

I am looking at these settings on James & Allen

18K WHITE GOLD PAVE BYPASS DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING
PLATINUM PAVE KNIFE EDGE CATHEDRAL DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING
18K WHITE GOLD BYPASS ENGAGEMENT RING

For a pave setting, I’d focus on a nice I-color diamond that is eye-clean.

Something like this will look great:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4339054?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s well cut and the inclusion on the edge can be hidden under a prong.

What do you think?

We liked that diamond, but now it is gone, I am sad 🙁

Thank you for a new recommendation!

We love this diamond, but I may have overestimated the budget. Can you recommend a diamond just under 1 carat that will save us money on the pocketbook?

We decided on this engagement ring:
14K WHITE GOLD BYPASS ENGAGEMENT RING

With this Wedding Band:
14K WHITE GOLD PERFECTLY MATCHED PAVE BYPASS WEDDING RING

The setting at James Allen is very similar to my step mom’s ;( so we found this one at Blue Nile:

Monique Lhuillier Eternal Solitaire Engagement Ring

Can you recommend an awesome diamond from Blue Nile?

The 1.01 is still available at James Allen so we still may go with that one.

Absolutely. This one looks awesome:
Blue Nile LD09804205

It’s gorgeously cut.

If you want, you can use this $50 coupon code:[contact us for your own unique coupon code]

Is there a Blue Nile +/- 1 carat you can recommend? I love the .9 VS1 but would a larger diamond look better?

I like it better then the James Allen’s. The JA has 4 prongs, and the BN is more tension with 2 prongs. Thoughts?

If you like this setting better, then there’s no reason to go with anything else.

Would this diamond suit you better?
Blue Nile LD09858034

It’s a bit larger.

We will probably go with : Blue Nile LD09804205

Alright. Keep me posted.

That’s great news! You got yourself a beautiful diamond.

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!

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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