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Q&A: Looking for The Best Cut Round Diamond for a Rose Gold Solitaire Setting Within a $10k Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi.

We have a budget of $10K to purchase a diamond ring.

Compare to James Allen or Bluenile, we went for Brilliant Earth since there is a shown room in town. So we went there and their rep helped us ordered a ring online. The setting cost amount is $1400, and the diamond is $7400.
After a few weeks I received it, it looks so white/milky and I really don’t like it. So I went back and returned it.

This experience really kills my excitement of getting a ring :/

After reviewing the advice you have given to other customers, I learned about another company – Brian Gavin.

I want to find a diamond around 1.2 ct, above H color, that has great sparkle so that when I see it I know it’s a diamond.
I guess, in that case, I need to choose a diamond that has a great cut?

Brilliant Earth has Super Ideal Cut, James Allen has True Hearts, and Blue Nile has Astor. Are they all Hearts & Arrows level? Is Brian Gavin Signature better?

Does the clarity grade matters for the sparkle?

Can you give me some recommendations?

I’m sorry to hear about your negative experience with Brilliant Earth. If you want, you can read our article about them here:
https://www.diamonds.pro/reviews/brilliant-earth/

If an extraordinary brilliance is what you’re looking for, then I suggest Brian Gavin Signature Hearts and Arrows. That’s exactly what they focus on and you can be sure that you’ll receive the best of diamonds.
Not only do these conform to the strictest of cut parameters, but Brian himself selects them for optimal brilliance. Brian Gavin is known as one of the world’s experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds.
And yes, the difference between a stone from BGD and TH/Astor Ideal or other Excellent cut stones from other sites will be noticeable.
https://www.diamonds.pro/reviews/brian-gavin/

Have a look at this stone:

www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.070-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104097911013?a_aid=y

What do you think?

Thanks for your reply! I decided to go with Brian Gavin.

I was looking to get a carat weight around 1.25ct diamond.

After searching, I found this stone that I am interested in. The only thing that concerns me is the SI clarity.
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.266-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104097538032?a_aid=y

Please let me know how you think?

Fantastic! I checked the stone you found and the stone really seems to be eye-clean. Twinning wisps are usually not eye-noticeable. And even after magnification (when you check brilliance and sparkle pictures), the inclusions are not visible.

That diamond is stunning! And if you don’t mind spending the extra buck, go for it.

What do you think of this diamond below. I like that it is a little bigger, and IF, but it’s a J color.

The setting I am going to use is the Tapered Classic Style Half Round

Will it look yellow?

Stone:

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.402-j-if-round-diamond-ags-104098386006?a_aid=y

This diamond is also a gorgeous option.

A J color round cut with such a stunning cut is not an issue at all. Unless you’re extremely color sensitive, I wouldn’t worry about it at all.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

So if you like this stone, go for it. It is a fantastic option for the setting you like.

That’s fantastic news! Thank you very much for updating me.

It was my pleasure helping you.

And please let me know how you like the stone once it arrives.

I really like it!

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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