We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.

Q&A: Looking for an Oval-Shaped Diamond for a Halo Setting With a $10k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello, I am contacting you to see if you still have any remaining Blue Nile coupon codes.
Thanks!

Thank you for your response. I have a quick question. I have read your posts about online diamond shopping. Below are 2 diamonds (with pictures) I am considering.

Blue Nile LD07921045

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2398827?a_aid=dmnd1357

Long story short, I proposed to my fiance with a fake ring. She wants an oval diamond with a halo. The fake ring is great, but unfortunately it came with a 1.75 carat stone instead of a 1 carat stone, which my fiance has gotten very used to. I have talked to a number of jewelers in person and I feel that the prices of these diamonds listed above are much better. I am looking to get something above a 1.3 carat and spend below $10,000 for the center stone.

Do you see any noticeable blemishes from these pictures or anything I should be concerned by? Your post highlighted that seeing pictures of the diamond can indicate if there is anything obvious at least. Thanks and any input would be very appreciated.

Thank you for the info about the setting your fiancee wants. For a halo setting, H color is what we recommend at the lowest to make sure there are no yellowish tones in it. So let’s focus on a nice H diamond.

The diamond you found on JA looks nice, but I managed to find something cleaner and better shaped for less money:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2378049?a_aid=dmnd1357

What do you think?

Great! Thanks for the direction. By clicking that link, do you receive a referral from James Allen? Just want to make sure you benefit from providing me some guidance.

Thanks again.

……

Oh and do you happen to have any James Allen coupon codes also?

I’m glad you like it. Unfortunately, we have no coupons for JA.

As for the referral, it is enough if you use this email address for the purchase. Thank you for thinking about us.

Sorry to keep bothering you. I waited to get an estimate on some gold I’m trading in before pulling the trigger on the diamond you found, and I checked back yesterday and it is now unavailable. I am surprised by this since about every diamond I’ve looked at other than that one is still available. Anyway, I am now trying to find something comparable.

What do you think of the ones I list below? Could you advise on which you think would be the best value? Thanks again for your help. And If you want to send me back a link to follow to make sure you get credit for helping me, I’ll be sure to purchase through it. I’m ready to pull the trigger on this so I don’t miss out on a diamond again. Thanks!

The one you found:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2378049?a_aid=dmnd1357

Diamonds I am considering:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-297554?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.50-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2042650?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2261701?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.52-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2262335?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2398827?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2414241?a_aid=dmnd1357

That’s too bad, but this one will be an equally beautiful alternative:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2261701?a_aid=dmnd1357

You did a great job finding 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. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
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
Arrow down
Arrow up
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. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
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
Arrow down
Arrow up

Still afraid of getting ripped off?

Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.

Ask your diamond purchase question here

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

Here is your coupon code: GFDSF3GF

Diamond Pro

Diamond Pro

  • Unfortunately, the AI chat we worked so hard training is not helping our readers the way we would like. You deserve the best advice you can get.

    Would you like to contact a human diamond pro? Just fill out this email form and we will answer you ASAP (usually within one day).

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.