Q&A: Looking for a Round Brilliant for a Halo Setting With a $9000 Total Budget

Hey, I feel overwhelmed with trying to buy an engagement ring. My budget is $9,000 (not including any potential taxes).

I’m trying to find a round diamond. My SO cares a lot about how the side of the ring will look and I like how the halo settings look. After getting a taste of what she would like, I’m trying to find rings in the style such as this one from James Allen. I love this settings and I know she would like it too, but I’m open to suggestion of other similar bands.

www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-round-split-band-diamond-halo-engagement-ring-item-49498?a_aid=dmnd1357

However, once I start actually looking at diamonds, I’m lost. I read, and reread every diamond guide out there and I get the 4Cs, but I’m still worried that what I get won’t look well. The only thing I’m set on is that I would prefer to buy a diamond .95 carats and above. Ideally, I would be at 1 carat or above.

Please help. I’d appreciated it forever.

Thanks for the response! I’m still figuring out when I want to purchase the ring. My current plan is to do so in a month or two. However, I still might purchase it this month if I decide to propose even sooner.

Anyway, I really like the diamond. It looks great and meets what I was looking for 🙂

What are your ideas on a cushion cut (the more square the better) on that setting? I’m not a huge fan of the cushion cut since a round diamond is the only cut I think looks good, but this ring isn’t for me haha. I’d appreciate any ideas with that as well. I’ll need to get my girlfriend’s take on it again if she prefers a particular cut. I know she’d be super happy with anything I get, but doesn’t hurt to make it as perfect as possible. I’ve seen the previews of both cuts on James Allen for the setting. I think she would like either, but I personally am leaning towards a round diamond.

Also, super random. Does James Allen do any sales in the upcoming months, similar to what they do for Cyber Monday? I know their Cyber Monday sale doesn’t include loose diamonds, but if they traditionally have other sale events going on for settings, I’d definitely be inclined to buy it then.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

You really made me rethink the cushion cut! It looks amazing. I like that as an option way better than the cushion cuts I had previously looked at. But after talking to my girlfriend again, she’s leaning towards the round.

And I’ve made up my mind and I think i’m going to buy it this month. Would you mind recommending any other round diamonds? Just want to have some options and in case a diamond I end up choosing gets sold before I go to buy it.

Thanks for all the help!

So, I’ve decided to get the 3rd diamond from your previous e-mail (the H VS1). I’m planning on ordering it within the next week or two. Just waiting on a few things. Hopefully the diamond is still unsold by then. The deciding factor was the clarity for me. Even though it probably wouldn’t be noticed in person, I like how much cleaner it is with the higher clarity. I’ll let you know when I order it.