Q&A: Looking for a Round Brilliant for a Ritani White Gold Halo Setting With an $8k Budget

Hi, I’m in the market for a diamond to pair with an engagement ring. I’ve read through many of your articles and greatly appreciate the information you’re putting out for people who had no idea what they were getting into when starting the search process.

I’ve been searching online as well as in-store, even purchasing my own IdealScope. I’m very interested in your recommendations and advice based on the following criteria:

Intent is to put the diamond in a halo setting/platinum ring from Ritani:
www.ritani.com/engagement-rings-with-bands/cushion-halo-diamond-v-band-engagement-ring-with-matching-band-in-platinum/10493

Budget: $8000 (a little wiggle room, i.e. don’t discard a diamond at $8100 if it’s far superior to anything lower priced) I’ve been filtering anything below $8500.

Cut: Excellent/Ideal (have been using IdealScope images to be as selective as possible with this, prioritizing cut over all other C’s)

Carat: Minimum 1.0

Color: Minimum H (should I be looking for minimum G based on my ring selection?)

Clarity: Minimum of eye clean (have been setting minimum at SI1 but only Brian Gavin seems to note whether the diamond will be eye clean)

Please let me know if you have suggestions on modifying the criteria or if I can provide more information.

Thank you so much for your help.

Thank you for getting back with me so quickly. I’ve registered at Ritani, James Allen, Brian Gavin with the e-mail address you have on file and will be sure to use it as well for Blue Nile if I go that direction.

Regarding the diamonds you selected, I’ve been hesitant to consider any of Ritani’s because the information they have on their website isn’t as extensive as the others so I’ve had difficulty making a reasonable comparison. From the picture it is a beautiful stone.

I haven’t done much searching with Blue Nile but definitely like the size of the stone and the same goes for the James Allen. The clarity of the Blue Nile is much better but if they’re both eye clean, I’m not sure that it matters. Do you agree? Or since they’re about the same price and size, go with the one with better specs.

The one you picked from Brian Gavin is the one I selected as well and is in my wish list. I received an email from them when I registered asking which diamonds on their site I was looking at.

I’d be interested in seeing additional data (Idealscope, ASET, etc.) for the Blue Nile, James Allen, and Ritani so I can certainly contact them for that information. I am torn between wanting the diamond which will have the most brilliance, fire, scintillation, sparkle, etc. (Don’t sacrifice cut for carat.) You reviewed Brian Gavin’s signature diamonds as the one to go to for that brilliance and sparkle, that wow factor that doesn’t come from the size. Do you believe that is still the case? I would hate to pass up a 1.3 ct diamond if it is going to have the same brilliance as the Brian Gavin.

Regarding the setting, would you recommend 14K or 18K WG?

Thanks again for all of your help.

Thanks for the follow-up. I just ordered the diamond from Brian Gavin. I chatted with them and mentioned that you had been the one to refer me to them and that you had recommended that diamond.

Thanks again for your help and the service you offer.