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Q&A: Looking for a Round Brilliant for a Solitaire Setting with Around $10k Budget

By Mike Fried, Updated June 29, 2020

Hi,

Firstly I would like to say that I LOVE YOUR WEBSITE and thank you for the advice and guidance. I’m buying my first diamond (engagement ring) so it’s incredibly useful!

I saw you have coupons available and as I’m looking at online diamond retailers (Blue Nile and James Allen), I wondered if this is still available please?

Thanks.

…..

I am looking to buy a round diamond for an engagement ring. It is a gold ring with a platinum claw (four claw) and I am a little confused about what colour and clarity I should go for. My budget for the stone is approx $10,000 and I would love to have 1 carat or more. Could you help please?

Thank you for the kind words. I’m glad you find our website useful. Now, let’s see how I can help you.

Here’s the BN coupon code. [contact us for your own unique coupon code]

I’m happy to help you pick out the right diamond. Just to make sure we’re on the same page here, are you using a solitaire setting? In that case, J color will be my recommendation.

I looked around and I found this beautiful IF diamond that happened to be a better value than some of the VS+ diamonds in that range: Blue Nile LD07935598.

It’s beautifully cut and will be very brilliant. What do you think?

Thanks for your advice. I would prefer to look at options on James Allen as I can see the actual diamond before making the purchase. Do you have any recommendations on there please?

I’m interested to understand why you chose this diamond at IF clarity and only ideal cut when your website seems to recommend going for the very best cut and a slightly lower clarity?

…..

Further to my other response, yes, I am using solitaire setting in 18k gold (with platinum claws).

This is the kind of diamond I am looking at:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.36-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2103842?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.41-carat-j-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2289818?a_aid=dmnd1357

What do you think? Thanks again.

You’re welcome.

The reason I picked that IF diamond is that for some reason it was cheaper than other diamonds with lower clarity grades in that carat weight range. I know what our website says but sometimes it is possible to find a great value like this.

Excellent/Ideal cut is our usual recommendation for rounds and we also use our own search parameters in order to find the best cut diamonds. Why would I send you a poorly cut stone?

The diamonds you found on JA are beautiful, I like them a lot. You can’t go wrong with either of them.

I also found this equally great alternative for better price:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.42-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2284917?a_aid=dmnd1357

To be honest, we’re not huge fans of the “True hearts” collection. The only “better” cut I would recommend would be Brian Gavin’s Hearts and Arrows:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.510-j-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104091071006&a_aid=y

Ha ha, fair enough, I appreciate your honesty.

I’ve just been looking at the BG diamonds and like them a lot. So, do you suggest steering clear of the True Hearts cut on JA?

I’m a bit nervous of lower clarity grades and I think that’s the downside of seeing the diamonds magnified on screen! Am I being ridiculous?

Thanks again. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your guidance.

(Love both diamonds you suggested.)

You’re welcome. Yes, if it’s ok with your budgeting and you want to get something truly unique, then I’d definitely vote for BGD. We love recommending their diamonds (you can read our review on them here: www.diamonds.pro/brian-gavin-diamonds).

J color is perfectly fine for a simple solitaire setting. Moreover, BGD’s diamond have a lot of added brilliance and that makes them appear even whiter. We don’t judge the color of the diamond from its picture, you should always focus on the info in the diamond’s report.

Thanks for the nice words. Let me know your thoughts.

Unfortunately, the diamond you chose for me a BGD has been sold 🙁

I think I’m going to buy one from BGD (and already dealing with them and told them you referred me). Are there any others that you recommend? My budget is actually $8,500 as I need to account for the 20% tax I’ll pay in the UK.

Thanks again.

…..

Sorry I meant $9,000 🙂

That’s too bad.

I found a couple more, but there are much smaller than the previous diamond:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.105-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104090533005&a_aid=y

www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.123-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104091064004&a_aid=y

www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.123-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104091064004&a_aid=y

Just a quick note to thank you for your help.

I landed on this one in the end and I made sure BGD know who introduced me to them.
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.280-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104045953013&a_aid=y

Thanks again.

You got yourself a beautiful diamond! I hope you’ll love it when you receive it.

Thanks for the kinds words, It’s been a pleasure helping you.

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!
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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. 
Click to Visit
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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