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Q&A: Looking for Round Cut for $7-8K Budget

By Mike Fried, Updated October 24, 2017

Hi, your website is excellent, thank you for doing this. I would be so lost without this site.

i am looking for a round diamond in the $7k – 8k range with a color of I or higher, excellent cut (gia), and as large a carat as possible. Clarity is where i am getting stumped, to be honest i have no idea how to tell if a diamond is eye clean or not looking at the JA’s photos, i know black dots are bad but not sure about the others. Want the lowest clarity that’s eye clean.

Can you please tell me if the below diamond is a good choice and eye clean? thank you

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.25-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-182222?a_aid=dmnd1357

engagement ring that will mount the diamond:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/platinum-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-2018?a_aid=dmnd1357

It seems like you have this diamond buying process down pat. I love the diamond you selected.

Let me know how it looks when it arrives.

Hi mike, i got the engagement ring today. The ring looks great. Thanks for all your help!

I’m happy to hear that you love the diamond. Thanks for letting us know!

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!
Click to Visit
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. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
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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