Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond from Blue Nile UK With $2000 Total Budget

Hi – I am looking for a ring – total cost ideally under £1250 but I can stretch to £1750 for the right one (that’s total cost – taxes and all). I need to have it within 3 weeks from today.

I want a decent round diamond that is eye clean, it will be set in a white gold or platinum ring – either on its own or with some small diamonds running down the side of the band.

I do like the tiffany prong setting if possible.

It is my understanding that my best bets are James Allen or Blue Nile – in that order. Given my time constraints, and the tax implications of James Allen – I wonder if I would be better trying Blue Nile UK even though James Allen is your preferred service.

Let me know your thoughts. Great site by the way.

Thanks. That looks nice – after further thought though, I think I am leaning towards getting a ring with small stones at the side on the band. Any recommendations? Should the diamonds on the band match the color of the main stone?

I expect the diamond you recommended below would be right at the top of my budget with a more expensive band. Do you have any recommendations of slightly smaller stones too?

Are there any discount/voucher codes for Blue Nile that would be worth knowing about?

Finally, I notice you picked a diamond with a colour rating of J. On the site, it recommended around H… Though I am not sure how much difference this makes?

Thanks for your help.

Thank you – I spotted the voucher after.

I have settled on one of these settings now:
Blue Nile Petite Micropavé Diamond Engagement Ring
or
Blue Nile Petite Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring

Given that I am looking around the 0.4-0.5 carat main stone weight. Would the ‘micropave’ option look better proportioned or would the slightly thicker ‘pave’ ring still look fine?

Thanks for linking that 0.5 carat diamond, it looks good. How does it compare to this slightly smaller but seemingly higher quality diamond:
Blue Nile LD07521906

How does princess cut compare to the round ones I have been looking at this:
Blue Nile LD07202743

It looks like a nice stone but I am not sure whether the settings linked above would suit a round or square main stone better…

I spotted that inclusion after I sent it too – looks quite big!

I guess that leaves me to choose between the round diamond you recommended and the princess cut diamond I found (though let me know if you think there may be a better princess cut out there in the same ballpark).

I presume if I just use your voucher and register with this email – you will get the commission?

Let me know if you have any other things that I should consider – I have read most of the website now.

……

I have settled on a round diamond – I had a quick look at diamond’s in a similar range to the one you linked and found one at exactly the same price, but has a slightly thinner girdle and faces up to a larger size with lower depth and a bigger table. Carat, Colour and Clarity are all equal.

I cant spot and inclusions in the 360 view on either (not sure if you can?).

Which is the better diamond?
Blue Nile LD07281192

I just wanted to let you know that I placed my order for the LD07281192 diamond that you recommended and the setting 51653. Fingers crossed that the diamond is still available.

With the discount, the price I have paid is so much cheaper than my options on the high street – and the diamond quality appears to be higher. Fingers crossed its as beautiful as I hope.

Thank you so much for your guidance.

The ring was better than I imagined and my now fiancee absolutely loves it. Thank you for your help.

Do you by any chance have another voucher code that can be used to buy the accompanying wedding ring?

I think our spend will again be over 1k. I would certainly let you know if not…

I have just left a review on iVouch but I am afraid I do not currently have a suitable picture of the ring to share.

Thank you for the kind wishes.

Just FYI, we wont be needing the code as the ring we have selected does not qualify :).