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Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond for a Yellow Gold Setting for Around $60k

By Mike Fried,

 

After reading various sites, I think I’ve narrowed down what I’m probably looking for in the 4 C’s to maximize my budget and what I think she’d want. Yellow Gold band, Round, 3.00-3.50 carats, ideal cut, E or F color, and VVS2 (ish). Obviously, that’s not a cheap diamond ($50-60k)… But do you think that’s a good “mix” for that price point? Does any of the advice I’ve been reading change with larger diamonds like this? Specifically when it comes to color or clarity mattering more?

Also, I see other specifications listed in detail on the vendor sites (such as polish, fluorescence, etc…). What are the most important to worry about with those for the type of diamond I’m looking at? My guess is that I would be making a decision in the next 3-4 weeks.

Thank you.

What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones, halo) are you thinking? A solitaire?

Is there a reason for the high color and clarity? There is no reason to aim that high, especially when you’re putting it into a yellow gold setting. Even if you went down to H+, you’d still get a very clear diamond.

https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/

As for the other specs, fluorescence is the one you should be paying attention to: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/.

Hi, I think it will probably be solitaire, but will need to verify that with her.

I chose those parameters based on the articles you gave me links to, as well as others… Felt those were the limits where risk was largely eliminated in terms of imperfections or surprises with online purchases. I did run some new searches based on relaxing the color and clarity by one more notch.

Thank you for the input on fluorescence… I see now that it seems to be a reasonably big factor in price, all other things equal.

Here is one I found that seemed like it met most of my specifications, but obviously a tad higher than what I want to spend (that’s flexible under the right circumstances).
Blue Nile LD08291541

Thanks.

……

Also… This one seems like it’s really cheap for the specifications.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.86-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2534883?a_aid=dmnd1357

The JA one is cheap because it’s IGI certified. And IGI is not a reliable lab.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/igi/

The Blue Nile diamond looks amazing. However, if over 60k is too much, you might want to get a slightly smaller diamond. How about this one?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.14-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2228426?a_aid=dmnd1357

It has some inclusions but they won’t be noticeable to the naked eye.

I had your recommendation saved, but unfortunately it is now gone. Thoughts on this one? It looks extremely “clean” from the magnified view and GIA report.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.20-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2077390?a_aid=dmnd1357

Is the H color going to be noticeable in a larger 3.20 carat diamond? The setting will be yellow gold. I guess from specs I can see, that’s about my only concern. The one you recommended was a G.

Obviously, if there are any other values that stand out on the sites in my $60k +/- range, I’d love to hear about them. I can stretch the budget some for a really good value.

I will be making a decision in the next week or so…

Thanks!

That’s a gorgeous diamond! The H color won’t be an issue at all.

I also found this diamond that is larger and slightly less expensive:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.31-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2573454?a_aid=dmnd1357

I’d go with this one instead. But both of them are amazing.

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What we love about them:
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