I heard about your company on the Art of Charm podcast. You’re website has been fantastic in helping buy an engagement ring for me girlfriend! After researching online, viewing rings in stores (with my girlfriend), and discussing with my girlfriend, I’ve finally got a good idea of what I want to get her. I’m ready to purchase a ring online, and was hoping you could help me out picking out? Here is what I had in mind:
Budget = $8,000
Diamond = Round
Carat = 1.3-1.75
Setting = 18k Gold Pave. Something like James Allen 18K YELLOW GOLD PETITE PAVE ENGAGEMENT RING (FLUSH FIT)
I was hoping you could make a few diamond recommendations for me? I agree with your thoughts on the influence of color in gold ring settings (i.e., “the yellow color of the gold is absorbed into the diamond’s color, so anything higher than K is going to look slightly yellowish anyway”). I couldn’t tell the difference between color once I viewed them inside a gold setting. As for the clarity, I was able to notice inclusions on the SI1 and SI2 diamonds I looked at, but as long as inclusions looked “white” the diamond still looked beautiful in the setting to me.
Also, I had questions about the prongs on gold settings? The guy at the store said prongs are always white gold as it looks better with the diamond. This seemed odd to me. Me and my girlfriend have seen ring settings online that are all gold, and actually prefer how they look compared to the white gold prongs on the yellow gold settings. What are your thoughts on this?
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you!
As for the color, I wouldn’t go lower than to a J. As you plan to use a pave style setting, a K color diamond could look with a warm tint in comparison with the small stones. Have a look at this one:
It’s very well cut and eye-clean.
Regarding the prongs, you can surely have a setting with yellow prongs. If you like it, go for this style. There’s no need to get white gold prongs at all.
Let me know what you think.
Thank you for the recommendation! The diamond you linked to does look like a beautiful diamond.
As for the prongs, I forgot to mention I read that White Gold prongs are used because they are more durable than yellow gold. Do you see this being an issue? If the prongs holding the ring come loose and she looses the diamond, I’d be really bummed out haha. If durability is an issue here, I think it would be worth sticking with the White Gold.
I’m happy to hear that you like the diamond so much.
As for the durability, I don’t think the difference is so significant. We usually recommend 14 karat gold over 18 karat. As mentioned, it’s more durable and resistant to tarnishing. But I don’t see a reason in choosing white gold prongs if that’s not what you love the most.
Thank you for the advice. I think I’ going to end up going with your recommendation:
I talked to Customer Service at James Allen and it sounds like they will be able to accommodate a custom 14k yellow gold prong with this setting.
That’s fantastic news! I’d love to see the finished product. If you can send me the link to the completed ring (James Allen will email you a link when with a photo), I’d appreciate it.
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
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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