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Q&A: Second Opinion on 0.8 Ct. Round Cut

By Mike Fried,

I plan on proposing to my lovely girlfriend later this year and have been using your website religiously to help pick the best diamond for the ring.

For quite some time I was getting quite hung up on the fact that the clarity of the diamond had to be VVS+ in order to be the ideal diamond. Upon stumbling across your site though, I’ve now realised that an eye clean SI1 for example is more than adequate. Using this wonderful advice, I’ve been trying to find a diamond with the following specs:

Carat = 0.80ct min. (aiming to achieve a ring of approx. 6mm x 6mm in size)
Cut = Ideal
Colour = H+
Clarity = Eye clean
Polish = Excellent
Symmetry = Excellent
Flourescence = None

I have a maximum budget of $4500 for the diamond, but like most people, would be quite happy to spend less without compromising on the sparkle and wow factor of the diamond.

I quite fancy the below setting from James Allen. I did have my heart set on a setting from Blue Nile, but without spending too much on the diamond (there are some IF 0.80 cts for approx. $4300), I’m not too comfortable purchasing the diamond without physically seeing the inclusions. From reading through your website, I also understand that a H+ in colour is essential when purchasing a pave or halo type ring.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-17442?a_aid=dmnd1357

I’ve come across the following diamond which I believe to be eye clean and comes in at $1000 below my budget (always a bonus!).

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-184974?a_aid=dmnd1357

What are your thoughts on this diamond and do you have any others that you might like to suggest?

I look very forward to hearing back from you.

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.

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.
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. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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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