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Q&A: Second Opinion on Round Diamond, Please

By Mike Fried,

Hello, I have used your website to help me pick out a brilliant cut round diamond. I found the below on James Allen and am waiting for it to come in. I wanted to get your opinion bc it seems like a really good price ($4580) for the size etc. It is definitely due to the inclusion on the edge of the diamond but my thought was the prong of the setting could go there to mask. What do you think? Should I go w/ a smaller diamond that has better clarity & color? My budget is under $5,000. Thanks in advance. The link is below.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1526798.asp

I’d be happy to make some recommendations and guide you through the process. What type of setting are you considering? Yellow gold or white gold/platinum? Will it be a solitaire or does it have sidestones/pave? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).

Let me know and I’d be happy to send you some suggestions.

Thanks so much for your response. I am looking at a 14kt gold setting that has a crown style setting with small channel set side stones. Lots of miligraining as well. It looks vintage but is new setting. It will be a solitaire. I found the below on James Allen. I worry about the j color and si2 clarity. I did get the below diamond in and looked at it. It looks nice but I can see a feather type inclusion if you look at the diamond from a side view. The blemish is just above the cutlet. Does this greatly affect the fire/brilliance and do you think I should go smaller stone with better color? I have been looking at stones online for six years and am having a hard time committing to one bc it is a big investment. This will replace a lost engagement ring. Thanks again for your advice and guidance, it is greatly appreciated.

I think you forgot the link.

Hello the link is all the way at bottom in my original email. Let me know if you can’t see. I am away from computer so working from iPhone is a little cumbersome. Thanks!

That diamond is a tough one to figure out. The inclusion is on the edge and should be ‘prongable’ (covered by the prong), but its also possible that it reflects. I suggest asking JA to have the gemologist inspect the diamond for you. If its prongable and doesn’t reflect, that diamond is a steal. I’m sorry I can’t assure you on that.

Thanks so much for your feed back! I have the diamond in hand and plan on keeping it! I think I got a good deal and hope to have it set soon. You can’t see anything with naked eye! Take care!

Sounds great. Best of luck

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!

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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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