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Q&A: Setting with Side Stones

By Mike Fried,

I wonder if you could spare me 5 minutes and help me find a diamond to suit the ring i’m thinking of getting:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-3930.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

I read on your ”Diamond Color” page that for ring with side stones you should match or go better with the colour of the centre stone – these pave are F/G so should i be going F or would a G be fine?

As i said my budget is approx $2500 for the diamond but it’s not all about the size – really want the package to work.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and thanks once again for the great site!

I think I need to update that article as it leads to some confusion. What I wrote there is really only true for larger side stones where the color is more easily noticeable. You can’t really perceive any color or lack thereof in 1 point pave stones. So you could comfortably put an I color center stone in that ring, and the whole package would still look totally white. If you were concerned about going with an I, then you for sure could go with an H without any hesitation.

Also, not sure if you noticed it on the site, but you can use the TAD0611 coupon to get 10% off the setting. So the setting will cost you 1260 instead of 1400.

Here’s what I recommend:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1294209.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – eye clean. Excellent cut.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1295749.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – ditto

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1278237.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – H color. Eye clean.

Have a look and let me know what you think!


Sorry about taking so long in replying.

I went for the H colour stone and used your saving code – thanks for that bonus!

When the ring arrived i couldn’t have been happier – the diamond looked so good – to my eye totally white and clean.

More importantly, my intended loved it!

Thank you so much, not just for the help you provided to me directly, but also for the help you provide on your website – you give the internet a good name!

Yours with eternal gratitude


Wow. Such a wonderful email to receive! I truly appreciate you taking the time to let me know about your purchase.

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. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
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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