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Q&A: The Lowest Color Grade That Looks Colorless: Round Solitaire

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

After reading and investigating about the choosing the right diamond I’m just not sure how to make the right choice. My budget is from $9,000 – $10,000 USD max. I’m looking at James Allen diamonds with round diamonds, depth between 58-62, table 54-59, True Hearts, GIA and still don’t know the best choice, because I have to lower colour down and I’m afraid it will look yellow.

Things I know are:

– she prefers bigger (1.5 carat)
– round diamond

May I ask what style setting you want to put the diamond into? I want to make sure I recommend the right color grade for it.

The style setting I like is classic 2mm platinum or white gold (not sure yet) solitaire 6 or 4 prong.

Great, thanks a lot.

For a simple solitaire setting, you can easily go with a slightly lower color grade (J+) and it would look amazing. There are no additional diamonds to make a color difference.

I found these two fantastic options with a gorgeous cut:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7767689?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.73-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7051796?a_aid=dmnd1357
Even though these two aren’t True Hearts, they both are excellent options. Keep in mind that TH is not an official GIA grade and it’s completely subjective. We don’t find these cuts consistently more brilliant than our own selection.

They’re both great.

But I’m still afraid it will look a little yellow because of J color. But you’re saying that with a simple 4 prong solitaire setting it would not appear “yellow” or “brown” to the naked eye?

What do you think about this diamond?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6931514?a_aid=dmnd1357

Do you still recommend the ones you sent?

Most people find the J color absolutely colorless in a solitaire. That’s why I had no problems recommending those two stones. If you are color sensitive, we can go one grade up to be on the safe side, but I wouldn’t go higher than that. It would be a waste of money as it would look completely identical to the lower grades.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6931514?a_aid=dmnd1357
This diamond is a no go. It has strong fluorescence which would make it look dull and hazy. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/

Do you have 1-2 options for one grade color up? I really like the 1.55 carat you send me, I just want to see more options.

I really like the 1.45 carat option, is there anything similar to that one but 1.50 carat? I think is the perfect size, no more than 1.5.

Well, if you look at the size of the 1.45ct and this 1.50ct (the one you sent me before), you can see that the 1.45 is actually larger than the other one. Keep in mind that the carat weight is the weight of the diamond, not its size.

Ok perfect. What are your comments on these 2 options that you sent me earlier on:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7767689?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.45-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7629703?a_aid=dmnd1357

I really like these two options, with a classic solitaire 4 prong (platinum or white gold). What do you think?

They both are excellent options. If it was me, I’d go with the cheaper larger option, but if you want to be absolutely sure there wouldn’t be any yellowness, the I VVS2 is the way to go. It’s up to you.

I’ve decided for the 1.45, I really like that diamond. I’m going to purchase that diamond in the coming days and I’ll let you know when I do so. Thank you so much for your help and time. I’ll let you know when I do so.

Could you please help me pick another diamond? Because the one you recommended was recently purchased. I will be making the purchase very soon.

By the way, I recently saw an I color and you’re right is not very different from the J color. So I think I can find a really nice diamond between 8,500 and 9,200 USD. Is there a difference if Im uncertain of wether I set it up with platinum 6 prong o 4 for your search?

Absolutely! Here you go:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.59-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8135596?a_aid=dmnd1357
This is the best option I found for up to $9.2k. It’s gorgeous.

The prongs: It’s more about what you like than anything else. In theory, the less metal is around the diamond, the more diamond can be shown and the more light passes through, i.e. more brilliance. But in reality, the difference is minimal.

Thank you for the fast response. Indeed is a gorgeous diamond. Just to compare, do you have one more option for me? Perhaps 1.50 carat (I know it’s irrelevant in size).

I really like both of them. Next week I’ll make my purchase so it can arrive at the time I need.

If for some reason they’re both sold, I will let you know so you can help me out and choose another one. Thank you so much and I let you know when I make my purchase.

Sounds like a plan.

Keep me posted.

Hope you are doing well. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve made my purchase for this ring:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7559714?a_aid=dmnd1357

I think it is beautiful and know she will love it. I went for the 2.5 mm platinum setting 6 prong what do you think?

That’s wonderful news! You got a gorgeous diamond for yourself 🙂 It’ll really stand out in a solitaire setting and the 6 prongs will add some additional security to the ring.

Let me know how you like it when you receive it.

The ring is absolutely beautiful thank you so much for your time and the whole process she loved it!! I’ve CCed my friend because he would like some advice on the ring as well.

Thank you for such wonderful feedback, I’m so happy you love your new ring! Have your friend message me on this email address and I’ll be happy to help him out as well.

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.
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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.
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  • 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
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