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Q&A: Upgrading from .36 Carat to .75 Carat Round Diamond

By Mike Fried,

Hello! I am currently looking to upgrade from a .36 carat round to at least a .75 carat but prefer it be the biggest size for my budget. My budget is 3 K to 3.5 K but less is always better. This is what I have found so far:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-Yellow-Gold-French-Cut-Pave-Ring.html

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1363618.asp

Now my questions for you:

Will the diamond be eye clean?

The stone is J in color with Medium flourescence. Will that work with the G-H color stones in the pave setting?

Should I keep the stone and switch to a a yellow band with no stones? Or could you recommend a better stone to go with the pave setting?

Thanks in advance for your help! I look forward to hearing your opinion. 🙂

Thanks for writing! This is a fantastic combo! But I see the stone is no longer available – did you order it already?

Yes, I did! 🙂 The cost of the stone is $2,340. Is that a good price as well? The ring will not be shipped until June 7th so I can always cancel if you think there is a better stone for the price. Thank you.

Definitely looks like a great deal!  Let me know what you think when it arrives!

Just out of curiosity and if you have time, would you have recommended a different stone for me? I was shooting for as close to a carat as possible with it still being eye clean. I don’t think the color mattered because it will be set in yellow gold.

Would this have been a better choice?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1356666.asp

In theory, that would have been a better option, but if you look at the cert, you’ll see that it only got a “good” cut grade from GIA – so it’s really a very low quality stone. If you wanted to save a few hundred, this would have been a nice option as well:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1346321.asp

I think I will just stick with the stone I picked as there is not much of a size or price difference. If it’s not big enough when it gets here, I can always send it back and get a bigger one…lol. Thanks for your help!

Sounds like a plan!

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.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisal
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