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Q&A: Seeking Diamond for Solitaire Setting on $3-4K Budget

By Mike Fried,

Shape: Princess Cut

Q&A: Seeking Diamond for Solitaire Setting on $3-4K Budget

Ira, I love your site and am so glad that I found it. I have read a lot of the information and checked out the James Allen site. I am comfortable buying a diamond online. I am interested in purchasing an engagement ring and have a budget of $3500 for the diamond. I am interested …


Q&A: Matching Colors of Center & Side Stones

First I’d like to say great site! I read the entire thing and recommended it to a friend. I’m purchasing an engagement ring and the setting I chose is from James Allen: https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/Platinum-3-Stone-Pave-Set-Diamond.html?a_aid=dmnd1357 I’ve done a lot of searching for the center stone using the guidelines from your site. What I’ve noticed is that color …


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Q&A: Cushion Cut Diamond For $10-$15,000

The following question came to us from Matt from Houston: Thanks for providing this website… It has been a wealth of useful information for me 🙂 I’m planning to get engaged early next year and have started to take a look at rings. Based on your article about Diamond Stud Earrings, I have pretty much …


Q&A: Looking for Eye-Clean Cushion Diamond

I have read every single page of your site and have scoured James Allen and Blue Nile for the perfect radiant or cushion cut stone. I have a budget of 6-7 for the entire ring and wedding band, so I am thinking of a diamond in the 4-5 range. I am looking to cut corners …


Q&A: Best Diamond for $4K Budget

Hi. I would like your opinion on the following diamond https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1330627.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 I plan on pairing it with setting 11012W and wedding band 14024W all from James Allen in white gold. Is this a good choice? Do you have another recommendation for a better diamond from the listings on James Allen? I would like to stay …


Q&A: Looking for Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

Love the website! I wrote a paper in college about the diamond industry, De Beers, the initial marketing of diamonds, etc. So understandably I want to make sure I do my research, and get the best bang for the buck. I’d like to get your expert help in picking a diamond. I’ve settled on a …


Q&A: Best Round, Princess, or Radiant for $4000 Budget

I’m looking for a solitaire diamond ring for my wife. My budget would ideally be under $4000-4500 and I would like the best stone for the money. I’m looking at stones between 0.80 – 0.95 carat that are round or princess cut. My wife likes sparkly stones, so it would need to have an ideal …


Q&A: Princess Cut, Fluorescence & Sapphires

I am currently in the planning stage of ring shopping, and you website has been incredibly helpful. After reading through your site, and doing lots of recon, I’ve been looking at diamonds and settings trying to make a plan and a budget. I do have a few questions: After browsing through settings on James Allen, …


About the author

Mike Fried Mike Fried Mike Fried has over 25 years experience in the diamond industry working with Leo Schachter Diamonds, Moshe Namdar Diamonds, and joining The Diamond Pro in 2007. He is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as Us, People, Page Six, The Next Web and more.

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