Q&A: Best Round Diamond for $4K Budget

Your website is incredible. This is full of amazing information and myth buster for many like me. I would love if you can help me figure out what would be best for my budget.

I am looking for a ring in 4000-5000 (Max) budget for my wife.

1. The goal is to get the best diamond around 4000 USD.

2.I am confused about the shape Personally I like round shape. Willing to consider princess cut if diamond is too good.

3.You did mention that color does not matter if it is round shape. I would prefer H color for any shape. ”I” may be acceptable for round.

4. Clarity VS2/VS1. I definitely dont want anything in the middle that may appear obvious.

5. I would also appreciate if you can suggest a setting. Simpler the better. I like solitaire setting.

Thanks for your thoughts and help.

Thanks for writing and the kind words about the site! You’ve probably noticed that I have CCed to this email someone named Michael. Michael is a former colleague of mine when I was a traveling diamond salesman. We’re also good friends and actually used to travel quite often together. I’ve convinced Michael to join me here at The Diamond Pro to help out people like you. He’s just joined, so in the meantime, I want him to “watch” as I help people so he can get a feel for what I do.

Do you know which shape your wife likes best? It’s really impossible to compare princesses with rounds. They’re two completely different animals. It’d be easier to pick the one you (or she) likes best, and then focus on that.

Thanks for your reply and willingness to help.

Since I am planning a surprise, I would go with my choice for now. I think we can concentrate on round diamond.

Ok, great! So here’s what I like for you:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1370581.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1384866.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1385418.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1391371.asp

I know these are SI1s and you requested VS1/VS2, but there’s nothing to worry about here. These stones will definitely be eye clean.

Let us know what you think!

Thanks for your input. I think I can see inclusions on 1st two choices. Choices 3-4 seems good.

I know you mentioned that on your website that if we are using white gold in round diamond color does not matter that much. Does true cut heart cut has any advantage over ideal cut ? If so why true heart cut is priced less.

I am wiling to nudge up the budget to 4400-4500 if that helps is looking for strikingly better diamond.

I truly appreciate your time and help as I am really poor in figurin this out.

Welcome to the crazy world of diamonds! The True Hearts stone is cheaper because it’s a 0.79ct stone while the other one is 0.80ct. See this article:

http:///diamond-prices/

I’m not sure nudging up in budget will make much of a difference. I think the TH stone is a great choice because at 0.79ct it’s a great value. I think it offers a bit more brilliance than the “regular” ideal cut stones.

I like the one you suggested with TH cut. What do you think about these? They are in VS2. Are they worth the upgrade. How much difference it would make in appearance if its 0.75 ct vs 0.79 ct.?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1390749.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1391350.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1382612.asp

I like these settings

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-Pave-Set-4-Prong-Ring.html

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channelset-rings/White-Gold-Engagement-Ring.html

All smaller diamonds are F, G or H color. would it matter if I choose main diamond as I color???

Thanks for your input.

All three are nice stones. I don’t think it would be a problem to set an I color in these rings. There’s no noticeable difference between the 75 and 79 point stones.

Thanks so much for your help. I truly appreciate your selfless eye for diamonds to help others. I loved the TH cut that you originally suggested with this setting

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1391371.asp Diamond

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-0-20ct-Pave-Knife-Edge-Engagement-Ring.html Setting

Just when I was about, my wife spoilt my surprise and came to know about it. She was ecstatic to hear that I was planning this. Actually we are expecting a baby anytime now and want to gift this to her. But as she was ecstatic, her “homemaker” sense prevailed and she wants to look for something slightly cheaper. She loved the setting though.

So here once again, I would like your thoughts on this diamond vs the TH diamond that I love.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1380849.asp

This is about 500 USD cheaper which in the scheme of things is not much but at the same time if in your mind diamond as very good we would love to save more money for our “new addition”.

Again, thank you so very much for your time and energy.

I think the stone would be equally as beautiful. The difference in size would be noticeable, but only JUST BARELY so. And that’s loose. The difference probably wouldn’t be noticeable in a mounting.

I ordered the ring today. I decided to go with original choice and your recommendation. I went into a Jared store and looked into their ideal cut diamonds vs Very good cut diamonds vs their “leo” diamonds. The ideal cut diamonds appeared more sparkly, so decided to go for TH cut one. I don’t buy rings for my wife very often so 500 extra USD didn’t appear much in such scheme of things.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1391371.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-0-20ct-Pave-Knife-Edge-Engagement-Ring.html

I truly appreciate your help. Will let you know how it turns out.

Thanks again

Sounds great! Please stay in touch and let me know what you think when it arrives!

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