Ask A Diamond Pro: Round Cut for Sapphire Sidestone Setting

Diamond engagement rings are the classic way to say “I love you” and “Let’s spend the rest of our lives together”. People choose different styles of engagement rings and different diamond shapes to go in the middle. But the ring setting itself doesn’t have to contain diamonds. Some people choose plain designs and some opt for more color. Adding a sapphire gemstone to the engagement ring is a great way of making your ring look extraordinary.

One of our readers chose a setting just like that and needed help picking out a round cut diamond for the center.

Here’s the reader’s original email:

This website has turned me into a bit of a diamond nut over the past couple of weeks. Really interesting reading.

I was wondering whether you thought that the feathery white inclusions the diamond linked here: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.61-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-sku-207238?a_aid=dmnd1357 are likely to be visible to the eye? Just for background I’m planning on setting the diamond next to 2 sapphires with a yellow gold band.

Thank you!

The original diamond our reader asked about is no longer available and can’t be seen, but this is a good alternative that looks similar:
0.61ct J SI2 round cut diamond

Finding an eye-clean SI2 clarity diamond isn’t as easy as people sometimes think. In our reader’s case, their diamond’s inclusions were too harsh and visible to the naked eye. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a good SI2 diamond. You just need to know what to look for.

Sapphire Engagement Ring Settings

In recent years, engagement ring settings featuring sapphires have risen in popularity, captivating couples with their timeless elegance and vibrant hues. Famous for their striking blue color, sapphires offer a distinctive alternative to traditional diamond designs, bringing a sense of individuality into the symbol of everlasting love.

Also, being a September birthstone, people often choose to add sapphires to their engagement rings for an additional hint of personality.

What sets sapphire engagement rings apart is their color versatility. While the classic blue sapphire remains the number one choice, a spectrum of colors including pink, yellow, and even the Padparadscha sapphires (very rare and sought-after sapphires with fancy pink-orange color).

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, sapphires symbolize sincerity, loyalty, and fidelity, making them a meaningful choice for couples. The durability of sapphires, ranking just below diamonds on the Mohs scale of hardness (9-Sapphires, 10-Diamonds), ensures a safe choice for everyday wear.

SI2 Clarity Diamond

Finding an SI2 clarity diamond involves selecting a stone with slight inclusions visible under 10x magnification. These imperfections may not be noticeable to the naked eye, making SI2 diamonds an affordable yet attractive option. When purchasing an SI2 diamond, it’s crucial to check a grading report from a reputable gemological laboratory. The best one is the GIA.

The search for an eye-clean SI2 diamond has its challenges (our estimate is that around 70% of all Si2 diamonds are not clean to the naked eye). There are a lot of different types of inclusions, their locations, size, color…all that you need to pay attention to. And if you don’t know what to look for, an SI2 diamond can turn into a nightmare. And the feeling of receiving a diamond ring you spend months picking out, only to notice that it’s dull and lifeless is defeating.

Good online stores, such as James Allen or Blue Nile, have large 360° images that can help people figure out diamond eye-cleanliness. There are a few other things you should keep in mind when choosing an SI2 diamond:

Checking the inclusions in the GIA certificate
Avoiding diamonds with big clouds
Making sure the inclusions are closer to the diamond edges
Looking for inclusions are aren’t clustered together but are more spread out

A well-chosen SI2 diamond can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars (depending on the carat weight) which can then go towards the wedding, honeymoon, or your life together.

SI2 Diamond Options

As mentioned above, it is possible to find a good-looking SI2 diamond. Take a look at the example below. This 0.61ct J color, SI2 clarity round cut diamond looks absolutely stunning. The inclusions are large, they are nicely spread out around the edges and it is beautifully cut. This diamond would look perfect in an engagement ring.

The reader eventually went with this beautiful 0.60ct I color SI2 clarity round cut diamond. The feather is located closer to the edge and the rest of the diamond is absolutely clear. That makes it a perfectly eye-clean SI2 option for an engagement ring.

Final Thoughts

We love saving money on a low-clarity diamond that doesn’t have any eye-visible inclusions. There can be a significant price drop between the SI1 and the SI2 clarity grade so why not pay less for a similar diamond?

When you’re choosing an SI2 clarity diamond, you need to be extremely careful. These diamonds have imperfections that might not be seen easily. Inspect the diamond closely to be sure it’s eye-clean and ensure you get a report from a trusted gemological lab. It might have small flaws, but if you’re careful, you can still find a beautiful diamond for your engagement ring with the help of a reliable jeweler/company.

And if you need any help during the process, don’t hesitate to contact us. One of our experts will be happy to assist you with picking out the perfect SI2 diamond or whatever question you may have.

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. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!

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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

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. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.

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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
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