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I know I probably shouldn’t be doing this, but I have been talking to my significant other about rings lately, and I am very curious as to what he would be able to get for around $3000-3500… I would like to have something close to a carat, but is that type of budget for a carat round cut that is a fantasic diamond to the naked eye too low? I guess I just need a realistic idea about how much a nice diamond would cost…. Thanks so much for any advice!
I’d be happy to make some recommendations and guide you through the process. What type of setting are you considering? Yellow gold or white gold/platinum? Will it be a solitaire or does it have sidestones/pave? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).
Let me know and I’d be happy to send you some suggestions.
Thank you so much for your reply! My boyfriend and I have been dating a long time and have recently been talking about getting engaged, but we both are a bit clueless as to what we should expect to realistically pay for a diamond. He tells me that his budget for a diamond is around 3000-3500, but he could possibly go up a couple of hundred if needed. I have chosen to pay for the setting, as I feel that because it will be my ring and on my finger, I want to be able to help out.
Your website has been EXTREMELY helpful!
The type of setting I had in mind was this one from James Allen. It is a 14k white gold pave setting:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7092?a_aid=dmnd1357
Or I even like the 18k yellow gold setting on James Allen:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-yellow-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-735?a_aid=dmnd1357
We would like the center stone to be close to a carat. Like .85 – .90 or something like that. Just wasn’t sure if it was possible to get a diamond that looked nice to the naked eye with our budget and just wanted to know if it was possible. We aren’t exactly ready to buy at this moment (still saving up!), just wanted to know if we have realistic expectations.Thank you so much for your help!
I think this diamond would be a fantastic buy:
It’s a great value and will look fantastic in the french cut pave.
What do you think?
Thanks Mike! It is a beautiful diamond! I have shown it to my boyfriend, but unfortunately we still need to save some money up and cannot get it now. I told him to contact you when the time comes and maybe you could help him then? I just wanted an idea of what we could realistically afford, and you certainly helped with that! Take care!
My pleasure. Let me know if I can help.
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
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
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