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Q&A: Choosing a Diamond for a Yellow Gold Pave Ring With $3,500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I came across your website while searching for information about diamonds and how to order online.

I had two questions – One was that when looking at the high quality 360 views of diamonds online, what should I be looking for? Should there be black lines (arrows?) or should it be more white there? Does this black lines mean that the diamond will look more dull and less polished/bright?

Secondly, I found a setting that I love at James Allen and was wondering if you could suggest any diamonds which might go well with it. The link to the setting is here:
14K Yellow Gold Pavé Rope Engagement Ring

Budget for just the diamond: $3-3.5k.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9554477?a_aid=dmnd1357
How does this look? 

As long as the diamond has a nice cut, the pattern (“arrows” or “lines”) is not important. It has more to do with the way the video was taken than anything within the diamond. JA focuses on the technical side of the diamonds in their photos (inclusions, symmetry and in case of fancy shapes, bow-tie and black windowing).

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9554477?a_aid=dmnd1357
As for this diamond you sent me, I wouldn’t recommend it. It has strong fluorescence that might give it a hazy/milky look in daylight.

Here’s what I’d go instead:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.85-carat-i-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9833296?a_aid=dmnd1357
The high clarity grade is just a coincidence, it was the largest options I found for up to $3.5k. It has a beautiful cut and would be very brilliant. If you look at the real measurements, it’s basically the same size as the 0.9ct stone.

After careful consideration, I decided to bump up to a higher limit of $4,000. These are the ones I’ve shortlisted since. Any opinions or thoughts on these?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10221545?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10109935?a_aid=dmnd1357
I think I’m leaning towards the first one. Any other ones you would recommend?

Your newest findings are both absolutely gorgeous. Well done!

I also found this one that’s the largest of them all:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.88-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10085111?a_aid=dmnd1357
It also has a stunning cut.

I think I’m going to move forward with the 10221545. It has no fluorescence and the proportions look slightly better than the others. All of this I’m sure is just measured and not layman noticeable but seems like the better value regardless.

Thank you for your help.

Happy to help.

The 10221545 is a wonderful choice and will make a beautiful ring.

I received the ring this past weekend and you were right, the diamond does have a lot of sparkle and the sparkles catch a lot of color when under LED lights.

Thank you so much for your feedback!

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!
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
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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.
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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