Q&A: Choosing a Round Diamond for a Platinum Three-Stone Ring With $17k Total Budget

The first step would be some info about what you’re looking for. There are several types of a setting (solitaire, pave/side stone, halo) in metals such as white/yellow/rose gold, platinum. And of course, the shape of the diamond that will be in the center.

Do you have any specific diamond size and ballpark budget in mind?

Great, that’s very helpful.

There are many setting options out there. I’m going to send you a few of them and you can tell me what you think looks the best:

Pear shape sides:
PLATINUM THREE STONE PEAR AND PAVE SET DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING

Classic Pear Shaped Diamond Engagement Ring

The pear shape side stone setting on BN has larger pears than the JA one and since there is nothing else on the ring, the center really pops up and it looks very elegant. But at the same time, I know that some people enjoy the pave sides (as shown on the JA pear setting) very much. And if you think that your partner would love that style, the JA one is the perfect option.

Baguettes on the sides:
PLATINUM TAPERED BAGUETTE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING

Tapered Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring

There is also another alternative, Brian Gavin (https://www.diamonds.pro/reviews/brian-gavin/). See some ring examples here:

Pear Sidestones with Shoulders
The Summer
Grace 3 Stone Pears
Sasha

The setting prices are similar to JA and BN despite the fact that the quality is higher (they use the best-cut diamond even for their settings and the metal around is always flawless). Brian Gavin would be a great option if you’re seeking the best quality possible and you don’t mind paying extra for it.

Depending on what setting you like the most and what size of the center stone you would like to get, we can continue to the diamond search. Keep in mind that if you choose Brian Gavin, the center stone will be smaller than what you would get from BN or JA. But all three companies have amazing diamonds and you wouldn’t regret buying from any one of them. It’s just a matter of preference.

Let me know what you think of all that.

I found this 2.10ct diamond on JA that would fit well in that ring.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.10-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7326495?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s eye-clean, well cut and will look very bright and brilliant. What do you think of it?

Ohh, OK. In your initial email, you said that your budget is between 15 and 20k, so I assumed it can be whenever in that range. But we could for sure go lower in price. Look at this alternative:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7389896?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s also over 2ct and none of those inclusions will be visible with the naked eye.

There are some inclusions (=imperfections) in the diamond. Almost every diamond has some (https://www.diamonds.pro/diamond-clarity/). But as long as they aren’t easily visible, it doesn’t matter that they are there.

Standard of what? Clarity?
If so, there is no standard. Those side stones are already set in the setting. Quality companies like JA put good looking and cut diamonds there and make sure there isn’t a huge inclusion that would be spotted immediately.

Sometimes it’s a few days, sometimes it’s more. Each setting states how long it takes to get it ready and ship it. If it’s a complicated setting, it can be two weeks. I suggest talking to JA directly and asking them about the specific setting you want and how long it takes to ship the entire ring (with the diamond center). They will be more precise.