Q&A: Experience Shopping for a Diamond Pendant on a 5k Budget

Hi,

I’m in the process of looking for a diamond for a pendant necklace to give to my fiance on our wedding day.

This is the setting I think I’ll go with (18K White Gold 4 prong basket):
18K WHITE GOLD FOUR PRONG WIRE BASKET SOLITAIRE PENDANT (MOUNTING)

I’m looking at round diamonds. I’ve been looking at only “True Hearts” cut diamonds. Which leads me to question
1). Do I gain a lot going from “Ideal” cut to “True Hearts” on James Allen website. Based on my research in the past, I know cut is at the top of importance, so I’m thinking the answer is yes, but want to make sure.

As far as Color, I’ve narrowed down to G,H,I,J based on past research for the engagement ring with the top cut quality.

For Clarity, I’m looking at anything SI2 and above. My big thing here is that I want it to be clear to the naked eye and have less noticeable inclusions. I know that clarity is based on a number of different things, and this is an area where a great value can be found with a lower clarity diamond that is clear to the naked eye.

For carat, I’m looking at rings around 1.0 Carats. Specifically, I’d like to be as close to 1 carat or slightly over, but not any lower than 0.8 carats.

I would like to keep the budget for the diamond to under 5K, and if I can get a great diamond to meet my criteria and closer to 3K or 4K, I’m all for it.

I truly appreciate your help with this, and all the help your site and your team have been.

Thanks so much for your help and suggesting a few beautiful diamonds.

Quick question: Does the “TH” diamonds get labeled based on the precision of the proportions, or is it based on something else? I ask because with the diamonds that you recommended, the proportions and cut look just slightly off of the TH proportions, but still look to be in the range of “excellent” cut. So, I’m wondering if with the diamonds you recommended, do you think there would be a difference in the brilliance of the diamond than a TH? I know that might be tough to answer, but just want to make sure I’m not losing brilliance if I don’t go with TH.

Were these diamond that best eye clean that you saw in that 0.8 to 1.0 carat range? Looks like there were a few TH diamonds in a similar carat and price range, but maybe they weren’t as eye clean?

When I look at the two diamonds, here is what I notice:
1) The first has a better clarity grade and it’s much harder to see the inclusions in the 10X magnification. It has very good symmetry.
2) The second looks to have slightly better proportions, and has an excellent symmetry, but is SI1 and easier to see inclusions. It’s also 0.01 carats larger, and $40 more expensive.

Would you say the second is more expensive due to the slightly higher carat, or the slightly better cut? Seems like the first is much clearer at 10X magnification, but you think they are both eye clean?

When I look at 10X, the first looks nicer because I can’t see the inclusions. But, I know the second is cut slightly better with Excellent Symmetry. Would that be a more brilliant diamond since they are both eye clean?

Sorry for all the extra questions. I truly appreciate all the help, just want to understand the differences so I can make the best choice.

Thanks so much for the great feedback, and for the additional diamonds. All very beautiful!!!

I will let you know when I purchase the diamond and pendant.