Q&A: Help Choosing a Round Diamond With a $6,000 Budget

Hello Diamond Pros,

I would like to purchase a diamond ring (for engagement) from James Allen or Blue Nile, at around $6,000.

Below are some specifications I would like:
– around 1 carat
– round
– eye clean

What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) do you want to use? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).

Setting: solitaire. Specifically, we are looking for something similar to this one: ZAC Zac Posen East-West Solitaire Engagement Ring, in which the metal wraps around the stone instead of simply connecting at the bottom of the stone.

Metal: platinum
Carat: ~1c
Diamond shape: round

Please let me know if I can provide any additional information. Looking forward to working with you!

Great, thank you for the info, it helps a lot.

Here’s what I’d recommend for a simple solitaire setting:
Blue Nile LD11908143

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.07-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7713006?a_aid=dmnd1357
These diamonds are fantastically cut, eye-clean and either of them would look absolutely colorless and very bright in a platinum solitaire.

Thank you for the recommendation – these two diamonds look beautiful!

I was wondering whether you think it is worthwhile to go up a level on color (aka color I)?

J color is our usual recommendation for solitaire settings. Most people find it absolutely colorless. If you want to look at higher grades, that’s fine, but it would look identical in a solitaire setting.

After looking at the I-color and J-color diamonds, we have them very similar in color, and the tiny difference are likely not discernible in a solitaire setting. I will let you know as soon as I’ve made the purchase.

Sounds good. Keep me posted.

Diamond purchase has been made.

That’s wonderful news!

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

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