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Q&A: Help Finding a Lab Made Round Diamond Within a $4.5k-$5.5k Budget

By Mike Fried, Updated May 10, 2021

I want to buy an oval, lab created diamond. 1.65-1.75 carats, ideal cut, F or G color, VS2.

All things being equal, she/we like the larger ratios for the oval (1.36 or above)

Can you help me find some great diamonds to buy? Thank you.

Can you give me your ballpark figure of what you’re looking to spend? It will help me understand what we’re working with and what options I can find for you.

I’m happy to spend around $4,500-5,500 with some wiggle room.

Here’s what I found that I thought would be a fantastic choice for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.69-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-10144375?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.73-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10143696?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.69-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-10144026?a_aid=dmnd1357
They have a nice cut and a minimal bow-tie. All of them would be very bright and brilliant in real life.

I like them and I’m surprised how colorless the first one (G) looks. Could you find me a few good ones that are a little bigger, maybe in the 1.75-2 range?

I’m glad you liked them.

Just a note though: you don’t base the color choice on the pictures on the website, there’re various factors that can affect how the diamond looks (especially the lighting in the room where the video was recorded). It doesn’t matter if one of the diamonds looks more colorless than the other. That’s not so important there.

Here are some larger options:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.85-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-10115101?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.05-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10144140?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.05-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10144025?a_aid=dmnd1357

Ok, we are rapidly narrowing and I’m getting close to deciding. These are probably my two favorites; I may want something in the middle price-wise:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.73-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10143696?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.85-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-10115101?a_aid=dmnd1357

What about either of these two? I welcome your thoughts. Thank you.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.85-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10115131?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.00-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10144029?a_aid=dmnd1357

I wouldn’t recommend either of them:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.85-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10115131?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one has a VERY strong bow-tie.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.00-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10144029?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one has an ugly shape and is pretty bad overall.

If it helps, check out the measurements of these two. The 1.73 is basically the same size as the 1.85ct:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.73-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10143696?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.85-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-10115101?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks, this is why I rely on your great insight. Ok, so you’re saying the 1.73 isn’t that different and is significantly less money? I think the 1.73 makes the most sense then.

Keep in mind that the carat weight is not a good indicator of how big a diamond is. It always depends on the way it’s cut. The 1.73 is perfect and it’s a great value for the price.

I bought it, thank you again for your help.

That’s great news! I’m glad I could help you decide on the diamond.

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!
Click to Visit
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.
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  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
  • Free ring inscriptions
  • Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
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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.
Click to Visit
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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