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Q&A: Help Finding a Round Diamond for Around C$2,500 Budget

By Mike Fried, Updated June 29, 2020

Hi,

I am looking to purchase a diamond for an engagement ring. I currently reside in Canada and was wondering whether it would be better for me to go to an in-person jeweler or purchase something online from James Allen or Blue Nile and exercise their return policy if I do not like the diamond.

My budget is not that high, looking to spend $2,500 CAD tax inclusive. Any recommendations for optimal colour clarity carat for this price range? I know I want a round shape, so that is fixed.

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

You’re right, you can get better value online (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/buy-diamonds-online/. Brick and mortar stores can’t compete with online vendors in terms of price. If you buy from a reputable company, it’s not risky at all – companies like Blue Nile or James Allen are hassle-free when returning the product (these companies even pay for the return shipping). We usually recommend Blue Nile to our readers from Canada.

If you want me to make some specific recommendations, can you please tell me what setting style (solitaire/pave/side stones/halo) and metal (white gold/platinum/yellow gold/rose gold) you’re planning to go with? Different settings suit different colors better (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/).

So I am looking to buy a pave diamond setting with a solitaire or a classic solitaire. I am not looking at side stone settings. Basically, I want to purchase the engagement ring right now and then match it later with a wedding band that can complement the engagement ring.

As for metal, I was looking at white gold or rose gold, the former being preferred. I am also considering rose gold if it complements the stone. Not looking to spend too much so if I can mask a few visual imperfections by complementing the stone with a rose gold metal, I am open to it.

Thank you for the additional info. Choosing a setting and metal is a matter of personal taste and preference. If you are considering a pave ring, I would suggest choosing an I colored diamond to avoid any yellowish hue.

Here’s what I found:
Blue Nile LD11397613
Blue Nile LD12276076

For the recommendations, I am a fan of both of them. There seems to be a slight difference in price, wondering why that would be?

Could you make recommendations for 0.7-0.75ct stones for a solitaire setting?

The price difference depends on many things: where the stone comes from, carat weight, how it’s cut (different proportions), the location of inclusions, different grades for polish/symmetry, different color, and clarity grades, etc. I personally like the 0.60ct one more because the 0.59ct stone has a feather that slightly enters the table. But it shouldn’t be visible to the naked eye at all. Also, the medium fluorescence helps the diamond look a tad whiter.

Here are my recommendations for solitaire settings:
Blue Nile LD12232596
Blue Nile LD11022782

I like this one the most: Blue Nile LD12232596

I’m very happy you like it!

I just placed the order.

Thank you for all your help.

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.
  • 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.
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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