We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.
Hello,
I need assistance with finding an excellent cut round diamond that would sparkle like no other. My budget is $5-6k. The diamond will be set in yellow gold (J/K color allowed), and could be any carat weight (although I was ideally thinking around 1 ct.)
I found these options
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8678199?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thank you so much for responding! I checked out the recommended stones and realized I should have spoken a bit about budget. I’m hoping to spend no more than $5500 on the stone itself so I won’t exceed $6,000 with setting. However, I have about $1,000 in wiggle room since I could choose a plain wedding band over the one I currently selected.
Noting you state K+ is recommended for yellow gold, it seems I can get within my range by going down a color grade. I located this stone at a price of $5,490. Using the ranges you provided for a superbly cut round, it seems like it should perform well?
Thank you for the additional info. I just recommended the diamonds that were in the same budget as the stone you initially asked about. But it’s not a problem at all to find some cheaper ones.
For a yellow gold solitaire setting you can choose a K colored diamond. It won’t look any yellow in this type of setting because the color will be absorbed by the darker ring (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/). However, if the ring has white gold prongs and a yellow gold band, I would rather stick with J+. K color works well with a yellow gold band and yellow gold prongs. But J color is the safe side. Could you please send me the link to the setting you like?
As for this diamond www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.54-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-8280636?a_aid=dmnd1357, it’s a superbly cut stone, you are right. I don’t see any red flags. Wonderful choice!
Here is what I found:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.37-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8378655?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7684971?a_aid=dmnd1357
The diamond you found has nice measurements (because of the lower depth %) so it will appear larger.
Thanks for the additional info! I took a peek at the options provided and I think I will stick with the current diamond since there are no red flags, will face up larger, and is confirmed to be superbly cut.
The engagement ring setting is the tapered 6-prong with a white gold basket:
14K Yellow Gold Tapered Six Prong Diamond Engagement Ring
This is the wedding band:
14K Yellow Gold Fishtail Diamond Ring (0.30 CTW)
Prior to considering K diamonds, I noted samples of completed rings on the site that have white gold prongs:
They seem to be okay on screen, but can you go a bit more into the concerns with white gold prongs?
Well, as I said, for white gold solitaire settings, we usually recommend J+ colored diamonds. In case of a yellow gold setting with white gold prongs, K color is kind of a borderline (especially since you are planning to go with a wedding band with diamonds) since the white gold prongs are closer to the diamond than the yellow gold band. But it also depends on how color-sensitive you are. You’re right, the cut helps to “hide” potential yellowish hue.
Also, comparing the color on the screen is tricky – the lighting scenario can be different in each case when recording the diamonds. Worst case scenario, if you end up not liking the combo you chose, you can return it and choose a different one. If you want, I can check for some J colored diamonds but they would most likely be a bit smaller. Or a K colored diamond with strong fluorescence might work (the fluorescence helps a diamond look a tad whiter).
I’m open to considering some smaller sizes and/or fluorescence as long as we stay above 1 ct and remain with an excellent cut. I’m also open to lab-grown if that’s what it takes.
It’s good to know the lighting may be different between videos because I just assumed they were filmed in the same environment. Since I never shopped or owned a diamond, I have no clue how color sensitive I am. I’m typically drawn to warmer tones in general, so I thought it could be the same for diamonds.
Well, sometimes it’s hard to find the right color for each person/setting. It’s subjective, each person likes something else and has a different taste/preferences. It’s true that the melee diamonds in the wedding band are not that big to make a color difference (also, they’re not certified). But as I said, J color is the safe choice. However, if you like warmer tones, K color might be perfect as well.
As for the lab created diamonds, they don’t have any resale value. The value of synthetic diamonds has dropped significantly in time (and that will probably continue). You can read more on this in our recently updated articles: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/lab-diamonds/ and https://www.diamonds.pro/education/diamond-vs-moissanite/. The problem we have with lab created diamonds is that their price isn’t as low as it should be because they have zero resale value. But it’s, of course, up to you which way you choose to go.
How about this one?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.33-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8669449?a_aid=dmnd1357
Wow- definitely not going with lab grown. Such a great article!
If I change the setting to one with gold prongs: 14K Yellow Gold Split Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring, does that eliminate the concern with K?
Theoretically yes since the prongs are made of yellow gold.
I just pulled the trigger on this one: www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.54-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-8280636?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thank you so much for your help!
My pleasure.
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
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
Still afraid of getting ripped off?
Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.
Ask your diamond purchase question here
DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.
