We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.
Hi, I hope you can help me find a great deal for a Round Brilliant diamond for an engagement ring. I’m thinking along the lines of a 1.6-1.7 carat diamond but of course any savings will be more than welcome 🙂 Also, how important is it that the diamond I buy comes with any certification (be it GIA, AGS)?
My girlfriend is quite petite, so I think a simple/plain ring setting will look best. Can you recommend a setting that will go well with the diamond?
Thanks!
1) Under no circumstances should you consider a diamond without GIA/AGS certification. Anyone who tries to push something else on you does not have your best interests in mind.
2) What is your ballpark budget?
Thanks for your reply.
1) OK got it.
2) Ballpark budget is $11k for a 1.4-1.6 carat – is this possible? I’ve been looking at some diamonds on James Allen (after browsing on your website for awhile, it seems like James Allen is quite a popular choice – is there a reason for this?) but the variety of options is quite overwhelming!
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-211635?a_aid=dmnd1357
I read on your website that buying diamonds that are ‘eye clean’ is sufficient for the average person to appreciate, instead of buying something of high cut/clarity/colour and paying an unnecessary premium. I can’t tell just by looking at the pictures online just how good it will look as compared to seeing it in person so I would tend to err on the side of caution and select something of a higher grade. Would appreciate your help! I’m hoping to buy it within this week.
Both of those diamonds are eye-clean, but I would not go with 1.50. It is poorly cut and will look smaller than it really is (because its cut deeply). I would recommend one of these instead:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-208510?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.53-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-212538?a_aid=dmnd1357
We recommend several sites, but JA is the best option for the vast majority of our readers. I can find alternatives from other sites, but a quick look already indicates they aren’t better value for your particular request.
I am looking to use any of these rings to set my diamond:
Colour: As the first two rings will have additional/side diamonds on it, how important is the colour of my diamond? The ones that you have recommended are I colour – how will I know if these diamondswill look colourless as there will be side diamonds to compare them to?
When magnified, the 1.53 carat diamond looks like there are a lot of inclusions. Will this really be clean to the eye? I’m OK to increase my budget to up to $11.5k – 12k if this will help to increase my options.
Hope to hear from you soon as I’d like to confirm my purchase within the next 1-2 days!
The diamond is 100% eye-clean. These images are very high qualified and highly magnified. Also, the settings you have selected do not have prominent side-stones, so I would have no hesitation with an I color.
Thanks for your recommendation – thought I’d let you know that I went ahead with this:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.53-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-212538?a_aid=dmnd1357
and
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/platinum-0.32ct-french-cut-pave-diamond-engagement-ring–item-1301?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thanks again for your help and I look forward to the ring!
That looks like an amazing combo. You got yourself a winner. Let me know how it looks when it arrives.
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.
