Q&A: Looking for a Marquise Cut Diamond Within a $4k Total Budget

Hi. Thanks for the blog/website. Very informative.

As anyone, I want to get the best possible ring for my girlfriend. I am very interested in a marquise cut – I love the style and uniqueness and think it will look great on her finger. She is a smaller size, like 5.5 or maybe 6.

I originally targeted about 3/4 carat for my budget. I can spend $3-4k but prefer to keep it closer to $3k so that we can also get a nice diamond-enhanced band.

I am going to start doing some research on my own but would be interested in hearing your suggestions.

The stone you sent is close, but not quite…:-) After seeing some stones on James Allen, I think I’m going to push toward a 1 carat size. It’s not important to me to be any bigger than that, and 3/4 isn’t out of consideration, but around 1 seems right. I’m willing to spend $4k for the right stone and setting…maybe even a little more if it just feels like the right one.

I’d like to stay D-H if I can, and VVS or better. But I’m throwing these terms around like I know what I’m talking about…:-)

Would you be willing to look at a few stones on James Allen and offer your opinion? I have a list of a dozen or so, but three that seem the best choices.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.80-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-4324035?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.83-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4412647?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.90-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4389360?a_aid=dmnd1357

These seem to offer the best combination of factors and price.

Thanks for taking the time to look at those. So that’s another characteristic I will have to consider.

Still shopping…still browsing…but still anxious to get this done soon so the ring will be ready in time!

The first was on the smaller side, and after seeing the cost online I was motivated to go a bit larger.

The second one is really nice. I was initially shocked a little by the price but after looking at similar stones, it’s becoming obvious that pricing is pretty consistent.

So now I am just considering those available and all the various characteristics and trying to decide.

…

I now have two rings in the shopping cart, ready to buy.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-4397617?a_aid=dmnd1357 (it’s the one you recommended)
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.83-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3656675?a_aid=dmnd1357

I chose the .83 carat stone to keep in line with my budget. It allowed me to also pair it with a platinum setting rather than white gold. I picked a more traditional looking setting that worked great with the marquise shape. I can’t wait to see it!

Hope you have a great day – thanks again for the help.

The ring arrived yesterday, and it is perfect. The stone looks larger than I expected, and I think the setting is a perfect match – gives it a vintage feel.

We’ll see what she thinks in a few weeks!

The packaging from James Allen is on another level! Really adds a nice touch.

Thanks again for the invaluable assistance along the way!