Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond for a Micro-Pave Setting Within a $15k Total Budget

Hi,

First off thanks for all the detailed information available on your website – it really helped me get my bearings in the world of diamonds. It has been very helpful in the past when shopping for diamond stud earrings but now I’m hoping for some more personalized help shopping for an engagement ring!

My girlfriend’s friends have indicated that the most important thing for her is that it has the most ‘sparkle’. My budget is $14k (aiming for 15k all in with roughly 1k for the setting) though that could be stretched slightly if there is something exceptional you would recommend where the value for paying slightly more is significant.

I am looking for a round stone and am mostly focused on getting a high quality diamond and then getting whatever the largest in carats that fits within the budget. I don’t want to pay significantly for features that won’t really affect the look of it, but had mostly been looking for color of F or better, Excellent/Ideal cut or better (couldn’t really tell if the things like ‘True Hearts’ or other premium cuts at online retailers actually make a difference if you’re not inspecting it under special tools), and clarity of VVS2 or better. If any of those thresholds don’t make sense I could easily be misinterpreting what I’ve read but that was my starting point (I’m more than happy to be corrected).

In case it matters to your advice – I’ve picked out this setting as an example: 18K YELLOW GOLD PETITE PAVE ENGAGEMENT RING (FLUSH FIT) or something equivalent from another retailer.

Please let me know what other information you would need from me and thanks very much in advance for any help you can provide!

Thanks for the comments regarding clarity – that makes sense and was definitely the area I was least understanding.

My only follow up question based on the suggestions you sent would be the color grade. I may be totally imagining it based on the ratings, but when I look at the 360 views of those diamonds rotating I feel like I am seeing some yellow in the diamonds you suggested vs when I look at some of the F diamonds I had previously considered looked at.
When you say eye-clean does that mean the color will appear the same to the naked eye or is that just related to the clarity?

I totally get what you’re saying about it having to be compared to a specific background with a loupe to see the color. That said – I would still rather get a higher quality diamond so long as I’m not getting ripped off for it. I recognize that I am paying for some attributes that I won’t be able to appreciate with the naked eye, but can still appreciate the quality of the stone.
I appreciate your advice as it regards getting the biggest diamond that will look the best to the naked eye but am willing to pay a slight premium for what is actually a better diamond so long as it’s not ridiculously priced.

For an example – does the below diamond look like a reasonable option to you (still eye clean etc) and not massively overpriced for what it is?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.60-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5829836?a_aid=dmnd1357

I hope this doesn’t seem like I’m blowing off your advice but if I’m being realistic I need to get something that will impress her family and friends as well just based on the ratings even if they would be clueless looking at it.

One more question as I narrow down to my final decision – could you recommend something if I drop the color to a G or H with the other attributes as discussed? For instance, I was looking at the below if I decide to go somewhere in the middle on the color.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5786562?a_aid=dmnd1357

That one looks great! Unfortunately, I think someone might have beat me to it because I see its already been purchased when I look at it (unless the ‘pending sale’ is something you do). Are there any others you would recommend?

I noticed on that one it has medium fluorescence. Out of curiosity why is that not a factor here vs the one you said would appear hazy in daylight due to fluorescence?

Ah thanks I misunderstood the plus haha.

Thanks so much for all your help and putting up with all my questions!