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Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond for a White Gold Tension Setting With a $4,000 Total Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I am looking for an engagement ring with a tension style setting. I don’t see anything that is purely tension on Blue Nile or James Allen but I’m willing to get one that looks like a tension setting.

James Allen used to have a lot of tension setting options but I’m guessing they change the inventory because not a lot of people were interested in them.

Did you see a setting that you like on either site? And what diamond would you be interested in?
Do you have a ballpark budget for the diamond alone or the whole ring?

This is my current pick:

14K White Gold Intertwined Bypass Tension Setting Engagement Ring

And my budget is $4k for the setting and diamond.

Is there any other providers you can recommend if I do want an actual tension setting?

I found some tensions on Brian Gavin, but their diamonds are generally much higher priced because of their perfect cut. But look for yourself:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/search/?q=tension?a_aid=y

For the JA setting, here’s a diamond that would be perfect:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9246473?a_aid=dmnd1357

The VVS clarity wasn’t chosen on purpose, it just happened to be the best option. Because the diamond in a tension setting doesn’t have prongs, you have to be more careful about inclusions since there is nothing that could hide them.

Yes, these are nice but they are getting out of my budget.

For the diamond, I was told I should probably look for color H and higher. Also apparently the eight pointed “star” in the center is important. What do you think of this one?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.76-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9382265?a_aid=dmnd1357

I don’t have a problem with an I color diamond. You’re not putting it into a halo, so an H color isn’t necessary.

The diamond you found isn’t the best option. Strong fluorescence on such a high color usually causes a hazy/milky look in daylight. Also, the table is a bit too big.

The arrows show how well the diamond is cut. Theoretically speaking, the more pronounced they are, the better. However, as long as the diamond is cut within a proper range (even if the arrows aren’t perfect), the real difference is negligible to the naked eye.

If you want an H color diamond, here are two that look amazing:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.77-carat-h-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7801784?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.75-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-8180010?a_aid=dmnd1357

Three of them are IGI which isn’t a good lab: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/igi/

The last one is a GIA diamond but it’s a bit too deep.

I’d sill choose between the two I sent you.

I went ahead and ordered the second diamond you selected because the first wasn’t available.

Thank you so much for your help!!

That’s fantastic news! I’m glad I could help you find something you really liked.

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!
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.
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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