Q&A: Looking for a Round or Cushion Cut Diamond for a White Gold Twisted Pave Setting With a $5,000 Budget

Hello. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with my options here. I’ve picked out a somewhat simple white gold setting from James Allen but now I have the daunting task of choosing a diamond. Here is the setting I’ve picked out:

14K White Gold Twisted Pave Shank Contemporary Solitaire

I want an Ideal or True Hearts cut with at least an I color. I’m trying to find the highest carat without going too far over $5,000. What I keep getting stuck on is clarity. I don’t want to spend money on a smaller high clarity diamond when I could get a larger lower clarity diamond that’s still eye clean.

I’d appreciate any recommendations you have. I’ve read through most of the guides on this site and have learned a lot already but I still want to make sure I’m making the best choice I can. Thanks for your help.

I’m looking for a round diamond but I would also be open to a cushion cut. It’s important to me that the diamond is brilliant and really stands out on it’s own.

I definitely like both the 1.05 and 1.14 carat rounds that you chose. Those cushion cuts look nice but after looking at them in the setting I want to stick with a round shape.
What do you think about this 1.0 carat F color round?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7863523?a_aid=dmnd1357

I hadn’t even considered the fluorescence thanks for pointing that out! I definitely want to avoid a hazy look. This is exactly why I sought help from the pros.

I’m leaning towards the 1.14 carat over the 1.05 because it’s a higher carat but also a higher quality diamond with more sparkle based on what some of the James Allen experts told me when I requested the certs. Would you agree with that statement? It’s still within my budget so I think the extra ~$400 will be worth it.

If you have any other recommendations I’d love to see them but I’ll be surprised if you find one better.

Very bad news. It looks like I waited too long and that 1.14 diamond is no longer available. I will keep the 1.05 in mind but I’m going to keep looking with the specs you recommended.

I’m learning more with each diamond I look at. After a few days of searching I cannot find a better diamond than the 1.05 that you found that isn’t $1,000 more. At $4,280 I don’t think I can pass that up. As much as I’ve enjoyed the search I believe it’s time to buy. Unless you have any last minute suggestions I’ll be purchasing this diamond that you recommended.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.05-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8030748?a_aid=dmnd1357

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I purchased it yesterday. Thanks again for all your help.