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Q&A: Looking for Round or Cushion Cut for Total Budget of $5400

By Mike Fried, Updated October 24, 2017

First off, your site is amazing for new diamond buyers. I feel like it’s really kept me from making a poor decision somewhere else. Ok now to the good stuff. I’m looking for a round or cushion diamond around 1 carat and I’d like to keep the whole ring under $5400. The setting I like is:

https://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-0.32ct-french-cut-pave-diamond-engagement-ring–item-2496?a_aid=dmnd1357

and the two diamonds I am looking at are:

https://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-H-color-SI1-clarity-sku-172675

https://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-J-color-SI1-clarity-Very-Good-cut-sku-127191

Can you tell me your thoughts. Do you have any better suggestions or opinions on which diamond looks best with this setting? Also, would one of these have more “sparkle”?

Thank you so much for the help!

It seems like you have this diamond buying process down pat. I love the first diamond you selected. With that setting you need to stick with H+.

Let me know how it looks when it arrives.

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!
Click to Visit
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.
Click to Visit
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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