Q&A: Need Help Picking Round Diamond for $4K Budget

I’ve been looking over your site for the past few days, and wanted to thank you; it’s an excellent resource.

I’m looking for a diamond, round cut, that will be set in a platinum solitaire setting. My budget for the stone is up to about $3.5k – $4k, and I’m pretty much looking to get the best stone in that budget. So far, I’ve been looking at stones in the G-I color range, VS2/SI1/SI2 and Ideal cuts.

I was looking at some stones on James Allen, and I found the stones below, and was wondering if you could offer some guidance on how you feel they would look set, or if you could offer any better alternatives.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1353916.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1344749.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1355089.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1358918.asp

Also, if I did order from James Allen, do you think it’s worthwhile to have them put the stone in a setting, or do you think I’d be better off having it set locally in Chicago?

Thanks in advance

Thanks for the fast reply. I’ll most likely pick a setting from JA.

Do you think either of the two diamonds below would be a better option? Picking diamonds is definitely a little nerve wracking.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1353916.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1353862.asp

Thanks for all the help!
…….
Sorry for the back-to-back emails. I also came across this stone: https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1211216.asp

The inclusion looks like it’s at about the 6-o’clock position, which I imagine could be covered by a prong (I’m thinking about this setting: https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-White-Gold-Thin-Cross-Prong-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html)

Let me know your thoughts on what you feel the best choice would be.

Thank again

Thank you very much. I’m going to call James Allen and place the first one (1355089) on hold as soon as they open; I’m hoping to order the ring today or tomorrow. I’ll be sure to send you a picture.

One final round of stones – I upped the price range a little bit (up to 4450 or so)… Do you believe any of these stones might look better, or be a better value? All but one are in the J-color category, and all are just over 1 carat. Do you think that will make a large difference in appearance; color vs. size, etc (the other stone is an I)?

I know as you said on your page that you do get a referral commission for these. Is there anything I need to do to make sure that you are credited properly? Additionally, other than writing a glowing review on ivouch, is there anything else I can do to compensate you for your time? Having someone who is uninterested in moving a particular piece of inventory, and simply willing to offer advice is a wonderful assistance, and makes this process far less difficult and stressful.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1339479.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1332362.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1294243.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1330014.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1351117.asp ** This one I think is the least likely…

Once again, thank you for all the help, it is greatly appreciated.

Which stone? I’m not seeing the VG in the list. I have two on hold right now, 1355089 and 1339479. Was it one of them?

Thanks!

I just ordered that stone with this setting: https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-White-Gold-Thin-Cross-Prong-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html

I’ll send you a picture of the ring once it arrives.

Thanks again for all the help Ira!

Ira,

I got the ring, and everything turned out great. Thanks again for all the help.