Q&A: Recommendation for Round Diamond for $4-5K Budget

Hi, great site! Quick question. I’m in the market for an engagement ring and am looking for a ~1 ct round diamond $4-5K USD. A local family-owned jeweler is recommending what they call an ”eighternity” 1.03 ct diamond with H color and SI2 clarity (GIA) for ~$6500. Obviously it’s over my budget but compared to what I see on jamesallen it seems overpriced. It does look very nice compared to other cheaper stones. Are you familiar with ”eighternity” stones? Do you have any recommendations for stones in the $4-5K range.

“Eighternity” is just another gimmicky branded diamond. They were created as a way to trick customers to pay more for a diamond than they would otherwise. Here’s what I like:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1378314.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1377423.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1372003.asp (you can put a prong over the inclusion on the side, and nobody will ever notice it)

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1378307.asp

Let me know what you think of these!

Ira, thanks so much for your help! What do you think of the following stones?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1371015.asp (has a small inclusion near center)

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1364230.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1376836.asp

On your James Allen review it seems you really lucked out on a great J SI2 one carat stone at a great price. Any others like that?

I’m not crazy about these because of the clarity. Are you setting the stone in a plain solitaire, or in a ring with side stones?

Hi Ira, so the stones didn’t have great clarity? How can you tell?

Attached is a picture of the setting I plan on getting. It’s got stones on the side.

Do you know the color of the small stones? I generally don’t recommend Js for rings like this.

I believe they are VS-1, E-G color.

Then I think a J would be a bit too low. I would stick with an H or I.

What about these, all are at least H.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1378307.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1371016.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1360062.asp

I’d go with the first one. The G SI1 is not a nice cut. And the 1.02ct H SI2 is just so much more money than the 0.92 – I don’t see it being worth it.

Sorry for taking your time Ira, could you take a look at the following two?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1378322.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1382156.asp

I especially like the second. Your thoughts?

Both are beautiful stones. No question.

Thanks so much for your help! I just bought the second one. You’be been a lifesaver!

Great news! Please stay in touch and let me know what you think when it arrives!

Congrats!

Ira, the diamond was beautiful and it looks amazing in the ring. Truly a top notch stone. And she said yes!

Wonderful news! Thanks so much for writing to let me know!

Thanks again, and congratulations!!

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

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

Still afraid of getting ripped off?

Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.

Ask your diamond purchase question here

DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.

Q&A: Recommendation for Round Diamond for $4-5K Budget

Still afraid of getting ripped off?

Ask your diamond purchase question here

Diamond Pro