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Hey there. I’m looking for a round stone that is very well cut. I don’t mind going lower in clarity as long as the diamond is totally eye clean. I also don’t mind dropping the color a little bit if it won’t be super apparent. My budget is around $10-12k for the diamond.
What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) do you want to use? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).
Platinum ring, simple.
For a simple solitaire setting, you can go as low as a J color with no problems at all. Something like this would look amazing:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.63-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-6434119?a_aid=dmnd1357
The high clarity grade is just a coincidence, it was the largest eye-clean option I found. It has a gorgeous cut and will have a lot of brilliance.
Do you think the low color will be noticeable with the platinum setting?
Most people find the J color absolutely colorless in a simple solitaire, there are no additional diamonds to make a color difference. But if you are extremely color sensitive or you’re planning on having a diamond wedding band, it would be a good idea to go one grade up to be on the safe side. Just let me know.
She only wants a plain wedding band. Would your recommend platinum or white gold?
And the diamond is great! I’ll probably get it.
For metal, we always recommend white gold over platinum because of the huge disparity in upfront costs: https://www.diamonds.pro/jewelry-precious-metals/. Both metals require upkeep every few years. WG needs to be dipped to retain its color and luster while PT needs to be cleaned and polished because it gets scratched and duller over time. So in the end, platinum costs you more in the beginning and doesn’t end up saving you any money in the long run.
If you like that diamond, go for it, it’s an excellent option.
Can you let me know if you think this is eye clean?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.67-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-7992321?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is not such a great option. Medium fluorescence might make it look hazy in daylight. For DEFG diamonds only none or faint fluorescence is acceptable.
What do you think of this?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.59-carat-i-color-vvs1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-5453106?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is absolutely stunning, I couldn’t find a better option myself. Well done!
Thanks! I’ll go ahead with the last one.
I’m glad I could help.
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
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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