Bit of a conundrum

[Austina]

I'm hoping for your help and opinions please.

I've fallen in love with a setting from James Allen https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-triple-row-pave-halo-engagement-ring-item-49996 One of the reasons it particularly appeals to me is because I like to wear just one ring, rather than a stack.

My questions are:

My budget doesn't allow for spending 1000's on a diamond, but I'm hoping to get a 6mm good diamond for say $3000, so the total budget is $6000ish. Will this size stone be swamped by the setting? Obviously for that price the stone isn't going to be a top colour, will the halo stones look distinctly whiter? Would it be better to go for a less fancy setting and a bigger/better diamond?

I specifically want a platinum setting and a big look, yes, I know, I want it all!

Thanks in advance.

 

[ringo865]

You could get a $5k diamond in a simple, but beautiful, solitaire for now, then save up for a $3k setting later. Otherwise if you get that setting now and later want a bigger stone, you have to upgrade/upsize the setting.

 

[ac117]

If you like bold and a multi-band look, then by all means get what YOU want and like and don't let us persuade you otherwise! Definitely a good choice going with platinum since that setting has lots of pave. If you look down at recently purchased, there are two rings-one with .70 and one with .80 and both I color. They look slightly tinted there but I don't think that'll be very noticeable in everyday lighting. I think the .80 looks very pretty and gives give you a big look without an astronomical price tag.

That being said....*this* is an amazing stone that gets you 6mm and you would have an H color. There's a small crystal on a facet off to the side at about 7 o'clock but I really think it would be eye clean at this size and they could possibly place a prong near it so it's not distracting:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.82-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2278716
This one is nice too but just under 6mm: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2513915
If you want to save a couple of hundred, these are also nice:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2513674
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2392317

Ask JA if they could provide idealscopes on any of these, too.

 

[Austina]

Wow, thank you all so much for the speedy replies and diamond recommendations

I'm currently in the process of getting a trilogy reset from an 18ct y/g barley twist tension setting in to a simple platinum band, so this will be on the cards for the future, just wanted your expert advice for when funds allow.

 

[AdaBeta27]

I think color down to H would work well. An I with blue fluorescence may also work because it will face up very white whenever UV light is present. It might look a bit creamy if there's no UV light, though. That setting eliminates any profile view except the crown, and profile is usually where any tint is noticed the most.

The difference between the face-up size of those two James Allen diamonds is small enough that I'd call it negligible unless you are comparing those two diamonds unmounted, side by side.

Melee stones always have a different character than the larger H&A center stone. You can see that in the JA video. Their color will probably blend. A rough rule of thumb is 2 color grades, iirc. But I think that rule applies to I and whiter colors, not down into the J / K and lower where you're starting to get into the yellows.

 

[tyty333]

You would be able to get around a .8ish stone. Here is a picture of that setting with a .8ish stone. Do you think it is overwhelming
the diamond? I dont...looks very nice IMO.

 

[Austina]

I looked at the videos, and you're absolutely right, I don't think an .80 stone looks too small in the setting, in fact I think a bigger stone looks a bit too much IYKWIM. Although I could get a bigger diamond in a simple setting, I think it would be lost on my hand, that's why this setting appeals to me so much.

Thanks again for all your input, it's much appreciated.