Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Need help on choosing the right diamond for my budget

S

srslymico

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 10, 2017
Messages
6
Hello,

I'm looking to buy a diamond for an engagement ring pretty soon. It will be set on a white gold solitaire setting. My budget is around $4000-4500.

The min requirements are:
1. Must be eye clean.
2. Must be at least 1ct.
4. Must look as white as possible on a white gold setting (all angles if possible).

So far, im looking into these:

https://www.bluenile.com/ca/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD09537499
-my concern about this one is that it has a brown tinge. Not sure how noticeable it would be on a white gold setting.

https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD09083007
-worried about how the clouds would affect the overall brilliance of the diamond.

So far, I've done some basic online research and I have no clue what I'm doing! Your expert advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
 
Your links are directing to a general BN page when I click on them but FWIW the brown tinge isn't something to shy away from necessarily if your SO is ok with the color. I have a fancy light brownish yellow and it does not look brown. We set in white gold thinking it would provide more contrast but it didn't really. I love the color personally. You'd probably have to see it in person on a silver background like foil to get a good sense of how it will behave.
 
bludiva said:
Your links are directing to a general BN page when I click on them but FWIW the brown tinge isn't something to shy away from necessarily if your SO is ok with the color. I have a fancy light brownish yellow and it does not look brown. We set in white gold thinking it would provide more contrast but it didn't really. I love the color personally. You'd probably have to see it in person on a silver background like foil to get a good sense of how it will behave.
Click to expand...

Sorry, here are the correct links:
diamond 1 https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09537499
diamond 2: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09083007

I think she would prefer a more icy-white color. Good to know that setting a diamond on white gold wont make a difference. I read an article somewhere that said a diamond would look at least one color grade higher when set on white gold since it would reflect the color of the prongs.
 
I think the impact on color appearance depends on the individual stone and setting which is what makes it hard when shopping online... Good luck! I'm sure a good one is out there and the folks on here can help you find it. :)
 
If you want "icy white", then G is the lowest color you should go. Often, you can pair a high color with a eye-clean SI2. That will mean compromising some other C like cost or size. I'll look for some options in a few hours...gotta feed my hungry boys right now.

Can you clarify your budget. You are looking for $4000-4500 in USD? That is just the diamond, right?
 
Diamonds down to a J can appear quite white from the top. Where color becomes detectable to most people from the side is around a H or I. So, if you want something that is white from all angles, you are talking about color G+. With super-ideal, you might be able to drop to an I as they lower crown angle combined with the cut can make color less detectable. You can also choose wisely with a setting that make seeing the stone from the side harder.

I'm going to suggest you look at spread in mm not carat weight. BN floods their diamonds will more light than JA, so they look whiter but its a photographic setup difference.

Have a look and give us some feedback. JA will allow you to request up to 3 idealscope images (IS) per email, which are important to tell us how the diamond performs. BN has told others that they will not give IS until you buy the diamond. For JA stones, pick your top 3 and place them on hold. Request IS images for any missing them.

Suggested Setting Styles.
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...dern-tulip-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50830
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...e-flower-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-50242
https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1778.htm

Prioritize Color and Size, flex clarity
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3529073 {so this achieves size with G color. The inclusions are dense, but white. This might be eyeclean, but maybe not; 6.51 mm}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...e-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2499040 {not sure if this will be eyeclean}

Prioritize Color from Top (allow down to J) and Size
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3452164 {great angles, lots of little inclusions that will be visible, ask if eyeclean, 6.98 mm}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3268439 {great numbers, most of the inclusions are on the table and all but on would be covered by a prong. There would be a wisp at 9'oclock on the table, confirm eye-clean, 6.60 mm}**best bet if size is your priority

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-j-color-si2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3377328 {Really nice. Gets you to one carat, good angles, AGS0, good IS, 6.37 mm}**

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09444497 {hold ctl or shift when click on BN link, gorgeous and clean, also really nice, 6.43}**

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3512033 {balanced angles, 6.24 mm}

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09294358 {bright and lively, 6.22 mm)

Compromise on size, but get TOTL quality
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3400958.htm {gorgeous, sparkly, smart setting will hide any color, beautiful clarity. slightly above budget.. 6.26 mm}

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8917 {just like the WF diamond, gorgeous. Need a video, but eye-clean. 6.24 mm}

{JA and BN give 100% of cost toward upgrade as long as new diamond is 2x cost;. WF and HPD will give 100 % of cost of diamond toward an upgrade with no required upgrade cost}
 
bludiva said:
I think the impact on color appearance depends on the individual stone and setting which is what makes it hard when shopping online... Good luck! I'm sure a good one is out there and the folks on here can help you find it. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
rockysalamander said:
If you want "icy white", then G is the lowest color you should go. Often, you can pair a high color with a eye-clean SI2. That will mean compromising some other C like cost or size. I'll look for some options in a few hours...gotta feed my hungry boys right now.

Can you clarify your budget. You are looking for $4000-4500 in USD? That is just the diamond, right?
Click to expand...


Yes it is in USD, and yes thats only for the diamond.
 
rockysalamander said:
Diamonds down to a J can appear quite white from the top. Where color becomes detectable to most people from the side is around a H or I. So, if you want something that is white from all angles, you are talking about color G+. With super-ideal, you might be able to drop to an I as they lower crown angle combined with the cut can make color less detectable. You can also choose wisely with a setting that make seeing the stone from the side harder.

I'm going to suggest you look at spread in mm not carat weight. BN floods their diamonds will more light than JA, so they look whiter but its a photographic setup difference.

Have a look and give us some feedback. JA will allow you to request up to 3 idealscope images (IS) per email, which are important to tell us how the diamond performs. BN has told others that they will not give IS until you buy the diamond. For JA stones, pick your top 3 and place them on hold. Request IS images for any missing them.

Suggested Setting Styles.
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...dern-tulip-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50830
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...e-flower-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-50242
https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1778.htm

Prioritize Color and Size, flex clarity
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3529073 {so this achieves size with G color. The inclusions are dense, but white. This might be eyeclean, but maybe not; 6.51 mm}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...e-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2499040 {not sure if this will be eyeclean}

Prioritize Color from Top (allow down to J) and Size
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3452164 {great angles, lots of little inclusions that will be visible, ask if eyeclean, 6.98 mm}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3268439 {great numbers, most of the inclusions are on the table and all but on would be covered by a prong. There would be a wisp at 9'oclock on the table, confirm eye-clean, 6.60 mm}**best bet if size is your priority

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-j-color-si2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3377328 {Really nice. Gets you to one carat, good angles, AGS0, good IS, 6.37 mm}**

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09444497 {hold ctl or shift when click on BN link, gorgeous and clean, also really nice, 6.43}**

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3512033 {balanced angles, 6.24 mm}

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09294358 {bright and lively, 6.22 mm)

Compromise on size, but get TOTL quality
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3400958.htm {gorgeous, sparkly, smart setting will hide any color, beautiful clarity. slightly above budget.. 6.26 mm}

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8917 {just like the WF diamond, gorgeous. Need a video, but eye-clean. 6.24 mm}

{JA and BN give 100% of cost toward upgrade as long as new diamond is 2x cost;. WF and HPD will give 100 % of cost of diamond toward an upgrade with no required upgrade cost}
Click to expand...


WOW! Thanks a lot for such a detailed response! Thank you for expanding my options.

I'm looking over them right now. Hopefully I find the right one!
 
srslymico said:
WOW! Thanks a lot for such a detailed response! Thank you for expanding my options.

I'm looking over them right now. Hopefully I find the right one!
Click to expand...
Great. Keep us posted. Don't forgot you still want to request Idealscope images to see how they perform for JA stones. BN does not offer them. WF...they are online.
 
rockysalamander said:
Great. Keep us posted. Don't forgot you still want to request Idealscope images to see how they perform for JA stones. BN does not offer them. WF...they are online.
Click to expand...

*UPDATE*

So I went with this one:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-j-color-si2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3377328

Absolutely beautiful stone! She said yes!

Got the ring appraised today and it turns out to be worth more than double the price I paid for!

Just wanna personally thank you for the help you gave me! I found the perfect diamond and the overall experience I had with JA was great!

Thanks so much! :mrgreen2::mrgreen2::mrgreen2:

23899386_10210946657998403_509962255_n.jpg
 
SO pretty! Pls start a dedicated thread on Show me the Ring ASAP!!!!!!!!!!
 
Aww! Congrats! We want to see more
Pics!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top