Q: I am looking at engagement rings and have budgeted $5000 for the diamond (round shape). I am planning on placing the diamond on a setting with sidestones similar to this link:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-1908.asp

The sidestones are color G-H. Is it necessary for the main stone to be better or equal color to the sidestones? For example, must I buy at least an H or G color stone? Or would an I or J suffice?

This was the best diamond i could find so far.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1251654.asp

I would like the diamond to be “eye clean” and for it to look good on the setting i chose above. Please provide any pointers or recommendations regarding the ring and diamond choice above. The ring size is 6.75. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Your webiste has been very informative and helpful. Is there a better diamond for my price range?

A: Ok, Peter.  I’m back home now.  Here’s what I think:

I checked the ring, and since the sidestones are significant in size, and not tiny one-pointers, the color is significant.  So, no, I don’t think you should go down to I or J.  If you had picked a pave style ring, I would say you could go down, but these stones will show the difference in color.

So I think your best bet is an H color.  It’s either the same as the side stones, or one grade lower, which is not noticeable when the diamonds are face up.  Whenever you match diamonds for sets, you can always have a grade or even a grade and a half differential in color and the set will still match.

I think you actually made a great choice.  I looked for H colors with either SI2 or I1 clarity, and I didn’t find anything better than the G you found.  I especially like the really spready make on your pick.  It’s also really clean for an SI2.  The inclusion is all on the side.

There’s only one stone that MIGHT be a better choice.  There’s a 1.51 H I1 but there’s no picture.  Here’s the link:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-I1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1200260.asp

Unfortunately, there’s no picture.  But if you want, I can contact JA customer service for you to request they take a picture.  It might take a few days, but it’s probably worth the wait because if it turns out to be a nice I1, you’d be getting a much bigger stone.

Q: Thanks for the prompt reply.  I would actually consider the 1.51 ring if there was a picture of it.  I attempted to make the request on the online form at James Allen website.  I’m not 100% set on the ring choice yet.  It’s the one that first popped out at me when looking at rings online.  I would consider a half-pave set if it would compliment a larger/better stone (ex. I or J color).

I plan on buying a ring within the next couple of weeks, so I do have time to wait for the photo on the 1.51 carat ring.  I am also going to try different ring settings and stone combinations.  I’m sure i’ll email you back when I narrow down my final stones for a second opinion.  Thanks for the help.

One quick question.  Would you recommend white gold or platinum for the ring?  My idea was to use the extra money towards the stone and just go with 18k white gold.

A: Hey Peter.  The honest truth is, my experience is very focused on loose diamonds.  I never worked in retail or general jewelry.  It was hard-core diamond wholesale trade.  So I can’t really answer your question about plat vs. gold.  From my perspective, it’s always about getting a bigger diamond, so I would say save your money on the ring and use it for a bigger rock.  For me, the ring is just a vessel to display the diamond.  But perhaps I’m biased that way because my experience is all about the diamond.

But it terms of utility, I really don’t know which one to recommend.  I don’t know if one upkeeps better than the other, etc.

Please let me know what the pictures like on that stone.  I can tell you with a fair amount of certainty if the stone will be eye-clean or not.

Best Regards!  And congratulations!

Q: Hello Ira,

So it seems that the inclusions on the 1.5 carat I1 diamond are visible to naked eye per James Allen representative. Her message is below.  So now I’m kinda thinking of these two diamonds for this setting:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-1908.asp

diamond#1:

1.23 G SI2 $5380

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1251654.asp

OR

diamond #2

1.20 G SI2 $5460

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1259614.asp

The second one is triple excellent, but not sure it’s worth the extra money.  It also has laser inscription registry. Not sure if that is good or bad if the stone is laser inscribed with serial #. The second stone may have a cleaner looking GIA report, fewer inclusions, but not sure if that makes a difference (ie. if it will be cleaner looking to the naked eye)

What do you think?  My alternative is to go for a different setting (so i can get largest stone I can find for my $5000 budget). Then I could consider I and J color stones.  Not sure what to do at this point.

A: I just looked at the two diamonds (and no, I didn’t drink that much  The cheaper stone, in my opinion, is definitely the better stone.  Firstly, it’s bigger (6.99 vs 6.84) and second, it’s going to look bigger than that because it has a 60% table.  It still has an excellent cut grade, so it’s going to be just as nice as the other one.  With the other stone, you’re just paying a premium for a pretty looking certificate (triple excellent).  Polish and Symmetry Good or better all looks the same to everybody (yours truly included) except for gemologists with microscopes.

I say to go for it, unless you find a setting you like with really small side stones as you mentioned.  Then I’d be happy to help you find a bigger I or J color.

Q: I agree with your assessment that the 1.23 carat stone was better.  I was ready to purchase it, but wanted them to pull the stone and examine it before i ordered it to make sure there were no visible inclusions. (should i not have done that?)  They pulled the stone and informed me via the online chat feature that it had no visible inclusions.

I go ahead and try to order it online. “Diamond unavailable” it says. I can’t believe it! Next, I contact the chat customer service to see if maybe by pulling the diamond for inspection, they might have removed it from the online inventory.  They said they would check and call me back…still no answer. Bad news, looks like someone purchased the stone or maybe the person inspecting it decided to keep it for himself.  Who knows?  Feel a little bummed out.

But I know the inventory changes daily.  Perhaps I’ll check back later today to see if there is something similar. Or maybe pick a different ring setting and go for a larger stone.  Thanks for all your help.  If I do find another stone, i’ll email you for second opinion.  Can’t believe i missed out on this stone by minutes… weird that someone would be in the market for the same specifications i’m looking for…

Update:
I checked back after several hours and found the diamond I wanted was listed as available.  So i purchased it right away.  Thank you very much for your assistance. The ring should be here by next Wednesday.  Hopefully it’s all good, but they do have a 30day return policy.  Biggest online purchase to date… Thanks again!

A: Hey Peter.  I’m really happy you ended up getting the diamond in the end! Best Wishes!