Quick and Easy Buying Guide
Carat weight: 1 carat = 200 milligrams = 6.5 mm diameter. Doubling weight doesn't double diameter.
Diamond clarity: FL/IF/VVS/VS = super expensive, near perfect. SI = best value if you can check a photo for obvious inclusions (defects).
Color: D-G = colorless, expensive, only if you have money to burn. H-J = best value. Can go lower in gold metal settings than white metal.
Cut: Better cut ratings let more light into a diamond, making it sparkle more. Very important property, don't skimp here.
Set a budget and minimum cut (Premium). Go J color for gold and I/H for white metals. Go searching for SI1/SI2 clarity diamonds at James Allen. Pick a diamond with small/no inclusions. Choose a ring setting and buy it risk-free (60-day returns).
Budget Round Shape SI 0.70 Carat Diamonds
The first diamond on the list is quite a bit cheaper than the other two, and it's not hard to see why. First, there's the two large inclusions smack bang in the center of the diamond. Then there's also the mediocre "good" cut, which is why it's only $1220.
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The second diamond's a lot better - premium cut and no real visible inclusions in the photo. It's almost definitely the pick of the three.
The third diamond has a huge inclusion to the top right of the diamond, which is probably part of the reason it's been rated an SI2 rather than an SI1. It gets an expensive price tag of $1720 which is probably partly due to the Ideal cut. I'd still be going with the second diamond myself.
0.71 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Good Cut Round Cut Diamond - $1220
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Shape: Round Carat weight: 0.71 Cut: Good Color: J Clarity: SI1 Certificate: GIA Depth: 65.5% Table: 59.0% Polish: Good Symmetry: Very Good Culet: Fluorescence: None Measurements: 5.49*5.54*3.61 Item number: 1287428 |
Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.
0.70 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Premium Cut Round Cut Diamond - $1480
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Shape: Round Carat weight: 0.7 Cut: Premium Color: J Clarity: SI1 Certificate: GIA Depth: 60.1% Table: 60.0% Polish: Excellent Symmetry: Excellent Culet: Fluorescence: None Measurements: 5.71*5.74*3.44 Item number: 1314769 |
Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.
0.74 Carat J Color SI2 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond - $1720
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Shape: Round Carat weight: 0.74 Cut: Ideal Color: J Clarity: SI2 Certificate: GIA Depth: 62.0% Table: 55.0% Polish: Excellent Symmetry: Excellent Culet: None Fluorescence: None Measurements: 5.82*5.78*3.59 Item number: 1306116 |
Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.
Don't forget you can use Engagement Ring Guru's exclusive James Allen discount code "ringgu10" to get 10% off any engagement ring setting. Here are 3 ring setting suggestions that will help get you started in creating your own complete ring using this diamond. You can also click here to search for other ring designs.
Option number 1: Platinum Split Shank Knife-Edge Pave Engagement Ring setting.
Option number 2: 18k Yellow Gold Cross Prong Diamond Accent Solitaire Ring setting.
Option number 3: 2.5mm Knife Edge Yellow Gold Solitaire Ring setting.
