| Anonymous Reader
Hello Sebastian,
Your website is a lifesaver – thank you so much for having this resource out there for lost souls such as myself. My local jeweler is creating a bezel-set halo setting for me, with several tiny diamonds (totaling 0.25 carat altogether) surrounding a center stone. For the center stone, I’m in the process of buying a loose diamond from James Allen.
The surrounding tiny halo diamonds are G-H. The setting is yellow gold (14k). The center diamond will be round cut, somewhere around 0.75-0.85 carats. Will the higher-grade color of the small diamonds in the halo make the center stone look bad if it is anywhere below H?
Or, given that the diamond is not large and is set in yellow gold, is the best bang for my buck still getting K-M? In other words, in this situation what is the best color for bang for buck? Many thanks!
Your Diamond Teacher |
| Thank you for the inquiry you posted in the comment section of my website. I thought it would be easier to respond through email.
Since the diamonds in the halo are G-H, I am concerned that a K-M center diamond, even though set in yellow gold, will look too yellow compared to the diamonds in the halo. I feel the lowest color grade you can go is a J color. What is your budget for the center stone from James Allen? |
| Anonymous Reader
Hello Sebastian,
Many thanks for your reply! By the way, I think something is wrong with your site’s security certificate; as of just now I receive a security warning whenever I surf to your site.
My preference is to pay less than 2K for the diamond, though admittedly I can go a little higher if it will make a big difference. Given your input, I have lowered the minimum carat size to 0.7 to stay within my preferred price range. So, following the advice from your website, I was thinking these would be some options:
1. SKU:4489064 – 0.70 CARAT J-VS1 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND
2. SKU:2801192 – 0.71 CARAT J-VS1 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND
3. SKU:4482305 – 0.72 CARAT J-VS2 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND
4. SKU:4964524 – 0.71 CARAT J-VVS2 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND
Any thoughts on these? I will also try to see if my jeweler can change the surrounding diamonds to be J-M, and then I presume I would be OK with lower color grade center stone? Many thanks for your help and your great resource!
Your Diamond Teacher |
| Thanks for letting me know the issue with my website. I will get that taken care of. I appreciate it. The 4 diamonds you selected, below from JamesAllen.com are all a great choice.
1. SKU:4964524 – 0.71 CARAT J-VVS2 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND
2. SKU:4482305 – 0.72 CARAT J-VS2 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND
3. SKU:4489064 – 0.70 CARAT J-VS1 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND
4. SKU:2801192 – 0.71 CARAT J-VS1 EXCELLENT CUT ROUND DIAMOND
Two of the diamonds have strong fluorescence, sku 4489064 and sku 2801192. My only hesitation with strong fluorescence is that it can make the diamond appear hazy/ oily. Also, know that when a diamond has fluorescence it will glow blue under strong UV light. The benefit of fluorescence is that it can make a warmer color diamond like a J color appear whiter. And a diamond is usually priced lower when it has fluorescence. I noticed that diamond sku 4482305 is “not available”. Did you place it on hold? I placed the above diamonds in order of my preference, therefore I would choose diamond sku 4964524. Regarding the smaller diamonds in the ring, I would see if the jeweler can do I-J color diamonds, instead. Please let me know if you have any additional questions! |
| Anonymous Reader
Hi Sebastian,
Thank you so much for your help! The first one wasn’t available when I tried to purchase it, but I was able to purchase the second one (4964524) and am looking forward to seeing it in her ring.
My jeweler was quite surprised at the diamond’s price! He mentioned that it was even cheaper than when he buys wholesale, which is exactly what your website had stated. All the best!
Your Diamond Teacher |
| Terrific! I’d love to hear back from you once you receive the diamond to hear what you think of it in person! |