Diamond Carat Weight Vs. Diamond Color

Q:

Hi Liz,

I like to spend somewhere in the $8000 range, at least a 1.00ct, G to H color and a round brilliant diamond. My girl wants a bigger diamond (somewhere around 1.25 carat) but I don’t think my budget will allow me to find a 1.25 carat quality diamond, if you could help, she would really like it 🙂

I am traveling to India and I know India has a ton of diamonds and I will also shop around with some family that buy jewelery at local shops. I was hoping to have a option online just in case I don’t find what I am looking for in India.

We really like this Hand Engraved Micropavé Diamond Engagement Ring setting from Blue Nile and couldn’t find a similar similar setting at the other sites.

If you could help me locate a diamond online it would really help me out!!!

Thanks!

Nagesh

A:

Hi Nagesh,

Thanks for letting me know your available budget and diamond requirements.

So, if you are looking at this setting for $1750.00: http://www.bluenile.com/hand-engraved-diamond-ring-platinum_17374, then I presume you have a remaining balance of about $6000 to work with for your diamond. Finding an ideal cut diamond that is at least 1.00ct for $6K or less will be very difficult. I recommend staying at .90ct or above and you can find some great deals and get a diamond that visually looks about the same size as a 1.00ct (price exponentially increases at the 1.00ct mark)

With that being said, I recommend either of the two following diamonds (with top criteria being the cut proportions as this directly relates to the brilliance and light performance of the diamond…)

.90ct G VS2 for $5,557.00: http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD04160906

If you want to go bigger, you’ll have to compromise on color grade. If you are ok with that then I recommend this 1.25ct J VS2 for $6,026.00: http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-j-color-vs2-clarity_LD04211807

Blue Nile’s Hand Engraved Micropave Diamond Engagement Ring set with: (on left) a .90ct G colored diamond and (on right) a 1.50ct J colored diamond. Color difference is nominal but size difference is huge! Which do you prefer?

Both of the above diamonds have ideal cut proportions and will face up nice and white with superb brilliance and sparkle. They are also both eye-clean with no visible inclusions. The .90ct measures 6.21 x 6.17 in mm. Compare this to a typical 1.00ct diamond that measures 6.55mm. The difference is about .30mm and is barely noticeable to the naked eye. Therefore, I wouldn’t hesitate recommending a diamond just shy of the 1.00ct mark. Many people do this to save cash and still get a nice sized diamond.

The other option is to compromise a little on the color grade and get a much larger diamond at 1.25ct. This diamond measures 6.91 x 6.87mm, so will definitely be visually bigger when comparing it to the .90ct.

It depends on which characteristic is most important to you and your intended fiance. If you are open to purchasing from another vendor please let me know and I can provide more diamond recommendations for you. Finally, if you were to go for a four or six prong solitaire in 18kt gold you would be able to put more money towards the diamond and get closer towards the 1.00ct mark without compromising on any characteristic. Please let me know if this is something that you would consider….

Kind Regards,

Liz

Q:

Hi Liz,

Thanks so much for your quick reply. I know my girl really likes that setting, so it looks like I’ll be purchasing from Blue Nile in order to make her happy. I know she really wants to get at least a 1.00ct so the 1.25ct J VS2 is what I’m leaning towards.

Thanks again for your help!

Nagesh