18k Rose Gold Halo diamond engagement rings for $12,000

Hey Danny, my girlfriend loves the Nicole halo setting in 18k rose gold, and based upon the experience gained by visiting a local jeweler this past weekend, we think that a 1.10 – 1.30 carat diamond provides the best balance for her size 6.5 finger. Given the price of the setting, we have a budget of about 9k left for the diamond, but we really want to stick with F-G color so all the diamonds in the ring match, because my girlfriend is a graphic artist and happens to be very sensitive to the differences between diamond colors. We’re not super concerned about clarity, as long as the inclusions are not too visible without magnification, and definitely don’t want fluorescence. Recommendations? - Andy J.

How closely should diamond center stone match accents in a ring?

While I usually find that it is not that important for the center diamond to closely match the color of the accent diamonds set in the ring, there are times when it is critical to keep them close, and that is usually when the recipient of the ring happens to be extremely color sensitive, such as a person who earns their living as a graphic artist, professional photographer, or somebody else who works closely with color and therefore happens to be extremely sensitive to the subtle differences that exist between diamond color grades.

Thankfully you and your girlfriend are able to be flexible when it comes to the clarity of the diamond, because that makes this 1.233 carat, G-color, SI-2 clarity, Brian Gavin Signature round diamond the perfect choice for your rose gold engagement ring, because it is eye clean, and even looks pretty good when viewed through a diamond grading loupe. As you can see by the clarity photograph provided to the left, the inclusions are readily visible when the diamond is viewed using magnification, but the inclusions are still relatively minimal and many of them are translucent in color which makes them harder to see…

Of course from across the dinner table, and across the room, all anybody is going to see is the incredible sparkle created by the high volume of light which this diamond exhibits! The overall cut grade of AGS Ideal-0, combined with proportions which are right in the middle of the spectrum designated for the zero ideal cut rating by the American Gem Society Laboratory (AGSL), and the incredible level of optical symmetry that this diamond has been cut to, provide a virtual balance of brilliance and dispersion, with flashes of light that are big, bold, and bright… it will look exceptional set in rose gold!