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Annual March Diamond Madness - Meet Our Champion - Up to 11% Off
Annual March Diamond Madness - Meet Our Champion - Up to 11% Off
Best Round Diamond Halo Engagement Ring for $10K

Best Round Diamond Halo Engagement Ring for $10K

Hi Danny, I’m looking to buy a diamond engagement ring in the next month or two, and am looking for the best round diamond halo style engagement ring that I can get for around $10k. I don’t mind if an inclusion or two can be seen with the naked eye, because a local jeweler explained to me that the inclusions are similar to the fingerprint of the diamond, and that they make each diamond unique and special, my girlfriend and I really like the idea of that, however I also don’t want the diamond to be littered with so many inclusions that it appears cloudy, so maybe something in the range of SI-1 or SI-2 clarity. What combination of diamond and halo setting would you recommend? – Alex B.

The Anita Halo setting from Brian Gavin:

I think that you would definitely like the Anita Halo setting, which happens to be named after our client Anita, who ordered the custom ring designed as an alternative to some of the more expensive halo settings offered by Brian Gavin. The primary difference between the Anita halo setting, and other halo settings designed by Brian Gavin, is that the weight of the accent diamonds is about 0.53 carats, instead of being 0.75 carats and higher, and the ring is a little lighter, but the design standards and diamond quality are exactly the same as other Brian Gavin Signature settings.

Medium Blue Fluorescence in I-color diamond:

brian-gavin-medium-blue-fluorescent-diamond-BLAGS_104070945011_FLI really like what you said about the inclusions within a diamond being as unique as a fingerprint, and how they make each diamond special. With that in mind, I think that you might be able to appreciate the effect of medium blue fluorescence in this 1.023 carat, I-color, SI-1 clarity, Brian Gavin Signature round diamond, because it contributes to the personality of the diamond. Just look at how the diamond glows neon blue when exposed to black light! I think that you and your girlfriend will truly enjoy sharing this unique phenomenon with your friends and family. Something tells me that you’ll run out and buy a black light shortly after receiving the diamond…

Blue fluorescence in colorless and near colorless diamonds is considered to be a positive trait, which can help to filter any yellow undertones which may be present in the diamond. Blue fluorescence in diamonds is believed to be caused by the presence of trace elements such as nitrogen, which were present when the diamond crystal was formed.

Approximately one third of gem quality diamonds exhibit fluorescence, about 95% of those exhibits the color blue, while other colors such as yellow, white, green, and red are also possible.

Gemological laboratories, such as the GIA Gem Trade Laboratory (GIA-GTL, commonly referred to as the GIA) and the American Gem Society Laboratory (AGSL) identify both the color and intensity of fluorescence in the diamonds which they grade; the intensity of fluorescence is commonly stated being None or Negligible, when it ranges from no visible fluorescence to not strong enough to be classified as faint; Faint when it is barely detectable; Medium, Strong and Very Strong.

While an extremely small percentage of gem quality diamonds might be negatively affected by the presence of fluorescence, the GIA concluded that is less than 2% in a study which they conducted in the 1997, the appearance of gem quality diamonds is usually enhanced by the presence of medium to very strong blue fluorescence, because the blue fluorescent molecules help to filter out yellow and are likely to help boost the body color of the diamond.

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