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Q&A: Choosing a 1.5-2.0 Ct. Cushion Cut Diamond with Around $10k – $12k Budget

By Mike Fried,

First off, this site has been an incredible help. I am looking for a diamond for an engagement ring and would like your assistance. I’ve been shopping and reading online for the past couple of weeks. It’s been amazing to me how many different opinions there are around this cut of diamond and how varying they are. Has made it tough. Especially as it pertains to the cut.

Anyway, here are the parameters I’m working within for the diamond.

-Price Range: 10-12K

-Carat: 1.5-2.0

-Color: G, H, I

-Clarity: SI2 or better

-Band: white gold or platinum vintage band, solitaire center. Likely will have smaller diamonds on the top half of the band and/or the crown.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Thanks for the response. My budget is a little loose in that I could go higher if need be, but was trying to stay in the 15 range with the band.. I was building in around 2K for a platinum band so 13K or so for the diamond.

Thanks for the recommendations below, I should have called this out in the bullets in addition to the note, but I’m really looking for a cushion cut diamond. Any recommendations there? Also, was considering Brian Gavin in addition to the James Allen route. What are your thoughts on this diamond?

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.663-i-vs1-cushion-diamond-ags-104076825005#a_aid

Thanks again for the assistance. 

 That changes things significantly.

1) You should stick with H+ for cushion cuts.
2) We love Brian Gavin Diamonds, but I’m not a fan of their cushion cuts.

This would be my recommendation for you:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-388520?a_aid=dmnd1357

What do you think? 

That one looks very good. I decided to try and push up the proposal date because of a trip we had coming up, but don’t want to rush things if it impacts getting the right ring. I had gone ahead and ordered the Brian Gavin one I linked to below since they had a band very close to what she likes and they have the 15 day return policy. Figured this way I can see it and would only be out the shipping/insurance if not right.

Out of curiosity, what is it about the Brian Gavin cushion cuts you aren’t a fan of? If not the right ring I can slow it back down and just do it sometime after the trip and look at other options like this one.

Let me know. Thanks! 

The diamond is nice, I just prefer the ones I recommended from JA. Let me know what you think when it arrives. 

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online.
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What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisal
  • One free resizing within the first year of purchase
  • High quality images of about half of their diamonds
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