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Q&A: Choosing a 2 Ct. Round Diamond for a Platinum Solitaire With a $13k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I’m seeking a diamond ring for an engagement, at the best possible price of course!

I’m not an expert but would be looking for the following spec:
· Approx 2 carat
· Round in shape
· Colour F
· VS2

Let me know if you need any further information.

I’d be happy to make some recommendations for you, but I need a little more info.

What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones, halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) do you want to use? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).

Can you give me your ballpark figure of what you’re planning to spend? Then I’ll be able to help you more.

Many thanks. Here’s what I’m after:
· Solitaire / platinum
· Round / approx 2ct / H colour / SI

I have read that I could get away with a H/SI but I’d like your opinion on this as you’re the expert.

I’m simply after the very best price.

Thank you for the info. For a simple solitaire setting you can easily drop down to an I and it’ll still look beautiful and colorless. As for the clarity grade, you are right, it is not that important as long as the diamond is eye-clean.

I looked around and I like this diamond for you:
Blue Nile LD08726118

It has great specs, but you should ask for its picture to make sure it’s eye-clean.

What do you think?

Many thanks, this is most useful.

If this example would have a H colour with SI, would that alter the price at all? Colour is quite important to me if we can improve slightly from an I colour.

That depends on what you can find. The color is not as important as having an eye-clean diamond.

How about this one?
Blue Nile LD08751877

It’s the cheapest eye-clean 2ct H-color diamond I could find. It has great specs.

Many thanks.

Are there any available discounts which I’d be entitled to with BN?

There is one. Here you go:
[contact us for your own unique coupon code]

It gives you $50 off of your order.

I’m getting closer to making the purchase for the ring.

My budget is $13k for the entire ring, and I’d like the carat to be as close to 2ct as possible, but I’d be comfortable for the carat to be 1.90-1.99.

What’s the best looking diamond you can find?

……

Additionally, I’ve been told that IGI certified diamonds compared to GIA are quite a bit less expensive. Is that the case and is there any risk or disadvantage in purchasing a IGI diamond?

This would be my recommendation:
Blue Nile LD09148177

As for the IGI lab, IGI is rarely good. We’re trying to avoid it as much as possible. Their lab is less consistent and they inflate the color/clarity grades by at least one (on average).

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.
What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
  • Best in class fulfillment
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