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Q&A: Choosing a 0.4-0.6 Ct. Princess Cut Diamond with a Total Budget of $1700

By Mike Fried,

Hi! I’m looking to purchase a wedding ring total for under $1700 (grad school budget), including diamond/setting. I found two settings I love from Shane Co. (http://www.shaneco.com/Jewelry-Catalog/Product-Detail.aspx?X=41001373) and (http://www.shaneco.com/Jewelry-Catalog/Product-Detail.aspx?X=41058215), and I’d like a diamond of at least .4 CTs, but no larger than .6 CTs. I was looking through the Shane Co diamond inventory and found several diamonds I like:

http://www.shaneco.com/Special/Images/DiamondCerts/EGLI/EGLI3329108329.pdf – $735

http://www.shaneco.com/Special/Images/DiamondCerts/EGLI/EGLI3309071932.pdf – $720

http://www.shaneco.com/Special/Images/DiamondCerts/EGLI/EGLI3329108329.pdf – $735

What are your thoughts on these diamonds (quality, etc.), and the diamonds in those settings? Any advice? Thank you so much for your help! I’m so sick of pushy salespeople, so it’s nice to know someone’s just helping without trying to sell me something. 

 

 I would recommend none of those and I wouldn’t recommend Shane. They are terrible company and those diamonds are a perfect example why. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/egl/

 Thanks for your response. Do you have any suggestions for a company that has decent quality settings & diamonds within my price point (under $1700 total)? I feel like I either have to spend way much more than I can afford right now, or get her a poor quality ring – neither of which I’d like to do. 

Pick a setting you like from
www.jamesallen.com
www.since1910.com

And I’ll pick a diamond out for you. 

 I love this diamond for you:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.45-carat-i-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-237492: ?a_aid=dmnd1357

That was a great choice. The cut is fantastic. 

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!

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