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Q&A: Choosing a 1 to 1.5 Ct. Princess Cut Diamond for $7-8K Budget

By Mike Fried,

Found your website and thought I would take you up on helping me out!

I plan to buy an engagement ring at some point in the near future and think I have narrowed down what I want. I’m looking for a princess cut solitaire on a channel set band (white gold or platinum). I’d like the diamond to be no smaller than 1 carat but no bigger than 1.5 carat. My girlfriend doesn’t like flashy/gaudy so I think this simple design would be perfect for her.

My budget is $7-8K. Anything a little over would be ok though.

Look forward to seeing your suggestions. Thanks for help!! 

 

I’d be happy to help. Is your budget for the diamond only or does that include the setting? I want to make sure we are on the same page. 

 

 Thanks for the timely response. My budget includes both the diamond and setting. It’s not a strict budget and don’t mind if it goes over a little but probably no more than $9K, definitely no more than $10K. 

 

I love this diamond for you:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.22-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-175435?a_aid=dmnd1357

Its bright, eye-clean and phenomenally cut. What do you think? 

 It looks good. Should I be concerned with the girdle thickness though?

Also, I had my eyes on this type of design for a channel setting
Blue Nile Channel Set Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring but don’t see any similar ones from James Allen. If I bought the diamond from James Allen, could I get it set at Blue Nile? Or would you suggest something else?

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. 


The girdle is perfect on that one. On PCs you don’t want to go thin (it increases the risk of chipping on the sharp corners). I can ask JA rep if they can do a similar setting. That would make your life a lot easier. Do you want me to ask? 

 Sure, that would be great. 

Here is their answer:
Sure, we can help. That is a very basic design. Chances are, we might even have something similar already under our channel set section of the engagement rings shown on JamesAllen.com.

Have you seen this section on JamesAllen.com yet?

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/?a_aid=dmnd1357

I believe there are a few settings that are nearly the same as the one you found on BN’s website. Take a look and let me know what you think. In short though, reproducing the setting as shown on BN would not be a problem for us if you didn’t find the exact one you like on JamesAllen.com. Let me know and I would be glad to help.

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.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free International Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisals
  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
  • Free ring inscriptions
  • Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • Best-in-class packaging
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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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