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Q&A: Choosing a 2.50-3.00 Ct. Round Diamond for a Yellow Gold Setting With the Best Cut Possible

By Mike Fried,

Hi. I sent in a request for help last night but didn’t give you any specifics. I’m upgrading my stone and ring. Finally found a ring I love by Thibaudeau. PTL 10221-MP. Am getting it in YG with platinum bars.

Want a 2.25-3.00 carat stone. Have been looking for a while on BN, JA and with my local jeweler who is working with Thibaudeau for me. I called BN chat last weekend to ask questions and all they said was that both stones were beautiful. Budget $35k – $50k but $50 is stretching. Want VVS1 or VVS2. Am checking where and what kind of inclusions. Focusing on F-H but F’s always seem brighter by far than H’s. Am checking Holloway Cut Advisor and look only at stones rated 2 or less. Enjoy the ideal scope GCAL that BN provides but am unclear how to differentiate within excellent ratings.

The two I am looking at at BN LD08219376 and LD06199849. Which is better? Can’t find anything similarly excellent at other sites you recommend but if you do am open to looking at them. Also, if the GIA cert is several years old – does that indicate not an ideal stone because it hasn’t been purchased in a while? Also sticking with faint or no fluorescence? Thank you much.

Both diamonds you selected are gorgeous. I noticed that you’re focusing on the cut. That’s very important. Are you in a hurry with purchasing a stone? If I were you, I’d contact Brian Gavin directly. He is known as one of the world’s experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds. BGD’s Signature diamonds are truly fantastic. They are all incredibly brilliant. If you tell them what you are looking for, they might be able to cut a diamond to your parameters.

If you’re interested, contact their customer support and ask for Jamie or Emily. They will give you more info and tell you what exactly you should expect.

Thanks for your feedback. I’ve tried using the BGD website in my searches and have found that they seem to specialize in lower grade color and clarity. I’ve not found them to offer anything within my parameters over several months of looking. Appreciate your thought but don’t want you to spend more time on it.

Because they cut their diamonds to a perfection, the lower color isn’t an issue. I just saw their K color diamond in a halo setting (which usually looks too yellow) and it was beautifully white in it.

They can also cut a rough diamond based on your parameter request. That’s why I wanted you to get in touch with them. What they have on their site isn’t everything they offer.

But I understand if you want to stay with Blue Nile. As I said before, they both are fantastic choices. The first one is a better value since the size difference won’t be distinguishable to the naked eye and the price is significantly lower.

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!

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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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