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Q&A: Choosing a 2 Ct. Round Brilliant for a Solitaire/Pavé Setting Within a $20k Budget

By Mike Fried,

My fiance picked a setting she likes on Blue Nile and I need some good advice. My budget is 20K or less total for the ring and I need the best looking 2 Carat or bigger round diamond.

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).

Its going to be platinum solitaire or pave. These are the 2 favorites.
1) Blue Nile Hand-Engraved Solitaire Engagement Ring

2) James Allen Platinum Perfect Pave Engagement Ring

The budget is 20,000 total and we want about 2 Ct.

Thanks.

Great, thank you for the additional info.

This would be my recommendation:
Blue Nile LD01030073
(it looks great, but you should ask for the GIA report to make sure there are no red flags in it)

Blue Nile LD08349796

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2860177?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.30-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2877858?a_aid=dmnd1357

They are well cut, eye-clean and any of them will make a beautiful ring.

What do you think?

These are nice looking diamonds to me. I think we should look for something a little better color. My girl always mentions color. Can we go up a little in that area?

Thanks.

……

She noticed this one.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.00-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2455069?a_aid=dmnd1357

It looks great color-wise, but I’m not a huge fan of its cut. It will be less brilliant.

What about this one?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.00-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2641772?a_aid=dmnd1357

It has great specs.

We both agree this diamond is good. Can you take another look today and see if you see any others you like? Also do you happen to have a promo code for James Allen we could use for this purchase?

Thanks!

I can see the difference between this and the last one you gave us. This one has fewer (I don’t see any) spots. But a shade more yellow. Is there any other comparisons you can point out?

Thanks.

The color of the diamond is never judged from its photo. It can be misleading. It’s the color grade in the GIA report that matters.

I’m sorry, but there are currently no other diamonds that I can recommend.

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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