Q&A: Choosing a 2 Ct. Round Diamond for a $17k Budget

Hi, I’d like to find the best available 2 carat round loose stone for around $17,000. Please help! Thanks.

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!  It will be a solitaire set in a simple platinum band. Thanks. 

Thanks. A question about the 2.0 I color – the description says Ideal cut but unless I’m misreading the report the GIA report says Very Good. I thought Ideal and Excellent were synonymous. Could you help me understand the difference as per this particular diamond?

The J color looks like a good buy. I’m hesitant about the J color designation though.

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I just chatted with someone online at James Allen about 241296 and they said to go by the GIA report listing it as a Very Good cut rather than the web site description as Ideal. I think I would like to stay with an Ideal cut.

I browsed James Allen and it looks like to get an excellent, VS2, I – I’m going to need to go in the $18 – $19 range. Was hoping to stay below that but I could go there if need be. I’m hesitant to buy a J or SI2, even a good one, partly psychology on my part and partly because my finance might be disappointed later if she finds out the grade.

What do you think?

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I browsed James Allen and included a higher price point. Please let me know what you think about these stones.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.09-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-176476?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.04-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-242187?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.17-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-223484?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.00-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-237121?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.08-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-249103?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.03-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-228141?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks! If you can share some of your thinking about that one versus the others that would be helpful.

I just talked with a rep at JA. She gave me her opinion on these diamonds – in order of her preference:

1) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.05-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-156800?a_aid=dmnd1357
Liked the light reflection a lot

2) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.08-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-249103?a_aid=dmnd1357

3) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-228365?a_aid=dmnd1357

4) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.00-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-237121?a_aid=dmnd1357
Rated a little lower because of the larger table – thought it might cut down light reflection

If you have any thoughts, that would be great!

 Thanks for the help! I looked at all the diamonds again with that in mind. I guess there are tradeoffs and personal preference plays a big role. My fiance likes sparkly light a lot, so I decided to err in that direction and go with 156800.

You have a great web site – lots of good advice. James Allen is definitely the best source because of the video technology and the excellent service.

Thanks again!