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Q&A: Choosing a 2 Ct. Round or Cushion Cut Diamond With Around $20k Budget

By Mike Fried, Updated June 29, 2020

Good Afternoon Experts,

I would like to get a diamond for an engagement ring. I have been gone through so many diamonds on websites but mainly on Blue Nile.

Would you let me know if the below diamonds are worth the cost?
Which one do you think better?
Does the fluorescence really matter?

Sorry I have so many questions. Thank you very much!

At Blue Nile
Stock Number#
Blue Nile LD08726781
Blue Nile LD08655839
Blue Nile LD08522111
Blue Nile LD08339633

Cushion cut
Blue Nile LD08419598

Yes, fluorescence is important. High colors (D-G) can have none or faint, H and lower colors medium. That’s why I don’t recommend purchasing the stones with medium F. It can cause a hazy look.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/

The issue with the F color stone you sent is the black inclusion right on the table. It will be eye-noticeable.

This stone is my favorite:
Blue Nile LD08522111

It’s very well cut, eye-clean and with great overall specifications.

If you’re also willing to go slightly down with the color. here’s my suggestion:
Blue Nile LD08126772

This stone is going to look colorless and it saves you money.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

Here’s my suggestion of a cushion cut:
Blue Nile LD07971529

What do you think?

Thank you so much!

I will let you know if I use different email address and which diamond I will get.

Thank you for your email.

Please, keep me posted.

Hello,

Sorry! I have few more questions.

Would you please let me know what your opinions are on these 2 diamonds? Are they worth it? Which one is better?

Would it be possible to see the inclusions with naked eyes? What do you think about the girdle; one is slightly thick to thick and other is thick to very thick?

One more questions, do these 2 diamonds have different cutting even tough they are both cushion shape? The diagrams of the bottom of the diamond on the GIA certifications are different – one has more pattern than the other.

Blue Nile LD08225529
Blue Nile LD08404206

Once again, sorry for too many questions. I really want to get the best one within my budget for my love.

The main difference between these two stones is in the ratio. The one with 1.00 ratio will be square, the other will be rectangular.

Depends which of them is your favorite. I also noticed that you went up with the color grade. As I mentioned, I ‘d personally go for an H or G grade. It will look colorless and it saves you money.

I noticed that the G color diamond I sent you is not available. Did you put it on hold? Or is it gone?

Hello,

Thank you for the info! My love would like the color at least F. So any color below it would not be considered.

Thank you so much for your help!

Both stones you found have great overall specifications.

I also found this one:
Blue Nile LD08834553

It has the quality I’d recommend and it’s slightly more rectangular and significantly less expensive.

What do you think?

Hello,

Thank you for your help! I got the LD08225529 from Blue Nile.
Email address used is this one.

Thank you!

Thank you for your confirmation of the purchase and the email address you used. It was my pleasure helping you.

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. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
Click to Visit
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. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
Click to Visit
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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