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Q&A: Choosing a Round Cut Diamond for a Solitaire Setting With Up to $13,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello. I’m looking for a 2 carat diamond, with the best cut, and best color, for around $12,000. Thanks in advance!

Can you also tell me what style of setting (solitaire, halo, pave or other), metal (white or yellow gold) and shape of diamond you’re looking for?

Thank you very much for the response. I’m looking to purchase a solitaire round diamond, that will be set on a white gold band, with platinum prongs (I think).

The white gold band is definite, but I recently learned that the platinum prongs were an option, and preferred due the strength of the metal. Sorry, I’m just realizing that my original message didn’t include that I was looking for help with selecting a round diamond.

Thank you for the additional information.

I’m afraid that I won’t find a quality 2.00+ carat stone within the budget you mentioned. Here’s my suggestion of a stone with the quality I’d recommend:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.90-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-370298?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s very well cut, eye-clean and going to look colorless.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

What do you think?

I really appreciate you taking the time to find the diamond that you recommended. Since we last talked, I think that I’ve decided that perhaps I needed to increase my budget to around 13 k.

Here’s a 2.01 carat stone with the quality I’d recommend:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2289696?a_aid=dmnd1357

What do you think of this one?

I just wanted you to know that I’ve ordered this diamond, and I wanted to say thank you for your time!

That’s fantastic news!

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.
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.
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  • 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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