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Q&A: Choosing a Princess or Radiant Cut Diamond for a White Gold Setting with Side-Stones for Around $1,900 Budget

By Mike Fried,

I am looking for advice on a diamond for an engagement ring. The setting I would like to use is:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/side-stones/14k-white-gold-round-and-marquise-shape-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49489?a_aid=dmnd1357

The same setting is also available at Blue Nile. My total budget for the ring is 2500-2800, so after the setting that leaves me +/- 1900 for the diamond. My girlfriend likes princess cuts and radiant (note sure which is better). I am looking for the best quality diamond in my price range at least .50 ct, but larger is fine.
Thank you so much for your advice! 

I found the following diamonds for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.70-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-1845825?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.72-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1030743?a_aid=dmnd1357

Blue Nile LD07236609

All the stones are around 0.7 carat weight, eye-clean and greatly cut. I will leave the final decision on you and your partner. I believe that choosing a shape is up to your personal taste.

Let me know which one you like the most.

Thank you for your recommendations. I’m leaning towards the second one on the list. I do have a question when it comes to appearance fire, brilliance what has the edge radiant or princess? Also the radiant is a square cut as well? In some settings it looks rectangular and I want to make sure it would be more square, similar to a princess.

Thank you again. 

I can assure you that both cuts are going to appear with high brilliance and fire in the setting. It’s really up to your personal taste which shape you like more.

If you are looking for something square, cushion cut diamonds can be either more squarish or more rectangular. The radiant diamond I sent you is really rectangular. I found you a cushion cut option you might like more:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.70-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-975502?a_aid=dmnd1357

Let me know what you think about this diamond. It’s very well cut and with a square shape. 

Thank you again for your advice. I ended up selecting the first princess cut from James Allen. So please feel free to let them know it was based on your recommendation. Thank you again! 

I’m happy I could help you.

Let me know how you like the diamond once it arrives. 

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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