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Q&A: Confused about Buying Best Princess Cut for ~$2500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

I am looking for the best possible Princess cut for roughly around $2700 before the setting. I’ve scoured the James Allen site and came across your site. Wow, I would have wasted money. I was down to my top 3 choices after the gemologist review haha.

I want to get the best diamond for my budget.
Has to be a princess cut.
H preferably but if you see an I let me know.
VS1 + for clarity
Budget for loose stone – $2200 – $2700(if I can stay lower than the max, I will be able to get the band she will love)

Thank you, I really appreciate it. I am on a 24 hour period, where they are holding my diamonds until I make a decision.

After reading your post, with James allen, I decided the only real contender based on measurements is item number 1305061.

I am also looking at 1329360 but I feel the black in the center is the clarity thing you mentioned in your article. I’m so confused. Could you help me get the best bang for my budget?

Very happy to help. Here’s what I like for you:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1340131.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1306966.asp

Let me know what you think of those! While the ones you suggested are very nice, I think these two I suggested offer you much better value.

Hmm, the 1340131 was one of my top choices, it looked the clearest and based on the magnification, I couldn’t spot anything but the dark center. Wow, so this diamond is better than an H color? The other option is also nice, but I am trying to get the measurements as close to a 1ct as possible haha.

…….

If I upped the amount to say max 2700, would you have any other suggestions? Thinking of changing the setting and trying to get a bigger stone. Thanks.

…….

Never mind Ira, I am going to stick to your 1st choice. I am hesitant being that the color is an I, but based off your reviews, I am going to trust your judgement. You obviously know what you are doing. I will keep you posted. Thanks a bunch.

Sounds great! Please let me know what you think when 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.
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  • Provide insurance appraisals
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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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