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Q&A: Help Choosing a Princess Cut Diamond With a $3,500 Budget

By Mike Fried,

I was looking at the following, which is a more ideal cut diamond with color as the main compromise. Which would you recommend? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.04-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-7040223?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.09-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8071335?a_aid=dmnd1357

For additional background, the setting is an 18K yellow gold band width tapered baguettes on either side.

For that setting, I would recommend sticking with I+ colored diamonds.
As for this stone (www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.04-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-7040223?&a_aid=dmnd1357), the crown is a bit flat. The cut is nice but the crown should be a bit higher. Other than that, it’s a perfect diamond. I wouldn’t recommend this stone (www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.09-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8071335?a_aid=dmnd1357) because it seems the cavity is located near the corner.

You can give that E colored diamond a try and if you end up not liking it in person, you can easily return it. If you want, I can search for some other diamonds but I checked their inventory and couldn’t find a diamond with similar measurements for the same price.

Thanks once again for your input. Based on your thoughts, I looked at some lower color (H-I) stones, and found these within the same price range. Would you consider either of these over the E colored diamond previously discussed? They are larger, and seem like they have better parameters.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-6965015?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-7363061?a_aid=dmnd1357

I wouldn’t recommend them.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-6965015?a_aid=dmnd1357 – Even though the cut parameters are okay, you can see some black patterns (something like a bowtie in case of ovals). It’s possible you would see the black pattern in person and that it would negatively affect the brilliance.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-7363061?a_aid=dmnd1357 – The cut is off. Moreover, the cavities might disrupt the integrity of the diamond. Also, the crown is flat.

How about these?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.97-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-7773069?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-8036832?a_aid=dmnd1357

In that case, I think I would lean back towards the 1.04 carat E color, unless you feel strongly that the 1 carat I color is much better.That decision was mainly due to my presumption that the face width/height of the 1.04 would make it look that much larger overall.

If you feel you’d be more happy with the E stone, then go for it. Worst case scenario, if you end up not liking it, you can easily return it. JA has a great return policy. You are right, it will face up bigger and I think it will be nice and brilliant. Let me know how you decided.

I ended up ordering the E stone with the previously described setting.

Thanks once again for all of your help the past few days!

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.
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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
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  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
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