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Q&A: Help Finding a 2.5-3 Ct. Round or Princess Cut Diamond With a $40k – $50k Budget

By Mike Fried,

I am looking to buy a stone that is 2.5-3 carats with IF clarity and color between D-H. What would be your best recommendations that have good return/care policies and ship to the UK?

Thank you.

We usually recommend Blue Nile for people in the UK as they have an office in Dublin which saves you any import taxes. But let me see what I find.

What shape diamond are you interested in? Also, could you give me your ballpark figure of what you’re looking to spend?

Sorry I missed your email. I am looking for an either square or classic cut, color between D-G and clarity of IF to VVS1. My budget is between $40-50K.

Thank you.

No problem.

I found a few diamonds that look amazing and are within your requirements:
Blue Nile LD05978298
Blue Nile LD08378790

These two are from James Allen:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.52-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3163470?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-modified-cut/3.02-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-2259987?a_aid=dmnd1357

The round cut should be around 40k GBP after taxes and the cushion for 47k.

What do you think of them?

Thanks for this. When I saw the Blue Nile ones on my phone, price was in USD, and on my desktop, in GBP, which makes it quite unattractive… I liked the first one for $44K but paying 41K pounds (which is 53K dollars) is not worth it.

Do you prefer it to be around 30k GBP instead? I could also ask our contact in wholesale if he doesn’t know about anything cheaper. Do you want me to?

Do you ever go to States?

Yes, I do. However, I can also have a UAE shipping address, which would negate the custom/VAT tax. Hence, I alluded to a USD price point of 40-50K. What’s the warranty like with these diamonds? Because another option I am exploring is to buy a diamond in India or South Africa at processing, which can reduce the mark-up of Blue Nile or regular retailer, but the downside of that is its final sale and no warranty.

That’s very risky to purchase a diamond in Africa/India, especially if you’re not an expert. People get very often ripped off.

Companies like James Allen or Blue Nile have a great warranty. Check their policy on their websites.

After seeing some options, which shape would you prefer?

I would like your advice on this please:

G, IF
Blue Nile LD08961331

vs

F, IF – is the large price discrepancy just because the below is F vs. G and round vs. princess?
Blue Nile LD07371181

G, IF
Blue Nile LD07935617

Thank you.

……

Sorry, I’d like to add one more to the mix for your opinion.
Blue Nile LD08961332

Thank you.

Great stones! I’d go with the first princess cut if you prefer that shape: lue Nile LD08961331

The value is much better than on the other two.

If you like the round better, the one you chose is gorgeous.

Thanks.

It seems her preference is 2.5 carat and good color, not much else. Do you have any BN recommendations for 2.5 that’s E to G and VVS1 to VVS2 for around $32-35K?

Which of these 4 would you recommend?
Blue Nile LD08791273
Blue Nile LD04059205
Blue Nile LD08948827
Blue Nile LD08449519

– My preference is the 1st or 3rd link… The 3rd link has higher color… Out of those two, do you think E color will look better than G simply because it is higher color grade even though it’s symmetry is not just very good not excellent?

How much of a difference would the above have from type of cut between very good vs. signature?

I’d still go with the first one. It’s the largest diamond from all and the price is amazing.

The third one looks fantastic as well, but I don’t see a reason to pay for the higher color. You would see the difference only if you compare them side by side.

Okay thank you. I will let you once I make a decision as I need to iron out a few more points.

Thx again.

My pleasure. Keep me posted.

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!

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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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