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Q&A: Help Finding a 2 Ct. Princess Cut Diamond with Around $12k Budget

By Mike Fried,

I am going to marry my love 🙂 and I am going to buy a princess cut diamond for a pave setting of her choice… www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-perfect-pave-engagement-ring-item-55361?a_aid=dmnd1357

Picking the stone makes me nervous!! This is my second time round and I’d like to do it right 🙂 I would like about a 2 carat stone… Can you help with any suggestions? 12K is about my budget for the stone but I could stretch more if it’s worth it.

I saw this one…

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.02-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1892158?a_aid=dmnd1357

You’ve picked a beautiful setting. However, I wouldn’t recommend J color for a princess cut (especially for that type of setting with additional diamonds in the band). Princess cut diamonds don’t refract light just as well as round diamonds and thus tend to show their true color more. I color would be what I’d shoot for.

Also, we recommend avoiding IGI lab if possible: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/igi/

This would be my recommendation:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.91-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2269628?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.91-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-938339?a_aid=dmnd1357

I really like the first one, it will be very brilliant thanks to its higher crown. The second one looks good too and when you look at the real measurements, it’s even larger than the 2.02ct you sent me.

What do you think?

Thank you! I like both of those diamonds… I was hoping to get to 2 carats though… Probably for my own ego 🙂 What would the price increase be to get there? Is it silly to think that way??

Quick question… How can these two diamonds be the same carat weight yet the second be bigger in every dimension?

……

Also, are diamonds that are the “same” color but look completely different shades… Is that just lighting?? Some look “muddy” as compared to some that look sparkly??

……

I do see what you mean by the higher crown… That makes for a nice sparkle!!

……

What do you think of this one?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.05-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1135389?a_aid=dmnd1357

……

After all that, I think I like the first one you picked out 🙂

……

Here is the final deal… These are the ones I am considering…

The one you chose which I reserved last night and have yet to pay for…
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.91-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2269628?a_aid=dmnd1357

and these…
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2247960?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.05-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1135389?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1918501?a_aid=dmnd1357

I like this diamond you picked: www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.05-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1135389?a_aid=dmnd1357.

I’m not a huge fan of the cut on the remaining two.

Now it’s entirely up to you and your taste and budgeting. Let me know what you decide on in the end.

I do. The second one is a little larger, but I like the shape of the first one more. It’s slightly more squarish.

Thanks… That is the one I will get.

Sounds great!

I hope you’ll love it when you receive it.

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:
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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
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