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Q&A: Help Finding a Stunning 2 Ct. Round Diamond for a Solitaire Setting Within a $15,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

I am looking for a round brilliant diamond around 2 carats. Preferably just under. I used your services in the past and they were fantastic.

Hi!

We talked to each other last year.

I look forward to working with you again. Can you tell me more about what you’re looking for? Ring design, price range… Then we can get the process started.

Budget is around 15k, but I am interested in where the price humps are for different sizes. Solitaire setting. Thank you!

I like them both, I’m looking to decide within the next couple days. If you were in my shoes with the same budget, would you pick one of these two or are there any others you like?

If I were in your shoes, I would snatch up the 2.01ct like…yesterday. Normally, we don’t recommend 2ct diamonds when there’s a perfectly equal 1.9ct cheaper option available, but in this case, the cut on the 2ct is absolutely perfect. This diamond checks all the boxes. I’m really impressed and I’m sure it will be incredibly brilliant in real life. It doesn’t mean that the 1.9ct is a bad stone, not at all. But I always like for our readers to get the absolute best they can.

Whatever you decide, I’d just recommend you put both stones on hold. Good diamonds get sold very quickly.

Awesome thank you! I had another question, James Allen’s website says the I color diamond may be slightly noticeable with larger stones. Is this considered large enough to be visible?

It won’t be noticeable in a solitaire setting (there are no additional diamonds to make a color difference). Plus, we recommend even 3 or 4ct I-color stones with no problems at all. The color can be more noticeable on stones that are not very well cut (there’s worse light refraction), but that’s not the case of the two diamonds I recommended, their cut is perfect.

We waited too long and the 2.01 stone is gone! Do you have any other suggestions?

No worries.

I was able to find one that’s equally impressive:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9883133?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s equally beautiful as the previous 2ct.

That is beautiful, thanks again for your help!

My pleasure, I’m glad I could help.

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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