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Q&A: Help Finding an Emerald Cut Diamond For a White Gold or Rose Gold Setting With a $11,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I am looking for an emerald cut diamond around 2 carats, eye clean and not too yellow/warm, maybe I color? I have been researching for the last 4-5 months on James Allen and Blue Nile and I can’t make a decision. Please help!

For the stone I would like to stay under $11k. I am looking at this diamond but I am not 100% sure if it is a good diamond with all the black going on inside it.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/2.02-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8647868?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/2.02-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8647868?a_aid=dmnd1357
Unfortunately, this diamond is a no go. It has a very strong black windowing that looks very ugly in real life. Also, the I color might be a bit too low, depending on what style setting you’re putting the diamond into (and given the diamond’s size).

Do you want me to suggest some better options?

Thanks for checking the diamond for me I wasn’t sure about it. Yes please, if you could recommend diamonds around the 2 carat and within my budget I appreciated. I will for sure use white gold or platinum for setting.

Thank you for the info. I wouldn’t recommend a 2ct I-color emerald cut for a WG/PT ring. The color might be more obvious. I’d stick with an H+ color to ensure the colorless impression.

Blue Nile LD13380474
Blue Nile LD13639040
These were the largest eye-clean options I found for under $11k. They have a great cut, nice shape and no worrisome black windowing.

Thank you they are really nice! However I would like to be closer to 2 carat. I do understand in my budget might not be possible. How about if I go for rose gold setting instead of white gold? How low the color could I go so I can afford a bigger stone? Thanks again for your help!

Rose gold is an alloy of metals that’s very similar to white gold. But if the size is your priority, putting an I-color emerald cut into a rose gold solitaire setting might be a good compromise. Hopefully, you are not too color sensitive and wouldn’t see any yellowness in it.

Coincidentally, this 1.8ct H VVS2 happened to be the largest eye-clean option I found in the I+ range:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.81-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-8601864?a_aid=dmnd1357
It has fantastic specs and a minimal black windowing.

Thank you so much for all amazing knowledge and time you are sharing spending with me. I really liked the stone you just sent to me. I will sleep on it but it is a contender for sure.

I just made the purchase!

I’m glad you liked my recommendation so much!

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!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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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