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Q&A: Help Finding an Oval Diamond for Around $13,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

I am looking for a 2 ct eye clean oval cut diamond to place in a platinum halo setting. The inclusions on this one appear to be lighter colored, so I’m thinking it might work. Please let me know what you think.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.01-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-7356636?a_aid=dmnd1357

Can you please send me the cert so that I can check the diamond for you? Then I’ll be able to give you well-informed feedback.

Here is the GIA doc. I could spend up to around $13,000 for the diamond, but would prefer to spend less if we can find one that is 2ct and eye clean for less.

Thank you for sending the cert. That stone is kind of a borderline of eye-cleanliness – it’s possible you would be able to see that inclusion but it might be covered with a prong.
The medium fluorescence might be an issue as well – we recommend avoiding medium or strong fluorescence in case of G-D diamonds. It may cause a hazy/milky look in daylight.
Moreover, the extremely thick girdle might make the diamond look a bit ugly (and lots of weight is concentrated around the girdle, not on the top).

I’d recommend these stones instead:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.00-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-7518242?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.00-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-7379849?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.02-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-6239240?a_aid=dmnd1357
All those diamonds are nicely cut and brilliant. They would look colorless in a halo setting.

Would you consider the diamonds you sent below to be a “good deal” relative to what might be available at a later date? Said a different way, if I’m flexible in the timing of the purchase should I consider waiting and keeping an eye out for a “better deal”?

The diamonds I sent you are great value. Are there going to be better options? That’s questionable. It’s possible that you might find even nicer diamonds for a slightly better price in a few weeks/months, but you could also end up with something much worse after you wait that long while the current options are gone. It’s a toss.

As for the two diamonds you sent, I wouldn’t recommend them. Ovals tend to show their true color more than rounds. I color might look slightly yellowish in a pave setting. H+ color is the safe side. Moreover, the SI1 stone has a strong fluorescence – it may cause a hazy/milky look.

My pleasure!

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
  • 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
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