Q&A: Help Picking a 1.75 - 2.25 Ct. Round Diamond for a White Gold/Platinum Setting with Around $15k-$20k Budget

Hi DiamondPro – Looking for a 1.75 – 2.25 carat, round, budget 15 – 20k, medium brilliance, to go on a gold 14k setting with platinum prongs. Found this diamond – https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.19-carat-j-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-370042?a_aid=dmnd1357

The other two that looked comparable were:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.10-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-353339?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.12-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-402439?a_aid=dmnd1357

What do you think? I’m new to this so I thought I’d ask the pro.

You seem to have this process down pat. I love this diamond you selected.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.10-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-353339?a_aid=dmnd1357

Its a winner. Let me know how it looks when it arrives.

Thank you for your prompt reply. What made you vote for the diamond you noted below vs the other two?

I like the cut and they are all great choices. I would not recommend spending extra for the higher clarity, so why spend the money?

Hi again, I started seriously looking again. I have a few new questions. Apologies if I’m being paranoid, but given the amount of money at stake, I figured it’s okay to be a little paranoid.

As a reminder, I’m looking for a 1.75 – 2.25 carat, round, budget 15 – 20k (but I could flex to around $25k), medium brilliance, to go on a gold 14k setting with platinum prongs

1. I know that if I go down to color J I can save a lot of money, however, others that I’ve spoken to said I should not go below an I. What do you think?
2. If I buy a diamond online, I then need someone to place it in a setting. Do they do that process in front of my eyes? I feel uncomfortable about handing over a $20k stone for someone to set out of my sight. How do I protect my stone from being stolen in this scenario?
3. I found 4 new stones I was looking at. Link is below. Are all of these eye clean? What would you say are the best one and two?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/?CaratFrom=1.90&CaratTo=2.83&Color=J&Clarity=VVS1&Cut=TrueHearts,Ideal,Excellent&PriceFrom=9600&PriceTo=31000&Sort=Price asc, DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&showAdvanced=show&DiamondID=399737,51918,385402,447141&Polish=&Symmetry=&Lab=&Flour=Medium&DepthFrom=45.0&DepthTo=80.0&TableFrom=50.0&TableTo=83.0?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks again for all of your help.

Its obviously your prerogative to choose whatever color you are comfortable with. We feel that a J color is perfectly fine: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

The larger the diamond you get, the less leeway you have. Its up to you. There is a significant price jump. Why don’t you take advantage of JA’s free return policy. Buy a J color and see if you like it. They will pay for the return if you don’t. All it does is cost you some time.

Thank you. Any thoughts on questions 2 and 3 below? I appreciate all of your feedback.

1) The answer to number 3 will depend on how you feel about what I said about color.

2) Two part question. Why can’t you get a setting from JA (There are plenty of legit reasons for that, just curious why)? And who are you thinking about for the setting?

J color makes me nervous. For #3 I don’t think any of the diamonds I sent are J color. Are you still able to evaluate the ones I sent?

For #2, does JA offer me the ability to completely customize the setting?

1) I think the G VVS is a colossal waste of money. The other two are very nice. I’d go with the I color and the extra size.

2) Yes, they do. Ask them.

Very helpful. Thank you very much.

Let me know what you end up doing.

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. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!

Click to Visit

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

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. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.

Click to Visit

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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Q&A: Help Picking a 1.75 – 2.25 Ct. Round Diamond for a White Gold/Platinum Setting with Around $15k-$20k Budget

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