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Q&A: Looking for a 2 Ct. Round Diamond for a Tacori Platinum Pave Band With a $16k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi, looking to buy a 2 carat round diamond for a platinum engagement band. I’ve been counseled to seek out G-H in color and VS2-S1 in clarity. I’ve been looking on JamesAllen.com but am a little overwhelmed with the options available and am wondering if you could assist me in this process? I’d like to spend less than $16,000 if possible, and am really just seeking out a diamond without any imperfections to the naked eye.

Can you just tell me what style setting you are going to use? Will it be a solitaire or does it have sidestones/pave/halo? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Here is the band I will be purchasing here shortly: www.tacori.com/ht2627rd10

Thanks!

Thank you for the link to the band. For this type of setting, you can easily drop in color to an I and it’ll still look beautiful and colorless.

I looked around and found the best diamond on Blue Nile:
Blue Nile LD08372741

It’s well cut and will be very brilliant.

What do you think?

Thank you for the suggestion- however the Tacori band specifies a minimum size of 2 carats – do you think the 1.9 carat size of your suggest would pose a problem? I did a ton of reading this weekend and put this diamond on hold:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2525816?a_aid=dmnd1357

What do you think? I specifically searched for an I color stone with medium blue fluorescence per your website’s suggestion. I also calculated the cut quality given GIA’s dimensions and this one’s cut looks to be pretty strong. For its $16,050 price can you find a better candidate?

Thanks!

It’s an excellent option! Forget the one from Blue Nile, this one will make a beautiful ring.

This is a bit last minute as I am getting the diamond set today but which of the following diamonds would advise I choose for the setting below? I am in possession of both diamonds and need to make the difficult choice today. Also please let me know how to give you guys credit for the purchase advice.

Setting:
www.tacori.com/ht2627rd10

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2525816?a_aid=dmnd1357
Price: $16,050

www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.861-j-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104091837015?a_aid=y
Price: $15,115

Thank you so much!

They both look great. If brilliance is your priority, go with Brian Gavin. If you want the bigger size, JA is the way to go.

My only concern with going with Brian Gavin is the J color and no fluorescence vs I with medium blue fluorescence from James Allen. What are your thoughts there on the coloring when set on the platinum pave band I sent?

Thanks!

I wouldn’t worry about the J-color. With BGD, you can for sure choose a lower color as those diamonds will always be absolutely gorgeous. Also, the added brilliance helps the diamond look whiter.

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. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
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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
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  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisal
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