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Q&A: Looking for 2Ct. Princess Cut for $13K Budget

By Mike Fried,

I stumbled upon your site. I have to compliment you on the good information combined with a clean layout.

I am looking to spend about $15k on an engagement ring. Therefore, I have allocated about $13k for a loose diamond. I am thinking the best value is to purchase a loose diamond online and have it set locally.

Although she would probably be happy with a 1CT, I would like to get a ~2CT diamond. She has mentioned a princess cut, so I am going that direction.

I am thinking ideal cut, visibly clean, and J color (although higher perhaps would be better)? At a local jeweler, I saw a 1.5 CT F and 2.0 CT J that were similarly priced. The color difference was noticeable, but perhaps only when side-by-side.

Do you have any suggestions. I was hoping you could leverage your skilled eye to pick out a visibly clean one.

My quick search had revealed these:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1542453.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1540218.asp

I appreciate your help.

I’d be happy to make some recommendations and guide you through the process. What type of setting are you considering? Yellow gold or white gold/platinum? Will it be a solitaire or does it have sidestones/pave? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).

Let me know and I’d be happy to send you some suggestions.

Thank you for the reply.

I am thinking a silver setting with side diamonds or a channel.

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.
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  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
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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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