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Q&A: Looking for 2 Ct. Hearts & Arrows Diamond for $35K Budget

By Mike Fried,

Great website, very useful. I need help with looking for a 2 carat ideal or HA engagement ring. Budget around $35,000.

Can’t decide between BGD HA or James Allen HA.

A couple of questions.

1. How coming BGD uses AGS instead of GIA?

2. Will HA be the same between BGD, JA, and Blue Nile?

3. Ideally, I’d like a 2.0 carat, VS1, H, with triple excellent, GIA cert, with hearts and arrows.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for writing. I’ll try to answer your questions:

1) BGD uses AGS because they’ve always been the lab that was focused on cut quality. AGS had a cut grade long before GIA introduced it. Even today, AGS has cut grades for many fancy shapes while GIA only offers cut grades for rounds. Since BGD is all about the cut, it’s a natural fit.

2) No. BGD’s H&A Signature is cut to a far more strict set of parameters than JA and BN. Their H&A is truly the best of the best of the best. The only thing that is equivalent is the famous Hearts on Fire brand (which costs a lot more).

3) Here’s what I like for you:

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.247-I-VS1-Round-Diamond-AGS-104059065012

I think the added size is a much better use of funds than the upgrade to H color. The difference in color won’t be noticeable, but the difference in size will definitely be noticeable.

Let me know what you think!

Thank you for the help. I did end up purchasing your recommended BGD diamond along with a Tiffany half round setting. I know you get commission on these transactions so I want to make you aware so you can follow up with your affiliate people.

Let me know if you need any more info.

Thanks again for your help.

Great! Please do let me know what you think when it arrives!

I got the ring and it’s very nice. I’m sure my girlfriend will love it. Thank you for your help with that big purchase.

I have a question about insurance for the ring. I couldn’t find the info on your website.

First of all, do you recommend insuring engagement rings such as the one I just purchased? If so, do you have any recommendations on companies and type of coverage?

So glad you’re happy with the ring you got! You should definitely get it insured. I’m honestly not so current on the best way to insure rings, though. Do you have a homeowner’s insurance plan currently? If so, it might already be covered, but you might have to update your insurance company.

Otherwise, I know “Jewelers Mutual” is very popular.

Thanks for the tip. I will look into it.

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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