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Q&A: Looking for a 2.50 Ct. Emerald Cut Diamond for a Yellow Gold Cathedral Pave Ring

By Mike Fried,

Hi,

Planning to get engaged in the next 12-16 months. I’m looking for a 2-2.5 carat emerald shape diamond. I’ve been focusing on 2 carat, IF, D-F color diamonds on James Allen.

I’m concerned about cut since there’s less of a standard here with emerald shape rings. I also know florecense and L/W ratio will be important.

Bottom line, after looking at your site, I’m wondering if I’m shelling out too much for stats that will largely go unnoticed. I’d rather go up in size to 2.5 carats if the quality won’t suffer.

I think you’re shooting too high in terms of color and clarity. The color doesn’t have to be higher than G/H and it would still look amazing (no yellowness).

Also, clarity can be as low as VS2 in this case. IF is very pricey and there isn’t a difference to the naked eye between an eye-clean VS diamond and an IF one. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/

What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stone, halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) are you planning on putting it in?

It will be a solitaire set in a yellow gold cathedral pave ring.

Thanks a lot for the info.

In that case, you can easily go with an I+ color as the yellow gold will be darker anyways.

Something like this diamond would be perfect for what you’re looking for:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/2.50-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3038889?a_aid=dmnd1357

What do you think?

The clarity actually looks clean to the eye, but I am concerned about the color. I realize a yellow gold ring will have an effect on a diamond, but I’ve never considered I. Think I’ll need to see comparisons or have a look at it in person before I’m comfortable. This is very helpful, though.

Also, what are your thoughts on girdle? I’ve read a few articles saying to stay away from thick girdles.

It’s definitely helpful to go look at some rings in person. But if you do that and you look at some diamonds as well, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples and stay with GIA Excellent cuts.

If the girdle is thick, it’s not a problem at all. Extremely thick and extremely thin ones can be an issue, but other than that, there is nothing to worry about.

Thank you very much!

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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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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