Q&A: Looking for a Pear-Shaped Diamond for a Pave Setting Within a $20k Budget

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/2.50-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-8208563?a_aid=dmnd1357
Unfortunately, a D-color diamond with strong fluorescence is a terrible value. It is practically guaranteed to have a hazy/dead look in most lighting. For DEFG diamonds you should get only none or faint fluorescence to avoid any potential haziness: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/

If you want to get the best value for your money, I’d go with an H+ in color and SI+ in clarity. There’s no need to pay a premium for higher color grades, it would look identical.

May I ask what your budget is for the diamond? I’m happy to find some nice options for you.

Yes, the H color ensures that the diamond would look colorless in any setting. Sometimes I recommend higher color grades, but only if there was nothing lower that would look good (the same applies to clarity grades – I always try to find an eye-clean SI diamond, but if there is none than VS or VVS is the best value in that particular range).

Regarding the inclusions, it depends on where those are and how big they are. Clarity grade only tells you the size of the inclusion. That is one factor in determining eye-cleanliness. But harshness, location and reflection matter as well: https://www.diamonds.pro/diamond-clarity/. You can find an SI1 (even an SI2) diamond that’s eye-clean as well as a VS2/VS1 that’s not. It always depends on a particular diamond and its inclusions. Generally said, large and dark imperfections such as crystals and feathers often are noticeable while twinning wisps, needles and pinpoints are fine in most of the cases. Sometimes the diamonds look just perfect but the ‘clarity grade is based on clouds not shown’ note is an issue. That means that there’s a large cloud that saps the brilliance from the stone.

Now, on to the diamonds. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any decent 2.5ct options. The largest diamonds I can recommend (that are well cut and eye-clean) are these three:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/2.01-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-8162591?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/2.01-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-8122988?a_aid=dmnd1357
Blue Nile LD13298448

The previously purchased section is not the best indicator of how much a 2.5ct ring should cots. Some people are so dead set on the carat weight that they ignore many red flags and choose an inferior diamond that might a) look yellow, b) have visible inclusions, c) have a prominent bow-tie, d) have high fluorescence, e) have other characteristics that are undesired on a diamond such as cavities, knots, big clouds, etc… all of which might negatively affect the diamond’s appearance or integrity. So yes, if you ignore all of this, you might be able to hit the 2.5ct mark, but you might also end up with an ugly dull diamond whose only good quality is its size.

The first decent 2.5ct diamond I found was this one:
Blue Nile LD13106243

I double-checked and the 2.20ct diamond is still the best option I can recommend. I couldn’t find any larger diamonds in that price range or any similar-sized options for less money. It’s a rare find.

You’re very welcome.