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Q&A: Looking for a Princess Cut Diamond for a Petite Pave White Gold Setting Within an $8k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hey Diamond Pro,

I’m looking for help identifying the best quality diamond for my money. I’ve been reading the site for years and the information you have provided is amazing. Even with all the information on the site, I would still appreciate you presenting me with some recommendations.

Here are the details:
Shape: Princess
Clarity: VS2 – VVS2
Desired Size: 1.4 – 1.5

Setting:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-petite-pave-engagement-ring-flush-fit-item-56270?a_aid=dmnd1357

Budget: $8000

Thank you.

I’m happy to hear that you found our site so helpful.

Here’s a diamond with the quality I’d recommend:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.51-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2120472?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for your help, that diamond looks great. Will it fit with the setting I provided? James Allen says the maximum size is 1.5. Can I request they still set the stone in the setting regardless? What are the potential drawbacks of going over the setting size limit?

I suggest contacting them directly. I think that it shouldn’t be a problem to mount this 1.51 carat stone. But I don’t want to speak for them in this case.

Keep me posted.

Can you recommend a couple more diamonds, just in case they have an issue with mounting the stone. I would like to have a fallback plan, just in case.

Thanks.

What did they say? Can they mount this 1.51 carat or do you need another suggestion?

I think they can mount it. The diamond and setting have to go through their custom design process, which would take about 3-5 business days. Their design team would determine if they could mount it and what the modification fees might be.

This stone is beautiful and I love the price for my budget. I would still like a secondary option, just in case the fees come back too high for my liking.

Thanks.

Thank you for the information. I hope they can mount the first option for you.

If not, here’s the next best option I found for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.41-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2788747?a_aid=dmnd1357

The ring looks amazing. Thanks for your help.

That’s absolutely beautiful!! Thank you very much for sharing the pictures with me.

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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