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Q&A: Looking for Princess Diamond for $3000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

I just wanted to write a quick thank you message for putting up this website. I’m in the market for an engagement ring and while there are other sites out there that provide education, this is by far the most helpful site I’ve come across. The amount of knowledge and the way you explain everything is fantastic. Once again, thank you and keep up the good work. I’m sure I’ll be in touch once I do a little more digging and find out what she’s looking for.

This was such a kind email. Thank you!

I look forward to hearing from you!

Certainly. While I’m thinking about it, what do you know about the diamond market (Jeweler’s Row) in Philadelphia? A friend bought his wife’s ring from Barsky Diamonds there and said he felt really good about the purchase. They spent a lot of time educating him and helping him find the right stone. His budget was around what mine is with a similar style ring.

I’m looking for $4000 top end (diamond and setting) so probably around $3000 for the diamond. I like a channel set ring with princess diamonds for the setting (JA has one for $1275 I think).

Looking for a princess cut center stone. I’m open to all options, but would like to stay at least in SI1 or better. I’d consider SI2 for the right value. Size isn’t as important, but I would like to be in the .8 or.9 range (or even a full carat depending) but can go down a bit to around .75 for better quality.

JA seems like a great site, and I’d definitely consider buying from them although I would like to see the stones in person. I saw where another person on your site arranged a showing at one of their locations in MD, which I am also considering. Thanks in advance for all of your help.

JA’s head office is in MD. They don’t have any retail locations. It’s 100% online.

I took a look for you, and here’s what i found. Btw, you can use the IRA10 coupon code to get 10% off the setting.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1306975.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – this stone has a sick cut. YOu won’t find a more nicely made PC.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1300893.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – also very nice

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1302070.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – another really nice option

As far as jeweler’s row goes – I was there once or twice on sales trips, but never really connected to the area. There was a guy who used to come up to NY to buy small stones from me. But all I remember is his first name (Josh) and that he was friendly with the actor Terrance Howard. Not that this random info helps you at all 🙂

Let me know what you think of those picks up there. Enjoy your weekend!

Thanks again Ira,

I really like all of those. Is there an average time that these stones will stay available? I realize that it all depends on the buyers, but I wasn’t sure. I’m not quite ready to pull the trigger on it yet, but I’m getting pretty close.

There’s no way to really tell. But you can always email me again when you’re ready!

Do the prices fluctuate often? I noticed that the main stone I’m looking at (the one you recommended) is slightly less expensive, but the settings increased in price. Thanks for the info.

Well, the diamond prices can fluctuate because they’re not really determined by JA. Their vendors set their costs, and JA just applies a pricing formula. So it’s possible the vendor that owns your particular stone adjusted their cost.

As for the settings, they adjust hte prices every so often based on teh cost of gold, I think.

Hi again Ira,

Not sure if you remember our emails from before or not, as I’m sure you get a lot of them. Anyway, things have progressed and I’m getting very close to a purchase. I was wondering if you had any recommendations from James Allen on diamonds.

I’m looking for $4000 top end (diamond and setting) so probably around $3000 for the diamond. I like a channel set ring with princess diamonds for the setting.If there is any other guidance you can provide, I’d greatly appreciate it. Thanks again so much!

Thanks for getting back to me! here’s what I like in your budget:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1331985.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

There were a few Is and Hs in the 0.90s, but the difference in actual LxW I didn’t feel was enough to justify missing the opportunity to go for this stone that has so much more going for it. Fantastic cut, and higher color. To me, this definitely seems like the best value for your money.

That stone looks great! Is there anything in the .75 carat range that might be slightly less expensive? Just trying to weigh all my options. Thanks again.

Sure thing! Here’s a great stone. Very spready – looks bigger than it is:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1330895.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks for the great suggestions. I like both othem. For the setting, what are your thoughts on platinum vs. white gold?

White gold is fine, the only drawback is upkeep. To keep the white white color, you need to have it rhodium plated every few years.

I found a few in browsing JA that I’d like you to look at. I’m still unsure of the proportions I should be looking for in order to get the best value, so I apologize in advance if I select some that aren’t ideal. Thanks again for all of your help. I can’t get your 10% code to work on JA’s site though and I want to make sure you get credit when I purchase. Anyway, here are some links:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1305487.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1334271.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1326695.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1240074.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

The code is TAD0611 and it only works on e-ring settings when both a diamond and a ring is placed in the cart.

I took at look at those four, and I think this is the best of the bunch:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1334271.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

It has the best combination of cut, size, and cleanliness.

Let me know how it goes!

Thanks for that. One final question. Of that one and this one that you recommended before, which is the better value? It seems to me that the 0.85 would be.

Tough call. The 1.01 is significantly larger in LxW 5.35mm vs. 5.05mm. That’s an easily noticeable difference. but the smaller stone is a slightly nicer cut and a higher color. So I guess it’s up to you to figure out what’s more important to you. The difference in cut isn’t so great, but the difference in size is.

How do you tell the difference in cut? i’m unsure how to know what diamond will produce the best light reflection. I’ve read your site a few times but am still a tad fuzzy. I don’t want to have to bug you anytime I see a diamond that I think is a good value. Thanks.

I tell the difference in cut by examining the table and depth.

What are your thoughts on this stone? Do you think the I color will be noticeable in a white gold ring?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1316740.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

That stone’s a beauty! And I do think it’ll look white in a WG ring.

I just wanted to say one final thank you for your help and guidance. I just placed my order for that stone set in a ring at James Allen. I used your coupon code also, so I trust you will get credit, as you really deserve it. I really appreciate all you’ve done to assist me and if there is anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Best wishes.

My pleasure! Please don’t forget to let me know what you think when it arrives!

The ring I ordered arrived yesterday and it looks amazing. Thank you again for all of your help. Between your website and all of the knowledge you provided, it helped me pick out a fantastic diamond and get a great price on it in the process. I will be recommending both you and James Allen to anyone I know looking for diamonds.

Thank you so much for thinking of me, and letting me know about the ring! I’m so happy you’re happy with the ring! I’m sure your future wife will love it!

If you have a free few minutes, I would be very very grateful if you could leave me a review on ivouch.

Thanks again! And I wish you and your fiance-to-be a long life together filled with health, happiness, and love!

I left you a review on ivouch. Thanks for the well wishes. I proposed last night and she loves the ring!

It’s AMAZING! Thank you VERY 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. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
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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
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