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Q&A: Looking for a Princess Cut Diamond for a White Gold Channel Setting Within a $4k-$6k Budget

By Mike Fried, Updated October 24, 2017

Hello,

I’m looking for a princess cut diamond for this setting:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/14k-white-gold-thin-channel-set-princess-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1250?a_aid=dmnd1357

I’m interested in the best value diamond for a 1.0-1.5 carat princess cut with a budget of 4-6k.

Thanks so much!!

Have a look at these two stones:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1133924?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.11-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-1839192?a_aid=dmnd1357

They are both very well cut and going to look colorless. The I color stone is bigger but the H color is superior in cut.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/

Let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Do you think you can find a diamond in the 1.2 ct. range? I’d like to see the price difference.

Thanks again!!

……

The I color diamond is no longer available I guess 🙁 Are you able to find something similar?

Thanks!

It seems that the I color stone is back again.

And here’s a 1.20 carat stone I found for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2374699?a_aid=dmnd1357

Let me know what you decide.

Thanks! Looks like the I color stone is back again. I peeked around a bit and saw some diamonds I wanted to get your opinion on:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.14-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2430932?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.26-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2366796?a_aid=dmnd1357

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.10-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1942765?a_aid=dmnd1357

I noticed that the 1.2 carat stone you found had a “very thin” girdle. I’ve read before that it is not ideal to have a thin girdle, but maybe it’s not a big deal?

Thanks in advance for your help!

The issue with the I color diamond is its IGI certificate. You can search for stones with either GIA or AGS cert (these are legitimate labs).
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/igi/

The other two stones have great overall specs. I just don’t see a reason in paying extra for the high colors.

Ohhh didn’t even see the certification! Thanks for pointing that out!

So this diamond will be just as bright/white as the D color to the naked eye?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.30-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2247474?a_aid=dmnd1357

……

I went into stores and compared the colors and I completely see that the I color vs D color is practically unnoticeable!

How does the 1.3 ct. diamond I sent in my previous email look?

If you compare the stones side by side, you could see the difference in color. But an I color stone will look colorless in the setting, exactly as you mentioned.

The stones you sent is very well cut and I think it’s eye-clean. If you like it, go for it.

Thanks for all your help! 🙂

I ended up getting this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.26-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2003179?a_aid=dmnd1357

That’s fantastic news!

Let me know how you like the diamond once it arrives.

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