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Q&A: Looking for Round Brilliant for $3K Budget

By Mike Fried, Updated October 24, 2017

Thank you for putting together this wonderful website. I am still a bit lost in making an informed decision and I thank you for your help. I am looking for a diamond that is between .70 and 1 carat in size with a round cut. I would like to keep the price below $3000. From your information on this website I have narrowed my search to color of H-J, clarity of SI2 to VS2 with an ideal cut.

What are your thoughts on this diamond? If you have any other suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.86-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-sku-198302?a_aid=dmnd1357

……

Here is another one I am looking at. Am I on the right track?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.74-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-sku-198300?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thank you for your help.

They are both great diamonds. I like the 0.74s cut a bit more, but the 0.86 is ok cutwise.

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. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
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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. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
Click to Visit
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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