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Q&A: Need Assistance Buying 1 Carat Princess Cut Diamond

By Mike Fried,

I’ve looked at your posts that you’ve had in helping people out choosing diamonds and I could use some assistance. Currently I am picking out an engagement ring from James Allen and I have been looking at their diamonds. I’m looking for a Princess Cut Diamond roughly around 1 carat or larger color being from D-F maybe even a G with an Ideal Cut. As for Clarity I am looking to try and stay in the VS2 range or better. Looking at the diamond pictures they have, I see some have darker areas than others and I don’t know if it’s because the way it has been photographed or what. The ones I looked at were:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1370916.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1370451.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1363119.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1371043.asp

The one for 4800 (third link) looks pretty good for the most part but on the certificate it says something about surface graining and I was wondering if that and the strong fluoresence it has will diminish the quality and brilliance of the diamond. I’m open to others if you can find them but wanted your opinion on the matter. I am currently in Afghanistan and I leave to go home in a couple of days so I was wanting to try and have it all together by the time I go on a trip with my girlfriend which would be the 27th of this month. I appreciate all of your help and look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks for writing. Ironically, the third stone is the one that I would tell you to stay away from – precisely because of the strong blue fluorescence. The other three are really great options, but if I had to pick one, it would be this one:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1370451.asp

The two reasons I like this one are: 1) It’s the cheapest by a significant margin, and 2) I like small tables on princess cuts. The inclusion in the center is too small and fine to be visible to the naked eye.

Wow that was a very quick response and I appreciate it!! I had my doubts about the 3rd one and you confirmed them and I was going to ask about the small inclusion on the one you recommended. I thought the same thing that it might be too small to see. I just wanted to reply back and tell you thanks for the help! Have a great day you helped me out a lot because that is the one I am going to go with.

My pleasure! Let me know what they tell you!

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.
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!

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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
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
  • Best in class fulfillment
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