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Q&A: Princess Diamond for Side Stone Setting and $2K Budget

By Mike Fried,

I was hoping you could help me choose the right center diamond for the setting I have selected. The setting is from James Allen pictured here: https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-4079_design.asp?module=setting

My girlfriend has very slim fingers and does not want a diamond that is too large, so since the 2 side stones together are .34 carats, I was thinking between .5 to 1 would be good for the center. My price range for the diamond is max $2000, so I had my eye on E,F color, VS1 and VVS2 clarity, and ideal cut.

Since it won’t be the largest diamond, I am really hoping for a ton of brilliance! Let me know what you think, thank you!

You can apply the TADJ10 coupon code to get 10% off the setting. Have you factored that it already? If not, does that mean I can go to 2200 for the diamond?

Also, there’s really no need to go so high in clarity. A VS2 will not be visible at all to your naked eye and won’t affect the look of the diamond at all. Plus, a G color will look completely white and will match the side stones perfectly. Is it Ok if I suggest G VS2s? This will allow you to get a larger diamond.

I look forward to hearing back from you!

Thank you for the response! My top priority was a sparkling diamond so if you feel that G and VS2 are fine, then I am all for it. I was not factoring in the 10% discount but thank you for the tip! I would say $2000 is still the target max but if there is something mind blowing then I am certainly flexible. Let me know what you can find, thanks!

This one’s pushing the budget a bit, but it’s really fantastic:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1335498.asp

This one is nice as well, and more in your budget:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1337422.asp

Thank you Ira. The first one, from the photo, seems to have an imperfection near the middle. Would that not be noticeable?

That little speck isn’t even close to being naked eye visible. You have nothing to worry about.

Thank you again for your help with this. I am buying the diamond now, and although the suggestions you made are no longer available, I have been searching for similar diamonds. The coupon code you suggested is not valid and I was hoping there was still one available. Let me know when you get a chance, thank you!

Nice to hear from you again. The code now is TADJ10. Would you like me to help you locate the best stone for your budget?

Happy new year!

Happy New Year to you as well! I was thinking about this diamond as long as I could use the coupon code. However, it is coming up as invalid when I try to validate the code.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1337433.asp

Let me know if there is another code. Thanks!

Did you get the code to work?

Yes, I got the code to work and I purchased the ring. Thank you so much for all the help! If for whatever reason the diamond does not live up to expectation I will ask if you have any new recommendations.

Thanks again and happy New Year!

Great! Please let me know what you think when it arrives!

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
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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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