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Q&A: Searching for a 2 Ct. Round Brilliant with Around $13k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi, I have read numerous articles on the site and your advice has been incredibly helpful. I am looking for a round cut diamond with the following spces:
-2ct
-SI1 (or better)
-J color (or better)
-VG/Ideal cut

I would like to spend around $13K. I found several options mostly searching Blue Nile and wanted to get your opinion on the stones and any advice on my search criteria. The setting is white gold with a small stones on either side of the band. The diamond links are pasted below.
Blue Nile LD03622083
Blue Nile LD03716793
Blue Nile LD03726231
Blue Nile LD03706721

Thanks so much for the help! 

We do not like Blue Nile and these diamonds are perfect examples.

The first two are horrifically cut (way too deep). The second two are impossible to purchase from BN. You can’t determine if the third diamond’s fluorescence will cause haziness and its impossible to determine the eye-cleanliness of the fourth diamond.

We explain this in our review of BN here: https://www.diamonds.pro/reviews/blue-nile/

Thank you for the response and input into the diamonds I found on bluenile. I read the suggested article (and just about every other one on the site) and moved my search to James Allen. I found several other selections I would like your opinion on:
1. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-sku-240420?a_aid=dmnd1357
($13.8K)

2. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-261023?a_aid=dmnd1357
($14.5K)

3. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-very-good-cut-sku-201330?a_aid=dmnd1357

4. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.00-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-263166?a_aid=dmnd1357

I called JA about the first two and they confirmed they are completely eye clean. What do you think about these 4? Are SI2 worth looking at or stay in the SI1 or better range?

Thanks again. 

I love this one:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-261023?a_aid=dmnd1357

It is eye-clean, the cut is superb and its very bright. Its a winner. 

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