Q&A: Best Round, Princess, or Radiant for $4000 Budget
By
Q: I’m looking for a solitaire diamond ring for my wife. My budget would ideally be under $4000-4500 and I would like the best stone for the money. I’m looking at stones between 0.80 – 0.95 carat that are round or princess cut. My wife likes sparkly stones, so it would need to have an ideal (very good, excellent cut). The lowest I would like to go in color is G-H and clarity can be anywhere from VS1 to SI2, but perfectly the stone should be eye-clean or almost eye-clean.
What online retailers would you suggest?
I was told Costco sells pretty good diamonds is that true?
I read your article about clarity where you say to go for 60/60? Would that work for a princess cut stone?
What do you think of this ring?
Which stone would be visually bigger provided they have the same proportions round or princess cut?
Thanks in advance and I cannot wait to hear from you!
A: Thanks for writing. I’m very happy to help!
Let me hit your questions first, one by one:
1) For your needs, clearly James Allen is the best source online.
2) The answer to this is a definitive “eh.” You’ll see in a bit.
3) I think you mean my article about cut. 60/60 refers to the table and depth of a round cut. That doesn’t apply to a princess. For princess parameters, take a look at this article:
http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/truth-about/diamond-shapes/princess-cut-diamonds/
4) That ring is expensive. The stone in that ring is a legitimate GIA G VS2, but the cut is very average. The table and depth should be much closer to 70%. Here’s a MUCH better stone:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1330346.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Notice the dimensions of the stone – it’s significantly larger than the costco stone. This stone, coupled with James Allen’s basic setting (less 10% after applying the TAD0611 coupon code) will land you well below $3999.
But I think you can do even better than that. Take this stone, for example
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1331985.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
Because of this stone’s superior cut, it’s basically the same size as the 0.90 stone from Costco even though it weighs only 0.85. And this stone will land you WAY below $3999!
Let me know what you think!
Q: I really appreciate your time and all the useful info you gave me! Thank you so much!
I had a look at the first stone you suggested and I did like it. I saw a pretty big black dot closer to the lower left corner though. Do you think it is an inclusion or just a photo scanning defect?I also found this stone and would love to get your opinion on it
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1302070.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
I know the color is H. Do you think color influences sparkle a lot? What would be your priority better color or better clarity for Princess Cut?
Thank you again!
…….
I though of something else I wanted to ask you. Should I worry about fluorescence present in the stone??
…….
Please disregard my last question about fluorescence. I found an excellent article on your website!
A: That is, in fact, an inclusion. I’m fairly certain, though, that it would not be visible to the naked eye unless you looked really hard for it and knew where it was. The other stone you linked to is fantastic also.
You can’t really see and notice a difference between any 2 adjacent colors when viewing a diamond face-up. So an H will look the same to you as a G.
Q: Thank you very much for your prompt response!
I’m very close to making a decision and am hesitating between 3 stones now.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1319288.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
The last one is a radiant cut I found yesterday. My wife said she likes radiant also. Should I be concerned about that stone’s girdle thickness , presence of fluorescence since it’s an F color and symmetry which is only good?
I cannot wait to hear your opinion on those three as to which one will potentially be most sparkly and best looking. Sparkle is my wife’s biggest concern 
)
…….
I have just found one more stone that caught my eye in addition to the 3 others I sent you a few minutes ago. Could you please have a look at this one too?!
A: If you want sparkle, and your wife will like the rectangular shape, the definitely go for the radiant. It looks amazing!
Q: Sorry, forgot the link
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1328336.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
PS Which one of the princess cut ones? Maaaan, choosing diamonds is tough!
A: from the princesses, I like the 0.88 HVVS2 the best.
Q: Thank you so much! Will be making the decision shortly!
A: don’t forget to apply the tadj10 coupon. It’ll give you 10% off the setting.
Q: Thank you! I certainly will!
Related posts:
- Q&A: Princess Diamond for $4K Budget: Premium or Ideal Cut?
- Q&A: Seeking Diamond for Solitaire Setting on $3-4K Budget
- Q&A: Hesitant to Buy Online. $3500 Budget. Would like Round Brilliant Diamond between 0.80-1.00 Carat
- Q&A: Looking for Round, Cushion, or Oval-Shaped Diamond for $2K Budget
- Q&A: $3200 Budget. Thinks she wants Round Brilliant Diamond, Finds out she Really Wants Princess Cut Diamond.
