Q&A: 1.5 Carat Princess Cut Diamond for $5K Budget

I have about a $5000 budget, maximum, for a diamond for an already purchased engagement ring. My fiancee has her heart set on a 1.5(can be 1.48ish or better) carat diamond. We’d like at least good cut, J color, and SI2 or better clarity. I thought I knew what I was doing until I started noticing things like Clarity Enhancement(we don’t want) and then when I researched that I came upon your articles about GIA vs. the other certifiers. Can you please help???
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I forgot to mention that I needed a Princess with best color, clarity, and as close to 1.5 carat as possible, all for around $5k!!! The more and more I search, the task seems to be nearly impossible!!!

Thanks for writing. Is the ring white gold or yellow gold?

White Gold, I believe 14k!!!
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Here is the original designer ring she wanted her engagement ring to look like…

http://www.gemvara.com/Customized/jewelry/v/1255067/?cert=14620264

Here is a similar style I found at Shane Company in Scottsdale, Arizona…

http://www.shaneco.com/Catalog/ProductDetail.aspx?O=PRODSEARCH&X=41048779

Now I need a Princess cut diamond around 1.5ct(her desire) to go with the setting. I am stuck, originally I budgeted myself $3k for the diamond and I thought I would be fine because I found several online easily in that price range. Then I found your website and read your articles about the truth about certificates and learned that the diamonds I had been looking at were EGL and IGI certified. So I can probably go up to $5k max, so what should I do?

This is as close as I could find:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1335870.asp

But it will look slightly tinted. Like a very warm shade of white.

This will look whiter, but it’s 1.28ct:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1361698.asp

At almost 1/4 carat smaller, how obvious is the size difference in your opinion? Based on your Princess Diamond articles, I figured that I color is much better then J and the VS clarity makes it a much better value, I just need to convince her that the smaller better diamond will still look “big” in that setting!!!

actually, the difference between these two stones is not that great at all, due to the fact that the smaller one has a much better depth percentage. Their LxW measurements are very close.

Does James Allen offer financing through Their online site?

No, but you can always just pay through your credit card. CC interest rates are better than things like “bill me later” which really rape you.

So I thought I would update you on the diamond, we like this one and are wire transfering the money today…

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1362964.asp

What do you think is a reasonable charge to mount this diamond in the ring I showed you…

http://www.shaneco.com/Catalog/ProductDetail.aspx?O=PRODSEARCH&X=41048779

The Shane Company will mount the stone for me, but I don’t want to get ripped off for mounting as I have read about some people getting charged outrageous amounts. What is considered a reasonable average for mounting a 1.35 diamond?

Great news! It should cost between 100 to 200 to set the stone, I would guess. But I really don’t know.

I felt I should let you know that the diamond you helped me find thru James Allen turned out amazing! Here is a picture of the finished ring! I proposed to her in San Diego after a romantic boat ride and then dinner and she said yes!!! Thanks again for you help and for your awesome knowledge and useful website!!!

The ring looks amazing! And congrats!

Thanks! And may you and your fiance live a long life together filled with health, happiness, and love!

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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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

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.

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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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Q&A: 1.5 Carat Princess Cut Diamond for $5K Budget

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