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Q&A: Help Choosing a Radiant Cut Diamond With a $2,500 Budget

By Mike Fried, Updated April 12, 2021

Hi!

I just wanted to inquire about this diamond I am thinking of getting. I’m curious about the brilliance. They sent me a video but it is at 80x magnification so I’m not sure what I’m looking at.

Blue Nile LD13040240

That diamond doesn’t look eye-clean to me. The crystals are right in the middle of the table and they seem to be quite big. Moreover, the diamond has strong fluorescence on a D color which usually causes a hazy look in daylight. https://www.diamonds.pro/diamond-fluorescence/

I’d go with this one instead:
Blue Nile LD12880960

Are there any others you would recommend that are higher carat? Even if it slightly lower in colour or clarity.

I can’t find anything larger than the one I sent you unless we go higher in the budget.

Yes going up in budget is fine.

I was actually looking at this one as well : Blue Nile LD13180299

That’s a gorgeous diamond. Probably the best 0.80ct they have.

If you don’t mind paying a few hundred dollars more, go for it!

Great, thanks a lot!

My pleasure.

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!
Click to Visit
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.
Click to Visit
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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