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Q&A: Looking for 1.5-2 Ct Princess Cut Diamond for Channel Pave Setting

By Mike Fried, Updated June 29, 2020

I’m looking for a diamond for my girlfriend, she hasn’t decided on a setting yet, but she wants a princess cut. I’ve been reading your blog for a while and I’m glad I did!

I’d be happy to make some recommendations and guide you through the process. What type of setting are you considering? Yellow gold or white gold/platinum? Will it be a solitaire or does it have sidestones/pave? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).

Let me know and I’d be happy to send you some suggestions.

I am aiming for around 10K for a 1.5-2.0 carat stone. She has decided on Princess cut. We visited a Mervis location and they showed us a 1.54 carat G/VS1 diamond for about $13,500. Didn’t seem like a deal to me. I did also see this on their site and it looks like a good value. Wanted to get your thoughts:
Mervis Diamond nº1

As for the the setting, she really likes these two channel paved rings at Mervis:
Mervis Diamond nº2

Mervis Diamond nº3

And this one at Blue Nile:
Blue Nile Hand Engraved Micropavé Diamond Engagement Ring

I will be looking for something similar to these settings at other sites. If you have any suggestions on that as well, they are welcome.

Again, I appreciate your advice!

Stay away from Mervis. They are trying to screw you with illegitimate certification. That diamond you linked to is horrific; it is probably a K I1 (EGL Israel is probably the worst certificate on earth). Here is our post on EGL (Ira did a fantastic video on it as well).

I like this diamond for you:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1489772.asp

What do you think?

Thanks Mike, I hadn’t seen Ira’s video on EGL. Mervis truly looks like a scam then. I was hoping to get something under $10k. Any recommendations in that price range?

You are really stretching the quality. This is a new diamond that just popped up. I didn’t see it before:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS1-Very-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1398558.asp

I think that’s a real winner.

Thanks for the advice Mike! I ended up picking the one you recommended and got the setting of her choice from James Allen as well.

I did take a look at the 2.02 H/SI1 at Mervis in person and it was horrendous! They still tried to play up the value, but I wasn’t having any of it.

Thanks again for your help and I’ll let you know what she thinks!

Sounds great. Let me know how it looks when it arrives.

I wanted to thank you for all your help and suggestions. My fiancee loves the ring and I’m very glad I got your advice. James Allen posted the attached picture of the ring.

Platinum Single Claw Prong Pave Set Diamond Engagement Ring, 1.74 Carat I VVS1 Very Good Cut Diamond

Thanks for writing and letting us know. I’m delighted that you were pleased with our help.

We wish you and your partner a life of happiness and fulfillment.

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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