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Q&A: Looking for an Oval-Shaped Diamond Within a $20k-$25k Budget

By Mike Fried, Updated June 4, 2021

Hi.

I am looking to buy an engagement ring for my girlfriend of 6 years and was looking for some advice on diamonds. She is looking for an oval diamond. My budget is around $20-$25k and was hoping I could get something 2.2 carats+. I’ve been looking at some diamonds online and I’d love if you could give me your opinion on which is the best deal of the few links I am sending below?

My thought was that the first 2 are the best compromise of size, color and clarity but curious to get an experts opinion!

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.34-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-10347369?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.40-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-9653727?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.21-carat-g-color-if-clarity-sku-10338954?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.50-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10250394?a_aid=dmnd1357

Unfortunately, none of the diamonds you picked would be a good choice. They all have medium or strong fluorescence which is a BIG problem on G+ color. It might (and in case of the strong fluorescence would) give the diamond a hazy/milky look in daylight. For DEFG diamonds, only none or faint fluorescence is acceptable.

Also, all of them have a very prominent bow-tie, they are not pretty stones.

Something like this would look much better:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.20-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-7521545?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.14-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-6266221?a_aid=dmnd1357
These diamonds have great specs and either of them would be very bright and brilliant in any setting you’d put it into.

Amazing, thank you. I really like the first one you sent me. Just wanted to ask about a couple more relative to the 2.2carat first one you sent. Let me know how the below compare:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.59-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8611833?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.51-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-10338970?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-10074232?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.00-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-10334293?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.20-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-7521545?a_aid=dmnd1357

I’m not a huge fan of the bow tie here:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.59-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8611833?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-10074232?a_aid=dmnd1357

This one has an extremely thick girdle which is better to avoid:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.51-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-10338970?a_aid=dmnd1357

These two are great options:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.00-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-10334293?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.20-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-7521545?a_aid=dmnd1357

I ordered the one from the link below. Thanks again for your help!
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.00-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-10334293?a_aid=dmnd1357

That’s wonderful news! That diamond was an excellent option.

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