Quick and Easy Buying Guide

Carat weight: 1 carat = 200 milligrams = 6.5 mm diameter. Doubling weight doesn't double diameter.

Diamond clarity: FL/IF/VVS/VS = super expensive, near perfect. SI = best value if you can check a photo for obvious inclusions (defects).

 

Color: D-G = colorless, expensive, only if you have money to burn. H-J = best value. Can go lower in gold metal settings than white metal.

Cut: Better cut ratings let more light into a diamond, making it sparkle more. Very important property, don't skimp here.

Set a budget and minimum cut (Premium). Go J color for gold and I/H for white metals. Go searching for SI1/SI2 clarity diamonds at James Allen. Pick a diamond with small/no inclusions. Choose a ring setting and buy it risk-free (60-day returns).

Budget Round Shape SI 2.00 Carat Diamonds

2 carats is where the "big boys" of diamonds start to appear, at 8 mm in diameter and upwards. The first diamond has a number of small defects, such as at the far right of the diamond.

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Adding more than 2 grand to the price gets you the second diamond on the list, which is pretty much eye-clean. Not sure the extra two grand is worth it given the same Premium cut rating.

With another 2 grand more, you get the third and last diamond on the list, which has an improved Ideal cut, and no eye-visible inclusions. Seems like a lot extra to pay compared to the first diamond, but it would appear as a defect-free diamond to the naked eye. Hard to pick a winner here.

2.00 Carat J Color SI2 Clarity Premium Cut Round Cut Diamond - $10160

Shape: Round

Carat weight: 2.0

Cut: Premium

Color: J

Clarity: SI2

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 61.7%

Table: 56.0%

Polish: Excellent

Symmetry: Good

Girdle:

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 8.10*7.94*4.95

Item number: 1232180

Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.

2.01 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Premium Cut Round Cut Diamond - $12570

Shape: Round

Carat weight: 2.0

Cut: Premium

Color: J

Clarity: SI1

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 63.0%

Table: 57.0%

Polish: Very Good

Symmetry: Very Good

Girdle:

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 8.06*8.01*5.06

Item number: 1300418

Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.

2.18 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond - $14520

Shape: Round

Carat weight: 2.18

Cut: Ideal

Color: J

Clarity: SI1

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 62.3%

Table: 57.0%

Polish: Very Good

Symmetry: Excellent

Girdle:

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 8.30*8.24*5.15

Item number: 1303612

Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.

Don't forget you can use Engagement Ring Guru's exclusive James Allen discount code "ringgu10" to get 10% off any engagement ring setting. Here are 3 ring setting suggestions that will help get you started in creating your own complete ring using this diamond. You can also click here to search for other ring designs.

Option number 1: Platinum Six Prong Wire Basket Engagement Ring setting.

Option number 2: Platinum and Rose Gold Tension Setting Ring setting.

Option number 3: Platinum Engagement Ring w/Spiral Tension Setting setting.