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I am buying a solitaire engagement ring with a princess cut diamond. What should I look for in a diamond?

The setting she wants is white gold with no diamonds on the band. Since this is a solitaire my focus is on carat, cut, color, and clarity in that order.

I’m thinking I will cut costs because I am sacrificing clarity and color, but the cut must at least be very good. What carat size should I go for? Am I right by sacrificing clarity and color for cut and carat. If I’m looking to spend 2.5 – 4k on the diamond alone what can I expect to get? I don’t want to be ripped off and I want to get the biggest diamond I can find within my budget without sacrificing too much quality.

Would a radiant shaped diamond allow me to get a bigger carat but still look very similar to a princess shape?

Thanks.
Yea I can get her a fat diamond (carat) but then it would be yellow and flawed.

I’ll try to hit all of your questions:

Princess vs. Radiant shape:
Radiant cuts are usually a little more expensive than comparable (same carat, clarity, color, cut grade) princess cuts. So, the way to save money is to go with the princess cut.

Cutting costs by sacrificing clarity and color:
Cut: Of all the Cs, cut grade is the most affordable “upgrade.” Cut grade has the least impact on price, so don’t be afraid to ask for a better cut grade on any ring–you can probably afford it.

Color: The larger the diamond, the more apparent color will be. This is especially true with a white gold setting. (Yellow gold tends to mask the yellow tinge in some lower grade diamonds.) So, if possible, set a minimum of J grade (the lowest in the “nearly colorless” group).

So, really the sacrifice is carat for clarity. With that in mind, you can play around on some of the diamond search engines (http://www.diamondpriceguru.com/, PriceScope, etc.) to see what matches your budget.

(You asked what to expect in the $2.5-$4k range.)
For example, I plugged in princess cut, “ideal” cut grade, J color (or better). At $2,500, most of the diamonds are 1-carat and clarity VS1 or VS2. At $4,000 the largest I see is 1.5 carats, and it’s a clarity VS2 ($3,820). Slightly smaller is the 1.24-carat, with a clarity of VVS2 ($2,743). Anyway, there are plenty to choose from, from about 10 different retailers. (When you get to the search results, you can sort by price or by carat size–I sorted by carat size since you said you wanted the “biggest” you can find within the budget.)

And, yes, it’s easy to get ripped off. Pull prices from every source you have and make sure retailers know you have that information. Most brick-and-mortar retailers won’t match Internet prices, but they might drop their prices a little if they know you’ll walk.

I hope this helps.

ES314 Yellow Gold Princess Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring with Double Prongs by MDC Diamaonds NYC

.25Ct Princess Diamond Engagement Band F VS1 Wedding Ring 14k Gold Yellow SZ8 $1,799.10

0.22Ct Princess Cut Diamond Men’s Wedding Ring Band 14k Gold Yellow G VS2 SZ8 $1,979.10

0.54Ct Princess Cut GIA CERTIFIED SET IN 14K GOLD DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING H VS1 $1,365.00

1.37 CT Princess Cut Certified Diamond Solitare Engagement Ring 14k Yellow Gold $2,840.00

2.27 CT ROUND PRINCESS & BAGUETTE DIAMOND PENDANT, 18K WHITE GOLD #N $3,755.50

1.05 ct Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring 18k White Gold $2,700.00

14K GOLD PRINCESS DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING $350.00

14k white gold IGI .37ct diamond princess ring SI1 H 5g $599.99

2.00 Ct Princess Cut Diamond Bridal Set 18K Yellow Gold $7,220.00

MENS 14KT YELLOW GOLD BLUE DIAMOND RING WEDDING BAND PRINCESS BAGUETTE CUT $3,995.00

0.5Ct Princess Natural G VVS1 Diamond Men Wedding Band Ring 14K White Gold SZ9 $1,429.20

0.50 Ct Princess Diamond Wedding Band 10K White Gold $450.51

2.22 CARAT PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING 14K GOLD $6,952.95

1.67 Carat Princess Cut Certified Diamond Engagement 4-Prong Ring In 14k Gold $3,313.80

0.15Ct Princess Diamond Wedding Band Engagement Rings 14k Gold White VS1 F SZ9 $1,511.10

2.5 Ct Princess Cut 3-Stone Certified Diamond Engagement Ring 14k White Gold $3,960.00

1.1Ct Princess Round Brilliant Diamond Wedding Ring 14k Gold White G SI1 SZ9 $2,456.10

3.6 CT Certified Princess Cut Custom Diamond Engagement Ring Set 14k White Gold $8,440.00

SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND PRINCESS AND BAGUETTE RING WHITE GOLD $1,000.00

1Ct Men’s Princess VS2 Wedding G Anniversary Diamond Ring 14k Gold White SZ9 $2,546.10

2.00 Ct. Princess Cut Diamond Bridal Set 18K White Gold $10,210.00

0.4 Diamond Ring Princess 3Stone Setting 18k W Gold 6.5 Engagement Women $1,349.25

2.0CT PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 18K WHITE GOLD $3,795.00

1.84 CT PRINCESS DIAMOND SOLITAIRE PENDANT 14K WHITE GOLD NECKLACE W/ CHAIN $4,908.00

0.75 CT Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Solitaire Ring 14k White Gold $2,595.00

0.74 CT Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Solitaire Ring 14k White Gold $2,595.00

0.55 Ct Princess Cut GIA CERTIFIED SET 14k WHITE GOLD DIAMOND WEDDING RING E VS1 $1,654.00

1.40CT PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING WHITE GOLD $1,299.00

3.31CT Princess Cut 18K White Gold Certified Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring $39,999.00

WOMENS 3STONE PRINCESS CUT SQUARE SIMULATED DIAMOND RING SET R1207 $20.39

0.85Ct Princess F VS1 Diamond Men’s Bridal Wedding Band Ring 14k Gold White SZ9 $2,502.00

0.17Ct Men F Princess VS1 Bridal Cut Diamond Wedding Ring 14k Gold Yellow SZ8 $1,709.10

Yellow Gold Diamond Ring 1 Carat G VS2 18k Princess Cut Wedding Inlaid Promise $3,722.00

1.25Ct Princess Mens Diamond Engagement Wedding Ring 14k Gold White F VS1 SZ9 $2,482.20

1.51 CT Princess Cut Natural Diamond Vintage Engagement Ring 14k YELLOW Gold AGI $3,376.00

2.10CT PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 18K WHITE GOLD $3,970.00

1.79 CT Princess Cut Vintage VS Diamond Engagement Ring Set 14k White Gold $4,002.00

1.2ct Diamond Ring Princess Setting 18k White Gold s6.5 Engagement Women $1,521.75

14k White Gold 1.55ct Princess & Baguette Diamond Ring Set Size 8.5 $934.15

14k White Solid Gold 28 Princess-cut Diamond Band Ring $950.00

4.28 Carat Princess Cut Certified Diamond Engagement 4-Prong Ring In 14k Gold $17,035.20

0.7 Diamond Ring Princess 3Stone Setting 18k W Gold 6.5 Engagement Women $1,986.75

1.61 CT Princess Cut Certified Diamond Engagement Ring 14k White Gold $3,526.00

2.68CT BLUE PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 18K $4,695.00

1.10 CT E-F Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Solitaire Ring 14k White Gold $3,795.00

0.66CT PRINCESS/ROUND DIAMOND 18KT W GOLD PENDANT~VS1 E $599.40

Princess Cut Diamond Engagement & Wedding Ring 1.2 CT White D color in 18K Gold $3,935.00

0.7 Ct Princess Cut GIA CERT 14k WHITE GOLD BRIDEL DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING E VS2 $2,736.00

0.85ct DIAMOND WEDDING RING ENGAGEMENT ANNIVERSARY RING PRINCESS CUT 14K GOLD $499.00

0.51 Diamond Ring Princess 3Stone Setting 18kW Gold 6.5 Engagement Women $1,379.00

1.93 Ct Natural Princess Diamond Halo Engagement Ring Pave Gold 14k White Gold $4,401.00

1.25Ct Princess Diamond Natural Wedding Engagement Ring 14k Gold White VS2 SZ9 $2,411.10

1.52 CT Princess Cut Natural Diamond Vintage Solitare Engagement Ring 14k YG AGI $3,725.00

1.00ct D-FL Princess Diamond Engagement Ring 14K Gold $16,999.00

2.25 CT PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 14K GOLD $4,657.95

1Ct Princess F VS1 Baguette Diamond Mens Wedding Band Ring 14k Gold White SZ9 $2,592.00

0.70Ct Men’s Princess Cut F Diamond VS2 Wedding Band Ring 14k White Gold SZ9 $2,366.10

2.52 CT Certified Princess Cut Custom Diamond Engagement Ring White Gold 14k $6,368.00

Beautiful .51 Princess Cut 14 karat white gold 4- prong solitare engagement ring $500.00

3.01 CT Princess Cut Certified Diamond Engagement Ring Set White Gold 14k Bridal $12,856.00

1.8 CT PRINCESS CUT SOLITAIRE DIAMOND PENDANT W/ CHAIN 14K WHITE GOLD $6,300.00

0.71 Ct Princess Cut GIA SOLITAIRE 14k WHITE GOLD DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING E VS1 $2,913.00

1.53 CT PRINCESS DIAMOND VINTAGE ENGAGEMENT RING 14K YELLOW GOLD $3,525.00

0.50Ct Princess Men’s F VS1 Brilliant Diamond Wedding Band 14k White Gold SZ9 $2,231.10

1.40Ct Princess Diamond Men’s VVS1 Wedding Bridal Band Ring 14k Gold White SZ9 $2,657.70

14k White Gold 1.45ct Princess Cut Diamond Wedding Set $9,680.00

1.53 CT Princess Cut Certified Diamond Engagement Ring 14k White Gold Bridal $3,598.00

2.01 ct Princess Diamond Wedding Ring Set 14KYG H-I/SI1 $2,869.00

NEW 1.61CT PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 14K WHITE GOLD TU229 $1,477.25

1.10 CT E-F Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Solitaire Ring 14k White Gold $3,795.00

0.3Ct Princess F VS1 Natural Diamond Men’s Wedding Ring 14k Gold Yellow SZ8 $1,709.10

NEW 1.30CT PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT WEDDING RING 14K WHITE GOLD TU4456 $1,125.00

3.06ctw Excellent I-VS1 Princess 14k Gold Trellis Style Three-Stone Ring 7.42gm $12,010.00

0.9 Diamond Ring Princess Setting Pave 18k W Gold s6.5 Engagement Women $1,789.00

14K 1.00ct Princess Diamond Collar X’s Necklace Wt Gold $2,489.99

10k 3 Emerald Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring White & Yellow Gold Size 7.5 $225.00

1.10 CT E-F Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Solitaire Ring 14k White Gold $3,795.00

1.4 Ct Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring 14k Gold F-G/SI $3,020.05

14k White Gold Quad Princess Diamond Bridal Engagement Fashion Ring SZ 7 Unique $388.00

.65 CT VS2 CHAMPAGNE PRINCESS DIAMOND 14K WHITE GOLD GORGEOUS PENDANT $580.00

0.50 CT D/SI1 PRINCESS DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING 14K WHITE GOLD !! $135.00

7.10ctw Princess Diana Blue Sapphire & Diamond Accented Earrings 14k White Gold $3,364.20

7.10ctw Princess Diana Blue Sapphire & Diamond Accented Earrings 14k Yellow Gold $3,364.20

0.71 Ct Princess Cut GIA CERT SET IN 14k WHITE GOLD DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING E VS $2,601.00

1.15 ct Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring 14k White Gold $2,780.00

1.50Ctw Princess Cut Diamond Men’s 18K White Gold Ring $1,650.00

3.88ctw Excellent I-SI3 Princess 14k Gold Trellis Style Anniversary Ring 7.70gm $10,637.00

0.5Ct F VS1 Men’s Princess Baguette Diamond Wedding Ring 14k Gold Yellow SZ8 $1,664.10

1 Carat Princess Cut Diamond Ring 1 Carat E VS2 18k 25th Anniversary Designer $4,280.00

Aquamarine 3 Stone Diamond Ring Princess Setting 18k WG $906.40

1Ct Princess Diamond Semi Mount Engagement Ring 18kGold $2,007.50

1Ct Round Diamond Princess Engagement Ring Setting 18k $1,457.67

1Ct Princess Diamond Engagement Ring Vintage Setting $1,425.88

1.2Ct Princess Diamond Solitaire & Wedding Band 18kGold $1,974.50

2Ct Princess Round Diamond Engagement Ring Setting 18k $2,809.68

1.1Ct Princess Diamond 3 Stone Engagement Ring 18k Gold $1,603.52

1Ct Princess Round Diamond 3 Stone Engagement Ring 18k $1,566.12

1.4Ct Princess Diamond Classic Engagement Ring Set 18k $1,799.88

1.4Ct Princess Diamond Engagement Ring 18k White Gold S $2,303.40

1.25Ct Princess Diamond Semi mount Engagement Ring 18k $1,974.50

14k White Gold Princess Citrine Diamond Statement Ring $1225 A princess citrine ador this diamond studded statement ring of white gold. You are an impressive woman with this 14k White Gold Princess Citrine Diamond Statement Ring.

14k Yellow Gold 1/2 Carat Princess Diamond Huggie Earrings $965 Finely crafted in yellow gold are these stylish princess cut diamond earrings. A royal feeling is felt with these 14k Yellow Gold 1/2Carat Princess Diamond Huggie Earrings.

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1/2 Carat Diamond Princess 14k White Gold Solitaire Pendant $1500 This exquisite white gold pendant is prong set with a princess diamond. You are always beautiful when you wear this 1/2Carat Diamond Princess 14k W Gold Solitaire Pendant.

14k White Gold 1/4 Carat Princess Diamond Huggie Earrings $430 These finely sleek princess cut diamond hoop earrings are finely crafted in 14k White Gold. Enhance your beauty with these 14k White Gold 1/4Carat Princess Diamond Huggie Earrings.

14k Yellow Gold 1/3 Carat Princess Diamond Huggie Earrings $645 These beautiful and fashionable princess cut diamond earrings set in pave are made of fine 14k Yellow Gold. Look graceful with these 14k Yellow Gold 1/3Carat Princess Diamond Huggie Earrings.

1 1/2 Carat Diamond Princess 14k Yellow Gold Solitaire Pendant $10000 A princess cut diamond is elegantly prong set on this pendant of yellow gold. You look great whenever you wear this 1 1/2Carat Diamond Princess 14k Y Gold Solitaire Pendant.

1 Carat Diamond Princess 14k White Gold Solitaire Pendant $5810 A princess cut diamond is elegantly prong set on this pendant of white gold. You look great whenever you wear this 1Carat Diamond Princess 14k White Gold Solitaire Pendant.

14k White Gold Princess Citrine Prong Diamond Necklace $255 This princess cut citrine sits in a diamond shape in decorated prongs of white gold. Show off your gemstone style when you wear this 14k White Gold Princess Citrine Prong Diamond Necklace.

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14k White Gold Prong Princess .40 Carat Diamond Stud Earrings $526 These sparkling stud earrings have a princess cut diamond held in a white gold four prong setting. Always look your best with these 14k W Gold Prong Princess .40Carat Diamond Stud Earrings.

14k Yellow Gold Prong Princess .25 Carat Diamond Stud Earrings $295 These lovely stud earrings have a princess cut diamond held in a yellow gold four prong setting. Complete any look with these 14k Y Gold Prong Princess .25Carat Diamond Stud Earrings.

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14k Yellow Gold Prong Princess 1.00 Carat Diamond Stud Earrings $2260 These luminous stud earrings have a princess cut diamond held in a yellow gold four prong setting. Stylize any outfit with these 14k Y Gold Prong Princess 1.00Carat Diamond Stud Earrings.

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14k White Gold Prong Princess .25 Carat Diamond Stud Earrings $295 These lovely stud earrings have a princess cut diamond held in a white gold four prong setting. Complete any look with these 14k W Gold Prong Princess .25Carat Diamond Stud Earrings.

2/5 Carat Diamond Princess 14k White Gold Solitaire Pendant $700 A lovely princess cut diamond is prong set on white gold. Add a touch of style to your pendant colleCaration with this 2/5Carat Diamond Princess 14k W Gold Solitaire Pendant.

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3/4 Carat Diamond Princess 14k Yellow Gold Solitaire Pendant $2925 A princess cut diamond is elegantly prong set on this pendant of yellow gold. You look great whenever you wear this 3/4Carat Diamond Princess 14k Y Gold Solitaire Pendant.

1/2 Carat Diamond Princess 14k Yellow Gold Solitaire Pendant $1500 This exquisite yellow gold pendant is prong set with a princess diamond. You are always beautiful when you wear this 1/2Carat Diamond Princess 14k Y Gold Solitaire Pendant.

1 1/2 Carat Diamond Princess 14k White Gold Solitaire Pendant $10000 A princess cut diamond is elegantly prong set on this pendant of white gold. You look great whenever you wear this 1 1/2Carat Diamond Princess 14k W Gold Solitaire Pendant.

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3/4 Carat Diamond Princess 14k White Gold Solitaire Pendant $2925 A princess cut diamond is elegantly prong set on this pendant of white gold. You look great whenever you wear this 3/4Carat Diamond Princess 14k W Gold Solitaire Pendant.

14k White Gold 1/3 Carat Princess Diamond Huggie Earrings $645 These exquisitely fashionable princess cut diamond earrings set in pave are made of fine 14k White Gold. Look graceful with these 14k White Gold 1/3Carat Princess Diamond Huggie Earrings.

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