Q&A: Replacing a Lost 2.6 Ct. Radiant Cut Diamond on a $40k Budget

For radiants, the depth shouldn’t ideally exceed 72%. As for the color, I would recommend sticking with H+ color with none, faint or medium fluorescence (medium and strong fluorescence on D-G colored diamonds usually cause a hazy/milky look in daylight – www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/). Clarity-wise, we search for eye-clean SI2+ diamonds. Sometimes you can find a perfect SI diamond, sometimes the first eye-clean option is a VS stone (www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/). Ideally, it’s better to avoid extremely thick and extremely thin girdles (if possible). Other thickness is okay and won’t have a significant impact on brilliance. A girdle is an issue that has little to no impact on the visual appearance of a diamond. Also, you don’t have to worry about the polish and symmetry. You most likely won’t be able to distinguish the difference between good and excellent (www.diamonds.pro/education/symmetry/ and www.diamonds.pro/education/polish/). You can read more info on this topic here: www.diamonds.pro/education/radiant-cut/.

Here are my comments about the diamonds you found:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.70-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8169296?a_aid=dmnd1357 – It is a little flatter than I would like.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.64-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-11483076?a_aid=dmnd1357 – Great diamond.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.70-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-11511378?a_aid=dmnd1357 – Perfect.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/3.02-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-10179778?a_aid=dmnd1357 – Nice but this stone is more expensive than the diamonds above and has smaller measurements.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/3.03-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8043951?a_aid=dmnd1357 – This stone has a little bit of a bowtie. It’s not too significant but the diamonds above are better. Also, it has an inclusion on the table.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/3.05-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-5238711?a_aid=dmnd1357 – Nice.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/3.01-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-10164519?a_aid=dmnd1357 – Great diamond but it has the same measurements as the diamonds above but it’s significantly more expensive.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/3.03-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-11684542?a_aid=dmnd1357 – Also perfect stone.
I always recommend checking the actual measurements, not the carat weight only. I personally like the third diamond the most.

I also found these diamonds with great measurements if you want to have a look:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.50-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-11171772?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.50-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-10426431?a_aid=dmnd1357

The first stone has slightly smaller measurements than the third one but it’s 2k cheaper per carat which isn’t a small amount. The second one is a great option if you don’t mind paying extra.

I also found this perfect alternative that is better-priced than the two alternatives we discussed: www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.61-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-11484406?a_aid=dmnd1357. To the majority of people, H colored diamonds look colorless in any setting (and identical to G colors). This stone is a nice compromise between size, price, and measurements.

Ideally, it’s better to avoid extremely thick and extremely thin girdles (if possible). Other thickness is okay and won’t have a significant impact on brilliance.

That’s wonderful news! I hope the diamond will meet (or exceed) your expectations.