If you're going to buy a James Allen 2 carat diamond, then you want to buy the most spectacular-looking one possible. Unfortunately, that's more challenging than adhering to specific proportions, an overall cut grade, or the James Allen True Hearts designation.
This tutorial aims to help you choose a James Allen 2-carat diamond that exhibits a high volume of light return and a virtual balance of brilliance and dispersion. Most people buy round brilliant cut diamonds, so we'll focus on that shape; however, we also offer in-depth tutorials for fancy-shaped diamonds.
James Allen Baguette Ballerina Setting.
Please use our diamond concierge service if you want help searching for a James Allen two carat diamond. Our services are free to the public, and you'll benefit from 35+ years of diamond-buying experience.
How Much Is a James Allen 2 Carat Diamond?
James Allen two-carat diamonds have various qualities, and diamond prices depend on specific factors. Most people are familiar with the 4Cs: Carat weight, Color, Clarity, and Cut. Few realize that diamond cut quality can influence the price by up to sixty percent.
Subsequent oversights include assuming that all ideal cut diamonds are equal, and you need to understand that GIA Excellent encompasses a spectrum of possibilities. Consequently, that explains why some GIA Excellent-cut James Allen two-carat diamonds cost more or less than others.
In that case, buying the best-looking James Allen 2-carat diamond requires understanding the differences. It's also essential to decide what level of light performance and sparkle factor is preferred and the price you're willing to pay. Here are two examples of two-carat diamonds that meet our selection criteria:
James Allen 2 Carat Diamond.
James Allen Two-carat Diamond.
Both diamonds above are GIA Excellent-cut with proportions within our recommended range. They are both VVS1 clarity and H-color with negligible fluorescence. Which diamond appears brighter and reflects light more evenly?
Which James Allen 2 Carat Diamond Should You Buy?
James Allen True Hearts Diamonds.
From our perspective, the James Allen True Hearts diamond on the left reflects light more evenly than the standard ideal cut on the right. Consequently, both diamonds have an overall cut grade of GIA Excellent; the difference is the degree of optical precision. That is the consistency of facet shape, size, and alignment from the perspective of 360 degrees.
The red Ideal Scope image lets us determine the light leakage and volume of light return. The diamond has minimal leakage in this case, as evidenced by the soft pink areas under the table section. The amount of leakage varies from stone to stone, depending on the degree of optical precision.
We're unable to assess the light performance of the standard ideal cut diamond because they only provide images for James Allen True Hearts diamonds. Since the diamond on the right isn't in that collection, it's reasonable to assume that it doesn't make the grade. That is not to say it's a lousy diamond, but rather that the diamond on the left is a better choice.
Porsche 911 Model/Price Comparison 2022.
Consequently, the 2.03 carat, H-color, VVS1 clarity, James Allen True Hearts diamond on the left costs $35,920 compared with $28,760.00 for 2.00 carat, GIA Excellent cut diamond on the right. In other words, the True Hearts diamond is $17,694.58 per carat, and the standard ideal cut diamond is $14,380 per carat.
In that case, the Hearts and Arrows diamond costs twenty-three percent more than the standard ideal, but it also offers better light performance. Similarly, a Porsche 911 turbo costs $182,900, while a traditional 911 non-turbo costs only $106,100, which is a significant difference, but so is the horsepower.
How Big Is a 2-carat diamond?
People tend to buy diamonds based on carat weight and the perception of size on their hands. In contrast, trade members describe diamonds in millimeters, directly correlating as visible outside diameter. That's because the total depth and other measurements significantly affect the diameter of a two-carat diamond.
The 2.03 carat, True Hearts diamond above measures 8.15 x 8.18 x 4.99 mm; therefore, it has an average diameter of 8.165 millimeters. In contrast, the 2.00-carat diamond measures 8.08 x 8.1 x 4.97 mm; and has an average diameter of 9.09 mm.
Therefore, it's safe to assume that a 2-carat round ideal cut diamond measures approximately 8 mm in diameter, which is 5/16th of an inch. The difference between the two diamonds above is due to carat weight, total depth, crown height, pavilion depth, and girdle thickness.
JA True Hearts
Hearts & arrows diamond
4 / 5
Average diameter:
8.165 mm
Total depth:
61%
Table diameter:
57%
Crown height:
14.5%
Pavilion depth:
43%
Girdle thickness:
3.5%
Full Details:
GIA Excellent Cut
standard ideal cut
3 / 5
Average diameter:
8.09 mm
Total depth:
61.4%
Table diameter:
56%
Crown height:
15%
Pavilion depth:
43%
Girdle thickness:
3.5%
Full Details:
Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Proportions:
Slight differences in the proportions of the above diamonds affect the visible outside diameter. It also impacts the volume of light return and the balance of brilliance and dispersion. Strictly adhere to the following proportions to find the best-looking James Allen 2 carat diamond:
James Allen Lab-grown Diamonds
Lab-created James Allen True Hearts Diamond.
You might consider a lab-grown James Allen 2-carat diamond because they cost significantly less than natural diamonds. For example, this 2.08 carat, H-color, VVS1 clarity, James Allen True Hearts Lab-created diamond costs $6,400 or $3,076.00 per carat.
Whether you purchase a natural or lab-grown James Allen 2 carat diamond, you can make a good impression if you follow these guidelines. Remember to adhere to our recommended proportions and use the Ideal Scope image to gauge the light performance.
Despite marketing efforts that imply that lab-grown diamonds are "just like" natural diamonds, there are differences, so read our lab-grown diamond buying guide. Take advantage of our free Diamond Concierge Service if you want our help picking the best-looking diamond.
