1.2ct oval vs 1.29ct oval for e-ring

[bongta029]

I'm in the middle of choosing the stone for my gf's e-ring. After doing some research here and looking at HW, we decided to customize with micro pave oval halo from VC. I wanted to pay around 10k for it but with the loose stones they found, it's going to be either 11k or 12k depending on the loose stone I choose. VC found 1.29ct oval H vs1 for $8k and it was slightly over my initial budget, and now they also found 1.2ct oval H vs2 for $7,100. Comparing these two, it's only 9% bigger now looking at both of them, I don't know if I want just pay more for 1.29ct or go with 1.2ct and and use that towards the wedding band or wedding. Would 1.29 and 1.2 make a big difference in size?

 

[Magpie4426]

What are the dimensions of the two stones? Length:Width can vary a lot with ovals, so this would be useful info to have.

 

[bongta029]

The sizes are
1.2ct 8.08x5.98x3.82mm
1.29ct 8.51x6.17x.3.90mm
Here is the comparison
**edited by moderator, no affiliate linked websites please**

 

[Gypsy]

Neither. You need pictures and an ASET to buy an oval. You have neither. It's the equivalent of betting on a game in a casino that you have no idea how to play.

 

[bongta029]

They showed me pictures of them, but not the aset. I can post the pictures of the stone, idk if that will help. I'll also request some ASET from them.

 

[Gypsy]

yes, the pictures are vital. An ASET is something I doubt they have. Which is why I don't recommend buying fancies from this vendor. But... doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Gypsy]

Numbers and lab reports tell you nothing of importance about an oval.
From what you have posted? Those diamonds could be gorgeous, or complete dogs.

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king. With fancies though (anything other than a round brilliant), that is a little complicated. But no other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut.

There really is no other way to determine if you have a good oval is to see images of the stones, and then you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.

That's what an ASET image does. http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance Please read.
And ASET shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return That is why you won't see us recommending vendors like Blue Nile, as they do not provide images or ASET images for their diamonds. James Allen and Good Old Gold do this. So do Brian Gavin and Whiteflash and High Performance Diamonds.

 

[bongta029]

this one is 1.2ct H vs2 excellent polish, very good symmetry.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22646017@N08/14461821625/in/photostream/
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/22646017@N08/14275236998" title="1_20HVS2_OVAL by Joseph Bong, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3903/14275236998_cbd3e45aac_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="1_20HVS2_OVAL"></a>

this one is 1.29ct H vs1 excellent polish, very good symmetry.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22646017@N08/14275236998/in/photostream/
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/22646017@N08/14461821625" title="1_29HVS1_OVAL by Joseph Bong, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2898/14461821625_9e96e141db_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="1_29HVS1_OVAL"></a>

 

[Gypsy]

Both have bowties. An ASET is needed as one picture is so close as to obscure any light return information and the other is well.. not helpful either.

Still they both have potential to be good. And both have potential to be dogs.

But if the vendor doesn't provide ASETs, you could have the diamonds, both of them, sent to an appraiser WHO WORKS FOR YOU only, and is independent, and has an ASET scope and other tools to evaluate the stones, and they will be able to help you make the decision.

 

[Gypsy]

Is VC Victor? If so, he has an ASET.

 

[bongta029]

Yes VC is victor. I just requested for them.

 

[bongta029]

Is VC Victor? If so, he has an ASET.

Unfortunately they didn't have ASET for these diamonds, because they don't have these in hand. Also ASET is not really effective for oval diamonds.
The lady at VC told me that they have no bowtie effect on neither of them.
I think VC is a trustworthy vendor, but I'm not sure if I should decide between these stones from what they are telling me.

 

[Gypsy]

VC is trustworthy. But the lady is wrong. ASET is helpful for ovals. And all fancies.

The pics show bowties. So I'm not sure what she is talking about there.

As for not having the stone in hand. Well, tell them that if you pick one, and it doesn't ASET out well, then you should be able to return it IMO. Or you can pay to have both shipped to them for an ASET and a video (VC does videos as well) comparing the two and pick the best one.

That's what I would do.
And I wouldn't buy a stone without all the information I requested.

 

[bongta029]

I can have them take a look at the stone, but they will charge for shipping and credit it to the ring if I decide to buy it.

 

[Gypsy]

There you go. Have both sent to them, ask them to make a video and take ASETs.

 

[bongta029]

The lady just told me that 1.2 is no longer available. She found 1.22ct G SI1, the price is between 1.2 and 1.29. Then isn't it better just to get 1.29, if it's a good stone?

 

[tyty333]

With those links I can only get the picture of the 1.29 to come up. It looks like a nice stone to me. Bow-ties are subjective.
This stone does not look to have what I consider to be a bow-tie. Some people think if it has any facets going through the
center that can go "Off" ,or black, then it has a bow-tie. To me, if it has an arrow (like a round brilliant) and nicely distributed
smaller facets leading up to it than its not a bow-tie.
A bow-tie to me has to have a wide area of big facets running through the center compared to the smaller facets that lead up to it.
(yes, they are hard to define).

Here is a bow-tie...goes from small facets towards the end of the stone to large facets in the middle that can "turn off"
creating a big black area (bow-tie).
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-249944

To me, this does not have a bow-tie (but to others it does). Even though it has an arrow going through the middle like a round
brilliant that will 'turn off" as it spins, it will turn back on fairly quickly and the faceting pattern leading up to to the arrow is evenly
distributed. This is what I think the 1.29 looks like (more pictures would help).
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.04-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-324314

So, I guess what I am saying is that you have to decide what your definition of a bow-tie is and what is pleasing to your eyes.

Can you get the links to work? I would like to see the 1.2?

 

[bongta029]

With those links I can only get the picture of the 1.29 to come up. It looks like a nice stone to me. Bow-ties are subjective.
This stone does not look to have what I consider to be a bow-tie. Some people think if it has any facets going through the
center that can go "Off" ,or black, then it has a bow-tie. To me, if it has an arrow (like a round brilliant) and nicely distributed
smaller facets leading up to it than its not a bow-tie.
A bow-tie to me has to have a wide area of big facets running through the center compared to the smaller facets that lead up to it.
(yes, they are hard to define).

Here is a bow-tie...goes from small facets towards the end of the stone to large facets in the middle that can "turn off"
creating a big black area (bow-tie).
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-249944

To me, this does not have a bow-tie (but to others it does). Even though it has an arrow going through the middle like a round
brilliant that will 'turn off" as it spins, it will turn back on fairly quickly and the faceting pattern leading up to to the arrow is evenly
distributed. This is what I think the 1.29 looks like (more pictures would help).
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.04-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-324314

So, I guess what I am saying is that you have to decide what your definition of a bow-tie is and what is pleasing to your eyes.

Can you get the links to work? I would like to see the 1.2?

actually the link that was for 1.29 is 1.2ct stone.
I guess I switched the links when I posted it here.
This one is 1.29ct H VS1
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22646017@N08/14275236998/in/photostream/
<iframe src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/22646017@N08/14461821625/in/photostream/player/" width="375" height="500" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>
and
this is the link to 1.2ct
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22646017@N08/14275236998/
<iframe src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/22646017@N08/14275236998/in/photostream/player/" width="500" height="376" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>
but Victor said this one is not available anymore

 

[bongta029]

this is another one they just offered.
1.22ct G Si1
price is between 1.2 and 1.29

 

[Gypsy]

That one looks like it has a stronger bowtie.

Ask them to have Victor view and recommend one.

 

[bongta029]

Which one? 1.22?

 

[tyty333]

I like the look that is in the photo with the black background and the stone is being held with tweezers. Is that the 1.29?

 

[bongta029]

Yes that is 1.29ct one

 

[bongta029]

I just talked to Victor, and he said he will take a look at the photos and recommend the better stone. Then I'll get it shipped there and have him look more into it before I decide. I'm leaning towards 1.29ct since its a bigger, less inclusion, and only $500 more than 1.22ct.

 

[bongta029]

I got this from Victor today. It's for 1.29ct. ASET, fancy, and officelight. He said it looks gorgeous in person. What do you guys think? [attachment=-1]1_29-IdealScope-01.jpg[/attachment][attachment=-1]1_29-ASET black (Fancy)-02.jpg[/attachment][attachment=-1]1_29-Officelight-Gray-01.jpg[/attachment]

 

[Gypsy]

The stone is a very nice one. I think it's a great choice.

 

[bongta029]

Yah should I'll go with this one. Or request one for 1.22 as well? This one looks beautiful. Thanks for your advice. I'll let you know how everything turns out.

 

[Gypsy]

If Victor chose this one over the other... I'd tend to trust him. It's a nice stone. As long as it works for you budget, etc. I'd be okay with just saying go for it, if it were me.

But if you don't want to just chose based on one ASET (and that's VERY valid), then by all means, ask for another evaluation. You will probably pay shipping for that one too.

 

[iota15]

That 1.29 looks nice. Good Aset too for an oval.

What are you planning on doing with it with VC?

 

[bongta029]

I'm trying to customize an oval halo e-ring from VC.