Oval, pear- what's the lowest recommended color/ clarity?

[Bluery]

I posted another topic about upgrading the center diamond in my current setting, and I'm leaning toward replacing my princess stone with a slightly larger oval, maybe a pear, to maximize finger coverage (and because I love the less-common feel of those two shapes). I am wondering though, what's the lowest recommended clarity and color to go for both an oval and a pear, to maximize carat, without looking yellow or included/ not sparkly? I currently have an H (princess cut)- a little warmth doesn't bug me and I see no color tint with my H, although it's under 1 carat. The pave on my bands is G-H. Thanks for your help- I love this place!

 

[tyty333]

Re: Oval, pear- what's the lowest recommended color/ clarity

H would be the lowest I would recommend for a pear.
Color shows up more in the point of a pear.
You might be able go down to an I color in
An oval if you don't mind a little bit of a tint.

Pears and ovals can be pretty good at hiding
Inclusions. You can easily go down to an
Eye clean SI1...Sometimes even an SI2.

Edit - being sparkly has more to do with the cut than
Color or clarity. Work with someone who can do
An aset image so you can check on light return.
Granted oval and pear asets aren't the prettiest.

 

[cflutist]

Re: Oval, pear- what's the lowest recommended color/ clarity

I previously had a 2.05 D-VS2 oval and now have a 3.01 F-SI1 pear.
These cuts show more color than RBs, so if you are color sensitive like I am,
I would not go below an F (the low end of the colorless range).

 

[Niel]

Re: Oval, pear- what's the lowest recommended color/ clarity

H would be the lowest I would recommend for a pear.
Color shows up more in the point of a pear.
You might be able go down to an I color in
An oval if you don't mind a little bit of a tint.

Pears and ovals can be pretty good at hiding
Inclusions. You can easily go down to an
Eye clean SI1...Sometimes even an SI2.

Edit - being sparkly has more to do with the cut than
Color or clarity. Work with someone who can do
An aset image so you can check on light return.
Granted oval and pear asets aren't the prettiest.

Id even say an H is too low for a pear. I had an h pear and though lovely, the tip and head had such noticeably different facetting that the color concentration was certainly discernable.

An oval and a marquise, even though they also have a way of concentrating color, but in a way that spreads more evenly thought the stone.


But best thing to do is see them in person.

 

[Bluery]

Re: Oval, pear- what's the lowest recommended color/ clarity

Ok so a little lower in color for an oval than a pear? But not much? I'm definitely going to see the stones in person before selecting!

 

[Niel]

Re: Oval, pear- what's the lowest recommended color/ clarity

Ok so a little lower in color for an oval than a pear? But not much? I'm definitely going to see the stones in person before selecting!

Yes in a general sense youd be "safer" to go lower in color for an oval than a pear. But its really case by case.

As for clarity, SI should be fine. The smaller facets sure do hide inclusions better than say a step cut