Please help me find a 2 carat Oval Diamond :]

[himni]

I really need help finding an oval diamond. I am not color sensitive as I even own an L color cushion diamond.


I was hoping to find a J or I color, to maximize my budget. My main worry is selecting one that has a bowtie effect. My max budget is 13K. I would love to find one that is at least 2 carats. As big in mm as possible – if that makes any sense.


I have found some, but I do not know if they are good choices. I am hoping to make a decision by Monday. Thank you so much. I am in a rush because I was suppose to select a diamond months ago. This is my push present .


https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/2.16-ct-I-VVS1-Excellent-Cut-Oval-Diamond/D41026132



https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/O201-651650942?


https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/O212-3Z2328373?


https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab


https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab


https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab


https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/O200-51Z9Z5Z65?

 

[rockysalamander]

I've limited my comments below to those of yours that *I* think have potential. I exclude anything with "stock images". The videos that spin on the long axis really make it hard to evaluate the bowtie and performance. What is your budget?

You'll want to ask for ASET from JA. I would not pick an oval without one.

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/O212-3Z2328373 {while not eyeclean due to the clear inclusion on the table, it has a solid ASET. It is listed as having additional clouds so you need a gemologist to review it for causing a snowglobe effect. 10.01×7.37×4.64}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.12-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4240915 {10.38*7.50*4.45}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.76-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2752663 {9.48*6.79*4.26; this one look lovely}

But, since you have a finite amount of time, what about an August Vintage oval? Confirm these are eyeclean. You can contact [email protected].
These will have guarantee performance.
https://www.augustvintageinc.net/collections/opulence

Opulence Oval 2.01 I SI2 $15,477.00
Opulence Oval 2.00 I SI1 $16,500.00

@valeria101 @tyty333 @diamondseeker2006

 

[Starfacet]

Hi Himni,

This Opulence Oval is the sister to mine (in my avatar). It's only a 1.5 ct., higher color at G, but it's in stock! Price is $12,870.

https://www.augustvintageinc.com/collections/opulence/products/1-5ct-g-si1-august-vintage-oval

Here's an IG video that Jon jut posted: https://www.instagram.com/p/BeJJqu1hyHN/?taken-by=augustvintage

ETA: I see this one from James Allen is no longer available. Did you get this one?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.12-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4240915 {10.38*7.50*4.45}

 

[diamondseeker2006]

J color will potentially be a problem in a generic oval because you may see color concentrated in certain areas due to the cut. The August Vintage ovals are going to be superior in almost every way. That would be my recommendation, also.

 

[himni]

@diamondseeker2006 @Starfacet @rockysalamander

wow I never knew Good Old Gold was cutting ovals- they are gorgeous!

But, the thing is that I am upgrading my 1 carat cushion with LM.
Basically what happened was that in the summer I contacted him about upgrading my 1 carat cushion to a 2 -2.5 carat oval. This was going to be a gift from DH because we had our son super early. He was a micro- preemie, weighing under 2lbs. Once the baby came home, we felt so happy and blessed that the baby was healthy. So my husband suggested I upgrade my ring, I contacted LM and he had located a stone, but it sold. After that he took his summer vacation. I had already mailed my original engagement ring in so that he could remove my original diamond.

Well, sometimes life makes changes that you are not ready to deal with, my dearest MIL passed away from complications related to dementia. I had been caring for her for around 7 years. She was my world, I loved her to the moon and back. We ended up using most of my ring funds . I was to embarrassed to email LM and let him know. So finally the first week of this year I contacted him and asked if we could just take the original stone and find a matching one and make a pair of earrings, he was really nice and located a stone, I paid for it. I just did that because I did not want to make him feel like I wasted his time and that way I could still get something nice for myself.

But after looking at oval e-rings I decided I wanted to use that money towards my upgrade. I hope this is making sense. OMG I would be so embarrassed if he is was reading this.

So I called him and told I wanted to change back to getting an oval diamond, he said ok and to send him an email with the diamonds I had in mind ASAP, hence why I am looking at big diamond companies, as I thought that he would also have access to those diamonds.

So that is my issue.


I must say LM has been very kind, I feel like a loser for keeping my ring there for so long. But once my MIL passed away, we were so sad and we mourned for a very long time. I have never in my life lost someone, so it was very hard. I saw this woman go from being a community leader and so much more to taking her last breath. She was the definition of a phenomenal woman. When she passed she took a part of my heart with her.


So I want to find a diamond ASAP, pay the difference and stop worrying about completing this project. Plus I am with child so I do not know what size my finger will be later one. Once I lose the baby weight I can worry about the setting. Originally I had a budget of $16K but now I want to stay under 13k for the stone.


sorry for the long post and grammar errors, my little one keeps trying to bite the keyboard lol

 

[himni]

Hi Himni,

This Opulence Oval is the sister to mine (in my avatar). It's only a 1.5 ct., higher color at G, but it's in stock! Price is $12,870.

https://www.augustvintageinc.com/collections/opulence/products/1-5ct-g-si1-august-vintage-oval



Here's an IG video that Jon jut posted: https://www.instagram.com/p/BeJJqu1hyHN/?taken-by=augustvintage

ETA: I see this one from James Allen is no longer available. Did you get this one?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.12-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4240915 {10.38*7.50*4.45}

I did not get the JA one, but I asked if they had an ASET pic and they said they would email it but that meant putting the stone on hold.

https://www.augustvintageinc.com/collections/opulence/products/1-5ct-g-si1-august-vintage-oval

I LOVE IT!! but I am upgrading with LM so I can't

 

[rockysalamander]

Glad your LO is well and congrats on your new one on the way. Sending baby dust that you make it all the way to 40 weeks!

Hmmmm....if LM is taking your diamond in trade and you can't get ASET from the posting vendor, then I think you'll only be able to consider ovals that have ASET already posted. That dramatically reduces your options. So, how patient can you be as there may only be a few per week worth sending to LM?

Would LM be willing to consign your diamond for you? That way you'd get a lump sum to buy anywhere you like. LoveAffairDiamonds is also a good consignment option.

 

[himni]

Glad your LO is well and congrats on your new one on the way. Sending baby dust that you make it all the way to 40 weeks!

Hmmmm....if LM is taking your diamond in trade and you can't get ASET from the posting vendor, then I think you'll only be able to consider ovals that have ASET already posted. That dramatically reduces your options. So, how patient can you be as there may only be a few per week worth sending to LM?

Would LM be willing to consign your diamond for you? That way you'd get a lump sum to buy anywhere you like. LoveAffairDiamonds is also a good consignment option.

I can be very patient, as long as he doesn't get annoyed, I sent him my ring last summer. I also paid for the other diamond that I was going to get, so technically he will just credit that amount to the new diamond I find, I will just have to send the difference, I just wanted to get it done ASAP, that way I don't have to worry about him getting annoyed with me going back and forth.

Thank you for the baby dust, I am at 20 weeks now. Half way to go!

I like this one, that you suggested, it is so big!

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.12-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4240915

I will send it to him, but since I requested an ASET picture, JA said they had to put it on hold- does that mean LM can not get it?? I wonder if the color will be evenly distributed?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, your post are me cry! How absolutely sweet of you to have cared for your MIL for so long! Your love for her is very apparent! I am truly sorry for your loss. But, I am also thrilled that your baby is healthy and doing well! Plus another little one on the way! If anyone deserves an upgrade, you do!

Okay, now that we understand, we will help you find a stone! But I really recommend I color or higher. I can see the color in that J. You can get by with J in an ideal cut round better than an oval.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I like the 1.76 I VS2 that RS posted.

Other possibilities:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.00-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2855192

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09920992?refTab=DIAMONDS

Okay, I honestly have not found one I love. BUT, I have an idea!!!! Jon will sell his stones wholesale to vendors! I am sure you’d pay the full price and the vendor would get a lower price. So I do think Leon could buy from Jonathan!

 

[himni]

I like the 1.76 I VS2 that RS posted.

Other possibilities:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.00-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2855192

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09920992?refTab=DIAMONDS

Okay, I honestly have not found one I love. BUT, I have an idea!!!! Jon will sell his stones wholesale to vendors! I am sure you’d pay the full price and the vendor would get a lower price. So I do think Leon could buy from Jonathan!

Hi @diamondseeker2006 thank you for your replies. I was thinking maybe I would better off with a Brilliant Round, they are classy and will still give me good finger coverage. Can you please help me?

I found these:
https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/1.88-ct-I-VS1-Affinity-Cut-Round-Diamond/D41125261

https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/1.81-ct-I-VVS2-Affinity-Cut-Round-Diamond/D40848118

https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/J-VS1-Affinity-Cut-Round-Diamond/D41153802

https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/1.90-ct-J-VS2-Affinity-Cut-Round-Diamond/D41208654

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4266897



max budget is only 13k.

 

[himni]

Well, your post are me cry! How absolutely sweet of you to have cared for your MIL for so long! Your love for her is very apparent! I am truly sorry for your loss. But, I am also thrilled that your baby is healthy and doing well! Plus another little one on the way! If anyone deserves an upgrade, you do!

Okay, now that we understand, we will help you find a stone! But I really recommend I color or higher. I can see the color in that J. You can get by with J in an ideal cut round better than an oval.

Thank you :]

Do you think in a round I can get get a J color? If not I will try to get an I colored stone.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Only go with a round if you really like them! But it definitely will be easier to find a very well cut round! I like I color, but J can be fine in a round. That mainly depends on your own color tolerance. I’ll be glad to help you, but we need to stick with stones that have pictures and/or videos! I’ll take a look!

This one looks really good, but because of the crown angle being so high, it could have leakage.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4266897

Stay within these:

Table: 54-57
Depth: 60-62.3
Crown angle: 34-35
Pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9

 

[diamondseeker2006]

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3596799

This one gets you 2 cts, but it has strong fluorescence. I happen to like it, but that would be up to you.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4319550

 

[himni]

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3596799

This one gets you 2 cts, but it has strong fluorescence. I happen to like it, but that would be up to you.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4319550

@diamondseeker2006 thank you for your reply. The first one was sold out and the second one is little over my budget


But I looked for some more, using the guidelines you gave me and I found some. They are under 2 carats, which sucks because I wanted a 2 carat diamond, but I can stay within budget. Please let me know your thoughts.

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...ATIONS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab



https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...ATIONS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab






https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...ATIONS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab



https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...ATIONS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab



https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/1.90-ct-J-VS2-Affinity-Cut-Round-Diamond/D41208654



https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/1.71-ct-I-VVS1-Affinity-Cut-Round-Diamond/D41051924

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, I looked through those stones and you did quite well picking them out!

First note, I believe both BN and Adiamor require spending double the amount of the original diamond to upgrade. Since all of these are below your desire for a 2 ct stone, are you sure you want to go with vendors that have restrictive upgrade policies? If you went with Whiteflash, you’d have to drop to 1.6 cts., but you cajoled upgrade at any time with no minimum increase as long as the new stone costs more. Something to consider if you think your goal would be to eventually end up at or over 2 cts.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3941374.htm

Now, to address the stones you listed, all are potentially okay. My question would be whether the ones from Adiamor are available to other vendors since they are in their Affinity hearts and arrows collection. I think my favorite of the stones you listed is the Adiamor 1.71 I VVS1. It has lower girdle facets of 75% which makes them nice and wide. It also has strong blue fluorescence that is nice! And for those who’ll say, don’t pay for VVS!!!....this stone is priced lower than the BN 1.72 I VS2. That’s why it never hurts to look at VVS in a search! The 1.90 J VS2 is okay, but it has 80% lgf which I don’t like as well. But it is fine if size is your most important spec!

At BN, the 1.77 J VS1 falls between the two Adiamor diamonds at 7.7mm. It would be a nice choice,too. The remaining stones are not as good as some others, so I eliminated those.

 

[rockysalamander]

If you want a bit of an oval vibe, but without an oval, you can set it with a bezel/halo with that in mind. These are not exactly that, but you can sett the potential of using a halo to alter the shape of the main stone. Here, they used large melee on the ends and taper on the sides of the halo to give an elongate look. Its a very subtle but effective cheating of the eye. Something like this executed by LM would be seamless and gorgeous.




You might check with LM about setting other branded stones. I seem to recall it being mentioned that he was unwilling (or perhaps that limited to old cuts).

 

[himni]

thank you so much for your help ladies :] It is so nice of you ladies to take time out of your day and assist me. I am going to email LM now and hope he can access some of the ones we agreed on. Will update once I hear from him.

 

[valeria101]

I am going to email LM now and hope he can access some of the ones we agreed on.

He does make some specialty cut diamonds, every now and then ... There were never details about the make, but the objects sems rather bright ,-) I have not tracked the stock of these (cushions and EC, I think ? Also some more exotic old school models) to know if there ever were J -s & beyond.

Perhaps something to ask about.

2c

___

I hardly have any time these days .-( , but news of 'LM' must be followed ! I LOVE their work (owner's quirks & all ... )

 

[himni]

Well I am devastated...ok maybe not devastated, that is all the pregnancy hormones talking.
I sent L/M an email with the stones I had in mind. My top 2, one was from Adiamore and the other was from B/N.

He replied and said, that it was to late to return the second antique cut cushion [it is still in his store], which sucks because I literally only agreed and paid last week .



Why I am disappointed: I wanted to get the 1.71 RB and later trade in and upgrade to my goal stone which is an I/VS2 2.50 carat oval, but now that seems so far away. I will also have to sell my old Adrianna setting, where does one even sell such a setting??

So.................now I have to pick a setting for the earrings here are my choices:

1.Studs

2.Wire drops

3.Halo studs

4.Halo drops with diamond-set French wire

These are the stones, terrible picture. The one with the red mark indicates it is my original stone.



Halo Studs:


Halo drops with diamond-set French wire


I usually wear pumps, pencil skirt and a nice blouse, but I am about to have 2 children under two . My usual OOTD has been traded in for sweats and a t-shirt.....so option #4 might not suit my current lifestyle. Although they will later on.

The halo studs are lovely BUT I already have a 1.60 CTW pair that I purchased from V/C.

I love the earrings this lady has on, I think she is on a reality show:



Any thoughts??
@rockysalamander @diamondseeker2006

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think antique cushions might be better as drops. They might be a little too deep to wear as studs, not to mention, it might drive me crazy having them positioned the same way on both ears. You don’t have to have all that pave on the drop earrings, though.

Here’s an example of 7mm stones in drop earrings with no pave if you want more wearable and less dressy earrings.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/585221839/the-bianca-18k-yellow-gold-victorian?ref=shop_home_active_3

What my question about LM is, does he have a return policy on diamonds? Because you only paid for the stone a week ago, so he should surely have a 10 or 15 day return period. I would not be happy with this outcome, but if you didn’t ask about return period prior to the purchase, I guess there is nothing you can do. Do you have a receipt that might have return policies on it?

 

[Snowdrop13]

I think it would be a shame to not get exactly what you want, especially after all you have been through! Sounds like the earrings are not filling you with excitement.

I would not be embarrassed about dealing with LM, it is YOUR money and you are potentially spending a lot of it with him. Please stand firm. His return policy must be written somewhere. Where did he get the other cushion from? Presumably he can still return it himself?