1 ct Oval Help!

[Bilj]

Hi All -

I am looking to buy my girlfriend an engagement ring here shortly. It will be (mostly) a complete surprise to her. I know she favors an oval cut diamond, but she waffles on the setting. So I plan on spending as much as I can on a diamond with a simple solitaire setting (which is high on her list anyway) and if she wants a different setting down the road we can upgrade at that time. I do know she would like rose gold in whatever setting she ends up with.

I am looking for the best 1 ct Oval for under $5k. Seems like that puts me in roughly in the H and SI-1-VS2 range. I have been looking mainly on JA for diamonds with 59-63% depth and 55-60% table. With excellent polish and symmetry, and minimal bowtie. Ideal L/W ratio is 1.35-1.40 for me. I have a few that have caught my eye and would appreciate feedback on them or any other suggestions!

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-2228069
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-2387970
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2285380
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2220700
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-2327529 this one doesnt quite meet the specs listed above but it keept catching my eye so I have included it.

Thanks all!

 

[tyty333]

Hi All -

I am looking to buy my girlfriend an engagement ring here shortly. It will be (mostly) a complete surprise to her. I know she favors an oval cut diamond, but she waffles on the setting. So I plan on spending as much as I can on a diamond with a simple solitaire setting (which is high on her list anyway) and if she wants a different setting down the road we can upgrade at that time. I do know she would like rose gold in whatever setting she ends up with.

I am looking for the best 1 ct Oval for under $5k. Seems like that puts me in roughly in the H and SI-1-VS2 range. I have been looking mainly on JA for diamonds with 59-63% depth and 55-60% table. With excellent polish and symmetry, and minimal bowtie. Ideal L/W ratio is 1.35-1.40 for me. I have a few that have caught my eye and would appreciate feedback on them or any other suggestions!
You can step outside the depth/table ranges you posted (somewhat). Fancy cuts need to be evaluated mostly by the look of their faceting pattern.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-2228069
not bad, has an inclusion on the edge but I think there are better ones out there
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-2387970
I would nix this do to the fat arrow going through the center
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2285380
not bad
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2220700
my favorite of your choices, nice crisp facets, lots of mirrowing going on

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-2327529 this one doesnt quite meet the specs listed above but it keept catching my eye so I have included it.
this one is ok, like your last choice is better

Thanks all!

I think this one is the one to beat.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2220700
So now I'm going to add a few more for you to think about...
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.08-carat-h-color-if-clarity-sku-2371873 this hits the 8.26mm length (bigger
than your choice above but I think I like the faceting on your 1.01 h above)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-895630 (about same size but a G)

 

[Bilj]

Thank you for looking at those diamonds! As well as finding those others. I really like that 1ct G you found. Is there going to be much noticeable difference in brilliance between an excellent polish/symmetry and a very good? It seems like it could be diamond to diamond as I have seen "very good" gradings seem more brilliant than some "excellent" graded ones.

 

[mrs-b]

Hi All -

I am looking to buy my girlfriend an engagement ring here shortly. It will be (mostly) a complete surprise to her. I know she favors an oval cut diamond, but she waffles on the setting. So I plan on spending as much as I can on a diamond with a simple solitaire setting (which is high on her list anyway) and if she wants a different setting down the road we can upgrade at that time. I do know she would like rose gold in whatever setting she ends up with.

I am looking for the best 1 ct Oval for under $5k. Seems like that puts me in roughly in the H and SI-1-VS2 range. I have been looking mainly on JA for diamonds with 59-63% depth and 55-60% table. With excellent polish and symmetry, and minimal bowtie. Ideal L/W ratio is 1.35-1.40 for me. I have a few that have caught my eye and would appreciate feedback on them or any other suggestions!
You can step outside the depth/table ranges you posted (somewhat). Fancy cuts need to be evaluated mostly by the look of their faceting pattern.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-2228069
not bad, has an inclusion on the edge but I think there are better ones out there
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-2387970
I would nix this do to the fat arrow going through the center
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2285380
not bad
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2220700
my favorite of your choices, nice crisp facets, lots of mirrowing going on

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-2327529 this one doesnt quite meet the specs listed above but it keept catching my eye so I have included it.
this one is ok, like your last choice is better

Thanks all!

I think this one is the one to beat.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2220700
So now I'm going to add a few more for you to think about...
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.08-carat-h-color-if-clarity-sku-2371873 this hits the 8.26mm length (bigger
than your choice above but I think I like the faceting on your 1.01 h above)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-895630 (about same size but a G)

NO question in my mind that the 1ct G VS2 is a better cut stone. The facets are far less mushy and there really is no bow tie. Nice find, tyty!

I agree also, your 1.01 H VS2 is your best looking stone, but the way ovals concentrate any color in their ends makes a G a far safer bet in my opinion. Given the overall better looking cut as well, I would definitely be going for the 1ct G VS2.

 

[tyty333]

Thank you for looking at those diamonds! As well as finding those others. I really like that 1ct G you found. Is there going to be much noticeable difference in brilliance between an excellent polish/symmetry and a very good? It seems like it could be diamond to diamond as I have seen "very good" gradings seem more brilliant than some "excellent" graded ones.

Normally we look at Very Good and up for Polish and Symmetry parameters for a fancy cuts (it's different if you are paying for a Branded
cut). The cut plays way more of a factor than the polish/symmetry in fancy cuts (as long as its within reason).

Here are the levels of grading and what it means:

Excellent - No polish/symmetry defects visible at 10x magnification.
Very Good - Any defects are extremely difficult to see at 10x magnification.
Good - Any defects are difficult to see at 10x magnification.
Fair - Defects are noticeable at 10x magnification, and may be visible to the naked eye.
Poor - Defects are visible to the naked eye. Not offered by Lumera.

 

[Bilj]

Excellent. Thanks for the info tyty as well as the diamond selections. I agree that G colored stone is beautiful and looks like it will perform well. I appreciate the time.