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2 Carat Showdown: Opulence Oval vs AVC vs AVR - With Pictures!

Which diamond would you choose?

  • Opulence Oval

    Votes: 37 33.9%
  • AVC

    Votes: 68 62.4%
  • Neither- Keep Looking!

    Votes: 4 3.7%

  • Total voters
    109
I'm typically hands down AVC over Opal kind of girl (in fact next on my wishlist is the AVC or AVR)...but I HAD to comment and say that based on the pictures you shared, the Oval looks absolutely stunning on you! I'm even surprised by this feeling myself lol, but I really love the Oval on your hands. Soooo gorgeous!
 
I love that Opulence Oval but am not a fan of this stone's elongated shape. Could Jon cut you a more chubby oval?
 
I really appreciate all the responses and it looks like the cushion is winning. I came back online to say that I am leaning towards the cushion since it's what attracted me the most in the first place--but then I scrolled through the photos again and the oval does look so good on the finger!!! Granted, this is not the actual oval I would purchase and I don't think I can hold the cushion until the oval comes in, unfortunately.

If I do choose the cushion, I am going to have limited options for the setting. It might be difficult to recreate the singlestone setting and I worry that if it's not done perfectly, it might look a bit off. It is a relatively simple setting, but it is hand forged and what made it beautiful is how seamless and elegant the details were--it the side stones rose out of the shank in a very organic way. It might be impossible to recreate that effect in a ring that's cast. Or maybe not--I am not an expert on this! I thought that I saw a Stuller setting that is similar to the Singlestone one (sort of), but I can't find it on their website (it had similar "leaves" on the side, but they were not integrated into the shank and seemed to be soldered on). Does anyone know where I can find it? I was also considering asking Casey at CVB to do one of her simpler settings that might fit within the budget (with the cushion don't have the budget for a setting that's over 2k), but I am not sure that it would look "vintage" or special enough to "complete" the cushion. There's always the possibility of resetting it in a grander setting in the future.

With the oval, I would have the budget to get really creative with the setting if I wanted to.
 
You need the whole package...the best stone and the best setting. Please don’t buy a gorgeous stone and then get a mediocre setting. CVB is worth waiting for if you can save for a few more months. In fact, you may be able to start the design phase with a deposit and wait for production until you save a little more. She won’t copy a SS ring, but she might be able to come up with something similar that wouldn’t cost as much as the Acacia.

My vote is for the AVC because it’s going to fit best in an antique style setting, plus it faces up larger. And be patient and get a CVB setting for it!
 
I saw you asked about metal color. For me, I am fine with platinum through K color. After that, I’d probably prefer rose or yellow gold. So since your diamond choices are I and J color, just choose the metal you love the most and think will work long term. For me, that is platinum, but all three metals are beautiful! I’d do a platinum head, though, even if I went with a gold shank.
 
This is your engagement ring so you really need to be wowed by the stone. The stone should speak to you. If you can't decide then those stones are not the final contender. You will always wonder if you made the right choice. IMHO, spend the $ on the right stone. If you can't afford the desired setting then set in a simple setting and do a new setting as an anniversary present.
 
This is a hard choice because the oval is beautiful, but I have to go with the cushion.
 
Love the oval, don't care for AVR or AVC cuts.
 
I think if I had not been so obsessed with asschers I would have loved an AVC. So I wouuld go with the AVC it's so gorgeous especially in that size..such a sweet spot
 
And finally, here are photos of the Singletone setting that I liked and might ask John to emulate. Although, I am still thinking of settings and haven't really decided on anything-- again, excuse the horrible state of my hands!
IMG_1413.jpg
IMG_1414.jpg
IMG_1415.jpg
IMG_1536.jpg


Of the options provided the oval is substantially whiter and I’m obsessed with this last oval photo so that’s my vote.
 
HI:

I am not deciding, but if I were, it would be the oval.

And Oval earring/dangles----OH LORDY!:love:

cheers--Sharon
 
Of the options provided the oval is substantially whiter and I’m obsessed with this last oval photo so that’s my vote.

The only thing is, that oval is not in the running. She’s interested in an I color one that is about the same size. So the oval would be I color and the AVC J. This is a great example, though, of how much color affects brightness of the stone.
 
The only thing is, that oval is not in the running. She’s interested in an I color one that is about the same size. So the oval would be I color and the AVC J. This is a great example, though, of how much color affects brightness of the stone.
Well then I guess I vote neither becuase I don’t like low colored ovals and I’d bet for what that’s costs a high color nice oval can be found
 
I want to clarify that I LOVE both diamonds- if I could have both I would! I wouldn’t say no to slightly larger stones Or maybe higher colors but I think that the cushion and the “I” colored oval hit the sweet spot for me in terms of size/specs/costs

The only thing is, that oval is not in the running. She’s interested in an I color one that is about the same size. So the oval would be I color and the AVC J. This is a great example, though, of how much color affects brightness of the stone.

This is correct. The F oval is out of my budget but I wanted to look at it anyway to get a sense of cut and size. The photos threw me because the high color of the oval really shows in the photos — more than it did in real life to my untrained eye. John made a video comparing both the oval and the cushion to help me decide and in this video the difference in color doesn’t show up quite as much:


I have spent weeks looking at ovals and honestly haven’t seen anything that gave such good light return and sparkle as this oval. I think that it would be difficult to find a high colored oval in my budget (or in any budget really) that was anywhere near as sparkly as this one.

I also really like how the single stone setting looks with the oval but for some reason I keep coming back to the cushion!
 
I will say that these ovals are going to outperform any ovals out there, so I color in these ovals likely will look far better than in a generic oval. I should say that I think the Acacia setting would be gorgeous with the oval. In fact, that might be my favorite shape for that setting. I am thinking of maybe finding an oval gemstone to set in that setting, in fact.

So don’t let us influence you too much. As someone said way above, try to tell which one you really love the most. It’s your eyes that matter! And really, both stones are rare and special!
 
I want to clarify that I LOVE both diamonds- if I could have both I would! I wouldn’t say no to slightly larger stones Or maybe higher colors but I think that the cushion and the “I” colored oval hit the sweet spot for me in terms of size/specs/costs



This is correct. The F oval is out of my budget but I wanted to look at it anyway to get a sense of cut and size. The photos threw me because the high color of the oval really shows in the photos — more than it did in real life to my untrained eye. John made a video comparing both the oval and the cushion to help me decide and in this video the difference in color doesn’t show up quite as much:


I have spent weeks looking at ovals and honestly haven’t seen anything that gave such good light return and sparkle as this oval. I think that it would be difficult to find a high colored oval in my budget (or in any budget really) that was anywhere near as sparkly as this one.

I also really like how the single stone setting looks with the oval but for some reason I keep coming back to the cushion!

Yep the AVC still gets my vote, it is so gorgeous! I have great respect for Rhino and the new Opulence oval cut that he has introduced! However, as others have said, there is probably room for improvement on the designer oval cut. For some reason, the opulence cut reminds me of a concave cut. Perhaps it’s the facet play and there is nothing wrong with that! However, the AVC is so enchanting and those big bold flashes - ahh! Either way, your future ring will be stunning and regardless of what we say are our preferences, you need to be happy and satisfied with your decision!
 
This is a threadjack...but I just have to say what a treasure diamondseeker is. She reads with care and analyzes the situation; keeps her eye on the ball; never forgets the consumer's concerns and priorities; and makes wise recommendations based on knowing diamonds and jewelry extremely well. I was never more impressed with her than in reading this thread.

You are so wonderful and giving, diamondseeker!

Hugs,
Deb
 
Ok not to throw a curveball, but JDDN is selling her AVC cut by Yoram. It’s a little bigger than the 2.3 and I think it is a K but you can see it here. I will try to link you her threads. I don’t know how much she is asking but you may get a decent price on it. And you can see it in two settings cause she has created two already.
 
Just see the oval as so so much bigger. Maybe you could save up for the F color oval. It's length is like a 3 carat round. The cushion has a length of a 2 carat round. I know the other sides are shorter on both but it does make the oval look larger, in the way ovals, pears and marquise do face up far bigger for their weight. Imaging the sparkle of the oval when it is 9mm long. I see no contest, but then I am not too fond of old cuts and I especially see the AVC as in my opinion only a severe cut. I prefer old mine cut cushions which look rounder with a round culet rather than the keel the AVC has.
 
I want to clarify that I LOVE both diamonds- if I could have both I would! I wouldn’t say no to slightly larger stones Or maybe higher colors but I think that the cushion and the “I” colored oval hit the sweet spot for me in terms of size/specs/costs



This is correct. The F oval is out of my budget but I wanted to look at it anyway to get a sense of cut and size. The photos threw me because the high color of the oval really shows in the photos — more than it did in real life to my untrained eye. John made a video comparing both the oval and the cushion to help me decide and in this video the difference in color doesn’t show up quite as much:


I have spent weeks looking at ovals and honestly haven’t seen anything that gave such good light return and sparkle as this oval. I think that it would be difficult to find a high colored oval in my budget (or in any budget really) that was anywhere near as sparkly as this one.

I also really like how the single stone setting looks with the oval but for some reason I keep coming back to the cushion!

This is going to sound dumb but another (be warned, it’s dumb) thing you could do is to cut out the exact oval shape and size on a piece of white paper and try it on your hand. And also cut an AVR in the exact dimensions in a piece of white paper and try it on your hand (balance the paper on top of a ring you already own). Every day. And examine your hand to see what you think of the whole shape of the stone on your hand.

I know you’ve tried it on in person. I know you’ve taken photos. But examining a stand-in on your hand every day might help make your final decision.

For me I used the paper thing to visually gauge how I felt about the size of the stone I ended up buying (my feelings about it changed daily) and eliminating other sizes.

Looking at the video, I’d say cushion. But from the photos I did think the oval was bigger on your hand. I think maybe I’ll just vote for cushion.
 
I love the AVC. The oval is beautiful but too skinny for me. Plus the avc is so unique and throws of such multi colored sparkle that even an well cut oval won't. The cushion is a more classic stone to me. Plus, the chunky shape of it is my favorite. The oval, while beautiful, still lacks something for me.
 
@LLJsmom That is a lovely diamond--but since I need to work through insurance, I can't really get something from a private seller.

@jadesilver that is a great idea! I'm going to see if I can play with cutouts tomorrow.

@pyramid what do you mean by "severe cut"?
 
Since your responses were all so helpful, I wanted to give you an update on the decision making process. I decided to stop looking at the photos and think back to how I felt when I was looking at the diamonds in person. When I looked at them in person, the cushion simply stood out to me as my favorite. So, even though the oval photographs AMAZINGLY well and it does really flatter my fingers (and I think it flatters them more than the cushion in the photos), my gut says that I have to go with the cushion.

NOW, on to the setting. I decided to work with Caysie at CVB and am very excited! It will be white gold or platinum (need to decide) and for the cushion, I really like the Chloe and the Sienna. The Acacia was a no brainer for the oval, because it was so skinny, but with this almost square cushion, I don't think that I will need width on the sides and that something daintier might be prettier.

I am finding it really stressful to pick a setting without being able to try it on first, especially because I now see that what I love when browsing online is often VERY DIFFERENT from what I love when I try stuff on in person. I like the idea of doing something similar to the Singlestone setting, since I saw that one in person and liked it, but I also think that the sienna looks more beautiful in photos than the singlestone setting. I want something that is vintage inspired and intricate, but still really delicate on my skinny fingers. My original E-Ring had a 1.5mm shank and the diamond was set with a very open basket so that the diamond essentially floated in the air--it was very modern and I want to go vintage now, but still keep it airy. Also, the diamond fell out of that setting TWICE--I definitely want something more secure now!

Caysie suggested doing something inspired by the Singlestone ring that I like, but a bit more delicate, less heavy, and with a more interesting basket. She thinks that the Chloe basket might look good with that setting. I am currently thinking that I will go with this option since it seems safest! In any case, I love all her solitaires and her aesthetic in general, so I know that I'm in good hands.

Thanks again for all your feedback, I really appreciate you taking the time to look at the photos and vote!
 
So glad you got that beautiful cushion! :dance: Caysie is making me a Sienna for my AVR. It should be ready soon, but here are renderings. They look like photos but they're not the real thing! I decided on rose gold and a Sophia band to go with it. Thought this might help in your decision making process!

CvB Sienna Sophia RG set.jpg
 
@Starfacet love it! I like how the Sienna manages to be both intricate/interesting and dainty, if that makes any sense.

So glad you got that beautiful cushion! :dance: Caysie is making me a Sienna for my AVR. It should be ready soon, but here are renderings. They look like photos but they're not the real thing! I decided on rose gold and a Sophia band to go with it. Thought this might help in your decision making process!

CvB Sienna Sophia RG set.jpg
 
Thanks for the update on your ring, I can’t wait to see pictures when it’s ready! So excited for you and so happy that you picked the cushion :)
 
@JDDN that ring is a great model-- the diamond is similar in size and it looks GORGEOUS!

@jadesilver thanks! I'm really happy with the stone, now i just have to finalize the setting, which I'm finding is much harder than picking out the stone!!!!!
 
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