Oval Engagement Ring Help

[thebrady28]

Hi All,

I've started the ring/diamond hunt process a little while ago, lurked on here previously, but now looking a lot more seriously. Spent pretty much 8 hours today reading through PS today!

Started looking in at rings, partner liked the look of oval rings. Found a ring that I liked https://www.tiffany.com.au/engageme...2281?search_params=param+0/0/0/0/0/0/GRP10090
Tiffany Oval Cut, 1.5ct looked nice but price starting from $30k AUD didn't look that appealing, value wise.

This lead me to this site, along with a whole heap of reading.
Speaking with someone from Australian property forum they suggested this site and getting ring from o/seas.

Would love to hear from the forum if I'm on the right track, ideas, suggestions, what areas could compromise on etc...
Search...
- Table 53-63
- Depth 58-62
- Girdle thin > slightly thick
- cutlet none
- LWR 1.35 > 1.50
- Caution on bowtie
- ~Clarity VS2
- Colour H+
- Polish excellent
- Symmetry excellent
- Fluorescence <medium-faint

Budget is ~$14,000 for stone and setting (solitaire - classic) but reasonable flexible.

Appreciate any feedback.

Cheers Brady

 

[Crystal_Dreams]

Take a look at the Opulance Ovals from August Vintage... they’re as ideal for light return as ovals get. They do face up smaller than traditional ovals due to this though.

 

[rockysalamander]

Ovals are selected visually. Period,

There are no proportion numbers that predict a good performing oval. In general terms, the longer to oval, the harder it is to avoid a bowtie -- but not impossible. There are two types of ovals, crisp facets and crushed ice. Crushed ice can avoid a bowtie, but at the cost of large flashes of light return. Color of H or higher unless you have a trusted vendor to confirm no color zoning. I don't restrict clarity to VS and above, I've found some pretty stunning SI stones. You want to keep as many criteria open as possible given the difficulty in finding great ovals. I would not eliminate antique ovals or even long cushions as options. Ignore weight with ovals, look at size in mm (spread).

Well above budget, but a great example of a SI2 oval in the crushed ice variety.
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/326ct-i-si2-oval-diamond-r8162

Stunning antique moval
https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-58ct-antique-moval-cut-diamond-gia-f-vvs2
https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-59ct-marquise-moval-cut-diamond-gia-g-vs1

Others will chime in with some options in your budget, but I wanted to give you a few to look at for now.

 

[thebrady28]

Take a look at the Opulance Ovals from August Vintage... they’re as ideal for light return as ovals get. They do face up smaller than traditional ovals due to this though.

Thanks for the feedback - I'll have a look at these. Any thoughts on Lab Grown, don't like the sound of that. But haven't done any research into it.

 

[rockysalamander]

Thanks for the feedback - I'll have a look at these. Any thoughts on Lab Grown, don't like the sound of that. But haven't done any research into it.

It looks like @Rhino mixed the natural and lab grown options on his site. I'm not a huge fan of any of these three, but maybe they have more on the way. Lab grown diamonds are the same chemical composition as natural stone, just made in a lab. These by AugustVintage are the real deal, but we can't discuss the details of lab diamonds on this board. You can post questions over on Laboratory Grown (although...this one is quite nice https://www.augustvintageinc.net/co...ct-f-vs1-laboratory-grown-diamond-lg_10910716). BUT, you must be 100% sure your GF will want a lab diamond. Not everyone is open to these.

Nothing is screaming at me on the web, but I'm hoping some of the fancy lovers out there will post some options.

 

[thebrady28]

It looks like @Rhino mixed the natural and lab grown options on his site. I'm not a huge fan of any of these three, but maybe they have more on the way. Lab grown diamonds are the same chemical composition as natural stone, just made in a lab. These by AugustVintage are the real deal, but we can't discuss the details of lab diamonds on this board. You can post questions over on Laboratory Grown (although...this one is quite nice https://www.augustvintageinc.net/co...ct-f-vs1-laboratory-grown-diamond-lg_10910716). BUT, you must be 100% sure your GF will want a lab diamond. Not everyone is open to these.

Nothing is screaming at me on the web, but I'm hoping some of the fancy lovers out there will post some options.

Appreciate the response, just spent the last couple hours reading through Lab Grown posts.

Not too sure if she will like the lab or not, will attempt to bring it up discreetly. But for now will keep the focus on mined as I'm not confident on Lab with her yet.

 

[thebrady28]

Thoughts on these from those that know better
https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/11838671/oval-diamond-D-color-VS2-Clarity?

sku=11838671&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.52-carat-g-color-if-clarity-sku-6334488

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD11615142?click_id=662896527 (No pics?)

https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/12041841/oval-diamond-G-color-VVS1-Clarity?

sku=12041841&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com (Again no photo?)

 

[lambskin]

I am not an expert so I really need to see the actual stone (in person the best; or video on internet)if it is a fancy cut such as an oval. The cut diagrams ,stats, and 'sample photos' by the referenced vendors do nothing for me to determine how the oval is going to look and perform. That being said, I am a color snob and would not have anything lower than an "F" color for my engagement ring. I do think that an oval can hide some flaws and so a high clarity stone may not be worth the price.

 

[Matilda]

I started to look around but stopped as I think it is important first to determine what colour grade range you think she would be comfortable, as well as clarity grade. Is she happy to for instance have an H SI1 as long as it is eye clean and "white" in her eyes and therefore a bit bigger than say a D, VVS1? Other than the shape of the diamond and the setting what is important to her for her future ring?

 

[lambskin]

You will have to ask her. If you want it a surprise then you have to make the call knowing her personality and any hints she has said over the years. That is why diamonds sell in all grades , shapes, sizes and colors.

 

[thebrady28]

Trying to keep it as much as a surprise as possible. So hard to know what she would be comfortable with, she probably hasn't looked into detail of diamond as much as I have started to, only hinted at liking a oval.
TBH she probably doesn't even want me spending much but I'm comfortable up to ~$14,000 USD, by the time is lands in Australia will be ~$20k+AUD.

Think I'll have to go have a look myself IRL locally regarding colour and clarity - I prefer a whiter diamond.

Question about 'eye clean' would suggest that I'm not going to see the inclusion
Because in the picture I straight away get drawn to the feather - given it's VS2 would it not show or would need to confirm 'eye clean'
https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/118386...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

 

[thebrady28]

Anyone able to assist with this ASET?

To me looks like above average similar to the image on the far right in the good optics

 

[tyty333]

It looks promising. We really need to see it moving sideways to see how the facets react as it moves.

Edit...just realized you provided the link. You would definitely need to make sure it is eye-clean.
The inclusion is on the table where it may* be easy to see.

 

[thebrady28]

It looks promising. We really need to see it moving sideways to see how the facets react as it moves.

https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/1.51-ct-H-IF-Excellent-Cut-Oval-Diamond/D42072576?rfr=wishlist

 

[thebrady28]

Thoughts on this... AVO.

Have it on hold at the moment.

https://august-vintage-inc.myshopif...ducts/1-5ct-f-si1-august-vintage-oval-1346165

 

[anonahm]

Thoughts on this... AVO.

Have it on hold at the moment.

https://august-vintage-inc.myshopif...ducts/1-5ct-f-si1-august-vintage-oval-1346165

Did you end up getting it?

 

[thebrady28]

@anonahm on hold whilst pick settings.

This is what Jon has come up with.

Love it!

 

[matchalatte]

@anonahm on hold whilst pick settings.

This is what Jon has come up with.

Love it!

Beautiful! I’m also an Aussie who purchased through Jonathan, but ended up going lab grown because the price was too good to pass up. Whatever stone you end up with from him is sure to be fantastic!

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

Great choice!

 

[thebrady28]

Received today

 

[prbaglady]

Received today

Exciting! Please share photos!

 

[thebrady28]

Here's a couple from yesterday, note it's on my finger not my partners and photos where done on my mobile phone.

Pulled it out of the box for a quick look, ended up playing with it for 20mins - nearly got blinded a few times. Firey to say the least!

 

[tyty333]

Congratulation... it's beautiful!!!

 

[princessandthepear]

Simply stunning!!