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Advice - Oval 2.7 ct - 3.05 ct yellow gold setting

Ryskamrr

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 1, 2016
Messages
6
Hi,

Brand new to this, well sort of. My girlfriend and I own an event design business. She has about 10 years experience as a wedding planner prior to us starting our business together. At this point in our business, we are the face of it (a couple running a business in this industry produces some nostalgia that we use to our advantage) and her experience as a wedding planner has always been a concern of mine when deciding on an engagement ring. Basically it would be an extremely poor business decision to get a "bad" ring... that being said jewelry has never been the way we express our love and both of us are on the same page to find "as much as we need" no more, no less.

So as much as we have talked about the ring, tried rings on, etc. I'm on my own here to try and surprise her (if all goes well, by the end of 2016).

This is what I "think" I know so far (hoping someone can confirm or teach me otherwise).

She has slender fingers that are on the longer side. We tried rings on and decided we both like an oval cut in a yellow gold setting. We thought the look of a 3 carat was a better choice than a 2 or 2.5. Because we want a bigger stone, I saw that because I am using a gold setting I could get away with even a J color and it would be indistinguishable by most while she is wearing it (and not comparing it side by side).

What I am confused on is how to achieve the right cut. A client of ours who did a lot of research on pricescope and ended up buying from USA Certed told me to check the HCA. Does the HCA still apply to oval cuts?

I am trying to spend no more than $18K setting included. I don't need the stone to be 3 carats and to save money will certainly consider 2.7+ if that significantly increases value.

What other characteristics should I be searching for to find what we need. Please ask any other questions I haven't provided answers for.

Thanks for everyone's help on this!

Ryan
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Dec 17, 2008
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27,198
Hi Ryan,
I dont think your budget is realistic for a 3 carat (even a J). You need about $20/21k+ for a 3 carat. With $17k for the stone ($1k for setting) you are at about a 2.3-2.5. Would you like us to point out some stones in that range?

tyty

Edit...the other option is to call ID Jewelry and talk to Yekutiel and see what he can find for you. He might be able to find you
something bigger in your budget.
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
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10,051
OP, tyty is right... 2.7 probably isn't gonna happen for your budget -- definitely not 3 ct.

Would your FF consider a halo or, even better, a bezeled airline halo? (I'll post photos in a sec)
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Here are some inspiration photos to try to increase finger coverage.
e4b1d23f6e6c5dd729b64c13691f4bd6.jpg
f451613d4ff4ef56738b30f2e551014c.jpg
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Also, what size is her finger?
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Also, HCA only works for round brilliant stones (not fancies).
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
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For example, this is one of my favorite airline halos...

On the right is the 2.60 ct diamond tyty posted. The left shows a smaller oval in the airline halo. Size 6 finger. Notice the visual difference that setting makes? [emoji7]
385730a05d995706250368943be0865e.png
 

Ryskamrr

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 1, 2016
Messages
6
Thanks for your responses.

Finger size is 4.5

We are set on a single stone with no halo. The band will be a thin gold band.

I'd be willing to go up to a K on color but I would like to know what everyone else thinks. I feel like all the gold/diamond is meshing together I've looked at so many pictures in the last hour.

I don't have a picture of this K diamond from USA Certed but here are the specs:


Stock Number 161069-31
Brand

Shape Oval
Weight 2.9
Color K
Clarity VS2
Cut Grade
Lab GIA
Price Per Carat
Total Price $16,099.93

Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Depth 59.80%
Table Percent 61.00%
Crown Angle 37.54
Crown Height 13.22
Pavilion Angle 39.36
Pavilion Depth 42.58
Girdle Min Slightly Thick
Girdle Max Thick
Girdle Condition
Measurements 11.04 x 8.23 x 4.92
Culet Size None
Culet Condition
Fluorescence Intensity None
Certificate Number 6221748341
 

Ryskamrr

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 1, 2016
Messages
6
Here are some other examples with photos...

If anyone could tell me what I am overlooking, I don't want to make a bad purchase but these seem like they might work, with the gold setting at least. I think a J would be more ideal but K seems to not matter as much on a gold setting. How do others feel about this?

https://www.ritani.com/diamonds/oval-diamond-3-00-Carat-K-color-GIA-certified/D-JN2H25

Also for this example below... why is it more money than the above and it has less clarity?

https://www.ritani.com/diamonds/oval-diamond-3-01-Carat-K-color-GIA-certified/D-Q53M7B
 

Fulvia

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Dec 15, 2015
Messages
246
You CANNOT buy ovals on numbers alone. They tell you nothing. Not only do you NEED to see the diamond itself to check whether it has a bowtie or not and to evaluate it generally, you also must get an ASET to check the diamond's light performance. These images on Ritani are stock images - have a look at James Allen instead: it features pictures of the actual diamond and will get you an ASET if you request one. You can then post the ASET here to have others evaluate it.

FYI colour shows a lot more on elongated shapes than it does on a MRB, for instance, so a K oval will show quite a lot of yellow. Even in a gold setting, this will likely be very noticeable. On PS we generally recommend not going below an H in ovals, let alone a K. But if you want a warmer look, then that's a different story.

Also: you're going in the wrong direction in basing your search off carat weight alone. What you want is a diamond's dimensions: two stones of the exact same carat weight can be very different sizes in terms of their spread - one bigger and one much smaller. I would zero-in on the spread you want and go from there.

ETA: call Yekutiel at IDJ. Seriously: he is trustworthy and a wizard at finding great deals. He can be your eyes in evaluating the stone's performance and give you some options to choose from.
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Ryskamrr said:
Here are some other examples with photos...

If anyone could tell me what I am overlooking, I don't want to make a bad purchase but these seem like they might work, with the gold setting at least. I think a J would be more ideal but K seems to not matter as much on a gold setting. How do others feel about this?

https://www.ritani.com/diamonds/oval-diamond-3-00-Carat-K-color-GIA-certified/D-JN2H25

Also for this example below... why is it more money than the above and it has less clarity?

https://www.ritani.com/diamonds/oval-diamond-3-01-Carat-K-color-GIA-certified/D-Q53M7B

It's more expensive, but not by a lot. It's probably because its dimensions are slightly larger though. I didn't see an actual photo for the 3.01, so that would be a no-go for me. The 3.00 looks pretty good and it has nice size since you don't want a halo. Regarding color, K will most definitely show a lot of tint. It will not be white (neither will J for that matter). Make sure she knows this.

Here is what the 3.00 would look like on a 4.5 finger.

1448f22fffda7439ee04e3ae40f6f1ad.png
 

Fulvia

Shiny_Rock
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Dec 15, 2015
Messages
246
Sorry...didn't see that the first Ritani link had a video. I find it too yellow and a bit mushy at the ends - but wait to see what others have to say....
 

msop04

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Fulvia said:
Sorry...didn't see that the first Ritani link had a video. I find it too yellow and a bit mushy at the ends - but wait to see what others have to say....

I agree, Fulvia... I didn't find ANY good ovals, but that one seemed one of the better ones -- still not great. K is very yellow for an oval.
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
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OP, take Fulvia's advice and call Yuketiel at IDJ.
 

Ryskamrr

Rough_Rock
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Aug 1, 2016
Messages
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I think the marquis is out for us. She has her heart set on the oval.
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Here is a 3 carat K that looks to be very nice. It does have a large feather that you need to ask about (durability) and how eye-clean
it is/isnt. I actually think this is a lovely stone...the mush doesnt look well, too mushy (not to technical I know). If I ever bought a
stone with a feather like this I would get it insured in case the feather became an issue.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.14-carat-k-color-si2-clarity-sku-1877139

This is another K that is longer than the 3 carat stone. It is shallow. An aset image will show if the depth affects the stone adversely.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.51-carat-k-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-289604

As mentioned before, K ovals will show some tint but if the stone has good light return it can still be a bright stone. I'm still looking
and will post any options that I find that look descent.

Here is the size difference on the above 2 stones

oval_difference.png
 

msop04

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I'm liking that 3.14 ct (good find, tyty!!) -- the 2.51 ct isn't as mushy, but there looks to be a bow tie and I just don't like the severe elongation. [emoji53]

...I'll take the "less mushy mush" in a larger, better proportioned, chubbier oval any day over that 2.51 ct. How's that for technical?? [emoji12][emoji6]
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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27,198
msop04|1470130463|4061578 said:
I'm liking that 3.14 ct (good find, tyty!!) -- the 2.51 ct isn't as mushy, but there looks to be a bow tie and I just don't like the severe elongation. [emoji53]

...I'll take the "less mushy mush" in a larger, better proportioned, chubbier oval any day over that 2.51 ct. How's that for technical?? [emoji12][emoji6]

:lol: Sometimes technical terms just dont cover what we want to express as well as our in-house terms!

The 2.51 is very long...I'm just putting out all descent options I can find since there arent many. I'm really pushing the
budget/size envelope. Still think OP should talk to ID Jewelry (Yuketiel). Actually, I'm going to go look for ovals over there
and will post if I find any.
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
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tyty333 said:
msop04|1470130463|4061578 said:
I'm liking that 3.14 ct (good find, tyty!!) -- the 2.51 ct isn't as mushy, but there looks to be a bow tie and I just don't like the severe elongation. [emoji53]

...I'll take the "less mushy mush" in a larger, better proportioned, chubbier oval any day over that 2.51 ct. How's that for technical?? [emoji12][emoji6]

:lol: Sometimes technical terms just dont cover what we want to express as well as our in-house terms!

The 2.51 is very long...I'm just putting out all descent options I can find since there arent many. I'm really pushing the
budget/size envelope. Still think OP should talk to ID Jewelry (Yuketiel). Actually, I'm going to go look for ovals over there
and will post if I find any.

I agree. Yuketiel at IDJ is a great idea.
 

Ryskamrr

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 1, 2016
Messages
6
Sorry I haven't gotten back to everyone. I reached out to a contact at usacerted and he provided with this list. Right now I have to request more info/pictures/videos for the ones I like. Any opinions on what I should ask to see would be greatly appreciated!


Lot Stock # Shape Size Color Clar Cut $/ct Total Price Lab Certificate # Fluor. Pol Sym Meas. Depth Table Comments

72796735 GE01029 Oval 2.62 K
VS2 - $4,061 $10,640 GIA 6225094611 N G G 10.98x7.73x3.85 49.8% 54.00%
Pinpoints are not shown.

65153777 9712 Oval 2.64 K
SI2 - $4,243 $11,202 GIA 2196781432 F EX EX 11.19x7.98x4.72 59.1% 56.00%

62492452 U765-8 Oval 2.65 K
VS2 - $4,919 $13,036 GIA 2186884008 N EX VG 11.12x7.93x4.74 59.8% 56.00%

70179622 ED20698 Oval 2.70 K
VS2 - $4,404 $11,892 GIA 2216497775 SB EX VG 11.27x7.94x4.66 58.7% 62.00%

69585245 BH710 Oval 2.70 J
VS1 - $5,834 $15,753 GIA 1176412298 N EX VG 10.80x7.67x4.94 64.4% 59.00%

63248295 GOV-10018 Oval 2.72 J
SI2 - $5,513 $14,996 GIA 6192802248 N VG G 10.41x7.39x4.99 67.5% 56.00%

70837675 P516-251 Oval 2.79 Jess
VS1 - $6,178 $17,236 GIA 6212525687 MB VG G 10.29x7.32x4.55 62.2% 53.00%

72612165 5147 Oval 3.00 J
SI2 - $4,867 $14,602 GIA 72182948 S VG G 10.63x7.48x4.89 65.4% 59.00%

73901619 6173494721 Oval 3.00 K
VS2 - $4,992 $14,976 GIA 6173494721 N G G 11.31x7.96x5.10 64.0% 54.00%

73901598 4459-11 Oval 3.00 J
SI2 - $5,980 $17,940 GIA 1179709995 N VG G 11.44x8.15x5.00 61.4% 55.00%

70774403 L6027 Oval 3.01 K
SI2 - $5,093 $15,330 GIA 1176475399 N EX VG 11.57x8.02x5.01 62.5% 61.00%
FACE UP WHITE 100% eye clean

68693829 09O-0027 Oval 3.01 J
SI2 - $5,391 $16,228 GIA 6192571088 F EX VG 11.48x8.17x5.01 61.3% 57.00%

69450734 286413 Oval 3.01 K
VS1 - $5,635 $16,961 GIA 5196233042 SB EX VG 11.44x7.83x4.72 60.3% 57.00%

72586375 99062 Oval 3.01 J
SI1 - $5,745 $17,292 GIA 7222574391 N VG G 10.84x7.62x5.24 68.8% 53.00%
Additional twinning wisps pinpoints and surface graining are not shown.

72622665 27239 Oval 3.01 J
SI2 - $5,765 $17,352 GIA 5172475405 N EX EX 11.65x8.17x5.03 61.6% 57.00%
Pinpoints are not shown.

71003120 10-613 Oval 3.01 J
SI1 - $5,798 $17,452 GIA 2224360861 F VG G 11.63x8.12x4.16 51.2% 57.00%

72883508 G-5699 Oval 3.02 J
SI2 - $4,867 $14,699 GIA 2227867113 N VG G 10.67x7.62x5.20 68.2% 60.00%
Internal graining is not shown.

72883573 G-5699 Oval 3.02 J
SI2 - $4,867 $14,699 GIA 2227867113 N VG G 10.67x7.62x5.20 68.2% 60.00%
Internal graining is not shown.

71876454 G0316-032 Oval 3.50 K
SI2 - $4,234 $14,818 GIA 7216700651 F VG G 12.45x8.59x4.17 48.6% 59.00%

-
 

Wendylynne

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Feb 19, 2014
Messages
170
I don't think a k in an oval is going to be masked because its set in yellow gold. Lower colors in ovals look uneven... You said it was important to get a good diamond... focus on a great cut with a bit of spread.. DONT look at CT weight on an oval. I own a 3 ct oval and tried on MANY the same weight the surface size's were all over the board. Honestly... she has a small finger - a 2 /2.5 ct with good spread thats cut well will be fantastic!!
 
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