AGS Ideal but smaller round or larger oval?

[Chris808]

Hi Everyone,

I'm having a very hard time deciding between two diamonds that I have narrowed my search to. One is an 0.81 H/VS1 AGS triple 0 round with a diameter of about 6mm and the other is a 0.96 E/VS2 Class 1A oval that is around 7.5x5.5mm.

I have seen both in person and I am having a heck of a time choosing between them. The round has more sparkle but I can only notice it in very bright lighting as in the jewelry store. In normal indoor lighting I couldn't see a major difference. The size difference is very apparent to me and I really like the size of the oval. I also can tell that the E color oval is whiter than the H round in all lighting. In both cases, I plan on doing a bezel set halo for the ring.

I would ask my girlfriend which she prefers but she is VERY adamant about having no input into the ring. The only thing we decided together was the budget. She isn't a particularly showy person, but she does have some nice ruby/sapphire jewelry that was given to her by her Asian family. Her family really isn't into diamonds so I'm not worried about meeting the high color/high clarity stereotype, but some of our friends have larger 1.5-2.5 carat rounds. On the other hand, some of our friends also have chosen to just wear simple bands, so there isn't really any pressure to compete.

What do you think?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Ugh, the larger size is tempting, but I am hesitant to recommend any shape but round when the girl hasn't expressed a preference for a specific shape. Can you show me an example of the type setting you are talking about?

 

[Chris808]

This is the type of setting I am thinking of http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Mountings/Rings/Pave/stoneid=JS649W14

The oval would be set in the same way.

 

[Gypsy]

This is the type of setting I am thinking of http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Mountings/Rings/Pave/stoneid=JS649W14

The oval would be set in the same way.

Either would be lovely.

Ovals can't be bought by numbers and I've seen some 1A dogs.

I would stick to a round but drop down to H SI to eek out more size in a round, if it were me and wanting to play it safe.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

This is the type of setting I am thinking of http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Mountings/Rings/Pave/stoneid=JS649W14

The oval would be set in the same way.

I agree with Gypsy that I'd go down at least a notch to VS2 and GIA Excellent cut and see if you can get a larger round. But really, that halo is going to add a LOT of size, so you are probably okay with a 6mm center if it comes to that.

What is your diamond budget? Maybe we can help you find some alternatives. It would help to find a stone from a vendor that carries a setting like that, too.

James Allen has the setting (and other similar ones):

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8984.asp

I also like a plain shank with the halo:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/-18k-White-Gold-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, I'll show you a couple of examples because I can stay up any longer to see what your budget is!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1463827.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1443271.asp

 

[frankiextah]

i really like this setting too ... delicate but blingy !

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8325.asp

 

[ariel144]

I have no idea of your budget but I would go with the high performance diamonds of the August Vintage Round on GOG

watch his videos and the J will face up nice and white ....these cuts are amazing diamonds and you cannot go wrong. He has videos on color comparisons and performance of AV vs modern cut diamonds. But it is all a matter of preference on which look in a diamond one prefers.
He has beautiful AV cushion cuts too that are awesome and very popular right now.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9167/


Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 0.93ct
Color: J
Clarity: SI1
Optical Symmetry: August Vintage
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Fluorescence: None
Lab Report: AGS
Lab Report #: 104056839006
In House: Yes
Width: 6.23mm
Length: 6.24mm
Depth: 3.95mm
Table Percentage: 52.13%
Depth Percentage: 63.52%
Crown ∠: 35.02°
Crown Depth: 16.75%
Pavilion ∠: 41.20°
Pavilion Depth: 43.86%
Policy: Lifetime Guarantee
Price: $5,294
(Bank wire price: $5,115)

 

[LibbyLA]

Chris,

I'm the dissenting voice, but only because I prefer ovals to rounds, and it IS a preference. I recently got a 2 ct. oval that has a similar ratio to the one you are looking at (chubby or "roval"). I'm just not much on rounds, although I'm rather taken with the .8 ct. OEC (round) that I just got this week.

Make sure you have a good return policy, especially if you get the oval.

liz

 

[Enerchi]

Could you go for the stone in a simple temporary setting to propose with then let her join in the decision after for a permanent setting? If you deal with a vendor who has a good upgrade policy, that becomes an option. She may SAY she wants no input because of the element of proposal surprise, but I think she might just be ok with input on design afterwards!

If it were me, I'd chose the oval. I like the size and shape of what you've selected.

 

[Chris808]

Hi everyone. Thanks for the replies!

My max budget including setting is $7500, but I wouldn't mind going under budget. She truly wants nothing to do with the selection process though. I brought up some pictures of diamond shapes/ring settings/etc and she got upset that I was trying to show her things

I want to stay H color or better. I also want to stay under 1ct to get the most bang for my buck even if I could eke out a carat with my budget.

 

[Chris808]

Could you go for the stone in a simple temporary setting to propose with then let her join in the decision after for a permanent setting? If you deal with a vendor who has a good upgrade policy, that becomes an option. She may SAY she wants no input because of the element of proposal surprise, but I think she might just be ok with input on design afterwards!

If it were me, I'd chose the oval. I like the size and shape of what you've selected.

She also wouldn't be happy with a temporary setting. She doesn't care if the proposal is a surprise, she just wants me to make 100% of the choice for the ring.

 

[LibbyLA]

Chris,

You will get more for you money with an oval than with a round. If you want to maximize size for your budget, the oval will do that. Just be aware that the oval will have some darker spots in some positions and some light than a round. That doesn't bother me, but it does bother some people. I'm don't mean black spots, just things like the bow tie. Good ovals have small bowties that change position and appear and disappear, not "black holes".

liz

 

[ariel144]

Yes, make sure the oval does not have the bow tie effect. They look really nice when set East to West:
Here is a antique cushion set E/W

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/its-here-its-here-my-2-30-ct-omb-antique-cushion-upgrade.158760/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/its-here-its-here-my-2-30-ct-omb-antique-cushion-upgrade.158760/[/URL]
The oval will look even larger on her finger set E/W

here is a round EOC: E SI2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6967/

You really should check out the videos on GOG before you make a decision. You will find that the cut and not the color is what makes a diamond bright and sparkly.

Cushions are very popular right now and have been around forever.

Cushion: F SI2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8974/


Shape: Cushion
Carat Weight: 1.15ct
Color: F
Clarity: SI2
AGS Cut Grade: Ideal
AGS Light Performance: Ideal
Optical Symmetry: August Vintage
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Fluorescence: None
Lab Report: AGS
Lab Report #: 104055865002
In House: Yes
Width: 6.06mm
Length: 6.64mm
Depth: 3.85mm
Table Percentage: 54.30%
Depth Percentage: 63.50%
Policy: Lifetime Guarantee
Price: $7,938
(Bank wire price: $7,670)

I am sure she will love what ever you choose. She sounds very special.

 

[ariel144]

That oval faces up very large for under one carat. Make sure it is not windowed. (you can see through the facets of the stone). You did not post the depth of that oval which would be a major consideration in choosing a nice well cut diamond. Ovals can be cut very shallow which usually means they are windowed, which is undesirable.

It seems like you need some good diamond education before you choose a stone.

Check out the educational videos on GOG and then you will be better informed to choose a stone. Good luck.

I went to some diamond dealers recently to sell my radiant cut 2.10c diamond and he told me if it was a round or a cushion he would have given me $8000 for my ring but since it was radiant cut he could only give me $2400. That might be another consideration since she is letting you choose. Cushion cuts and rounds are very desirable in the present market.