Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Assessing yellow ovals - would appreciate some help!

pierrotlunette

pierrotlunette

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jul 22, 2018
Messages
111
Hi Folks,
My guy and I are looking at yellow ovals for an engagement ring and have narrowed it down to three candidates, all of which are on James Allen (we've reserved two of them, hence the "not available" designation). All three have selling points, but going off photos and certs is only getting us so far. I like the lemony color of the .81 VVS2 the best (#1), but he's a little skinny. I like the chubbiness of the .90 SI1 (#2), but the color looks a little duller than the .81. I really like the color of the .83 (#3), but I'm wondering if there isn't a little darkness under the crown. Hard to tell for me.

All are in our budget. Prefer yellows that are closer to the "canary" designation, so not TOO vivid. We're also hoping for as lively a stone in terms of sparkle as we can find.

Here they are, in order of preference:
1. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di.../oval-cut/0.81-carat-vvs2-clarity-sku-5325140
2. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...w/oval-cut/0.90-carat-si1-clarity-sku-4911296
3. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...w/oval-cut/0.83-carat-vs2-clarity-sku-1679982

I'd really appreciate anyone who'd be willing to weigh in on these. You've all been very helpful as we've been learning/lurking to get this far.
Maggie
 
Color and what someone likes to see is so subjective...I'm no expert on colored stones so take with a grain of salt. I would prefer a stone that looked
like it was lighting up a little more. I know this color isnt right for you but see how this stone lights up (more so outside of the table. It is lighting up
a little under the table though)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...w/oval-cut/0.90-carat-vs1-clarity-sku-3887866

You might try looking at diamonds by lauren also...
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...fancy-light-yellow-si1-oval-diamond-gia-r6626
 
Tyty333 and princessandthepear - thank you for your responses!
Tyty333 - just curious about the stone you posted (the .90 oval on James Allen) - if I look at the cert, the polish and symmetry are not at the same level as the three stones I posted. Just wondering if we shouldn't be as worried about that as we perhaps have been.

For both that stone and the one princessandthe pear posted - both are very pretty! They do lean on the narrower oval side, however - I've been skewing my search toward the 1.29 - 1.33 length/width stones, just because I like them fat. :)
 
One more quick thing - do either of you (or anyone else) have thoughts about the stones I posted in my original message?
 
The first and third have extremely thick girdles. That's why they face up smaller than #2. It depends on how you plan to set it whether I'd even consider #1 and 3. So I'd have to choose #2 of those three.

The one listed on LT faces up larger than these even though it also has an extremely thick girdle.
 
diamondseeker2006 said:
The first and third have extremely thick girdles. That's why they face up smaller than #2. It depends on how you plan to set it whether I'd even consider #1 and 3. So I'd have to choose #2 of those three.

The one listed on LT faces up larger than these even though it also has an extremely thick girdle.
Click to expand...

Thank you. What do you think of the one tyty333 posted here? http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...fancy-light-yellow-si1-oval-diamond-gia-r6626
It's a little lighter than some stones I've seen, but I do like how lively it looks.

Both that and the second of the JA stones look nice to me: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...w/oval-cut/0.90-carat-si1-clarity-sku-4911296
 
Fancy light is lighter than the stones you have been looking at. I happen to like light yellow, but if you are wanting a more true yellow, stick with fancy yellow or fancy intense yellow.
 
We usually look for VG or better for polish and symmetry unless its a round diamond. When you are working with fancy cuts and even more so
colored fancy cuts there are other things that are more important. There are so many rounds that you can easily find E/E in a well cut stone...
not so for colored fancy cuts. G/G is a little low but like I said there are other things that are more important like color and light return (sparkle).

How do you plan to set it?

I just cant say that I love any of the 3 you posted.

Have you looked at leibish? I looked but didnt see anyting I* loved.
https://www.leibish.com/yellow-diamonds

If you think you like the one from Diamondsbylauren...call them and see if he will do a video for you. That might help you to see what the
color is a little better. It definitely looks lighter than what you posted above.
 
That helps. We're looking to set it in something akin to this (but in white gold): https://www.forevermark.com/en-us/p...ent-ring-with-pear-side-diamonds-ao1310-3485/

We have looked at Leibish, but they are low on ovals (lots of pretty cushions and elongated cushions, though). It helps to know you're not crazy about any of the James Allen stones - we may have to keep looking.

tyty333 said:
We usually look for VG or better for polish and symmetry unless its a round diamond. When you are working with fancy cuts and even more so
colored fancy cuts there are other things that are more important. There are so many rounds that you can easily find E/E in a well cut stone...
not so for colored fancy cuts. G/G is a little low but like I said there are other things that are more important like color and light return (sparkle).

How do you plan to set it?

I just cant say that I love any of the 3 you posted.

Have you looked at leibish? I looked but didnt see anyting I* loved.
https://www.leibish.com/yellow-diamonds

If you think you like the one from Diamondsbylauren...call them and see if he will do a video for you. That might help you to see what the
color is a little better. It definitely looks lighter than what you posted above.
Click to expand...
 
tyty333 said:
I think princessandthepear is recommending this stone...the color on this one is hot! Not a bad size either.
https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-diamond/yellow-oval-diamond
Click to expand...

This is such a gorgeous diamond :love::love::love:
OP, why don’t you have David Klass take a video for you of this stone? He is excellent to work with. I know you said that you want a fat oval, but this one has such a gorgeous color and it’s still not the skinniest out there. Just a thought.

Also, would you consider pears by chance? Here is a pretty LFY that is larger than the stones that you are looking at: https://www.leibish.com/yellow-diamonds/fancy-light-yellow-pear-34890
 
Last edited:
I will definitely check on the stone with David Klass tomorrow! I agree that it is lovely.

Pears are my 2nd choice - but a distant second. I just really love ovals.

I have one more contender, if anyone is willing to take a gander: https://www.bluenile.com/colored-diamond-details/yellow-LD10069678?track=Detlink9

Thanks to you all for your help!

SimoneDi said:
This is such a gorgeous diamond :love::love::love:
OP, why don’t you have David Klass take a video for you of this stone? He is excellent to work with. I know you said that you want a fat oval, but this one has such a gorgeous color and it’s still not the skinniest out there. Just a thought.

Also, would you consider pears by chance? Here is a pretty LFY that is larger than the stones that you are looking at: https://www.leibish.com/yellow-diamonds/fancy-light-yellow-pear-34890
Click to expand...

pierrotlunette said:
That helps. We're looking to set it in something akin to this (but in white gold): https://www.forevermark.com/en-us/p...ent-ring-with-pear-side-diamonds-ao1310-3485/

We have looked at Leibish, but they are low on ovals (lots of pretty cushions and elongated cushions, though). It helps to know you're not crazy about any of the James Allen stones - we may have to keep looking.
Click to expand...
 
Oh my. Hunting for yellow diamonds is not easy. It's all subjective. If I had to pick between the three JA stones I'd choose #1 based on color. Can you afford to buy them all and return the ones you don't like? I was only able to select my diamond when it was compared to others next to it.
 
pierrotlunette said:
I will definitely check on the stone with David Klass tomorrow! I agree that it is lovely.

Pears are my 2nd choice - but a distant second. I just really love ovals.

I have one more contender, if anyone is willing to take a gander: https://www.bluenile.com/colored-diamond-details/yellow-LD10069678?track=Detlink9

Thanks to you all for your help!
Click to expand...

I understand regarding pears, if you love ovals go for them.

Please do check out the LT stone, the color is just gorgeous and that is the number 1 thing to look for in fancies. I have FIY studs and some days I even wish that the color is more intense. It is easy to see the color in a photo or a video, but irl they can take slightly different hues depending on the surroundings. The stronger the color, the better off you will be and the lesser the need to “cup” the diamond as part of the setting.

I am not crazy about the BN stone. It is very deep and therefore faces up smaller than 0.8ct.

OP, if the price of the preloved is a consideration, you can always try to negotiate a bit. Also, DK would have been my recommendation to execute that beautiful inspiration setting for you. Here is his IG account just to get a sense of the work that he does: https://www.instagram.com/davidklassjewelry
 
I agree with SimoneD...get a video of that LT stone and see what you think. That would be lovely in that setting you're looking to get plus
David Klass can do the setting for you.

Also agree with doberman...much easier to pick a colored stone when you have several in front of you to compare.
 
I emailed both Diamonds by Lauren and David Klass for further info. on the stones you all have recommended. Will update with info. when they respond.

In the mean time, I have two questions re: color and stone depth:
1) I had a jeweler tell me that if I want a very sparkly, light responsive yellow, to err on the fancy light/fancy yellow end of the spectrum (rather than fancy vivid). Is this a good rule of thumb to follow, or is it too simplistic?
2) Several of the yellow ovals we've found in our price range (trying to stick to around 3k or below) are pretty deep (beyond 65%). I think I understand how this might affect a colorless/near colorless stone, but how might it impact a colored diamond?

I have a pretty small finger (size 3.75), so honestly, most anything with over a 6 - 6.5 mm length looks pretty substantial on my hand.

Again, thanks to all who have responded!


SimoneDi said:
I understand regarding pears, if you love ovals go for them.

Please do check out the LT stone, the color is just gorgeous and that is the number 1 thing to look for in fancies. I have FIY studs and some days I even wish that the color is more intense. It is easy to see the color in a photo or a video, but irl they can take slightly different hues depending on the surroundings. The stronger the color, the better off you will be and the lesser the need to “cup” the diamond as part of the setting.

I am not crazy about the BN stone. It is very deep and therefore faces up smaller than 0.8ct.

OP, if the price of the preloved is a consideration, you can always try to negotiate a bit. Also, DK would have been my recommendation to execute that beautiful inspiration setting for you. Here is his IG account just to get a sense of the work that he does: https://www.instagram.com/davidklassjewelry
Click to expand...

pierrotlunette said:
That helps. We're looking to set it in something akin to this (but in white gold): https://www.forevermark.com/en-us/p...ent-ring-with-pear-side-diamonds-ao1310-3485/

We have looked at Leibish, but they are low on ovals (lots of pretty cushions and elongated cushions, though). It helps to know you're not crazy about any of the James Allen stones - we may have to keep looking.
Click to expand...
 
Comments embedded below:

pierrotlunette said:
I emailed both Diamonds by Lauren and David Klass for further info. on the stones you all have recommended. Will update with info. when they respond.

Make sure to also email the owner since DK is not the one selling the stone. That diamond is much below retail btw and it was originally purchased from Leibish which is one of my favorite retailers of fancy diamonds.

In the mean time, I have two questions re: color and stone depth:
1) I had a jeweler tell me that if I want a very sparkly, light responsive yellow, to err on the fancy light/fancy yellow end of the spectrum (rather than fancy vivid). Is this a good rule of thumb to follow, or is it too simplistic?

This seems to be advice from someone who doesn’t understand much about fancies. When looking at fancy color diamonds, the most important thing is color and color saturation. You want the color to be even throughout the stone. Now color preferences is subjective of course. Some like the lights, some like the more intense colors. Vivid colors can be absolutely gorgeous, the iffy ones I find to be the deep colors. Fancy colors tend to be cut in shapes that “contain” color the most - radiant, cushion, oval, pears which from a sparkle/performance perspective are probably some of the “worst” shapes. But those are just the right shapes for fancy colors. To me, a beautiful fancy diamond looks like it radiates from within, almost like having a little fireball on your finger. So in summary, no shade of fancy is “the best” or “sparkliest”. You need to find what is your preference in terms of colors, but some of the light yellow and even fancy yellow do not look very saturated irl, so you need to see for yourself if you like that.

Here is a fellow PSers journey to selecting a fancy yellow diamond. The one she chose in the end was spectacular:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/need-help-choosing-a-yellow-diamond.228352/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/fancy-vivid-yellow-pear-meet-marilyn.229347/

2) Several of the yellow ovals we've found in our price range (trying to stick to around 3k or below) are pretty deep (beyond 65%). I think I understand how this might affect a colorless/near colorless stone, but how might it impact a colored diamond?

Impact is the same - smaller face-up, you pay for carat weight that you can’t see. Sometimes deeper stone help saturate the color better, but not always.

I have a pretty small finger (size 3.75), so honestly, most anything with over a 6 - 6.5 mm length looks pretty substantial on my hand.

Lucky you! Still, you want to make sure that you are paying for carat weight that you can see.

Again, thanks to all who have responded!
Click to expand...
 
oops, I see someone already posted that diamond
 
Hello, All - my hesitation with the LT stone is that it's a private sale with no option to return. It does look lovely, but I'm reluctant to take that sort of risk on this kind of a purchase. David Friedlander was super helpful and sent a video of the DiamondsbyLauren stone, which is really nice (if a bit light). I'm still searching!

Here's the DbL stone:
 
OP, thanks for updating us. I understand your hesitation, although it is a gorgeous stone so I am still secretly rooting for it. :oops2:

The DBL diamond appears to have nice even distribution of color. If you cup the stone, it can appear much more saturated.

I am not sure where you are located, but would it be at all possible to visit DK in person and see the stone?
 
I completely understand the hesitation to buy a stone without a return policy, but I am rooting for that Loupe Troop stone, too. I have been tempted to buy it and I am not even in the market for a yellow diamond! :lol: That color is so gorgeous and I love the shape. The fact that it will fit into a stock size setting is an added bonus. You could always ask if they would reconsider their "no returns" policy. The worst they can say is no.
 
I'm unfortunately in northern Florida, so a trip to see DK would seriously ding my diamond budget. :)

When you say "cup" the stone, do you mean the way the stone will be placed in the setting?

SimoneDi said:
OP, thanks for updating us. I understand your hesitation, although it is a gorgeous stone so I am still secretly rooting for it. :oops2:

The DBL diamond appears to have nice even distribution of color. If you cup the stone, it can appear much more saturated.

I am not sure where you are located, but would it be at all possible to visit DK in person and see the stone?
Click to expand...
 
TyTy333 - thanks for introducing that website to me! I'd not seen it before. That chubby little .76 is really nice! I like the smaller table on that one vs. the larger table on the .70 stone. The colors of both are quite close to what we've both seen and liked.
 
pierrotlunette said:
I'm unfortunately in northern Florida, so a trip to see DK would seriously ding my diamond budget. :)

When you say "cup" the stone, do you mean the way the stone will be placed in the setting?
Click to expand...

Ah yes, that’s is a hike, but the stones that Tyty posted are also beautiful and under budget.

A “cup” is a cup/sheet of gold that is placed under the stone and part of the basket that can greatly enhance diamond’s yellow color. The trick is for the setting to be executed nicely and leave enough openings to clean the stone. This is probably one of the best examples: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/dk-cad-assistance-needed.234335/page-11
 
pierrotlunette said:
Hello, All - my hesitation with the LT stone is that it's a private sale with no option to return. It does look lovely, but I'm reluctant to take that sort of risk on this kind of a purchase. David Friedlander was super helpful and sent a video of the DiamondsbyLauren stone, which is really nice (if a bit light). I'm still searching!

Here's the DbL stone:
Click to expand...

The stones are often much more saturated when set, especially if they use a yellow gold cup to enhance the color.
 
pierrotlunette said:
TyTy333 - thanks for introducing that website to me! I'd not seen it before. That chubby little .76 is really nice! I like the smaller table on that one vs. the larger table on the .70 stone. The colors of both are quite close to what we've both seen and liked.
Click to expand...

Any chance of ordering both and sending back the one you dont like (or both if you dont like either). It would be so nice to have
them both to compare.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top