shape
carat
color
clarity

Brilliant Oval - 3.03 I or 2.51 D?!

Mechealle

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 2, 2020
Messages
39
My boyfriend and I met with a private jeweler and we are stuck on the following two stones. Both brilliant oval cut however SO stuck on deciding.

Option 1
- carat: 2.51
- color: D color
- cut: excellent
- clarity: S12 (eye clean, even under the loop it looks SO good, the jeweler said this is a scenario where they were screwed in the GIA grading process as it should have gotten a better grade in clarity)
- L/W ratio: 1.52 (a little slimmer than I'd like, especially when compared next to a thicker/more "football" like Oval but I think it'll be okay and I heard once it's set it won't look as thin?)
- polish: excellent
- florescent: none
- price: $25,400

Option 2
- carat: 3.03
- cut: excellent
- color: I (as in Indigo)
- clarity: S12 (eye clean, under the loop you definitely see the inclusions... crazy compared to think that Option 1 and this stone are both SI2's bc Option 1 looked so clean in the loop per I mentioned above)
- L/W ratio: perfect for my liking
- polish: excellent
- florescent: none
- price: $26,430

Ideally, I would like a 3 carat however not if I feel I am compromising on multiple fronts. I am scared the I COLOR is too yellow but is this just because I am comparing it next to a D (the jeweler said it's unfair to compare really anything next to a D)? Also, in order to be in our budget ($30k for the stone) I feel like we have to be in the SI2 range (which is fine) but after comparing Option 1's clarity, and it being super clean even in the loop then looking at Option 2 in the loop and clearly seeing the inclusion I feel like I am now compromising on the clarity in addition to the color. or should I just stop thinking that way bc we are talking about stuff under magnification that no one will see? My fear is that if I go with the 3-carat, I am getting the super-luxury car but with a shit ton of miles vs getting the smaller car, still nice (that seems to be a better deal?) but less flashy/not as big. It's probably an awful way to look at it this way but I don't want to have a bigger ring if it's shitty. Also, I plan to get a super thin yellow gold band with a white gold/platinum setting with an under the halo... not sure if the yellow gold would make add more warmth to something like an I-color or would it do the opposite and add contrast?

I understand this ultimately is my decision and it really comes down to if I want the bigger stone and taking a hit on the color OR go with the smaller one with the best color and even a "cleaner" SI2. Again, we are still below our budget but read that if I remain in the 3-carat range and go up in color we are going to go up thousands of more $ and at that point, I don't think it is worth it.

Based on this info would I be a fool to take Option 2? Like is Option 1 a MUCH better deal?

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Option 1 has clouds as the grade setting inclusion. Since this is an SI2 I would be worried that it would appear hazy in different lighting.
 
Option 1 has clouds as the grade setting inclusion. Since this is an SI2 I would be worried that it would appear hazy in different lighting.

You are the second person to mention the clouds on Option 1 so thank you like all of this is foreign to me, I had no idea. I am now doing research on clouds.. lol
 
I see less of a bow tie in the 3 carat. So I would pick that one for that reason. It is very noticable in the D.
 
i can see the yellow tint of I so i would pick the other one
 
Hmmm... I think at that price point, I would keep looking at other options, if that's an option?

I would rather a 2.5 carat G with better clarity and cut.
 
100% an option and glad I made this post, brought up so many other factors I need to be aware of. Will continue to look to find the perfect ring.
 
100% an option and glad I made this post, brought up so many other factors I need to be aware of. Will continue to look to find the perfect ring.

Definitely don't rush it! Have a search on here for previous oval threads as many people suggested some nice ovals in the 2+ range. Just depends if you're game to buy online or if you want to go through a bricks/mortar jeweller :D
 
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