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Buying an engagement ring! Help choosing an oval

trailblazer7232

Rough_Rock
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Nov 4, 2013
Messages
38
Hi! We are buying an engagement ring, and are looking for an oval ideally under 10k, G or better, and VS or better. We would love a stone 1.25 carats or bugger, but of course cut is king.

Any suggestions as to which ones we should look at specifically (James Allen, etc)?

The setting will be a solitare with double claw prongs.
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
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Apr 28, 2014
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A fellow pricescoper just listed a ring that basically has everything you're looking for in the center diamond! It looks like she'll consider selling the stone separately, too. Hard to find an oval with no bow tie so great diamond and value. Good luck :wavey:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/1-194ct-ags-g-vs1-oval-in-platinum-verragio-mounting-t216432.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/1-194ct-ags-g-vs1-oval-in-platinum-verragio-mounting-t216432.html[/URL]
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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27,198
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.30-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-671210
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.51-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-593828 check if eye-clean

You can request asets on 3 stones. Post them and get feedback.

This one is a little over budget but if eye-clean is the prettiest one to me. Beautiful faceting pattern and lots of nice, clear, crisp
facets flashing on/off.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.51-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-380317
 

solgen

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Apr 10, 2015
Messages
563
Get an ASET to see if it leaks under the bowtie too. I was looking at a couple and choose one that didn't have a bowtie until it was mounted. It looks like it was reflecting the shank and had a pronounced bowtie when set though looked fine loose. Not sure if that was an uncommon occurrence but just thought I'd let you know my experience.
 

trailblazer7232

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 4, 2013
Messages
38
Ah, I didn't explicitly think about having the diamond look great loose, only to show a significant bowtie once set. Thanks for that tip.

Any suggestions as to ovals without bowties I should get ASETs?

Does anyone have an opinion on the stone I posted? Even though it's smaller than we wanted, the facet pattern across the middle looks really nice.
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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trailblazer7232|1444306638|3936228 said:
Ah, I didn't explicitly think about having the diamond look great loose, only to show a significant bowtie once set. Thanks for that tip.

Any suggestions as to ovals without bowties I should get ASETs?

Does anyone have an opinion on the stone I posted? Even though it's smaller than we wanted, the facet pattern across the middle looks really nice.

I posted a few above...the term bow-tie is subjective. The E you posted is nice. I thought you were looking at bigger stones.

I define bow-tie as a big dark area going through the center or an area where the faceting pattern goes from small facets to
large facets without a nice gradient. One nicely shaped arrow going through the center of the stone that flashes on/off does
not qualify as a bow-tie (IMO) as long as it does flash on/off and the faceting pattern leading up to it is nice.

These are not nice bow-ties...
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.70-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-541996 too big of arrow staying dark to much
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.70-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-673486 no dark area to worry about but not
good faceting pattern in the bow-tie area

These in my book are good...where the bow-tie looks like a nice thin arrow like what you would see in a round brilliant. (your opinion may differ)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.30-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-671210
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.51-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-380317
 

trailblazer7232

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 4, 2013
Messages
38
Ah, tyty333, that is fantastic advice. I see the distinction you are making between bow ties. I had been scouring the web for completely bow tie-less stones.

Do you think there will be a notable difference between a 1.3 stone and a 1.5? I really like that one carat E stone I posted but I think we'd really see a size difference between that and a potential 1.3-1.5 stone.


**Edit: This is the setting we are considering, in platinum:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/hand-engraved-solitaire-ring-platinum_21021
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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The length of the 2 stones are basically the same. The 1.5 is fatter though. I prefer the 1.3. I would ask for an aset on both
though.

You do know that bluenile does not sell their settings without stones right?

JA has a few but I'm not too keen on them.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-etched-rope-solitaire-item-9211
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/platinum-engraved-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-53043
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-engraved-reverse-taper-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50339

For custom engraving...

David Klass
https://www.pinterest.com/DK_Jewelry/custom-engravings/

This company does some nice engraving...
http://www.greenlakejewelry.com/gallery/gallery_detail.aspx?ImgID=103277
 

trailblazer7232

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 4, 2013
Messages
38
Yep, we happened to find that setting at a local jeweler, so I was just posting the Blue Nile link since it was convenient.

That being said, I quite like the David Klass link you posted - I was thinking an engraved shank, milgrain edges and a thin double claw head. I'll show my other half and ask about getting a quote.

We're going to get an ASET on that 1.3 stone! I'll post it when we get it.
 

trailblazer7232

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 4, 2013
Messages
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While we're waiting on the ASETs from James Allen, we came across this stone:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-5ct-h-vs2-oval-diamond.html

It's a tiny bit over our initial budget, but the farther we get into this, the more we realize that we probably need to spend $10-15k on the stone to get what we want. Stones in the 1.5-1.8 carat range seem to suit us better.


What do you think of the GOG stone?
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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trailblazer7232|1444703519|3937690 said:
While we're waiting on the ASETs from James Allen, we came across this stone:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-5ct-h-vs2-oval-diamond.html

It's a tiny bit over our initial budget, but the farther we get into this, the more we realize that we probably need to spend $10-15k on the stone to get what we want. Stones in the 1.5-1.8 carat range seem to suit us better.


What do you think of the GOG stone?

I have a really hard time evaluating their stones from the pictures. Can they do a video for you?
 

solgen

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Apr 10, 2015
Messages
563
trailblazer7232|1444703519|3937690 said:
While we're waiting on the ASETs from James Allen, we came across this stone:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-5ct-h-vs2-oval-diamond.html

It's a tiny bit over our initial budget, but the farther we get into this, the more we realize that we probably need to spend $10-15k on the stone to get what we want. Stones in the 1.5-1.8 carat range seem to suit us better.


What do you think of the GOG stone?
It's looks a little mushy at the edges of the table. Hard to tell from the pic as tyty333 stated. A vid should be a requisite so you can see the faceting and how it scintillates with motion.
 

trailblazer7232

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 4, 2013
Messages
38
382282aset.jpg

The one the James allen gemologist recommended - lively and minimal bow tie. Eye clean.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.80-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-382282

671210aset_0.jpg

Gemologist did not recommend - not nearly as bright or lively according to the GG.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.30-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-671210

Can't say I'm a fan of either ASET - I have David at GOG pulling a few stones as well as one coming in from Brian Gavin.

What do you guys think of these two? Am I right to let them go?
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,198
Since they are ovals, I dont think anyone will be snapping them up (unlike rounds and nice cushions)...I would wait to see what
others can locate before making a decision.

Edit ...you also have to remember that oval asets just arent that pretty.
 
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