Decisions, Decisions- Carat or Color in an Oval?

[mistymae]

Hi All,

I'm upgrading my ring. Getting a whole new setting (platinum halo) and diamond (oval). I have a budget of about $13,000 for the diamond. I've done a lot of research on the oval and it has been really overwhelming! After all my filters I've narrowed it down to two diamonds from Blue Nile (they are doing the setting). One is a 1.50, D, Very Good cut, VS1. The other is 1.80, H, very good cut, VVS1. They are pretty similar in everything else, including price (links below for other details). The 1.80 has a 2 bow-tie effect. BN is checking on the 1.5 bow-tie for me.

Obviously I want the biggest diamond I can get. I am worried the H in an oval, especially at that size, will be more noticeable. The 1.5 (Assuming the bow-tie comes in low) at D I'm sure will be beautiful, but there is a big difference between 1.5 and 1.8. GRRR! What should I do? Will the yellow be noticeable in the 1.8???? Am I missing something that I should be concerned about in these two diamonds??

Thank you for your help all wise ones!

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?stockno=LD06460747&compare=true

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?stockno=LD05852097&compare=true

 

[mistymae]

Ok, apparently those links don't work because I have those two diamonds on reserve. Sorry. But any other advice anyone can provide??

 

[mistymae]

Here are the two docs I was able to save a copy of....

Hope that helps!!

Thank you!!!

 

[Queenie60]

It is my understanding that Bluenile does not provide photos. You may try looking on Jamesallen.com or enchanteddiamonds.com. Both have video images of stones and they can probably make a halo ring similar to what you are looking for. I would continue to search until you find the right stone. There are many out there, patience is a virtue! Good luck and I hope you find exactly what you're looking for.

 

[solgen]

1.80







Bowtie effect is too much for my personal taste so I would exclude this one.

 

[solgen]

1.50







Bowtie effect in this one is even too much for my liking.

 

[mistymae]

WOW! Awesome that you found those pictures!! Thank you!! BN does provide pictures when you call and request. When I called, they told me the 1.8 was a 2 on a scale of 1 to 5 of a bowtie effect. Is this scale their arbitrary scale or is this a real thing? I can't seem to find any information regarding a scale for it...

Thank you!

 

[mistymae]

Now that I have completely written off the two I have been mulling over, I'm now agonizing not being able to see the diamond first.

Here are 3 more. Anyone have a preference over these three or if we know if they have a strong bowtie?

Thank you so much!!

 

[Gypsy]

What does the dealer say about them.

 

[tyty333]

Now that I have completely written off the two I have been mulling over, I'm now agonizing not being able to see the diamond first.

Here are 3 more. Anyone have a preference over these three or if we know if they have a strong bowtie?

Thank you so much!!

Why don't you use a vendor that has photos of the stones? You cant buy fancy cut stones (which includes everything but round
brilliants) by the numbers. You really need images to check on the faceting pattern, shoulders, bow-ties, mush factor
(technical term ) and aset images to help check the light return.

James Allen is a good place to start. If you cant find anything there then I would check Enchanted diamonds.
At JA you can pick your top 3 stones and request aset images. If the stones are in the NY area I believe they can get
them. They can also look at the stones and tell you what they see, which is the best and why then think so. Ask for
help narrowing it down before you request asets (we can look at some stones and tell the light return is not going to be good...
dont want to waste an aset).

I'm going to post a few that might be worth a further look (depending on your budget, specs, etc.) I topped budget at $15k.
Some of these are better than others but I dont know what your specs are.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.50-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-703051
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.54-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-432280 Beautiful faceting, ask if eye-clean
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.52-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-565366
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.50-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-703051
Bigger stones
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.79-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-564747 nice faceting pattern, but ? light return
G/H color but bigger stones (caratwise)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.86-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-264100 shape?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.62-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-726219
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.80-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-544425 light return?

 

[mistymae]

Tyty, Thank you for your suggestions. You are right, it is difficult to pick a fancy online without seeing it. The reason I was sticking with BN was because I love, love, love one of their settings. But what I figured I could do is buy the diamond then send it to them to set.

Based on the ones you suggested and considering my personal specs (SI is too low for me, and I prefer a longer oval around 1.4) I found two. I've requested ASETS on them, but it can take up to 5 days. Probably can forget getting this done by Christmas. :/

Here are the two... Additional weigh ins on the two are encouraged

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.56-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-726218
Thinking I really like this F since it is less in color, but it has a slight inclusion on the table

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.62-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-726219

Thanks everyone!

 

[telephone89]

What is the setting that you love?

 

[mistymae]

This is the setting...

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/blue-nile-studio-oval-heriess-halo-platinum-engagement-ring_50576?elem=img&track=product

 

[telephone89]

While it is a very pretty setting, it is certainly not unique to BN. You would likely be able to have this custom made for that price (better quality too). Brilliantly Engaged comes to mind, David Klass if you want it a tad cheaper. Just wanted to give you more options so you don't *have* to go with BN!
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-erd-brilliantly-engaged-thread.192763/page-2']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-erd-brilliantly-engaged-thread.192763/page-2[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-david-klass-bling.196654/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-david-klass-bling.196654/[/URL]

 

[mistymae]

Thanks for opening my eyes to other avenues! I'll take a look around. Hard to venture away from what I've had my eyes focused on for a couple years on.