E ring : Three stone oval or three stone emerald

[sparklyjane]

hello PSers, what do you think is a preferable engagement ring style? An oval cut with two half moons or an emerald cut with relatively large trapezoid sides? The center stone would be around 2.0cts. Anything I should look out for with either cut? Should I get it in platinum or white gold? Thanks!

 

[Niel]

Are those the only option? I have a million three stones saved if you'd like more pics to oogle.

Of your choices I prefer oval as a 2 CT oval looks much bigger than a 2ct emerald cut.

If you have the money I would always say platinum as it doesn't have to be plated. If you're looking for a white metal platinum is typically the best choice.

 

[sparklyjane]

Hi Noel, thanks for replying! I'm open to any cut but those are the styles I have seen and liked. I like the finger coverage as my hands aren't exactly dainty. Would love to see your pics. My budget is $15k. I don't know much about diamonds so I'm just keen to know the pros and cons of different cuts. Thanks!

 

[Niel]

Hmm well let me see what I've saved.

 

[Niel]

Here's some ovals

 

[Niel]

Emerald cuts

 

[sparklyjane]

Thank you so much! I adore the second oval example and the first emerald. It is so hard to decide.

 

[Niel]

Now as I said ovals face up bigger than emeralds for the same ctw. Same can be said for Marquise and pears. They look bigger than their step cut or cushion counterparts

 

[Niel]

Have you seen step cuts in person? Ovals?

 

[sparklyjane]

No I haven't seen them in person. I live in Australia and the range we have out here is terrible. I am going to have to take a risk and order it from the US.

 

[Niel]

Well people say the mirror like effect you get from a step cut diamond can be somewhat of an acquired taste. Definitely watch videos or see some if you can. Even if they are crazy expensive and you have no interest in buying them.

 

[Matthews1127]

Step-Cuts & Brilliant fancies are two completely different species of diamond.
@sparklyjane, what do you like about each cut? What draws you to each of them & what characteristics do you love most about them? To narrow your choices, it's important to decide what about them speaks to you. In all honesty, you could do a combo with an oval as your center, and tapered baguettes on the sides to have the best of both worlds, but that all depends on what you admire about each Cut...
You could even have an Oval Center with vertical baguettes/EC's on each side, as a three stone ring for more finger coverage. Not too many of that combo exist.; it would truly be a one of a kind, or one of very few, ring....

 

[Matthews1127]

Here are a few examples of what I mentioned, as far as combos. I sniped these from Pinterest, just to give you a visual idea of my description:






There are a few more that I found that have the Oval/baguette combo, but not very many.
I'm not certain if this was even a consideration you had, but I thought it would be a nice compromise & help you choose both.
I do hope you will elaborate on my above post a little more; knowing your preferences is very helpful for all of us to help steer you in a direction that may assist you in making your decision...

 

[MollyMalone]

I love emerald cuts, but I think they are *the* most difficult shape to purchase online, especially for someone who unfortunately
(1) doesn't have the opportunity to first view in person any, or more than a few, to see what faceting patterns most appeal to you, and ascertain your color tolerance when it comes to emerald cuts -- you might discover a higher color is more important to you in a EC than with, say, a round brilliant (not sure if your $15,000 budget is in USD & if that includes the side stones and setting)

(2) doesn't live in the US, so adopting a "casual" approach to diamond shopping -- I.e., "well, I'll order this one & if I don't like it, I'll simply return it & order another" -- is a more formidable, and costlier, PIA.

So I'm inclined to encourage you to focus on ovals, which I think also *may* be priced generally less per carat (sorry, I don't have a firm grasp on the respective pricings in the current market re ovals & emerald cuts).

 

[sparklyjane]

Thank you Niel, Matthews and MollyMalone for your replies!

Matthews, I have never been a fan of the single solitaire and always knew I wanted something a little different. I always wanted a sapphire (see picture of my dream ring) but my fiancé would prefer I get a diamond. What I like about the ring I have attached is the finger coverage and the shape of the side stones. This led me to three stone ovals which I really love. My only worry with them is that they appear too 'blingy'. Is there a way of keeping the setting very simple? I then started looking at emerald cuts because I thought they were more understated, but I am very undecided.


My budget is 15k USD all in. Here is the oval I like:

 

[Matthews1127]

Thank you Niel, Matthews and MollyMalone for your replies!

Matthews, I have never been a fan of the single solitaire and always knew I wanted something a little different. I always wanted a sapphire (see picture of my dream ring) but my fiancé would prefer I get a diamond. What I like about the ring I have attached is the finger coverage and the shape of the side stones. This led me to three stone ovals which I really love. My only worry with them is that they appear too 'blingy'. Is there a way of keeping the setting very simple? I then started looking at emerald cuts because I thought they were more understated, but I am very undecided.


My budget is 15k USD all in. Here is the oval I like:

I love emerald cuts, but I think they are *the* most difficult shape to purchase online, especially for someone who unfortunately
(1) doesn't have the opportunity to first view in person any, or more than a few, to see what faceting patterns most appeal to you, and ascertain your color tolerance when it comes to emerald cuts -- you might discover a higher color is more important to you in a EC than with, say, a round brilliant (not sure if your $15,000 budget is in USD & if that includes the side stones and setting)

(2) doesn't live in the US, so adopting a "casual" approach to diamond shopping -- I.e., "well, I'll order this one & if I don't like it, I'll simply return it & order another" -- is a more formidable, and costlier, PIA.

So I'm inclined to encourage you to focus on ovals, which I think also *may* be priced generally less per carat (sorry, I don't have a firm grasp on the respective pricings in the current market re ovals & emerald cuts).

Is your DH in agreement with a diamond center, surrounded by sapphires? That way, you get your sapphires, he gets his diamond, and you have a contrast of shapes that is more defined. Perhaps, it will cut down on the "blinginess", as well...??

 

[Matthews1127]

Correction: FI, not DH...my apologies.

 

[Niel]

Hold on. Why can't you have your dream ring? If you want a sapphire why is he having you get a diamond? It would be most likely a better value re: size to get a sapphire and I know you said finger coverage is a concern. Plus might be easier to find sapphire rings / stones in Australia.

 

[sparklyjane]

I always thought I wanted a sapphire but now that I have been researching diamonds I see FI's point about them being traditional and I am more and more attracted to them. Especially now I have investigated these slightly unusual cuts and styles. So I think a sapphire is definitely out. You guys are definitely making me lean towards ovals...

 

[Niel]

I'll respect your choice of course diamonds are beautiful but sapphires are extremely traditional and I find it unnecessary for a significant other to try and dissuade you from your dream dream ring. But you're not here for relationship advise so I'll shut up

Is $15k for setting and stone including VAT ? Is it 15k us?

 

[sparklyjane]

Hi Niel, the budget is 15k US..could maybe be stretched slightly higher.

if I really wanted a sapphire I could definitely get one, FI just likes diamonds himself. As he is the one buying it, I have decided to go for a diamond!

 

[whitewave]

Here are a few examples of what I mentioned, as far as combos. I sniped these from Pinterest, just to give you a visual idea of my description:






There are a few more that I found that have the Oval/baguette combo, but not very many.
I'm not certain if this was even a consideration you had, but I thought it would be a nice compromise & help you choose both.
I do hope you will elaborate on my above post a little more; knowing your preferences is very helpful for all of us to help steer you in a direction that may assist you in making your decision...

Oooh, I like that second one! So classy.

 

[motownmama]

Here's a dissenting vote - EMERALD and TRAPEZOIDS all the way!!!!!!!

 

[sparklyjane]

What makes you say this motownmamma? Is it safe to order this style online?!

Here's a dissenting vote - EMERALD and TRAPEZOIDS all the way!!!!!!!

 

[msop04]

Hi, @sparklyjane! I think oval three stone rings are so classy! What color and clarity are you leaning toward (as this will impact how large a stone for your budget)? Unless you're okay with a warmer oval, most would recommend to go with H or above. If you're okay with "eye clean", then you can probably find an SI and maximize your budget.

Also, what is your ring size?

 

[msop04]

Here are some "safe" ovals that I really liked on BN (hold Ctrl key when clicking on BN links):

I REALLY like this one - the faceting looks so nice. 9.21 x 6.66
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09325538

Similar ratio as above. 9.25 x 6.87
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09325537

ETA: This one is smaller, but it's faceting is my favorite:
Nice chubby oval. 8.65 x 6.74
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09000472

A more elongated oval... 9.44 x 6.45
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09185408

Do any of these intrigue you?

 

[Matthews1127]

Oooh, I like that second one! So classy.

Thank you @whitewave! It seems our tastes are so very similar.
Not to say that the side stones must be this small, in relationship to the center; this could pass off as a really unique three stone ring, and still keep the proportions of each Cut defined, and separate, yet, pulled together for beautiful geometry...
As many know, I'm a Step-Cut lover, above all else...but that's MY preference...not everyone else's.
Ovals are beautiful alternatives to rounds. The main concern, I've learned, when searching for quality Ovals is making certain the belly of the oval is not dull or dark, or that the "crushed ice" of the top & bottom facets doesn't contrast so much with the chinkier faceted belly to create an illusion of a "bow tie" effect.
To get an idea, what proportions were you looking for in the 3 stones (i.e.: 1ct, 2ct+, 1ct)?
I'd love to help try to locate some prospective stones (ovals), but I'd prefer to know your specific goals of the 4C's before I make an attempt. $15k is a great budget, depending on what your expectations are for all 3 diamonds...

 

[naivemelody]

Both styles are so pretty - I like your taste! I really think you'll need to try them both on to make a decision - have you asked around at local jewelry stores?

I don't have stone suggestions, but here's a bit more setting inspiration. Getting the right proportions can be a challenge!

(below) step cut half moons - another option




To me these styles look best when there are noticeable "notches" in the 3-stone outline, to prevent them from blending into one mega-oval or mega-hexagon (hopefully that makes sense!) I'm not usually one for bezels, but these unique 3-stone shapes can look really cool when outlined with a delicate bezel.

This is not a delicate bezel, it's clunky and weird, but the general idea I'm referring to:

 

[rockysalamander]

More setting ideas. I'm partial to mixing step cuts and brilliant cuts. If you want half-moons, I would tend to make that smaller than your inspo so you can see they are thre distinct stones. More like the proportions below.

Kellbell's lovely. 2.23 ct E SI1, .0 ctw bulletes F VS1

Ephemery1's , 1.51 oval (8.58x6.4) with .3 ctw round sides

TravelingGal's , 1.5 ct pad, by LM

Maevona has some really beautiful and unique settings, you have to use your imagination a bit as she does not show a lot of ovals.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BR_rKXBAoZd/?hl=en&taken-by=maevona
https://www.instagram.com/p/BREeQvmhOJc/?hl=en&taken-by=maevona

 

[rockysalamander]

I don't really have a strong opinion on EC vs. Oval, I'd choose this asscher! I'm kinda obsessed. A Royal Asscher 1.41 ct, F, SI1. These are pretty hard to come by and the faceting is ungodly beautiful.

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-41ct-royal-asscher-cut-diamond-gia-f-si1