E ring : Three stone oval or three stone emerald

[sparklyjane]

Naivemelody yes the proportions seem so important! I love your second photo. So beautiful.

Rockysalamander I love kellbell's ring too.

I can't believe how many options there are. It's pretty overwhelming.

I'm starting to like the idea of an oval, with halfmoons (potentially step cuts) and then a little bullet on either side!! Too much? This forum is dangerous!

 

[Matthews1127]

I realize that step-cuts notoriously do not "sparkle" like brilliant Cuts, but that doesn't mean they are dim, dull or boring. Steps have FIRE!! BIG FIRE!!! BIG FLASHES OF RAINBOW LIGHT...that move in rows, columns & steps. The Faceting steps have gives them sparkle & twinkle with massive rainbow light. Brilliant Cuts don't have those characteristics. Brilliants sparkle & twinkle, with slight flashes, here or there. Combining steps with an Oval will truly give your ring every characteristic on every level, on maximum overdrive!
But, that's just my* opinion.
Ovals have a bit of chunky flash in the belly, and a lot of twinkle & sparkle on the top & bottom. Combining an Oval with step cut side stones is a match made in heaven!!

 

[Matata]

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!

Have you thought about using sapphires as side stones? He gets the traditional diamond look he wants and you get the color you want.

 

[ringo865]

If you haven't any jewelers local to try on different shapes/styles, you could order some similar styles from somewhere berricle (cheap but nice sterling silver) or cheaper (base metal) from amazon or eBay. Then see which of those looks you like on your hand before dropping $15k.

Beautiful options shown so far though, and these guys will help you select a winner.

 

[lambskin]

I wanted either a EC or oval. I let the stone make the decision for me. With my oval I have baguettes. Love them and will not change. But I do think that bullets look awesome with either EC or ovals if you want a larger side stone. Pears can be very pretty with ovals too. What I like about the oval is that it has long sides. IMHO the moon or trap takes away from that elongation and makes it look stubby especially if it is set at the same height and hugs the sides. The oval shape is lost. I like moons with colored stone cushion cuts. The same with EC side stones. I love a three stone EC but the proportions have to be right. IMHO, too big EC side stones look more like a RHR or anniversary ring (gorgeous) and not an engagement ring. I am very old fashioned and prefer a traditional ER with side baguettes and not a fan of halos.

 

[Matthews1127]

I must inquire: are you planning to wear a wedding band with this 3 stone ring? If so, it's important to decide if you want it to sit flush against the ER or if you want some space between (and possibly use a spacer for extra protection). If you want the band to sit flush, you will need a design that allows for the band to fit, or have it custom made to fit...

 

[sparklyjane]

I must inquire: are you planning to wear a wedding band with this 3 stone ring? If so, it's important to decide if you want it to sit flush against the ER or if you want some space between (and possibly use a spacer for extra protection). If you want the band to sit flush, you will need a design that allows for the band to fit, or have it custom made to fit...

Hi Matthews. If I wear a wedding ring it will just be a very thin gold band. Will I need to factor that in?

Lambskin do you have a photo of your oval? I actually tried some fake rings on and I love the shape of the oval so I'm really leaning towards it. I actually don't mind the chubby factor too much, but I'd like to see how your oval looks with baguettes.

I've asked a PS vendor to look for oval and EC center stones for me so I can compare what I can get in my budget. Exciting!

 

[Matthews1127]

Hi Matthews. If I wear a wedding ring it will just be a very thin gold band. Will I need to factor that in?

Lambskin do you have a photo of your oval? I actually tried some fake rings on and I love the shape of the oval so I'm really leaning towards it. I actually don't mind the chubby factor too much, but I'd like to see how your oval looks with baguettes.

I've asked a PS vendor to look for oval and EC center stones for me so I can compare what I can get in my budget. Exciting!

It is important to have an idea of how you plan to wear them: together, or alone. A 3 stone ring will likely be curvy, and won't sit flush against a straight band, unless the design of the 3 stone allows space for the band to fit, or the band is custom curved to fit perfectly flush against your 3 stone ring. If having space between the two doesn't bother you, it shouldn't my be much of a concern, and you can try to fill a large gap with a spacer.
I must caution: if you intend to ever wear your band on its own, you will probably not want to customize it to curve to fit flush against your 3 stone ring, as it will look rather odd, on its own. Depending on the setting, and the design of the 3 stone, you shouldn't have too much space between the two, BUT, you should try wearing a band with 3 stone rings to get a visual...
ANOTHER idea to toss out there....
East-West set center stones with side stones along the shank for great finger coverage, but may be easier to fit a straight band under without a lot of space between the two rings. The East-West set center also allows future options for stacking anniversary bands, depending on the width of the two bands, and the real estate you have between your knuckles.
Trust me...you'll want to add bling, in the years to come...lol! Doing a combo gives you more flexibility, and allows you to integrate other bands that compliment your ER: east-west baguette Eternity band, or east-west Oval Eternity....you can even add a beautiful Motif band!!
These are all things to consider, while you're shopping, and you won't lose finger coverage; you're just distributing things differently to make room for more, later on!!
Examples:







Sorry...I had to...

 

[sparklyjane]

Ok guys, my vendor has given me specs on an oval and emerald cut center stone. BOth can be fully set including side stones for my budget of usd15k. What do you think?
1) oval brilliant, 9.46x7.17x4.42, 2.0ct, H colour, SI2, ex polish, vg symmetry
2) emerald cut, 8.33x5.7x3.79, 1.81ct, G colour, VS2, vg polish, vg symmetry

What do you think?

 

[Matthews1127]

My* extremely feeble attempt to break it down, with no visual aids:

L x w ratio of the Oval:



L x w ratio of the EC:



EC will likely face up more white, and has better clarity, which is always a plus, when dealing with a step-cut stone. HOWEVER, location and nature of the inclusions must be determined in order to know whether or not the stones performance & overall appearance will be affected. It's lighter in Ct wt, but I believe it's depth is good for the proportions; l x w is perfectly rectangular, and EC's with those dimensions are becoming more & more difficult to find. Most are 1.30-1.37:1, which makes them "plumper" in the middle, or more square, but too slim to be an Asscher...
Oval is more slender from the l x w dimensions. I don't know if it's too deep, as the proportions seem fairly close to what I'd expect. SI2 means nothing for a brilliant cut stone, as long as the inclusions are not against the table, under the table, or carbon (dark or black). Clear inclusions can hide well, and never be noticed, esp. in brilliant Cuts. The Color is a tad more tinted, but I'm certain it would face up rather white. It's heavier, but the l x w ratio indicates it's not from the top, which is why I'm questioning the depth...it's getting weight from somewhere....
Ovals face up larger, but so CAN EC's. It all depends on the cut. Both are VG symmetry, so cut is VG, which means either has potential to have good spread...the EC will probably give you more in terms of ratio; the oval's more slender.
It's very difficult to make any DIFINITIVE evaluation without seeing photos, videos, ASETs & ISs. To sit & analyze the numbers & stats, we can sit & argue all night.
Photos & other visual aids, including videos, will help us to help you.
ULTIMATELY, you need to see them in person, preferably, side by side, and against your hand, to decide...
Ovals can display different characteristics in terms of chunk in the belly vs. crushed ice around the rest of the stone. If the contrast is drastic, you get a "bow tie" effect across the center of the stone.
EC's, even VG Symmetry EC's, can be dark, depending on the angles and locations of the pavilion steps/angles. P3 position is crucial to eliminate "dark center phenomenon". Steps have a degree of dim vs. flash...but the elite EC's dim & flash in all the right places, at every angle. Essentially, you want the steps to light up moving down into the center and then back up again, or at least, similarly, so none of the steps are dim, simultaneously. To put it simply, the dark spots should light up, as the stone is turned...
All of these features must be observed, and evaluated to determine if either stone fits what you're looking for in your center stone.
Do either of these diamonds have any fluorescence? Fluorescence can assist a lower colored diamond to face up more white. G & H stones usually don't need the help as much as J>. Sometimes, fluorescence can cause a stone to appear oily, hazy, or cloudy...

 

[MollyMalone]

ULTIMATELY, you need to see them in person, preferably, side by side, and against your hand, to decide...

Regrettably (for e-ring shopping purposes), sparklyjane lives in Australia, and no local jewelry shop has many (if any?) ECs or ovals for her to see in person. So given those serious disadvantages, ovals seem the safer choice; Good Old Gold is the only PS sponsor I would suggest for truly long-distance shopping for ECs 'cause James Allen's and Blue Nile's videos of ECs (only some of BN's ECs have videos) don't "do it" for me.

ETA: think GOG, JA, and BN are the only PS sponsors who offer ECs with videos; somebody please correct me if I'm wrong about that.

 

[Matthews1127]

Regrettably (for e-ring shopping purposes), sparklyjane lives in Australia, and no local jewelry shop has many (if any?) ECs or ovals for her to see in person. So given those serious disadvantages, ovals seem the safer choice; Good Old Gold is the only PS sponsor I would suggest for truly long-distance shopping for ECs 'cause James Allen's and Blue Nile's videos of ECs (only some of BN's ECs have videos) don't "do it" for me.

ETA: think GOG, JA, and BN are the only PS sponsors who offer ECs with videos; somebody please correct me if I'm wrong about that.

I thought I had read about her struggle, earlier in the thread; thank you for clarifying that for me.
I agree with you about GOG; I haven't seen videos that equal GOG's, and they have such amazing diamonds (especially step-Cuts) *Drool*....
I do hope photos & videos are available of both of these diamonds, so we can weigh in on helping with this decision, ligitimately. There just isn't enough to evaluate, at this point...

 

[Matthews1127]

New on Jewels by Grace:

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/2-51ct-oval-shape-diamond-gia-e-vs
It's an old cut...and super beautiful! No crushed ice on this baby...she has chunky facets, and flashes rainbow light like crazy!
Introducing something a little different just to get your opinion....
edit: please ignore the price; I just want your opinion on the cut...

 

[sparklyjane]

Hahaha the first thing I saw was the price!! I really love the shape of that oval. Is that a bow tie in the middle? I wasn't sure what a bow tie was...

 

[sparklyjane]

Also thanks everyone for your feedback on the specs I sent through. I am getting some pictures and videos sent through this week. I've realised it is impossible to tell too much from specs alone as they could be identical on paper but the price quite different!

 

[Matthews1127]

Hahaha the first thing I saw was the price!! I really love the shape of that oval. Is that a bow tie in the middle? I wasn't sure what a bow tie was...

It could be a bow tie, yes. The facets are broad, which would create that effect, without crushed ice. However, the facets seem to be rather equal in size around the stone, so it doesn't seem to look darker than any other angle, making it seem slightly more symmetrical, in that sense. It is an antique cut, prior to today's precision cut technology. I wanted you to see the difference, and decide if this could be an option for you...only in a slightly smaller or lighter Ct weight (for budget). This particular cut will flash more than sparkle. The facets are fat, and will give off a LOT of rainbow, rather than white, pinpoint sparkle.
These diamonds have a completely different personality, and I wanted you to be able to see the comparison, and determine if this cut is an option for you...