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Help Choosing Oval Diamond

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Searchingforbrilliance

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 10, 2018
Messages
7
Hello everyone!

I am hoping for some help from some oval experts for my engagement ring. I’ve made some choices on JA but I’m not completely confident in them. I am mostly afraid of dark spots that I don’t notice or grey mushiness that will be visible irl, making them seem worse in clarity than they really are. I am not confident in my eye for mushiness, especially when viewing one at a time.

If it helps, I am planning to get a single halo setting with pave band.

It’s been a hard search because it’s hard finding ovals with a 1.4-1.5 ratio that still seem bright, so some of my choices are more round than I’d prefer. I hope the halo doesn’t accentuate it’s roundness too much. Thoughts on this?

So here are my choices:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.01-carat-d-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3730286 . (I think this one is the best I chose)

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.82-carat-e-color-if-clarity-sku-3376713

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.74-carat-f-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-4397469

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.73-carat-d-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-4235130

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.60-carat-e-color-if-clarity-sku-3884046

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.70-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-4324388

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.56-carat-e-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-4430209

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.55-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-4397435

Very grateful for any help I can get. And if anyone would like to share their own choices and examples, please do.
 
Are you set on such high color and clarity specs?
 
Poor selection on JA right now IMO. I’m not in love with any of the ones you posted; they all have more mush than I’d prefer. If you can tolerate a step down in color and still eye clean but more inclusions, these are better.

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1051450

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.02-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2858635

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.70-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3427785
 
RetroTreeGal said:
Are you set on such high color and clarity specs?
Click to expand...

I personally just use higher specs to filter through better. Also, fiancé seems to have a vendetta against anything lower than vvs2 despite what I say. As for color, I’m just afraid I’ll choose a brown looking one. When shopping irl, we shopped H color but they told us their H was yellow toned and a higher grade of H. Not sure if they were just trying to deter us from shopping online ourselves.
 
RetroTreeGal said:
Poor selection on JA right now IMO. I’m not in love with any of the ones you posted; they all have more mush than I’d prefer. If you can tolerate a step down in color and still eye clean but more inclusions, these are better.

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1051450

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.02-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2858635

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.70-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3427785
Click to expand...

Thank you for the suggestions. It is very helpful. I agree the stock seems a little lackluster right now. I think it was better a month ago when I started searching but I finally worked up the courage to join this forum.
 
Searchingforbrilliance said:
I personally just use higher specs to filter through better. Also, fiancé seems to have a vendetta against anything lower than vvs2 despite what I say. As for color, I’m just afraid I’ll choose a brown looking one. When shopping irl, we shopped H color but they told us their H was yellow toned and a higher grade of H. Not sure if they were just trying to deter us from shopping online ourselves.
Click to expand...

We’ll if that’s the clarity she wants we can work with that.
With regard to H being yellow, they were trying to upsell you. Or they were talking about their diamonds color graded by a bargain basement lab. I wear an oval 5 stone every day, grades G and H, and I assure you none of them are yellow.

27F3F804-9302-4DCB-B57C-856D3A249FD1.jpegA496F1A9-932D-4E6C-90C9-912C9BB159AC.jpeg
 
RetroTreeGal said:
We’ll if that’s the clarity she wants we can work with that.
With regard to H being yellow, they were trying to upsell you. Or they were talking about their diamonds color graded by a bargain basement lab. I wear an oval 5 stone every day, grades G and H, and I assure you none of them are yellow.

27F3F804-9302-4DCB-B57C-856D3A249FD1.jpegA496F1A9-932D-4E6C-90C9-912C9BB159AC.jpeg
Click to expand...

It’s funny cuz fiancé is actually a he and despite it being me who will wear the ring, he seems more demanding. He favors a luxury brand look.
Yes, yours aren’t yellow at all! While shopping around they said I shouldn’t go anywhere else for diamonds because they’re grading house was extremely strict, keeping only 10% of diamonds. And they only accepted yellow tone diamonds rather than brown or grey tones. I’m not sure how much of this was fear based selling. What do you guys think?

So would your advice be to keep searching or would a halo setting be able to hide some mushiness?
 
Searchingforbrilliance said:
It’s funny cuz fiancé is actually a he and despite it being me who will wear the ring, he seems more demanding. He favors a luxury brand look.
Yes, yours aren’t yellow at all! While shopping around they said I shouldn’t go anywhere else for diamonds because they’re grading house was extremely strict, keeping only 10% of diamonds. And they only accepted yellow tone diamonds rather than brown or grey tones. I’m not sure how much of this was fear based selling. What do you guys think?

So would your advice be to keep searching or would a halo setting be able to hide some mushiness?
Click to expand...

My apologies on confusing your and his gender. It’s usually men here shopping for e-rings!

Yes, brick and mortar stores are shown big parcels and they choose a small selection. That’s pretty common. Them bragging about it sounds cooler than it really is. And yes, most people prefer yellow undertones to brown or grey. But that’s easy to also see online too. I personally like brown undertones, especially if you’re setting in rose gold.

A halo will not hide the mushiness. It will just be a mushy stone with a halo. I’d say just keep looking. But I really do suggest you contact August Vintage. At least watch the videos on their website to get an idea of what agreat quality oval should look like.
 
I guess I don't really understand the relationship between the color/clarity and "luxury brand" look. The precision and accuracy of the cutting and, to some extent, color are what really determine what is seen. Color is really only to the extent that one can actually detect the color (biological ability to do so varies). Some high-end sellers have long-marketed only "colorless" and "high clarity" are valuable, but its simply branding to create a need. If it was me, I would focus on "eye-clean" at close scrutiny and color down to G. That will open up your search options. Sometimes, its better to be a bit more generous in your searches to give you options. If you go with a good vendor, you can always return the stone if you don't like it.

I second to check out AugustVintage. They have a few that might work and you will be sporting the world's first "super-ideal" oval. Ever. Take that Tiffany! :mrgreen2:=)2
https://www.augustvintageinc.net/collections/opulence/carat-weight-range_2-00-2-19ct

I also am posting a few antique diamonds as they might be of interest. With larger facets and more broad and rainbow light return, old cuts hide their inclusion and color better than their modern versions. And...they are just dreamy. Click on the videos to get the full treatment.
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-59ct-marquise-moval-cut-diamond-gia-g-vs1 {movals are one of the rarer antique shapes and loved by many}
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/2-90ct-antique-oval-gia-k-si1 {on hold, posting to show you how old ovals look}
 
RetroTreeGal said:
My apologies on confusing your and his gender. It’s usually men here shopping for e-rings!

Yes, brick and mortar stores are shown big parcels and they choose a small selection. That’s pretty common. Them bragging about it sounds cooler than it really is. And yes, most people prefer yellow undertones to brown or grey. But that’s easy to also see online too. I personally like brown undertones, especially if you’re setting in rose gold.

A halo will not hide the mushiness. It will just be a mushy stone with a halo. I’d say just keep looking. But I really do suggest you contact August Vintage. At least watch the videos on their website to get an idea of what agreat quality oval should look like.
Click to expand...

Yes it usually is men, but the search for an oval is such a preference that he wanted me to help him search and choose. I will give him the AV site. Thank you for your help!
 
rockysalamander said:
I guess I don't really understand the relationship between the color/clarity and "luxury brand" look. The precision and accuracy of the cutting and, to some extent, color are what really determine what is seen. Color is really only to the extent that one can actually detect the color (biological ability to do so varies). Some high-end sellers have long-marketed only "colorless" and "high clarity" are valuable, but its simply branding to create a need. If it was me, I would focus on "eye-clean" at close scrutiny and color down to G. That will open up your search options. Sometimes, its better to be a bit more generous in your searches to give you options. If you go with a good vendor, you can always return the stone if you don't like it.

I second to check out AugustVintage. They have a few that might work and you will be sporting the world's first "super-ideal" oval. Ever. Take that Tiffany! :mrgreen2:=)2
https://www.augustvintageinc.net/collections/opulence/carat-weight-range_2-00-2-19ct

I also am posting a few antique diamonds as they might be of interest. With larger facets and more broad and rainbow light return, old cuts hide their inclusion and color better than their modern versions. And...they are just dreamy. Click on the videos to get the full treatment.
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-59ct-marquise-moval-cut-diamond-gia-g-vs1 {movals are one of the rarer antique shapes and loved by many}
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/2-90ct-antique-oval-gia-k-si1 {on hold, posting to show you how old ovals look}
Click to expand...

It’s been hard to find ovals in my areas because the commercial jewelers ovals have been I2 clarity with K color or some don’t even carry ovals. The luxury jewelers have shown us vs1 and H or above. So irl we haven’t gotten to see much. Plus they don’t seem to care to give us many options. So I guess when I say “luxury” I just mean my personal experience that they seem to carry a nicer looking selection readily available. However, I’m sure many on this site can find a great “luxury” diamond because they are much better at shopping for a diamond than me. I have wondered though if the “luxury” diamond is as great as we think it looks in the store. ( I have a lab report of it if any of you are interested though not sure if it’s allowed to be posted as it has store name on it. Or if it’s even useful without seeing it in real life)

Could someone explain how to shop for eye cleanliness online? Do I zoom out of the 20x magnification or something else?

I will definitely take a look at AV. Hopefully it will decrease the stresses of shopping for us.
 
Last edited:
Searchingforbrilliance said:
( I have a lab report of it if any of you are interested though not sure if it’s allowed to be posted as it has store name on it. Or if it’s even useful without seeing it in real life)

Could someone explain how to shop for eye cleanliness online? Do I zoom out of the 20x magnification or something else?

I will definitely take a look at AV. Hopefully it will decrease the stresses of shopping for us.
Click to expand...

Round diamonds can be evaluated by the certs, but very little can be told from a cert for a fancy. You need to see a photo and an ASET of a fancy. If the lab report had the store name on it, however, it means it wasn’t sent to an independent grading lab and any information within should be taken with a huge grain of salt. Share a GIA cert and I’ll believe the color and clarity rating all day long!

As far as cleanliness goes, there isn’t a hard and fast rule. Zooming out is a first good start, for sure. But what is eye clean to you may not be eye clean to me Andrew vice versa; it’s a very subjective quality. For ME, anything smaller than about 2ct can very safely be deemed eye clean at VS2 or higher. Also for ME, a lot of SI1 with non-black carbon inclusions are eye clean.
There is also your personal preference. Say you find an amazingly cut and huge stone within your budget, but if you scrutinize it you can see the crystal inclusions. I PERSONALLY may be quite okay with that. Notice i capitalize the emphasis, because these are RetroTreeGal rules only. My advice for you if youve found a promisingly stone but are not sure if it’s eye clean is to have the vendor pull to and give you their opinion, and define what they are using for eye clean. 12” away, in daylight, for example? If worse come see to worse, you can always order a stone and evaluate it for yourself.
 
RetroTreeGal said:
Round diamonds can be evaluated by the certs, but very little can be told from a cert for a fancy. You need to see a photo and an ASET of a fancy. If the lab report had the store name on it, however, it means it wasn’t sent to an independent grading lab and any information within should be taken with a huge grain of salt. Share a GIA cert and I’ll believe the color and clarity rating all day long!

As far as cleanliness goes, there isn’t a hard and fast rule. Zooming out is a first good start, for sure. But what is eye clean to you may not be eye clean to me Andrew vice versa; it’s a very subjective quality. For ME, anything smaller than about 2ct can very safely be deemed eye clean at VS2 or higher. Also for ME, a lot of SI1 with non-black carbon inclusions are eye clean.
There is also your personal preference. Say you find an amazingly cut and huge stone within your budget, but if you scrutinize it you can see the crystal inclusions. I PERSONALLY may be quite okay with that. Notice i capitalize the emphasis, because these are RetroTreeGal rules only. My advice for you if youve found a promisingly stone but are not sure if it’s eye clean is to have the vendor pull to and give you their opinion, and define what they are using for eye clean. 12” away, in daylight, for example? If worse come see to worse, you can always order a stone and evaluate it for yourself.
Click to expand...

Extremely helpful! Thank you so much.
 
You might look at JA and decide what kind of "look" in an oval you like. Most of the ones you posted are 8 main (offset from center).
(you can look at all different size/colors just to get a feel for the faceting pattern that you like to see)

They come in
8 main offset
8 main (not offset)
6 main
4 main - 2 of the ones RetroTreeGal posted are 4 mains.
The August Vintage Ovals are 10 mains.

You can look on the GIA lab reports and see the faceting patterns of the stone (look at the backside).

Also, you know to pay more attention to the LxW of the stone than the carat weight. Two stones that weigh the same can vary
wildly due to depth and girdle thickness.
 
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