Help finding oval center stone

Summertime_girl · 2025-05-09T11:16:40-0400

Hello
I'm so far down a rabbit role... while lab grown diamonds are intriguing to me it's making me dizzy. If anyone would care to help find an oval I would really appreciate it. I looked at DG and while beautiful it's a bit out of my budget,
Looking to update my engagement ring so I can wear it with my eternity band and sit flush.
In search of center stone oval - color D E F and more focused on cut and light performance . The videos are just heard to make sense for me.
Carat: 4 to 5ish open to stay on the lower end if it's a well-cut diamond
Ratio 1.40-1.48 but open to others
Would love some budget advice too

Lynniiee · 2025-05-09T11:57:55-0400

Hey! I've been staring at LG oval 360s for the past week trying to find my own, let me take a crack at it and get back to you.

I'll say budget wise you're looking at around $800 - $2k, much above $1500 you're probably overpaying unless it's a HPHT GIA cert which come with a bit of a premium but may or may not be a better quality stone (in my opinion), though I know a lot of fans of purely HPHT methods I haven't been able to tell the difference from one HPHT and CVD IIa (+ after HPHT treatment) in person.

Vendor wise, the best prices you're going to get are from RubyHarperFineJewelry (lowest) & Calavera New York. I just bought stones from these two vendors in the past month and both have been great to work with. Ruby Harper tends to show up slightly cheaper for the same exact stone, but you have to pay return shipping. I'm not sure if Calavera price matches.

Summertime_girl · 2025-05-09T12:12:04-0400

Thank you I really appreciate your help. I’m open to words of wisdom and experience here currently vetting custom setting with Ruby Harbor or DK

Lynniiee · 2025-05-09T13:02:35-0400

I like linking the loupe 360 links because the 360 video quality renders better than the shopify sites do, so there's two links for both.

4.08 F VS1 $981
It's really hard for me to tell bowties on these vertical 360s but the light return on this one looks great.

Loupe360

loupe360.com

Lab Grown Diamonds

Antique + Vintage + Custom fine jewelry.

rubyharperfinejewelry.com

4.38 E VVS2 $1437

Loupe360

loupe360.com

Lab Grown Diamonds

Antique + Vintage + Custom fine jewelry.

rubyharperfinejewelry.com

4.02 F VVS2 $1088
This one's a lil skinnier than your preferences but I had it in my notes from when I was searching so I included it for you. Same caveat with bowties on these vertical 360s

Lab Grown Diamonds

Antique + Vintage + Custom fine jewelry.

rubyharperfinejewelry.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com

I'm honestly not seeing a lot in this range right now that's seems super fantastic, I wrote a script to watch for new listings under these queries so I'm going to keep an eye on the newly listed ones and let you know if anything pops up.

Summertime_girl · 2025-05-09T13:46:31-0400

Thank you again…I’m interested about whether I could appreciate the differences between CVD vs HPHT methods even though the HPHT method probably makes more sense to scientifically. Thinking if a stone is well
Cut in either method it could make the difference in the light performance.

@Lynniiee - how did you like working w DK. I am considering him or RH for the custom setting. Few inspiration pics.

Lynniiee · 2025-05-09T14:17:26-0400

Yeah, usually CVD iia is treated after the fact with HPHT as well, it's just not fully done with HPHT because it's more cost effective. I have had both in hand but honestly couldn't tell the difference, and I consider myself pretty picky.

I loved working with DK and am planning to use him for this upcoming setting. People have recommended Addison at Ruby Harper very highly as well but there's something about DK's prong style on my current engagement ring that I love SO much. Never seen prongs so flat and clean, I don't usually like the big chunky prongs.

I also got a euro shank on my e-ring and wedding band that I'd like him to match on this new project so it'll fit well with my current wedding band!

I don't think you could go wrong with either vendor though, maybe get a quote from both & check out their instagram for latest works and see what style you like best?

Summertime_girl · 2025-05-09T14:28:56-0400

appreciate that insight - I’m super picky too about the details. The hidden halo I’m looking to do is more of wrapped halo per se & need a craftsman for sure.
Both have been responsive etc and estimates were in the same ballpark- sought of feel like experience based on what I’m looking for and complexity of setting the stone high enough so my band sits flush. And while I’ve read all positives about RH I don’t see anything in their portfolio and DK he does have a similar item on his IG account to your point.