Help me choose a diamond

[Diamondnoob456]

Hi friends: looking for some help choosing a diamond. Looking for an oval. Will have a custom made ring resembling the attached. Simple band with leaves holding the stone.

Can you help me choose a diamond? Parameters
--About $4,000 to spend
--Oval stone
--She prefers "sparkle" over everything else. (To me this means excellent cut?)
--Unclear on color sensitivity
--She prefers a flatter appearance, rather than a stone that sticks up higher above her finger

Below are some options I've found that seem to fit the bill. Any considerations on these or better alternatives?

Thank you so much!

https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/1....-Cut-Oval-Diamond/D41889810?&refer=pricescope

https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/117006...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/117726...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

 

[ecf8503]

https://www.augustvintageinc.net/co...ucts/1-01ct-i-vs2-august-vintage-oval-1198376

 

[Garnetgirl]

The preference for a flatter appearance doesn't relate very much to the choice of diamond, but more to the choice of setting. Certain diamond cuts are deeper than others, but I believe that ovals are relatively shallow.

 

[Durham Rose]

Hi Diamondnoob456


Firstly good luck on your quest to find the perfect diamond for your engagement ring. You are in the right place for help and advice.

You’re absolutely right when you say cutting constitutes to the overall sparkle of the diamond so this element is key if you want a diamond full of sparkle and life. Several notes on that point.

First, the GIA doesn’t give a cut grade for fancy shapes. So when you see a cut-grade listed, such as Excellent, that is the opinion of the seller. As such it’s not an independent judgment, and some sellers apply appealing grades more liberally than others.

Secondly, because no laboratory cut grade will be applied, producers sometimes push extra weight into fancy shapes. Check for the thickness of girdles, and consider comparing spread in millimeters from diamond to diamond, as well as carat weight. A diamond with extra weight in the belly may weigh the same but will look smaller than a more proportionate one.

I would also mention that length to width ratio really impacts the oval aesthetic. You linked very different examples. Do you know if the recipient will want a longer or shorter oval shape?

When you are choosing an oval diamond one thing you should take note of is the ‘bow tie effect’ which is a common feature and will appear in most fancy shapes such as Oval, Marquise, and pear. This takes on the appearance of a black shadowing across the diamonds body which as the name suggests resembles a man’s bow tie. The bow tie is the result of facets which don’t reflect light back to you, no matter which angle you are viewing the stone from. They run from minimal to exaggerated.

To analyze this it’s helpful to see a video of the stone. That often gives a clue as to the bow tie implications. I would also recommend getting the vendor’s opinion If you are unsure, on this count and things like clarity appearance, and fluorescence.

I hope this has been helpful.