Help me find the right oval diamond!

[dextar]

Hello from Sydney, Australia!

I'm currently looking for an oval diamond to finally buy an engagement ring. My prospective fiance has expressed that she would like an oval diamond and having visited a couple of shops together, our ideal diamond would have the following specs:

Carat 1.1 to 1.3
Colour H or better
Clarity VS2 or better
Length/Width 1.3-1.5

My budget is limited to under $9,000 AUD ($6,000 USD), including duty should I purchase internationally.

Searches on James Allen and Blue Nile have yielded a few stones that meet the above criteria:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5850968
https://www.bluenile.com/au/diamond-details/LD11238850

And a local option:
https://www.gsdiamonds.com.au/diamonds/product/ 2191629712/none

I'd love to get your expert opinions on the selections above or if you'd be able to recommend other stones that meet the criteria or represent a better value option. Fairly new to the game so I'm open to any and all suggestions and advice.

Cheers in advance,

 

[lambskin]

I am not a fan of the JA diamond due to the color. The local stone is pretty. Not sure about the other one would have to see it IRL as the cut says only 'good'.

 

[tyty333]

I dont find either the JA or the BN stones to be a good option. I cant really tell enough about your local stone.

You want to minimize the "mush" and maximize the facets that are returning light well. See the examples below.

Mushy areas shown in blue...


Nice oval with most of the center lighting up. You want to find a stone that as it turns more facets "light" up or "turn on" like this stone below.

 

[tyty333]

Let me say if you want an "Ideal" oval, August Vintage crafts them. They have to be cut slightly deeper inorder to get ideal light return. They have
10 mains while most ovals have 4, 6 or 8.

Look here...
https://www.augustvintageinc.net/collections/opulence

I ran though JA really quick and pinned some that I thought might have potential. I didnt look at numbers or anything...just went off how they look to
the eye. Pay close attention to see how/if they light up as you move the stone.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...00&CaratFrom=1.01&Sort=Carat desc&tab=compare

If I find time in a minute I'll go look at BN. Or maybe someone else can see whats available there.

 

[Crystal_Dreams]

I would also encourage you to look at the opulence ovals from August vintage. I’ve been in touch with Jonathan lately and he is super accommodating- he even sends me CADs of how a stone would look on my finger size!!!