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Help my friend with oval diamond decision!!!!!!!

O

Owies Nana

Shiny_Rock
Joined
May 16, 2010
Messages
422
My best friend has put down a deposit at a local B&M store on an estate diamond in a Simon G oval halo split shank setting with appx. 50 pt. melee. The total cost including the setting is $34k plus.

I think she can get a better diamond with help from some of the oval experts here. The one in the setting is a 2.63 (or 2.65) ct oval D, SI clarity. I saw the diamond myself: there is no bowtie.

But I am perturbed that the seller moved the ball several times, telling us first it was VS clarity, then the price went from $28,900 to over $34,000. Our state sales tax is only 6%, so that doesn't even begin to make up the difference.

Will some of the experts here chime in on some suggestions for ovals that she could look at for comparison?

Many thanks!!!!
 
Well, if first it was VS and now it’s SI, then it probably doesn’t have a GIA report either, right? No GIA, no sale! Because who knows what you’re really getting?! What if it’s H/SI2?

If $34,000 is the budget I’m positive you can do better.
 
Um yeah, hard pass on that one. $34K is such a huge amount of money to spend on an uncertified, pre-owned ring!
Here is a magnificent oval diamond: https://www.augustvintageinc.net/co...ucts/2-04ct-f-si1-august-vintage-oval-1436642

And here is a sample hand forged split shank setting: http://stevenkirsch.com/gallery/ring-adelia-oval-halo-split-shank-pave-diamonds-platinum/

Together they will cost less than that ring that she is considering. Also, why would she even want to do business with a shady seller? Please tell her to pass on the sale!
 
Same... no GIA cert, no sale.
 
Tell your friend to “run away -quick ”!
For $34,000 getting a GIA diamond grading report should be assumed!
And what seller changes the clarity down and puts the price up?
Really!
I wouldn’t deal with that seller under any circumstances. Totally unprofessional.
You can readily buy a far superior diamond fully certified, set into a brand new setting of choice for less with far more confidence.
 
leukolenos said:
Well, if first it was VS and now it’s SI, then it probably doesn’t have a GIA report either, right? No GIA, no sale! Because who knows what you’re really getting?! What if it’s H/SI2?

If $34,000 is the budget I’m positive you can do better.
Click to expand...

It's not a shady seller. The B&M store is very reputable, but since I was there when the ball was moving and it wasn't my sale, I didn't speak up because I didn't want to ruin her moment (at least not until we got to lunch :D). I have to admit, it did look great, and I am sensitive to color and can usually see inclusions in SI clarity stones with the naked eye.

She is willing to look at other options, but loved the idea of owning a colorless stone. She liked the size of the oval, and wears a size 10 ring, so keeping the size of the stone close to what she tried on would be important for her finger coverage.
 
Oh, keep in mind, it was in the estate section. As such, it would be considered "pre-loved".
 
SimoneDi said:
Without GIA, she has no guarantee that it is indeed a colorless stone. The JA suggestion above also looks to be a very pretty oval.
Edit: Also, pre-loved rings sell at a discount. Here is a colorless pre-loved oval in a hand forged setting: https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/steven-kirsch-and-gog-oval-halo
Click to expand...
That lovely ring is unfortunately not going to size from 7.5 to 10.

If there was no bowtie, it is either an antique oval (and has a culet) or not a modern oval (elongate cushion or something "modified"). Ignoring a lot of detail, an modern oval is basically two modern rounds sitting side by side. That bowtie is where the distance between the center of each modern round is not equidistant to the center of the actual stone. There are modified ovals where the faceting is more cushion like. Can you better describe what you saw?

The problem with buying an oval by weight is that that oval could be huge in spread or carry tons of weight in the belly and look like its 2 carats. What was the spread? What was the depth? This is another problem with an uncertified diamond. You have no idea if the cost is "fair" as you don't know the spread and actual color and clarity.

I truly sympathize with her as I have size 10.25 fingers. But, spending $34k on a an uncertified ring is a big risk. At least have the ring sent to an independent appraiser to verify what this store claims.

Not perfect, but this gets her to 3 carats.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.01-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-4352145
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.71-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-3694229
 
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To my mind that makes it even worse! A pre-loved ring with no lab report for $34k? That is absurd. Did the ring fit her? Because if it’s pave it likely won’t be able to be sized up to a 10.

I like the 2.56 G above and the 3.01 G as well, in addition to the Opulence Ovals. Could be worth looking into if she’s open to it!
 
rockysalamander said:
That lovely ring is unfortunately not going to size from 7.5 to 10.

She was assured that their bench could size the ring without compromising the integrity of the setting. He even explained how it would be done.

If there was no bowtie, it is either an antique oval (and has a culet)
definitely no culet

or not a modern oval (elongate cushion or something "modified"). Ignoring a lot of detail, an modern oval is basically two modern rounds sitting side by side. That bowtie is where the distance between the center of each modern round is not equidistant to the center of the actual stone. There are modified ovals where the faceting is more cushion like. This sounds like a good description of what I saw. Can you better describe what you saw?

The problem with buying an oval by weight is that that oval could be huge in spread or carry tons of weight in the belly and look like its 2 carats. We did discuss this possibility. What was the spread? What was the depth? This is another problem with an uncertified diamond. You have no idea if the cost is "fair" as you don't know the spread and actual color and clarity. Very true.

I truly sympathize with her as I have size 10.25 fingers. But, spending $34k on a an uncertified ring is a big risk. At least have the ring sent to an independent appraiser to verify what this store claims. Excellent idea.

Not perfect, but this gets her to 3 carats.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.01-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-4352145
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.71-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-3694229
Click to expand...



I know rounds, and their cut parameters for determining a well cut round stone, but I don't know much about oval cuts. The stone had presence for sure, and really did look great:love:, but knowing the measurements and actual statistics for the stone would certainly clarify whether it faces up "true to size" and provide accurate characteristics from which to make comparisons with other like stones.

I believe she is going to inquire tomorrow about whether the stone is certified, and when she finds out, I will certainly add to the post.

Thank you for your help so far.
 
As long as she is fully informed before making her decision, you will have done your best. Without a certificate there is no way to be fully informed, so if it hasn't got one, run away! lol
 
Owies Nana said:
I know rounds, and their cut parameters for determining a well cut round stone, but I don't know much about oval cuts. The stone had presence for sure, and really did look great:love:, but knowing the measurements and actual statistics for the stone would certainly clarify whether it faces up "true to size" and provide accurate characteristics from which to make comparisons with other like stones.

I believe she is going to inquire tomorrow about whether the stone is certified, and when she finds out, I will certainly add to the post.

Thank you for your help so far.
Click to expand...
If it is not certified (or certified by someone other than GIA or AGS), she may be able to get the seller to agree to unmount the stone and send to GIA. She can offer to pay whether or not she decides to buy the stone. I think it would $169 for the GIA Diamond Grading Report. He eats the labor to mount and un-mount, ship and insure. Even without a certification, the seller should be able to provide reasonably accurate L and W measurements.
 
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