Help Narrowing Down my Diamond Choice!

[VG4313]

Hi all, was referred to this forum by my friend who just proposed

I am in the market to buy a oval diamond, which I will get set a fairly simple 18k yellow gold band locally.

When my gf and I initially went ring shopping, the one thing above all else that stuck out was the bow-tie effect. That being said, I've tried to eliminate diamonds that seem severe with this. I've narrowed down my search to the following 5 at JamesAllen. I'm hoping to get your advice! From the visual, are these fairly good in terms of limiting the bow-tie? Is there anything that stands out as a red flag from a quality point of view (other than bow-tie) ?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3197025
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.84-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2389624
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.80-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3109682
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2666538
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.81-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3310128

Thanks all!

 

[Matthews1127]

This one is for sale. I don't know your budget, but looking at listings like this one may get you a bargain, you never thought you'd find....

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/steven-kirsch-and-gog-oval-halo.233920/#post-4207742

 

[tyty333]

Your last one (and smallest one) is my favorite...let me take a look and see if I see any others that might be worth a look.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-3346580 SI1...ask JA if eye-clean 7.32x5.45
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3319672 again, ask if eye-clean 7.19x5.37
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-3250284 eye clean? 7.61x5.61

 

[valeria101]

Hi all, was referred to this forum by my friend who just proposed

- an interesting version of oval - .9 D/VS2 WWW - smaller than all on the list

- a bright 'Strong Blue' b_st_rd ,-) - 1.0 D/SI1 WWW - larger than anything so far [I'd say the one debatable inclusion at the edge of the table is smaller than a typographic dot... the rest merit no comment IHMO]. The 'Strong Blue' are a sort of club thing.

Of the options already mentioned, the E/SI1 seems nicest

[same criteria I have used for a recent, very similar 'hunt' . REF. @meely ]

 

[valeria101]

Then, there is this - WWW - .91 G/SI2 7X5mm 2.56K ... The SI2 seems OK. I could make excuses for anything else on the report - many small compromises I wouldn't see unless GIA put them in writing.

I mention this one because the brightness of the interesting cut drew a smile from me at first sight ... & then some more in the larger video showing that a gret deal of the 66% depth is above the girdle, playing with light reflecting off the lowest facets - something to wish for in any shape & size.

____
Overall disclaimer: ASETs could prove me wrong.

 

[msop04]

Then, there is this - WWW - .91 G/SI2 7X5mm 2.56K ... The SI2 seems OK. I could make excuses for anything else on the report - many small compromises I wouldn't see unless GIA put them in writing.

I mention this one because the brightness of the interesting cut drew a smile from me at first sight ... & then some more in the larger video showing that a gret deal of the 66% depth is above the girdle, playing with light reflecting off the lowest facets - something to wish for in any shape & size.

____
Overall disclaimer: ASETs could prove me wrong.

I rather like this stone... it seems very bright and no bow tie. Good price.

 

[msop04]

- a bright 'Strong Blue' b_st_rd ,-) - 1.0 D/SI1 WWW - larger than anything so far [I'd say the one debatable inclusion at the edge of the table is smaller than a typographic dot... the rest merit no comment IHMO]. The 'Strong Blue' are a sort of club thing. @meely ]

OP, this is my favorite overall of all those listed. It's also the largest.

 

[drk14]

OP, you're getting some good help and suggestions, so far. I want to answer the question in your original post, though:

From the visual, are these fairly good in terms of limiting the bow-tie? Is there anything that stands out as a red flag from a quality point of view (other than bow-tie) ?

The 0.80ct-E-VS1 that you posted does have a prominent bowtie effect. There is a band of dark facets across the belly of the oval, that remain statically dark (do not scintillate) as the diamond is rocked backwards and forwards. This means that at any angle, you will most likely see a dark band across the middle. This particular diamond also shows up quite gray (matching the background), which suggests significant leakage. Finally, the facets throughout the diamond show very little life (scintillation), except for the belly facets. So, this was the worst one of your picks, but some of the same issues (except for the bowtie) also show up in some of the other stones you posted.

Of the ones that you posted, I like the 0.81ct-F-VS1 best for scintillation.

Of the ones posted by @tyty333, I like the 0.90ct-F-SI1 best.

Of the ones posted by @valeria101, I think the 1.00-D-SI1-Strong Blue oval would be best for you, assuming the fluorescence doesn't create haziness/milkiness. I'm concerned that this may be the case, because some of the dark facets don't show as much contrast as I would expect.

I also really enjoyed some of the quirkier ovals posted by @valeria101 (this one and this one), but they may be more of an acquired taste...

 

[drk14]

@VG4313 -- Here are some possible options from BN (hold down Ctrl key when clicking BN links):

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08754295 (0.90ct-G-VS2, 7.44x5.52 mm, L/W 1.35)
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08485135 (0.80ct-G-VS2, 7.19x5.34 mm, L/W 1.35)

Based on the 5 JA stones you posted, I have restricted by search to L/W ratios 1.30-1.35, and a budget up to $3800. It would help if you could posted your budget maximum explicitly, as well as your preferences for L/W and clarity (preferably with some justification for your choices).

 

[drk14]

@VG4313 -- I expanded my search at BN to SI1 clarity, and found the following two additional options:

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08939303 (0.90ct-F-SI1, 7.34x5.49 mm, L/W 1.34)
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09022596 (0.90ct-D-SI1, 7.28x5.42 mm, L/W 1.34)

 

[valeria101]

... enjoyed some of the quirkier ovals posted by @valeria101 (this one and this one), but they may be more of an acquired taste...

Curious cures of bow tie ...

 

[drk14]

Here's one that I really like at JA:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3156728

The scintillation is lively and uniformly distributed, the shape outline is lovely, and the high crown/small table will make flashes of fire (rainbow-colored flashes) more likely. I highly doubt anybody will be able to see the crystal inclusion (and its reflections) with the naked eye, and I actually like the appearance of the tiny reflected dots peppered across the face of the diamond (when viewed under magnification). They remind me of freckles, which I love...

 

[msop04]

Here's one that I really like at JA:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3156728

The scintillation is lively and uniformly distributed, the shape outline is lovely, and the high crown/small table will make flashes of fire (rainbow-colored flashes) more likely. I highly doubt anybody will be able to see the crystal inclusion (and its reflections) with the naked eye, and I actually like the appearance of the tiny reflected dots peppered across the face of the diamond (when viewed under magnification). They remind me of freckles, which I love...

Great find! I still like the D/SI1 the best, but this one is a close second (and less expensive)!
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-3011902

 

[VG4313]

Oh wow! Thanks for all the replies and input!!

I'll go through all the suggestions now and try to see what I like best!

When I was initially searching, I was keeping the L/W ratio around 1.3 -1.35 (my gf is pretty small and doesn't have long fingers...I don't want to elongate the diamond too much). I was looking to eliminate the bow-tie effect as much as possible. And my budget was around 5000Cdn (so around 3900USD).

I'll update my search criteria based on the above and update the list!

 

[drk14]

When I was initially searching, I was keeping the L/W ratio around 1.3 -1.35 (my gf is pretty small and doesn't have long fingers...I don't want to elongate the diamond too much).

How do you feel about the other end of the spectrum -- i.e., ratios < 1.3? Some of the sparkliest ovals are on the chubby side (L/W 1.25-1.3). If you haven't already seen David Atlas's shape selector tool, I recommend spending some time playing with it to learn your preferences:

https://datlas.com/shape-selector/

 

[VG4313]

Hey everyone, reviving this thread because, well as my gf put it, she's still waiting

@drk14 Thanks so much for the helpful info! I really see what you mean by scintillation now! It really does make a diamond stand out!

Alright, so here is what I'm looking for:
-L/W ratio around 1.3 -1.35
-very little bow-tie effect
-0.85 - 0.95ct
-Colour, min H
-Clarity min VS2 (eyeclean of course)
-Budget, I know I shouldn't exactly say this but it is flexible. I am more of a value guy - so if the stone is a bit more expensive, but outstanding value, I would go that route. Suffice to say, I see no reason for paying more in clarity if it is eyeclean.

In regards to the setting, it is going to be simple and classic. Yellow gold solitaire, with the band getting skinnier towards the diamond, 4 prongs white gold/platinum (haven't decided which) See attached pic for what I'm going for!


I really seem to like the one posted by @tyty333 at JA (have to confirm it is eyeclean):
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-331967

To my untrained eye, given the specs seem to match what I want, this diamond just seems to pop!

Hopefully the above info helps! Basically, this is going to be more on the classic side (prob won't consider any of the funkier cuts)

Let me know what you think about the one posted at JA and any others that may fit my criteria.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[OoohShiny]

If you don't want the bowtie effect, you really do need to check out the brand new Oval cut design that @Rhino is offering soon!:
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...-his-exciting-news.234130/page-2#post-4215573

 

[rockysalamander]

Here's the video from August Vintage Inc.

 

[drk14]

Do take a look at the video posted in the thread that @OoohShiny has linked for you above (ETA: @rockysalamander has just posted the video for you in the post above mine). Not sure if it will come across a bit salespitchy to someone who is not familiar with Jonathan (@Rhino) or GOG, but he is very well respected here on PS, and his new oval design is legit.

Since your timing is perfect (the new oval design is just coming on the market now and wasn't available when you first started this thread, and the pricing will be "aggressive" during the introductory phase of this product roll-out), you owe it to yourself to inquire with AugustVintage whether the new ovals are available within your budget and purchasing deadline.

An online form is available here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQevlot54zIGWqblhHDofsLL4mWw-pk9iWz0B077NwBcfF1g/viewform

For more general questions, you can also try to contact AugustVintage here:

http://www.augustvintage.com/contacts

 

[VG4313]

@OoohShiny @rockysalamander @drk14 Thanks for posting this info! I just watched the video and omg this oval does look leaps and bounds above all others!! Why did you have to show me this haha! I'm going to fill out the forum...I noticed he said months in the video - I'm going to pray and hope there may be something available in weeks (my gf isn't going to let me get away with months )

If the timeline does work, I'll def look into the August Vintage collection...If not, I'll come back for advice regarding the "traditional oval"

Thanks!

 

[tyty333]

Wow! That new AVO is amazing!!!

 

[OoohShiny]

@OoohShiny @rockysalamander @drk14 Thanks for posting this info! I just watched the video and omg this oval does look leaps and bounds above all others!! Why did you have to show me this haha! I'm going to fill out the forum...I noticed he said months in the video - I'm going to pray and hope there may be something available in weeks (my gf isn't going to let me get away with months )

If the timeline does work, I'll def look into the August Vintage collection...If not, I'll come back for advice regarding the "traditional oval"

Thanks!

Don't forget you can always get a temporary ring while your forever ring is produced

What could be cooler than having a diamond custom-cut just for you and your partner! Hopefully she would be patient if you could show her the rough and then the pictures as it was cut and set!

 

[totallyfree]

Both hands up for that new Signature Oval! I can't guarentee anything, but I am 100% confident it will outperform any chain store oval you could buy.

 

[VG4313]

So I had some correspondence with Jonathan - unfortunately, his diamonds may take a couple months.

I've decided I'm going to buy online via JA, Bluenile etc, but after seeing Jonathans, I'm really looking at high performance ovals BTW, I really want to finalize my purchase today!

There is one at JA that has caught my eye. Its a 0.95D-VVS2 - I wasn't really looking for this high a colour and clarity (see my post #16 above for requirements), however, it's performance seems stunning! Can I get your thoughts?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.95-carat-d-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2708334