Help picking out an oval

[brucie1855]

I am looking for an oval diamond. I would like to stay under $15k for the stone. I am looking for the best bang for my buck. Not a perfect or flawless stone but as white and sparkly with as much finger coverage as possible. I have looked at Blue Nile, Brilliant Earth and James Allen but they are all starting to run together.

I had a 1.58 carat G SI1 with a .4 pear on each side that I LOVED and lost. I'm going the simple solitaire route this time, to put all of my money into the stone.

 

[lovedogs]

What is your color preference?

 

[brucie1855]

What is your color preference?

The whiter the better but I would be open to up to I.

 

[lovedogs]

The whiter the better but I would be open to up to I.

And I assume you want 1.5ct or more?

 

[brucie1855]

And I assume you want 1.5ct or more?

Yes. I was hoping for 2 carats.

 

[kb1gra]

Yes. I was hoping for 2 carats.

ELYQUE-OVAL 2.03ct. I SI1 1291917

Diamond Details Measurements 9.13 x 6.52 x 5.24 Cut Grade ID Polish ID Symmetry ID Fluorescence NEG Ratio 1.4 Table 46.2 Depth 66.9 Lab Report

www.distinctivegem.com

 

[lovedogs]

ELYQUE-OVAL 2.03ct. I SI1 1291917

Diamond Details Measurements 9.13 x 6.52 x 5.24 Cut Grade ID Polish ID Symmetry ID Fluorescence NEG Ratio 1.4 Table 46.2 Depth 66.9 Lab Report

www.distinctivegem.com

lol @kb1gra beat me to this. I think the distinctive gems ovals are the best out there. They maximize light return, don't have bowties, etc. They are truly outstanding.

 

[KKJohnson]

2.01 Carat princess diamond

This princess cut 2.01 carat K color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

loose diamonds, oval cut, 2.01 carat h color si1 clarity sku 7554826

7554826 - This Oval Cut 2.01 Carat H Color SI1 Clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

On the fence with these two

1.91 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.91 carat H color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

2.11 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.11 carat H color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

I love elongated ovals in a simple solitaire

1.90 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.9 carat I color vvs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[brucie1855]

2.01 Carat princess diamond

This princess cut 2.01 carat K color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

loose diamonds, oval cut, 2.01 carat h color si1 clarity sku 7554826

7554826 - This Oval Cut 2.01 Carat H Color SI1 Clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

On the fence with these two

1.91 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.91 carat H color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

2.11 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.11 carat H color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

I love elongated ovals in a simple solitaire

1.90 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.9 carat I color vvs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Thank you! I have two on hold at James Allen. I'm going to ask for the specs and then maybe you can take a look for me?

 

[KKJohnson]

Thank you! I have two on hold at James Allen. I'm going to ask for the specs and then maybe you can take a look for me?

Sure, post the certs when you get them along with links

 

[brucie1855]

Sure, post the certs when you get them along with links

Thanks! I don't have the links since they are on hold but here are the certs. The VS1 is $13,600 and the VS2 is $10,420.

 

[tyty333]

It does no good without the links. You cant buy fancy cut stones like ovals by the certs...but yes, they do help.

Where are they on hold at? Which vendor?

Edit...I was thinking we might be able to track them down.

A possibility...

2.02 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.02 carat D color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[kb1gra]

It does no good without the links. You cant buy fancy cut stones like ovals by the certs...but yes, they do help.

Where are they on hold at? Which vendor?

Edit...I was thinking we might be able to track them down.

A possibility...

2.02 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.02 carat D color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Here's the first:

2.01 Carat I VS1 Oval Natural Diamond GIA Certified Excellent Cut - D45170201

www.adiamor.com

Here's the second:

2.01 Carat I VS2 Oval Natural Diamond GIA Certified 5356036455 Very Good Cut - D45040507

www.adiamor.com

 

[lovedogs]

I much prefer the elyque ovals to either of the options that OP posted.

 

[kb1gra]

I much prefer the elyque ovals to either of the options that OP posted.

I wish it could always be this easy that there is a stone that's the right size, color, and price just sitting waiting to be bought.

When does that ever happen?

 

[brucie1855]

I got the links but I think maybe no one likes my selections:

2.01 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.01 carat I color vs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

2.01 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.01 carat I color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[brucie1855]

I much prefer the elyque ovals to either of the options that OP posted.

The only one I found that seems doable is this and it seems deep:
https://www.distinctivegem.com/collections/opulence/products/elyque-oval-2-03ct-i-si1-1291917

 

[lovedogs]

The only one I found that seems doable is this and it seems deep:
https://www.distinctivegem.com/collections/opulence/products/elyque-oval-2-03ct-i-si1-1291917

They are cut to have ideal light return and no bowtie, so deeper than most standard ovals. But they perform significantly better (in my opinion).

 

[flyingpig]

Elogated 1

1.79 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.79 carat H color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Elongated 2. Small table. Bright crown facets. Even distribution of brightness and leakage for oval.

loose diamonds, oval cut, 1.80 carat d color vs2 clarity sku 8403258

8403258 - This Oval Cut 1.80 Carat D Color VS2 Clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Round-ish (the one @tyty333 found) chunky facets. MRB-like

2.02 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.02 carat D color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

I am loving elongated ovals recently.

 

[LittleKite]

I got the links but I think maybe no one likes my selections:

2.01 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.01 carat I color vs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

2.01 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.01 carat I color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

The second looks better to my non-expert eyes, with stronger light return.

 

[kb1gra]

The only one I found that seems doable is this and it seems deep:
https://www.distinctivegem.com/collections/opulence/products/elyque-oval-2-03ct-i-si1-1291917

Cut matters. Those are the only ovals cut for maximum light return.

 

[tyty333]

Ovals fall into 3 categories for me...best, second best, and average (or below). I show you what to look for
below. Of course along with nice facets/good light return you have other things to consider like length/width
ratio and overall size of the stone length/width. Sometimes there are trade-offs you have to consider which
means you have to know/figure out what's more important to you.

1) The best ovals will have nice facets (distinct, well-defined) through the center with additional nice facets lighting with a slight turn of the stone.

Like this stone

2.02 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.02 carat D color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

All these facets are nice facets that have good (as in what you want to see) light return. I should have outlined
the areas outside of green (but still under the table) as red because they are "mushy areas". However, in
the best stones (and in this stone) they are minimal.


Elyque ovals will also have the best light return (as in AGS IDeal). Like someone mentioned, the depth
is necessary to get the Ideal light return.

Edit...it would be worthwhile to view the video on this page. It shows you what nice facets vs mush looks like. Rhino calls
them dead areas...I call them mushy areas because the look like various shades of gray in videos that sort of mush together.
This video is worth seeing though to help you understand ovals.

The New Signature Oval by Jonathan "Rhino" Weingarten

The New AGS Ideal Cut Oval by Jonathan "Rhino" Weingarten Greetings and welcome to our tutorial on the New Signature Oval by your's truly. Over the course of the past years I've been developing and re-inventing a number of new cuts since the August Vintage products. Our new oval is the first...

www.distinctivegem.com

2) The second best stones have wider areas of good light return through the center but do not have
additional good facets light up as the stone turns.

For example this stone.

1.79 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.79 carat H color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

The green shows a wide area of distinct facets that are flashing on/off (returning light well). The red
shows "mushy" areas that do not return light well (even when you turn the stone...it stays somewhat
mushy).


3) All the other ovals fall into average (or below) category. They have a minimal amount of nice facets that
return light well and larger mushy areas that dont return light well at all. For example...this stone has barely
any good facets returning light and consist mostly of mush (red areas)

2.01 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.01 carat H color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

If you have any questions, ask!

 

[brucie1855]

Ovals fall into 3 categories for me...best, second best, and average (or below). I show you what to look for
below. Of course along with nice facets/good light return you have other things to consider like length/width
ratio and overall size of the stone length/width. Sometimes there are trade-offs you have to consider which
means you have to know/figure out what's more important to you.

1) The best ovals will have nice facets (distinct, well-defined) through the center with additional nice facets lighting with a slight turn of the stone.

Like this stone

2.02 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.02 carat D color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

All these facets are nice facets that have good (as in what you want to see) light return. I should have outlined
the areas outside of green (but still under the table) as red because they are "mushy areas". However, in
the best stones (and in this stone) they are minimal.


Elyque ovals will also have the best light return (as in AGS IDeal). Like someone mentioned, the depth
is necessary to get the Ideal light return.

Edit...it would be worthwhile to view the video on this page. It shows you what nice facets vs mush looks like. Rhino calls
them dead areas...I call them mushy areas because the look like various shades of gray in videos that sort of mush together.
This video is worth seeing though to help you understand ovals.

The New Signature Oval by Jonathan "Rhino" Weingarten

The New AGS Ideal Cut Oval by Jonathan "Rhino" Weingarten Greetings and welcome to our tutorial on the New Signature Oval by your's truly. Over the course of the past years I've been developing and re-inventing a number of new cuts since the August Vintage products. Our new oval is the first...

www.distinctivegem.com

2) The second best stones have wider areas of good light return through the center but do not have
additional good facets light up as the stone turns.

For example this stone.

1.79 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.79 carat H color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

The green shows a wide area of distinct facets that are flashing on/off (returning light well). The red
shows "mushy" areas that do not return light well (even when you turn the stone...it stays somewhat
mushy).


3) All the other ovals fall into average (or below) category. They have a minimal amount of nice facets that
return light well and larger mushy areas that dont return light well at all. For example...this stone has barely
any good facets returning light and consist mostly of mush (red areas)

2.01 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.01 carat H color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

If you have any questions, ask!

Thank you! That was very helpful. I had an oval for 7 years and didn't know this much information about them. Can you take a look at this stone for me please? This was my front runner.

2.01 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.01 carat I color vs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[Buttercookies]

loose diamonds, oval cut, 2.01 carat h color si1 clarity sku 7554826

7554826 - This Oval Cut 2.01 Carat H Color SI1 Clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

This one is a beautiful find! I would snap this one up if I was still pre-engaged. Just my 2 nonprofessional cents. <3

 

[brucie1855]

This one is a beautiful find! I would snap this one up if I was still pre-engaged. Just my 2 nonprofessional cents. <3

It's a little over budget unfortunately.

 

[tyty333]

Thank you! That was very helpful. I had an oval for 7 years and didn't know this much information about them. Can you take a look at this stone for me please? This was my front runner.

2.01 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.01 carat I color vs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Let's just say I have studied oval cuts a lot...

The stone you posted falls into the second-best category and actually some people prefer this look over the first category. Its almost impossible to
get the first category type stone in a higher ratio. You usually need a stone that is closer to being round rather than long and narrow. That's kind of what
I mean by ratio trade-offs that must be considered.

I think its a nice looking stone and has a wide area of nice facets through the center. Additional nice facets do not appear as the stone rotates but since
it has a wider area of nice facets, it helps to limit the amount of mushy area.
I think its a pretty decent stone.

James Allen also has a good return policy (look it up to be sure) just in case you get it and the stone does not perform as you had hoped
or the "I" has too much tint for you.

 

[brucie1855]

Let's just say I have studied oval cuts a lot...

The stone you posted falls into the second-best category and actually some people prefer this look over the first category. Its almost impossible to
get the first category type stone in a higher ratio. You usually need a stone that is closer to being round rather than long and narrow. That's kind of what
I mean by ratio trade-offs that must be considered.

I think its a nice looking stone and has a wide area of nice facets through the center. Additional nice facets do not appear as the stone rotates but since
it has a wider area of nice facets, it helps to limit the amount of mushy area.
I think its a pretty decent stone.

James Allen also has a good return policy (look it up to be sure) just in case you get it and the stone does not perform as you had hoped
or the "I" has too much tint for you.

Do you know anything about The Ring Concierge? Maybe I just let them pick my oval?

 

[KKJohnson]

Do you know anything about The Ring Concierge? Maybe I just let them pick my oval?

They can find some stones but be aware you will pay for their services when people here can do it for free. It takes time and patience to find a good oval so I can understand wanting to skip that and pay for someone else to do it

 

[caf]

Ovals fall into 3 categories for me...best, second best, and average (or below). I show you what to look for
below. Of course along with nice facets/good light return you have other things to consider like length/width
ratio and overall size of the stone length/width. Sometimes there are trade-offs you have to consider which
means you have to know/figure out what's more important to you.

1) The best ovals will have nice facets (distinct, well-defined) through the center with additional nice facets lighting with a slight turn of the stone.

Like this stone

2.02 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.02 carat D color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

All these facets are nice facets that have good (as in what you want to see) light return. I should have outlined
the areas outside of green (but still under the table) as red because they are "mushy areas". However, in
the best stones (and in this stone) they are minimal.


Elyque ovals will also have the best light return (as in AGS IDeal). Like someone mentioned, the depth
is necessary to get the Ideal light return.

Edit...it would be worthwhile to view the video on this page. It shows you what nice facets vs mush looks like. Rhino calls
them dead areas...I call them mushy areas because the look like various shades of gray in videos that sort of mush together.
This video is worth seeing though to help you understand ovals.

The New Signature Oval by Jonathan "Rhino" Weingarten

The New AGS Ideal Cut Oval by Jonathan "Rhino" Weingarten Greetings and welcome to our tutorial on the New Signature Oval by your's truly. Over the course of the past years I've been developing and re-inventing a number of new cuts since the August Vintage products. Our new oval is the first...

www.distinctivegem.com

2) The second best stones have wider areas of good light return through the center but do not have
additional good facets light up as the stone turns.

For example this stone.

1.79 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.79 carat H color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

The green shows a wide area of distinct facets that are flashing on/off (returning light well). The red
shows "mushy" areas that do not return light well (even when you turn the stone...it stays somewhat
mushy).


3) All the other ovals fall into average (or below) category. They have a minimal amount of nice facets that
return light well and larger mushy areas that dont return light well at all. For example...this stone has barely
any good facets returning light and consist mostly of mush (red areas)

2.01 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.01 carat H color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

If you have any questions, ask!

This is an awesome explanation!

 

[brucie1855]

They can find some stones but be aware you will pay for their services when people here can do it for free. It takes time and patience to find a good oval so I can understand wanting to skip that and pay for someone else to do it

Patience isn't always my strong suit You've been so helpful.

Did you see this one I have on hold? The rep at James Allen told me it has "a lot of fire." The price point is obviously appealing. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-8791487