Help with finding an oval cut

[cloud171]

Hi, I've completely new to this and been doing a little bit of research but a bit overwhelmed at the moment.

I am looking for an eye clean oval cut of at least 0.75 carts and to spend at most $3000 on the diamond itself. Prefer to buy it at JA.
Plan on using this solitaire setting: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7028

So far from browsing JA, this is my first choice:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-226748
Biggest one that looks clean, pretty good specs with minimal bowtie effect at $2880. Would prefer one with lower clarity but still eye clean but doesn't seem to be many choices.

This one looks pretty good too from what I can tell but not sure if it is eye clean:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.93-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-160328

Still unsure about what I am talking about so any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[cloud171]

Bump...hoping for some feedback since I do want to pull the trigger sooner than later.

 

[ecf8503]

JA will do up to 3 workups (ASET images and a gemologist's assessment).

I like the first one - minimal bowtie, nice shape. The second one looks like the inclusion is right under the table.

Pick 3, put them on hold, and have JA work them up. Don't buy anything without having them looked at!

 

[Niel]

Your going to doc that solitaire in platinum? That solitaire is kind of budget looking. Wich is OK if your trying to go as much into the stone as possible. But they have nicer settings for that price if you'd be willing to go 14k gol.

 

[msop04]

So far from browsing JA, this is my first choice:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-226748
Biggest one that looks clean, pretty good specs with minimal bowtie effect at $2880. Would prefer one with lower clarity but still eye clean but doesn't seem to be many choices.

This one looks pretty good too from what I can tell but not sure if it is eye clean:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.93-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-160328

Still unsure about what I am talking about so any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Hey cloud171!

I do like the first one much better than the second. The second oval has a crazy thick girdle, so you lose weight in it... also, I don't think it's eye clean and has a huge bow-tie.

Do you prefer more elongated or chubby ovals?

Are you choosing the setting so that you can sink more money into the stone? Or is this the setting she likes? Just wondering...

 

[msop04]

Your going to doc that solitaire in platinum? That solitaire is kind of budget looking. Wich is OK if your trying to go as much into the stone as possible. But they have nicer settings for that price if you'd be willing to go 14k gol.

Yeah, I agree... 14K would be much better if you wanted to get a better stone.

 

[msop04]

I'm definitely no oval aficionado, but I thought this one had potential...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.75-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-226750

 

[Niel]

This!!!

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.75-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-211126

 

[msop04]

This!!!

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.75-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-211126

Yep, this one's better!

DANG!!

 

[Niel]

If you're OK with white gold (no allergy or anything). I think your money would be better spent on a nicer gold solitaire than a basic plat one. Something like this.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-engagement-ring-item-5816

 

[cloud171]

First of all, thanks for all the replies!

Hey cloud171!

I do like the first one much better than the second. The second oval has a crazy thick girdle, so you lose weight in it... also, I don't think it's eye clean and has a huge bow-tie.

Do you prefer more elongated or chubby ovals?

Are you choosing the setting so that you can sink more money into the stone? Or is this the setting she likes? Just wondering...

Ah didn't notice the bow tie in the second one until you mentioned it. Not quite sure about the shape of the oval, whichever would elongate her finger more, her hands are quite small, the main reason I went with the oval instead of a round.

Your going to doc that solitaire in platinum? That solitaire is kind of budget looking. Wich is OK if your trying to go as much into the stone as possible. But they have nicer settings for that price if you'd be willing to go 14k gol.

Yeah, I agree... 14K would be much better if you wanted to get a better stone.

If you're OK with white gold (no allergy or anything). I think your money would be better spent on a nicer gold solitaire than a basic plat one. Something like this.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-engagement-ring-item-5816

As far as the setting goes, it was half to be able to sink more money into the stone and also the simplicity of it looked nice. I did run it past her and she liked it but has not expressed any particular preference towards a style. I was kind of leaning towards platinum to avoid the hassle of re-plating, but will definitely check that and some other white gold settings.

This!!!
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.75-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-211126

Thanks! Definitely looks good, now to find one more to have JA check them out.

 

[Niel]

OK ask then her reserve that D right away as we don't want anyone to snatch it up.

I already knew about that cutie, let me look a little more see what comes up.

If you go 14k white gold (that one I liked you is 18 but you could ask for 14) its going to stay pretty white even after the plating. She may not need to plate of as often asyyour think.


Also, would she maybe consider rose gold? A 14k rose gold is a really pretty pink and would be striking against that WHITE , if tthat's the route you go.

 

[Niel]

I would take a closer look if it might be eye clean (or inclusions be covered by a prong). This would be a nice one to look into.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-d-color-i1-clarity-sku-31778

 

[msop04]

If you go 14k white gold (that one I liked you is 18 but you could ask for 14) its going to stay pretty white even after the plating. She may not need to plate of as often asyyour think.

Yes, do the 14K -- I wish mine was in 14K because it stays whiter and doesn't have to be plated near as often as 18K -- and it's less expensive! Win-Win!!

 

[msop04]

I would take a closer look if it might be eye clean (or inclusions be covered by a prong). This would be a nice one to look into.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-d-color-i1-clarity-sku-31778

I love this little chubby!! It looks like it would be eye-clean too! HOLD!!!

 

[cloud171]

I would take a closer look if it might be eye clean (or inclusions be covered by a prong). This would be a nice one to look into.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-d-color-i1-clarity-sku-31778

I love this little chubby!! It looks like it would be eye-clean too! HOLD!!! [/quote]1778[/quote]
Wow that one looks fantastic! Both diamonds are held and got them to examine all three , will report back with the images. Thank you so much for the help!

If you go 14k white gold (that one I liked you is 18 but you could ask for 14) its going to stay pretty white even after the plating. She may not need to plate of as often asyyour think.

Yes, do the 14K -- I wish mine was in 14K because it stays whiter and doesn't have to be plated near as often as 18K -- and it's less expensive! Win-Win!!

!
That sounds good, time to look at the settings while I wait for the images to come. Will have ask her about the rose gold. Thanks again!

 

[msop04]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-d-color-i1-clarity-sku-31778

I love this little chubby!! It looks like it would be eye-clean too! HOLD!!! [/quote]1778[/quote]
Wow that one looks fantastic! Both diamonds are held and got them to examine all three , will report back with the images. Thank you so much for the help!

If you go 14k white gold (that one I liked you is 18 but you could ask for 14) its going to stay pretty white even after the plating. She may not need to plate of as often asyyour think.

Yes, do the 14K -- I wish mine was in 14K because it stays whiter and doesn't have to be plated near as often as 18K -- and it's less expensive! Win-Win!!

!

That sounds good, time to look at the settings while I wait for the images to come. Will have ask her about the rose gold. Thanks again![/quote]

That's awesome, cloud!! Let us know what you find out!! Also, regarding the rose gold... it is certainly beautiful, but make sure she'd want it for her engagement ring. I wear a ton of rose and yellow gold too, but wanted white metal for my ering... Besides, you can always get here a mixed metal or all rose gold stacker for anniversaries!!

 

[Niel]

I agree don't get her rose gold if you don't know she wants it, but as it sounds like you guys are shopping together, I'd have her go try all colored gold on at a local store. Who knows, she might find YELLOW looks best (crazy I know).....

And if she does like one of the other colors that's nice sense those never get plated.