Help with ovals!

[chemgirl]

I'm helping a friend find an engagement ring diamond.

His girlfriend wants a simple oval solitaire. When I offered to help I thought she wanted a round and now I'm out of my depth

Any hints on what he should be looking for with an oval?

I'm thinking H or above given that the light return won't be that of a round. Should he stay with a higher clarity (vs1?). How do we make sure there's minimal bowtie?

I told him the basics. Make sure it's certified by a reputable lab, cut is the most important factor, ensure there's an inspection period.

So far he has a deposit down on a 0.63 carat oval at Spence in Mississauga. Si2 and no idea if it's certed. He's not sure of the color.

I told him to run if it's over 2k.

I would love your guidance and recommendations here!

 

[chemgirl]

I guess ovals aren't all that popular.

Can anyone post pictures of a good oval. 0.60-0.75 carats?

Thanks!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Good Old Gold has proven to be great at choosing good ovals and other fancy cuts. I would have him contact them and tell them his budget. They can find a couple of stones that might work for him and take video, etc. That is going to be the best way to get a good one!

$2000 might be wayyyy too much for the stone he is looking at! Tell him absolutely NOT to put a deposit on any stone without the full GIA report info and post it here first. Plus a magnified image of the stone would be great. He needs to only buy from someone who'll do idealscope or ASET, too. That is scary that he'd put a deposit on a stone and he doesn't even know the color or whether it is certified!!! He is in very dangerous territory and will likely be taken advantage of.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

This one looks pretty good at $2993, but they can call in some H color stones or smaller ones if this one is too much.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9900/

 

[chemgirl]

Thanks Diamondseeker!

I had looked at Good Old Gold, but wasn't sure about the aset. Lots of green, not much red, but that seems standard for ovals.

I'll pass on the info.

We're in Canada so unfortunately putting down a deposit for a stone without a lab report is pretty standard. Most of my group of friends are paying over 4k for 0.5 carat rb solitairs in wg.