Learning about ovals

[sep004]

I'm thinking of getting a 3-4ct. oval and having it set with a thin halo. I currently have a 1.3ct. Whiteflash round brilliant G VVS2 in a setting by Leon Mege. Ovals are a totally different beast than round brilliants. The bow tie risk is throwing me off. August Vintage has some beautiful ovals, but they are pricey. When looking at ovals, I'm not yet sure if my eye is good. I checked out the ovals on James Allen just because they seem to have the largest inventory online. In the <$60K range, this one seemed to be my best option:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.50-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3038901

What do you experts think of this? The girdle is thick but otherwise it looks ok. There was another good one (VS2, but it did not appear to be eye clean), so I ruled it out. I'm just trying to get a feel for what to look for an expand my knowledge base about this cut.

 

[OoohShiny]

Have you seen the Opulence Ovals at AV? (which can no longer be called Opulence because someone else is waving trademark issue about... lol)
https://www.augustvintageinc.com/collections/diamonds?_=pf&pf_t_shape=Shape_Oval&page=1

They are pretty much the best in terms of light performance, and should perform on a par with a good MRB, I would say? (I can't comment for sure because I've not seen them in person, but the faceting applied to them is, from what I can tell, along the same lines as MRBs, rather than 'traditional' ovals.)

What are your colour preferences? Ovals will show more colour in the tips, especially when they are 'traditional' cuts (AIUI).


There's not a massive selection on JA, and none of them are completely screaming out to my (untrained) eyes:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...&PriceTo=62000&CaratFrom=2.95&Sort=Carat+desc

but of those, I'd look at these:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.50-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-5932456
High crown, doesn't really 'window' at tilt angles, chunky facets, doesn't really bow-tie, not too much 'mush'.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.10-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-285302
Quite chunky faceting, the ends are performing well, windows a bit at some angles, but doesn't really bow-tie. May have too much tint?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.02-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-6690655
Not sure about this one - inclusions might be obvious, and it might be too 'see-through' head-on, despite performing pretty well across most of the stone at most angles??

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.01-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-6708714
Seems bright and contrast-y, not too much bow-tie, much cleaner than the previous VS2, doesn't really window too much.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.01-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-5465603
Chunky faceting, doesn't really window too much, might be too dark/bow-tie-y across the central band at certain angles.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.01-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-5894128
Much like the others, chunky faceting, not too much bow-tie, a bit of mush and a bit of windowing, but overall not an unattractive stone. VS1 is also a bonus.

 

[OoohShiny]

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.50-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3038901

What do you experts think of this? The girdle is thick but otherwise it looks ok.

I'm not (personally speaking) really feeling this one - to my eyes it doesn't have enough brightness or dark contrast when head-on, which might make it look a bit dull/grey?

 

[sep004]

I need to see the August Vintage ovals in-person and compare to a traditional oval cut. I've seen some % guidelines on here for depth to avoid a bowtie, but that doesn't always seem to correlate. Thanks for the info!

 

[OoohShiny]

I need to see the August Vintage ovals in-person and compare to a traditional oval cut. I've seen some % guidelines on here for depth to avoid a bowtie, but that doesn't always seem to correlate. Thanks for the info!

AFAIK there is no set guidelines for avoiding bow-tie - there are some lovely super-shallow ovals, all the way through to the AV Ovals that are deeper than most ovals, so they have to be taken on a case-by-case basis!

If Jon is able to get an AV Oval to you to assess (for which you'd have to pay for up-front then go through the Returns process, so do state your intentions up-front and confirm insurance/shipping/Returns arrangements) then that would be great

 

[AV_]

Excuse to post: this thread and one oval caught my attention in the same time...

Here it is: WWW The intense, glittery contrast stands out for me & it must have something to do with the MOUNTAIN of a crown! Most of the weight of this diamond is above the girdle (& this NEVER happens in modern cuts).

It has a little brother WWW (debatable VVS & SB & at least as impressive cut)

random

 

[tyty333]

This one looks Yummy IMO. Its right up there at the top of your budget but its also big.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.73-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-6602930

 

[sep004]

It looks like this is the winner. More $ and shallow but has some sparkle. Thoughts?

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD12289139?track=Detlink0

 

[tyty333]

Well, holy cow! Looks nice! Let us know what you think when you get it. Lots of pictures please!