Looking for an Oval...

[JGordon]

So I am planning on proposing to my girlfriend of 1.5 years at the end of August. We went ring shopping a couple months ago just to "figure out what she likes" and determine her ring size (as she doesn't even own any rings). Of course as I should have known, she found a ring she loved and I went back later and bought it. It's from Shane Co., and though I know I probably could have gotten a similar/better ring for cheaper through an online vendor, my gf really liked the ring, their return policy is very good, and as long as she is happy with it I'm happy. It's a thin platinum band with 2 ~0.25ct round brilliant sidestones and some diamond "chips" that go about halfway down the band. I'm sure there's a technical name for this type of setting, but I have no idea what it is.

Now I'm looking for the diamond. She really liked the look of some oval diamonds after comparing them, which is good because I'm partial to ovals & marquise myself. I'm probably going to buy sometime next week.
The criteria are:
Oval diamond around 1 carat (she thinks anything larger is "too big" -- lucky me

)
$6500 max
I'd rather go for quality over saving cash, so I've been browsing things in the D-F & IF-VVS2 range. I know that neither of us is actually probably able to tell the difference between a D-IF and a H SI1, but I would rather spend the money now and know that I'm getting close to the best diamond I can than have to rethink things later.

I've been browsing this forum a lot over the last few months and have learned an absolute ton. I'm really glad I found this place, as I can clearly get a lot more for my $6500 from one of the PS vendors than I could through Shane Co. However, I haven't figured out how to assess cut quality online for ovals, as it doesn't seem to be nearly as straightforward as for round brilliants. I'd like to get something with as much fire and brilliance as possible (obviously).

Here are some examples of what I'm looking at:
1) 1.02ct F-IF $5911 from Whiteflash'
2) 1.00ct D-VVs2 $6440 from James Allen
3) 1.06ct E-VVS1 $6120 from James Allen


Please feel free to suggest other diamonds or vendors, I'm not married to any of these. James Allen especially seems to have a lot of ovals in my range, and I'm not sure how to differentiate between them. Once I have it narrowed down to a couple of options, I'm certainly willing to give the vendor a call and see if they can compare a few for me. Thanks for all your help Pricescopers!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/29/2009 4:39:27 PM
Author:JGordon
So I am planning on proposing to my girlfriend of 1.5 years at the end of August. We went ring shopping a couple months ago just to 'figure out what she likes' and determine her ring size (as she doesn't even own any rings). Of course as I should have known, she found a ring she loved and I went back later and bought it. It's from Shane Co., and though I know I probably could have gotten a similar/better ring for cheaper through an online vendor, my gf really liked the ring, their return policy is very good, and as long as she is happy with it I'm happy. It's a thin platinum band with 2 ~0.25ct round brilliant sidestones and some diamond 'chips' that go about halfway down the band. I'm sure there's a technical name for this type of setting, but I have no idea what it is.

Melee is the term normally used.

Now I'm looking for the diamond. She really liked the look of some oval diamonds after comparing them, which is good because I'm partial to ovals & marquise myself. I'm probably going to buy sometime next week.
The criteria are:
Oval diamond around 1 carat (she thinks anything larger is 'too big' -- lucky me

)
$6500 max
I'd rather go quality over saving cash, so I've been browsing things in the D-F & IF-VVS2 range. I know that neither of us is actually probably able to tell the difference between a D-IF and a H SI1, but I would rather spend the money now and know that I'm getting close to the best diamond I can than have to rethink things later.

I've been browsing this forum a lot over the last few months and have learned an absolute ton. I'm really glad I found this place, as I can clearly get a lot more for my $6500 from one of the PS vendors than I could through Shane Co. However, I haven't figured out how to assess cut quality online for ovals, as it doesn't seem to be nearly as straightforward as for round brilliants. I'd like to get something with as much fire and brilliance as possible (obviously).

Here are some examples of what I'm looking at:

2) 1.00ct D-VVs2 $6440 from James Allen
3) 1.06ct E-VVS1 $6120 from James Allen

The second oval from James Allen looks promising, I would ask their gemologist to check concerning an effect that many elongated fancy shapes show...a bow tie. This literally looks like a bow tie shaped dark area running across the centre of the diamond, some will show this effect more than others so always good to get an expert evaluation. What I would do is to ask for an Idealscope image ( ASET is preferred but JA as yet don't offer these) and to see if they can run a Sarin scan on the diamond to get the crown height. The WF diamond is what is called a virtual stone and as such they would need to call it in for evaluation.


Please feel free to suggest other diamonds or vendors, I'm not married to any of these. James Allen especially seems to have a lot of ovals in my range, and I'm not sure how to differentiate between them. Once I have it narrowed down to a couple of options, I'm certainly willing to give the vendor a call and see if they can compare a few for me. Thanks for all your help Pricescopers!

If you can't find exactly what you are looking for with the above vendors, try these also.

www.goodoldgold.com

www.niceice.com

 

[Kaleigh]

I agree with Lorelei, the second one from JA looks promising, get their opinion on the bow tie. FWIW, I bought a gorgeous oval from GOG, www.goodoldgold.com I''d call or email them.. Good luck!!

 

[JGordon]

When you guys say "the 2nd one from from JA," do you mean #2 (the second one on my list) or #3 (the second one listed from JA)?

I looked at GOG''s online search and they had very few ovals available, and none around 1ct. Do they have stock that isn''t listed on the website?

 

[Kaleigh]

If you call them they will bring some in, that''s what they did for me. I couldn''t get to his store, so he made a video of them which was most helpful. So call and ask for Jonathon, see what he can do for you..

 

[tyty333]

Both #2 and #3 looked to have really large bow ties (for my taste). I dont mind bow-ties (I wear a pear)
but I like them to be someone minimal.

BTW - question about the setting you bought...does it not have a head for the diamond yet?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/29/2009 5:42:25 PM
Author: JGordon
When you guys say ''the 2nd one from from JA,'' do you mean #2 (the second one on my list) or #3 (the second one listed from JA)?

I looked at GOG''s online search and they had very few ovals available, and none around 1ct. Do they have stock that isn''t listed on the website?

The D VVS or the second one on your list is the one Kaleigh and I like.

 

[JGordon]

Thanks for the update. I'll be giving JA a call to ask about #2. What specifically do you like about it that puts it above the other two?

The setting I bought has 4 prong head already attached. I don't know enough about the head to tell you any more than that.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/30/2009 10:21:15 AM
Author: JGordon
Thanks for the update. I''ll be giving JA a call to ask about #2. What specifically do you like about it that puts it above the other two?

The setting I bought has 4 prong head already attached. I don''t know enough about the head to tell you any more than that.

It is purely the look of it for me, it looks to have great potential in the image.

 

[Amethyste]

Date: 7/29/2009 4:39:27 PM
Author:JGordon
2) 1.00ct D-VVs2 $6440 from James Allen

Woo!!! They have a Pricescope discount as well: $6,030 for this beauty!

 

[JGordon]

I just got off the phone with Eileen (sp?) from JA. She was very helpful, and was going to have the gemologist get in contact with me after looking at #2, and potentially recommend some other stones. I''ll keep everyone updated!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/30/2009 11:56:10 AM
Author: JGordon
I just got off the phone with Eileen (sp?) from JA. She was very helpful, and was going to have the gemologist get in contact with me after looking at #2, and potentially recommend some other stones. I''ll keep everyone updated!

Thats excellent!