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NEED HELP ASAP! Oval loose diamond evaluation...

C

CPMD

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 7, 2014
Messages
15
Hi all,

I'm getting married soon (next month!). I've been reading for many many months regarding oval diamonds. This forum is a very valuable asset, and I appreciate the wealth of information on here. Honestly, I can't imagine what people did prior to the internet. I would have hated to trust local jewelers trying to sell me their products. That being said, I plan to buy online, and completely avoid local stores.

I have located a few diamonds to consider. I am looking at 2.2 CT + I or J.

I have found a loose diamond, 2.5 CT, J, SI2, Very good cut, good l/w ratio, polish and symmetry are nice.

Please look at the magnified picture of this diamond, as well as the inclusions detailed in the GIA report.

I have been researching a lot regarding feather inclusions. Since this diamond I am thinking about has it as it's major flaw, I'm really worried about this feather, which I believe is at the 9 o'clock area, and possibly extends upward? I'm worried since a prong will be placed near that feather, I believe.

I haven't seen the diamond in person. Based on the picture and GIA report, what do you guys think? ANY criticism regarding the diamond is appreciated. Thanks!!! :D

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diamond1ep.png
 
I don't love it. Specifically about the feather, are you worried about durability or visibility? I'm not sure about durability, but if it isn't eye clean I doubt a prong would cover it.
 
No lab grades ovals for cut. Any vendor designations of "very good" cut are meaningless without empirical data to back it up. Numbers mean squat with ovals.

You need an ASET. If that is form B2C they should be able to get you one. I would not buy without a good ASET.
 
I was told it was eye clean, and that the picture is "magnified", and that all inclusions would not be seen with the naked eye, hence, being eye clean. I emailed them back asking if the picture was taken magnified under a 10X loupe, but I'm awaiting a response.

Yes, one of my main concerns is the durability of the diamond, give the feather internal inclusion off to the diamonds right side.

I'm getting it for a good deal, I think, at $14.5k.

I appreciate all comments, thanks.
 
Gypsy|1415396670|3779434 said:
No lab grades ovals for cut. Any vendor designations of "very good" cut are meaningless without empirical data to back it up. Numbers mean squat with ovals.

You need an ASET. If that is form B2C they should be able to get you one. I would not buy without a good ASET.
Click to expand...

Oh wow, I didn't know that, thanks! I was really confused as to why BN designated stone cuts for ovals, and other sites like ja, etc doesn't. The diamond is from BN, and I'm not sure if they provide ASET.

I do appreciate your input Gypsy, I've been reading you are the Oval expert! What other thoughts do you have regarding the inclusions, etc. Thanks!
 
Ok I am thinking about buying from one of the online venders that provides ASET images, and more details regarding the diamond.

Do you guys recommend using a company's own appraiser, or ship to an appraiser that you chose?

Thanks
 
I have read good things about James Allen and Whiteflash providing ASETs and interpretations.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6232228-2.21-carat-Oval-diamond-H-color-VVS1-clarity.aspx
I am admittedly no expert on ASET images or fancy shapes, but I found this one on b2c and it looked nice and symmetrical and had less white on the ASET than I have seen on some ovals. (Also, the higher color grade and clarity might make you less wary of what it will look like in person too?)
 
Harst035|1415433939|3779612 said:
I have read good things about James Allen and Whiteflash providing ASETs and interpretations.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6232228-2.21-carat-Oval-diamond-H-color-VVS1-clarity.aspx
I am admittedly no expert on ASET images or fancy shapes, but I found this one on b2c and it looked nice and symmetrical and had less white on the ASET than I have seen on some ovals. (Also, the higher color grade and clarity might make you less wary of what it will look like in person too?)
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help! I'm going to check out some stones on those websites!
 
CPMD, the bow tie looks pretty prominent - are you ok with that?
 
I'm not a fan of the second stone at all.

Can you work with another vendor like GoG, I hear they're quite good with finding beautiful ovals.
 
endless_summer|1416360778|3786104 said:
CPMD, the bow tie looks pretty prominent - are you ok with that?
Click to expand...

Yes, I was thinking about that too...ideally i'd like a minimal bowtie.
 
two_little_birds|1416361348|3786114 said:
I'm not a fan of the second stone at all.

Can you work with another vendor like GoG, I hear they're quite good with finding beautiful ovals.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your opinion, I inquired about GoG, but they required a nonrefundable deposit to look for stones for me (I think it was $400). I'm going to be looking at WF, JA, and a few other places.
 
Try BGD. And Brilliantly Engaged. Better choices for ovals.
 
Gypsy|1416377266|3786250 said:
Try BGD. And Brilliantly Engaged. Better choices for ovals.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I emailed BGD a few days ago, and I'm awaiting a response from them. I was checking out Brilliantly Engaged website last night, i'll shoot them an email right now.
 
Ok, I am narrowing some choices down and I will have more info on a stone that I am going to pick out very soon!

I have a question regarding settings. It's going to be platinum, but 1) what number prongs are recommended? I've also seen some that are "double prongs" on each side. Also 2) If the center stone is J color, and the setting has diamonds in it, should the setting diamonds be of the same color, or if they are a better color, would it make the center stone look more warm? Thanks!
 
Number of prongs are up to you. Some like 4, some like 6. If going with double prongs, then 4 sets of doubles are fine. If your melees are very white, the difference between the oval and melees might bother you.
 
Chrono|1416505940|3787311 said:
Number of prongs are up to you. Some like 4, some like 6. If going with double prongs, then 4 sets of doubles are fine. If your melees are very white, the difference between the oval and melees might bother you.
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That's a good point regarding melees. Regarding the number of prongs, would 6 be a desirable safety feature to have? Or does it not really matter? I think 4 prongs may aesthetically look cleaner, but I'm assuming 6 would lock in the 2.5 ct stone in, and provide more protection.
 
Ok I am very confused so please help me out. I plan on buying the diamond from BGD or WF, and the setting from another company, either online or locally. From what I'm reading on PS, should send the setting to the place where I bought the stone?

Who insures the stone the whole time? Should I get a rider on my insurance for the stone while it's being set? Should I get an appraisal of the stome before I get it set, and then apprised after the timg is completed?

Thanks so much!
 
If the vendor you are buying the stone from is the same as the vendor you are buying the setting from then the vendor insures. If you buy them from different places, you can have the setting sent to the stone vendor and they will insure the stone. If you have the stone sent to the setting vendor then you should get the stone insured first. We do not recommend riders we recommend a jewelers mutual policy.

If you post your budget and specs we can hunt on JA for you for ovals.
 
I'm looking for a 2.3ct+ Eye clean, min bow tie, J or above which faces up white, si2 or above, well cut, not more than $16K. My budget was actually lower, but I found a few 2.5ct stones that had very strong fluoro. I wouldn't mind fluoro as sling as it doesn't show any blue in UV light.

If a store doesn't provide an apprasal of the stone, should I get it apprased before setting it? Thanks
 
CPMD|1416845418|3789541 said:
I'm looking for a 2.3ct+ Eye clean, min bow tie, J or above which faces up white, si2 or above, well cut, not more than $16K. My budget was actually lower, but I found a few 2.5ct stones that had very strong fluoro. I wouldn't mind fluoro as sling as it doesn't show any blue in UV light.

If a store doesn't provide an apprasal of the stone, should I get it apprased before setting it? Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi CPMD :wavey:

An oval will show more tint than a round... so if you want it to face up white, you may need to stick to H and above. There's nothing wrong with I and below (my erring is a J color round), but unless you've seen a GIA/AGS J color in an oval, I'd strongly encourage you to do so, because there will be noticeable tint. You may be able to get a "high I" with MBF-SBF to help whiten it a bit. :))
 
msop04|1416849027|3789584 said:
CPMD|1416845418|3789541 said:
I'm looking for a 2.3ct+ Eye clean, min bow tie, J or above which faces up white, si2 or above, well cut, not more than $16K. My budget was actually lower, but I found a few 2.5ct stones that had very strong fluoro. I wouldn't mind fluoro as sling as it doesn't show any blue in UV light.

If a store doesn't provide an apprasal of the stone, should I get it apprased before setting it? Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi CPMD :wavey:

An oval will show more tint than a round... so if you want it to face up white, you may need to stick to H and above. There's nothing wrong with I and below (my erring is a J color round), but unless you've seen a GIA/AGS J color in an oval, I'd strongly encourage you to do so, because there will be noticeable tint. You may be able to get a "high I" with MBF-SBF to help whiten it a bit. :))
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for this info...I've spent so many hours surfing the forum, looking at "show me..." threads, but the problem is it's hard to see a lot of higher carat ovals in person as most jewelers don't stock them.
 
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