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need to help with shape, size, style....

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2babycarrots

2babycarrots

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Nov 14, 2008
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113
Hi!
I am new around here and am hoping that I can get some of you to guide me on a diamond/ring purchase. I lost my original wedding ring and am now having to find a new ring. My original was a custom setting with an Emerald cut diamond in the center of 3 rings. I am not even going to attempt to have someone replicate it. I know that I wouldn''t be happy with the results so am looking for something totally new.

My budget for the diamond is about $6500 and for the ring about $2000. Having a flawless, colorless diamond isn''t terribly important to me... just as long as it looks good to the eye. My last ring was a GIA I color/VS2 quality. I thought it was beautiful.

What stone would you recommend to me? I have gigantic, circus-freak hands with sausage fingers. 3 different jewelers have given me the ring sizes of 6 1/2, 7, and 8. I guess it depends upon time of day and how much salt I had the day before?

I am leaning towards an Oval because I need a large stone for my hands (and my ego
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). I LOVE asschers but I think they would run too small for my hands and also love Emeralds but I know you need higher quality for that cut. I am also thinking about having the diamond on a pave ring with a possible halo. My last ring was 10-12 mm wide and I am thinking I really need the width.

Okay, okay... I''ll stop rambling. Please, anyone who wants to jump in... I would appreciate to hear anyone''s advice on this. My DH is not into talking incessently about diamonds (what is wrong with him??) and I really don''t have any girlfriends who I can talk to about this.

Thanks for your help!!
 
Ovals will certainly give you the best coverage, but certain shapes flatter certain hands better. First I would suggest going to browse some stores and find what looks good on your hand. Then once you have narrowed down a bit about what YOU like, we can help you find a superb stone of that shape.
 
What specs would you recommend for an oval? How low can you go with color and clarity?
 
I guess I should have said.. how low can you go on color and clarity without sacrificing look?
 
Date: 11/15/2008 11:40:43 AM
Author: 2babycarrots
What specs would you recommend for an oval? How low can you go with color and clarity?
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You could consider SI clarity if verified eyeclean by a trusted vendor and G H or even I colour ( GIA graded). Even a J can still be an option, ovals can hold more body colour than round diamonds for example, but if you could view some similar size and graded ovals in person then you will know what your preferences are.
 
Date: 11/15/2008 11:41:40 AM
Author: 2babycarrots
I guess I should have said.. how low can you go on color and clarity without sacrificing look?
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It''s hard to say...with ideal cut rounds you can go lower than with "fancy" cuts. I would venture to say that an I is probably pretty darn safe for you and maybe even a J if you liked your old emerald in an I. Clarity you can go down as low as you want as long as the stone is what we call "eyeclean" which means you can''t see inclusions from the top, from 8-10 inches away (generally). A GIA or AGS graded SI1 is often safe and sometimes even an SI2. The most important thing is that you buy from a trusted vendor who can look at it for you and let you know their opinion. It''s very important with fancy cuts because there are no real "rules" like there are with RB''s.
 
Date: 11/15/2008 11:38:53 AM
Author: neatfreak
Ovals will certainly give you the best coverage, but certain shapes flatter certain hands better. First I would suggest going to browse some stores and find what looks good on your hand. Then once you have narrowed down a bit about what YOU like, we can help you find a superb stone of that shape.
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HI:

Agreed. Try on every shape; you might surprise yourself that what you thought you''d want.... BTW, I have a rectangular radiant cut and its shape lends itself toward covering a fair amount of finger real estate....
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cheers--Sharon
 
Sharon: "Finger real estate"--- that''s hysterical!

Thanks for all the help! I''m going to go look around locally today. I just got off the phone with Roni from buydiamonddirect.com. What a great guy! Very kind!

My biggest problem at this point is wanting more and more and more. I love diamonds....
 
Date: 11/15/2008 12:13:14 PM
Author: 2babycarrots
Sharon: ''Finger real estate''--- that''s hysterical!

Thanks for all the help! I''m going to go look around locally today. I just got off the phone with Roni from buydiamonddirect.com. What a great guy! Very kind!

My biggest problem at this point is wanting more and more and more. I love diamonds....
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You are among friends!
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Hi!

First, are those Cairn Terriers? Oh they are so cute!

I have a G color oval. When I was hunting for the right stone, I found that ovals show color and inclusions more than I'd anticipated. I ended up with a G VS1, because I have an eagle eye for clarity. I love warmer colored round brilliants, but warmer ovals tend to not hold up as well, but this is just my own experience, and I've seen warmer ovals on PS that are gorgeous!

As far as coverage goes, ovals are great. My stone is cut shallow--it's a 1.5ct that spreads to 9.50mm X 6.5mm--good spread for its weight! My oval is also set with spready kite side stones--you can get a lot of mileage with side stones.

And, I wouldn't go by numbers for ovals--they're just too diverse. Go by what pleases your eye, and look for maximum light return. My oval has crazy numbers, but it sparkles and shoots fire like the dickens!

Good luck!

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They are Cairns--- not mine, though. I swiped the picture from the internet!
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So, am I to understand that when buying an oval-- you can''t really tell anything by the measurements or carat size? I found an oval that is a 1.7 carat that measures 10.14 x 6.7. It has an I color with an SI clarity. Does this mean anything or do I have to see the diamond in person and/or on the ring? If I can''t see it in person (without purchasing it) is it possible to buy one on the net sight-unseen?
 
Date: 11/15/2008 1:58:20 PM
Author: 2babycarrots
They are Cairns--- not mine, though. I swiped the picture from the internet!
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So, am I to understand that when buying an oval-- you can't really tell anything by the measurements or carat size? I found an oval that is a 1.7 carat that measures 10.14 x 6.7. It has an I color with an SI clarity. Does this mean anything or do I have to see the diamond in person and/or on the ring? If I can't see it in person (without purchasing it) is it possible to buy one on the net sight-unseen?
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You need to see it in person. You can tell somewhat from the numbers, but numbers for ovals are not like those for rbs. There are many variables.

Vendors also sometimes make videos for their clients. This can be helpful too. If it's a reputable internet vendor like GOG or WF, and they can communicate with you about the quality and light return, then great. If not, I'd want to see it in person. (I'd want to see it in person anyway, and I'd have it sent to me for viewing)
 
Date: 11/15/2008 1:58:20 PM
Author: 2babycarrots
They are Cairns--- not mine, though. I swiped the picture from the internet!
9.gif


So, am I to understand that when buying an oval-- you can't really tell anything by the measurements or carat size? I found an oval that is a 1.7 carat that measures 10.14 x 6.7. It has an I color with an SI clarity. Does this mean anything or do I have to see the diamond in person and/or on the ring? If I can't see it in person (without purchasing it) is it possible to buy one on the net sight-unseen?
Click to expand...
BC's - fancy shapes such as ovals can't be evaluated the way round diamonds can by the numbers. As Coaties says, ovals and other fancy shapes are just too diverse and the numbers really don't tell you much. The best way to approach it is to find a vendor who has in house stones and can supply you with detailed photos and ASET images, that way you can get a good idea of what you are buying and whether a particular oval is right for you.

Here is a list of vendors who may be able to help, have a look at their websites, also if you wish you could contact the vendor of your choice and see what they can suggest for you.

www.goodoldgold.com

www.engagementringsdirect.com

www.jamesallen.com

www.whiteflash.com

www.winkjones.com

Hee - Coaties is on the ball!
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Date: 11/15/2008 2:06:30 PM
Author: Lorelei

Hee - Coaties is on the ball!
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HeeHA! YOU are! Great list you!
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(pssst! there's a photo for you on my WW thread)
 
Date: 11/15/2008 2:11:20 PM
Author: coatimundi

Date: 11/15/2008 2:06:30 PM
Author: Lorelei

Hee - Coaties is on the ball!
35.gif
36.gif
36.gif
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Click to expand...

HeeHA! YOU are! Great list you!
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(pssst! there''s a photo for you on my WW thread)
Click to expand...
* races over to look*
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Man, you guys are gooood.

I have a lot to learn...
 
Will carat size guide me in any way?
 
Date: 11/15/2008 2:32:01 PM
Author: 2babycarrots
Will carat size guide me in any way?
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Guide you with what? Measurements are better for guiding "finger real estate"...
 
You said it perfectly... finger real estate (which mine can probably be measured in acres rather than mm
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)

I have noticed that with ovals there is a HUGE difference between measurements and carat size. You can have a gigantic 1.4 carat and a smaller 1.8. It''s so strange...
 
my friend has a similar hand--size 8 sort of chunky fingers. she bought a fat 2 carat oval that actually looked more like a cushion from whiteflash set in a cellini/verdura "lace" solitaire..........it is stunning
 
I like cushion cuts, too. Well, who am I kidding? I like almost any cut out there!

Part of the problem is that all the local jewelers only carry diamonds up to maybe 1.5? Many don''t carry larger than that and would have to order some in. Their prices are significantly higher, too.
 
Date: 11/15/2008 2:45:41 PM
Author: 2babycarrots
You said it perfectly... finger real estate (which mine can probably be measured in acres rather than mm
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)

I have noticed that with ovals there is a HUGE difference between measurements and carat size. You can have a gigantic 1.4 carat and a smaller 1.8. It's so strange...
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HI:

Can happen with many a fancy shape. E.g. look at this 2 ct. long skinny marquise:

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/diamond.php?diamond=TME2421

"Average" length/width for a 2 carat marquise according to the conversion chart I referred to before is 12 x 6. Quite a difference in "spread" and therefore finger coverage.

cheers--Sharon
 
Thanks for sending those links. Very helpful!

The longer I look at diamonds, the more open-minded I become. I began looking at only Emerald cuts and now I''m looking at all the fancy shapes. Yikes. I think I have the fever...
 
If you can''t find a diamond in the size you are interested in you might find a gemstone ring that size. I am like you - I love all shapes and sizes of stones. Ovals used to be my favorite shape now I tend to buy only RB. Have fun shopping.
 
Thanks-
It''s funny because I started out loving marquise then went to emerald cut and now am switching to ovals.

The problem with this little um... "hobby" of mine is that if I don''t rein myself in I will end up looking like Liberace within 10 years.
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