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Oval Diamond & Setting Help

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Rough_Rock
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First want to say that reading the threads and knowledge have been invaluable in giving me an idea as to what I should be looking for and the knowledge of the members here. I have been thinking about actually purchasing the ring for a while now but think I am now ready to pull the trigger.

So in terms of criteria, my girlfriend has a very "classic" taste and through her friends I have been told that she wants an oval solitaire ring. I was therefore thinking something similar to a tiffany setting for the setting. In terms of specs & budget I was thinking the following:

Budget: ~20k
Diamond: 1.7-2 carats
Color: D-F
Clarity: VS1+
Cut: Excellent
Fluo: None

I'm honestly more interested in color, cut and clarity than in size as my thinking is that from 1.7 to 2, there won't really be a huge difference and I'm more likely to get a better deal - let me know, if my thinking is off here. Also, been reading about how oval diamonds have bow-ties and severe ones should be avoided - any advice on to how to screen for this while shopping online?

Thanks in advance for all the help!
 
Ovals are tough bc most of them are cut poorly so you don't want to narrow your pool too much. I would broaden your search to include VS2, which will almost always be eye clean, and G color, which is still plenty white, and 1.6+ since it's important to look at DIMENSIONS and not carat weight (a 1.6 could potentially face up larger than a 1.9).

I took a quick look and I really like this one:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.90-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2566244
 
While I waiting to hear back from JA decided to look at Victor Canera.

Asked to get this ring priced (https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/classic-solitaire-with-scalloped-basket) and its about $800 more than the JA setting if I choose the JA diamond.

VC proposed this diamond to pair with it:
2.01 F-VS1 Oval Brilliant Cut Diamond
360Video available here: http://52.6.229.216/Viewer/imaged/29958.html
GIA report page: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=2171928573
Price: $17,985.00

Its about ~1,200 cheaper than the diamond ac117 proposed.

What do you guys think? Is the VC setting worth the upgrade? The VC diamond seems inferior in terms of measurements and fluorescence.

Thanks!!!
 
I love VCs work but...the stone is smaller. If you stick with the JA stone...I would not go with that
setting...I'd probably go with this setting but with claw prongs
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...inum-sleek-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50012

Look at the oval setting to see claw prongs
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...wisted-shank-contemporary-solitaire-item-6854

Relative size difference between the two stones...
oval size difference.PNG

Edit...actually if you could go with the JA stone in the VC setting... lovely!
 
Excellent options and good luck; looking for an oval myself but without quite that budget!
 
tyty333 said:
I love VCs work but...the stone is smaller. If you stick with the JA stone...I would not go with that
setting...I'd probably go with this setting but with claw prongs
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...inum-sleek-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50012

Look at the oval setting to see claw prongs
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...wisted-shank-contemporary-solitaire-item-6854

Relative size difference between the two stones...
oval size difference.PNG

Edit...actually if you could go with the JA stone in the VC setting... lovely!
Click to expand...
Ok - so VC's diamond is out - now need to make a decision regarding the setting.

Why wouldn't you go with this setting (jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-six-prong-knife-edged-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-2426) ? It seems very classic but intricate and would have the 4 claw prongs?

I'm trying to figure out if the VC setting is worth the extra $$$ along with the hassle of shipping/insuring the diamond.

Edit: Should probably add that I haven't gotten much in guidance regarding the setting besides that it should be a solitaire and that my gf has a very classic taste, hence why i was looking at the tiffany setting.
 
Both stones look beautiful. But with a fancy cut such as an oval I think it is hard to make a decision without seeing these stones in person. Since you are paying a lot of money for this once in a lifetime important purchase, I would pay the $ to see them both. You will know which one will be the right one. I searched a gadzillion stones before i found my oval ER and I knew it immediately...it just sung to me. I also love the solitaire setting-it really shows off a great stone. Good luck.
 
I'm really digging the super RARE chunky faceting on this oval...oh my!!!!
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.89-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2114554
Absolutely no gray mush on either side of the center! Really lovely and unusual unless you find an antique oval.

I think with your budget you can easily get a 2c oval...i'm partial to the fat ones but I love movals too:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.01-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-269363
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.01-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-215632

The 1.9c D above has a lot of gray mush on each side of the center crown which will most likely be leakage.
You should get an ASET image of the stones you are considering.
I look for stones where the faceting under the table goes all the way across the crown so you can't see any gray mush under the table. Ovals are tricky. You need ASET images to gauge any leakage.
 
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ariel144 said:
The 1.9c D above has a lot of gray mush on each side of the center crown which will most likely be leakage.
You should get an ASET image of the stones you are considering.
I look for stones where the faceting under the table goes all the way across the crown so you can't see any gray mush under the table. Ovals are tricky. You need ASET images to gauge any leakage.
Click to expand...

Trying to get an ASET but the stone is abroad and JA may not be able to get me one.

Not sure what you mean by gray mush? Are you referring to the bowtie? The diamond looks pretty good to my (untrained) eye and got confirmation from JA, for what thats worth.

I'm more interested in getting a better cut & color than maximizing size. From what I've noticed with the diamonds you've suggested, the proportions for the first & third one aren't ideal while the second one has pretty noticeable inclusions.
 
Personally...(and I know this stone/ring is not for me), the classic tiffany style setting only really works
on round stones. It seems to lose something in the translation to other shape stones. You do what
you think your GF would like though because this ring/setting is for her.
 
Heres the ASET image that I was given for the 1.9d from ac117.

Thoughts? Seems like theres a decent amount of white (leakage)

2566244.jpg
 
tyty333 said:
Oval asets are really ugly...you can tell more from videos and watching how the stone reacts as it
moves. Look for clearly defined facets stretching out towards the pointed ends of the stone.

This stone has really nice light return. I know it has an inclusion at one end. You might ask if it is
eye clean. (found by ariel)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.01-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-269363
Click to expand...
ah, crap. Not what i wanted to hear, ha. Curious as to why JA keeps telling me its an amazing stone and to not take ASET too seriously...

I really don't want to go below VS2 in clarity - i know that inclusion might be eye clean but its way too visible in that picture, it would seriously bug me.
 
I'm saying basically what JA is saying with respect to the aset. Almost ALL oval asets are ugly.
You really have to lwatch the video to get more information. JA does tend to "oversell" their
stones...I'm not saying that its not a nice oval but you do have to take JA's comments with a
grain of salt (could be amazing or could be just ok).

Let me take a quick look at what is out there. Keep the 1.9 in the running...
 
For example, here are few stones that I think would be good perfomers (they may not fall into your
specs). You can see really well defined facets running from the center of the stone outward as
the stones rotate.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.02-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2055826
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.75-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-516099
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.01-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1051931
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.19-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-617158

I do consider the 1.9 above average. When you turn it far enough you do start to see some more well
defined facets. With the other stones you dont have to turn them as far. The well defined facets
are there at a slight tilt as well as at a sharper tilt. I hope all that makes sense.

You do have to take everything into consideration though...looks, size, cost etc...which may lead
you to the 1.9.
 
Wanted to update everyone and had a question regarding my appraisal.

So first off, heres the ring - didn't end up going with VC/SK due to price but had someone replicate it without the donut at the bottom. Ended up paying 1,580 for the setting and 19,150 for the stone (D, VS2, Excellent Symmetry, Excellent Polish)from JA.

Appraisal wise - Appraiser valued the stone at 19,300 and the ring+stone at 20,250 which I found extremely low. Her basis for comparison was BlueNile...and she has told me that I vastly overpaid for the setting...I'm not sure I agree but would like second opinions from people here.

Thoughts?

HSR1-2.jpg

HSR2.jpg

HSR3.jpg
 
Well, there are different kinds of appraisals. You sound like you got one that one with what you paid. There are "feel good" appraisals
that are really high that make you feel good but in reality when it comes down to it your insurance company isnt going to pay you $30k
because thats what the "feel good" appraisal said. They are going to pay you what it cost to actually replace the ring which is the kind
of appraisal you got. Honestly, I wish these "feel good" appraisals and the appraisers who do them would just go away.

The setting...I can tell whoever you got to do it was experienced because the petite claw prongs are excellent. Is the ring white gold or plat?
Is it hand forge/CAD/stock? Cant really say whether you overpaid or not but it looks lovely. Give us a little more info and we might be able
to say one way or the other. I can say that $1600 is not unheard of for a custom plat setting.

BTW...The ring is beautiful! Classic and well done with the twist of an oval instead of round.
 
The appraisal is only $480 off from your purchase price and that seemed extremely low? An appraisal for insurance should be very close to/equal to the actual replacement value because that's all most insurance will pay out.

What are the details of your setting? Hand-forged or cast, custom for your stone, in platinum? If so, no, I don't think you overpaid. Some work is finer and worth paying up for. That's the type of detail that should be relayed to the appraiser though, so she can use accurate comps and not random stock settings from Blue Nile. Maybe you can talk to her about it and get her to tweak the appraisal.

Lovely ring, though! A pretty oval, a classic setting. Well played!
 
So a little more info - this appraiser is an independent that I paid $130ish for the appraisal. I don't necessarily want a feel good appraisal but I don't want to have issues replacing the ring with the amount that the ring is appraised at.

Its platinum, it was CAD - had 2-3 plastic rings made and sent to me before agreeing to the design. Hand-forged was an option but an extra $500. Jeweler was in NYC so theres def a premium involved there.

She initially appraised it at 20,250 but I got her to revise it to 21,000. Considering that I paid 20,800 for the ring, I still think its too low. The jeweler appraised the ring at 25,250 which seems high but I'd rather use that for insurance purposes than her lowball appraisal but again don't want to have issues with the insurance paying out.

I was just looked at 1.9 D, VS2 Ovals on BlueNile and the cheapest i found was 19,900 and that had faint fluorescence...
 
I dont think she is giving you fair value on your setting...the price may have been a little high but hello NYC! If she is comparing it with what you could have
got on BN then really not fair. I wish one of our appraisers that post on PS could give you some feedback on what would be appropriate here. What usually
happens (from what I think) is that they figure out the real value then they throw in some percentage like in the case of your ring would bring it up say to $23/24k
in case stones go up in the next 5 years or so it will still cover the value.

I checked Victor Caneras and his similar settings run about $1950 but they are hand forged.
https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/classic-solitaire-pre-mount

I dont even think you can get a CAD design in plat from David Klass for $950 (what she gave you credit for). He was making a solitaire for me in
white gold and it was $950 but it was ever so slightly more intricate than your setting.
 
Ok, so it's pretty important to talk with your insurance provider to understand your policy inside and out because I think there's a disconnect between the way you're envisioning it and your actual coverage.

If you insure your $20,800 ring for $50,000 - I'm being outrageous for the sake of example - and then experience a loss and place a claim, your insurer would go into the market, just like your appraiser did, and discover what it would cost to replace your ring with like kind and quality, and they would reimburse you *up to that amount*. Regardless of the very high premiums you'd been paying for the $50,000 coverage. You would not be extended $50,000 to replace your ring. It's also why you should obtain updated appraisals every several years. If the market dips and your ring loses value, you are paying high premiums unnecessarily and should lower your coverage. If the market swings up, your coverage won't be enough for replacement. Does that make sense?

This is why the bogus, inflated appraisals that tyty referred to are so misleading and confusing. No one will be reimbursed based on those numbers. Definitely call your provider armed with questions and read the fine print of your policy before signing.

Edit to say: the above is probably too elaborate since you're only talking about a difference of like $5K between the two appraisals you've been given. I would just recommend insuring for the amount you paid. If you drive yourself crazy trying to chose the exact right amount to make sure you're covered, you might be disappointed if/when the time comes to place a claim because it'll be up to the insurance company. Who knows what they'll choose as "like kind and quality," it might differ by a few thousand from your assumptions anyway.
 
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tyty333 said:
I dont think she is giving you fair value on your setting...the price may have been a little high but hello NYC! If she is comparing it with what you could have
got on BN then really not fair. I wish one of our appraisers that post on PS could give you some feedback on what would be appropriate here. What usually
happens (from what I think) is that they figure out the real value then they throw in some percentage like in the case of your ring would bring it up say to $23/24k
in case stones go up in the next 5 years or so it will still cover the value.

I checked Victor Caneras and his similar settings run about $1950 but they are hand forged.
https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/classic-solitaire-pre-mount

I dont even think you can get a CAD design in plat from David Klass for $950 (what she gave you credit for). He was making a solitaire for me in
white gold and it was $950 but it was ever so slightly more intricate than your setting.
Click to expand...
So thats a pre-mount from VC - he had quoted me 2,395 to mount my stone.
 
For what it's worth, I think the ring looks beautiful, simple, classic, elegant!
 
Did you ask your appraiser which vendor would make that platinum, CAD setting for you for $950? I think some people may want to know who they are.
 
I think it's gorgeous and she's a very lucky lady!
 
You misunderstand insurance. Insurance doesn't cover a dime above what you paid, and only pays for like kind, which may be less than what you paid.
 
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