OVAL EXPERT Help Please!

[diamond3231]

With respect to Ovals - I'm finding it difficult to get a good sense, other than physically seeing the diamond, of whether or not the following diamond which I'm close to purchasing (for engagement to GF) will have good light performance (and is good generally). There aren't alot of oval ASET, ideal scope and bowtie comparasions online (some in stores are great while others have lots of leakage). I can see it has a small culet, how bad is the bowtie?

I am attaching the ASET (is there enough red?), Ideal Scope and glamour shots, the other specs are as follows:

2.09c, VS1, D, L/W 1.50, Polish G, Symmetry VG ($28k)

ANY HELP as to whether this is a good stone/price. Also should I be worried that the last grading report is from '95?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE any help!

 

[diamond3231]

anything helps

 

[Gypsy]

I've not liking it. Not enough performance for me. Noticeable bow tie. Not liking the shape of it either (although that's a personal preference if the other two issues weren't there I wouldn't mention it).

You don't need D VS. I'd ask for G/H or better and SI1 (eyeclean) or better.

You're working with WF and they call in ovals, don't have them pictured as regular stock so I can't pick a nice one for you. But I'd pass on this one.

I would ask them to find a nice oval for you with six or eight mains on the pavillion faceting. I generally think those are nicer than the 4 main ovals that are out there. They are hard to find though.

 

[tyty333]

It's not bad but its not great either and if I had $28k to spend on an oval I
would expect to get close to perfect. Do you have to have a high color?
You should be able to go down to G and not see any tint.

 

[diamond3231]

WF tells me it's quite nice. Minimal bowtie.

Yes E/D colour needed.

 

[tyty333]

These two may be worth getting asets on.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS2-Very%20Good-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1498333.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS2-Very%20Good-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1470539.asp

 

[diamond3231]

On pricescope (and bluenile) they have a cut grading for ovals but then the GIAs don't have a cut grading category, where are they coming up with this information?

 

[Rockdiamond]

HI 3231- as a vendor, I can not comment on other sellers- or their stones.
My comments are of a general natural, and are applicable no matter where you shop:
1) There's no agreed upon "cut grade" for oval diamonds. Therefore any advertised cut grade for ovals is based on the opinion of the person assigning that grade. This is unlike round diamonds, which are assigned a cut grade by GIA or AGSL- and furthermore, those two labs' grades are widely accepted throughout the industry.

2) my experience evaluating- and photographing- oval diamonds leads me to say that it's one of the most difficult shapes to capture.
The reason is what might look like a large dark area in a photo may indeed light up with the smallest amount of tilt. Such a stone might have a "bow-tie"- yet it might be quite attractive.
The problem is that some of these bow ties persist through a wide range of angles, which could be seen by many as a detraction.

 

[Gypsy]

Why do you have it sent to you and decide for yourself? They have a great return policies. And really fancies are best evaluated in person.

 

[diamond3231]

Apparently the white glare on the ASET pic is cause the ASET has a tough time handling larger stones and the white glare would actually be either red or green... does this make sense?

 

[Gypsy]

It's possible. You should get it in and see it for yourself.

 

[diamond3231]

Which is regarded as 'better' Oval Brilliant Cut and Oval Modified Brilliant Cut? What's the difference, in terms of the look and performance of the diamond?