Ovals: Majority have bow-ties?

[Lizabeth]

I have read that oval diamonds are a good deal because they face up bigger than other types of diamonds.This is one of the reasons I originally was looking at an oval stone as a less costly alternative to a round brilliant. However, it now looks to me like the vast majority of oval diamonds searchable through Pricescope have pronounced bow-ties, and the few that don't command premium prices. Is that a fair/correct statement? What causes bow-ties? If an oval has one, is it always visible in a photo of the diamond? (Who buys all the oval stones with the bad bow-ties?!) What does the idealscope of a bow-tie-less diamond even look like? (Can it have any blue in the middle?)

Am I going to get the biggest bang for my buck with a round brilliant stone versus an oval because bow tie-less diamonds are expensive and hard to find?

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge on this subject!

 

[Gypsy]

Brilliant cut (not step cut) elongated shapes (marquise, ovals, rectangular cushions and radiants) all have a tendency toward bowties and need to be carefully screened.

But it IS possible to get stones of these shapes without bowties. I've seen several ovals without bowties in person and several more online. It's just hard to do.

So you HAVE to work with a vendor like GOG, or JA, or ERD, or BGD that can get good ovals (either they have them in stock or can source them for you) and will provide you with multiple images and an ASET so you can see where the light return is coming from and how it is being reflected, and in some cases, a video of the stones as well.

 

[lambskin]

You just have to keep looking and be patient. When the right one comes in you will know it and you will pounce. I have an oval with no bow tie. It is not as elongated as others and it is not shallow. The proportions are cut very well so it is an ideal size for the carat weight.

 

[Gypsy]

Lambskin, that's a great point. You can't buy ovals by the numbers. BUT fatter ovals do have a higher chance of being bowtie free. And also ovals with depths around 64%, I've noticed have a tendency to have better bowties.

THAT SAID, ovals are fancies and it IS possible to find a skinny oval or a shallow one without a bowtie as well. It is a case by case thing.

 

[tyty333]

If you would like we can take a look for you. You need to let us know your budget and specs. There are pretty ovals out there
you just have to search for them and know what you are looking for. That is funny that you say the ones without bow-ties
are expensive but in my searching I havent seen much price difference between the two and I wonder who would that amount
for a stone with a large bow-tie...probably someone who doesnt know what to look for.

To me there are some that have bow-ties but are not that pronounced, reflect light and have pleasing faceting patterns.
Then there are others that are just dogs. There is also a cut that is totally different on the bottom and pretty much doesnt
have a bow-tie at all. Here are some examples...

Decent looking bow-ties (IMO).
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.03-carat-e-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-302202
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.04-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-324314
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.04-carat-d-color-si2-clarity-sku-312127

A really bad bow-tie.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.04-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-295950

These have a different cut on the bottom and dont have bow-ties. I'm not saying these 2 are good stones...just wanted to point
out the cut to you.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.02-carat-f-color-if-clarity-sku-338366
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-251216

Edit - I dont think you should give up on an Oval if thats what you want. Let us see what we can find for you first. If nothing makes
you happy then go for your round.

 

[kenny]

And also ovals with depths around 64%, I've noticed have a tendency to have better bowties.

What does 'better' bowties mean?
Less bowtie, or more?

 

[distracts]

Who buys all the oval stones with the bad bow-ties?!

Everyone not on Pricescope.

 

[Gypsy]

Sorry Kenny. What I specifically mean is RED bowties on the ASET instead of BLUE ones.

I'm not saying always. But I've noticed that RED bowties on the ASETs instead of BLUE ones tend to occur on the stones on the deeper side.

I can deal with a well blended RED bowtie.

So you can see the 1.29 oval here has a 63 depth: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/1-2ct-oval-vs-1-29ct-oval-for-e-ring.203210/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/1-2ct-oval-vs-1-29ct-oval-for-e-ring.203210/[/URL] and a red bowtie and blended well.


So for me, well cut ovals that are around 64 depth (little less, like 63 as well) SEEM to have less really BAD bowtie issues.

BUT again, fancies. I'm sure there are bad blue bowties in 64 depth stones too.

Numbers aren't that greatly helpful with ovals. I'm just talking observations. Nothing definitive. You CANNOT buy an oval by the numbers on a lab report.

 

[Gypsy]

Who buys all the oval stones with the bad bow-ties?!

Everyone not on Pricescope.

The majority are sold to people who 1) bought online from places like Blue Nile where there are no images of the fancies offered. 2) people who have no idea what a bowtie is and think F VS1 is all they need for a nice stone. 3) people that don't know what an ASET is. 4) people who have no idea what a good diamond of ANY shape looks like.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Yennyfire's antique oval is a beautiful no bow tie stone..