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Please help choose an oval diamond

T

tina sparkle

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 21, 2005
Messages
170
I've been tasked with finding an oval diamond for an engagement ring on a modest budget. The bride wants a low profile, full bezel setting and loves the one offered by James Allen. Unfortunately, the budget is only around $1200 to $1300 for the stone, around $2000 total, can anybody recommend some stones or let us know what to look for in an oval and what to avoid. This engagement is a long time coming and hopefully she can get a nice ring she will love for a long time.
 
What a fun project! This part of the hunt can be a lot of fun. =) A couple quick questions - for the setting, does she like a more plain setting, or would she prefer to have pave or something similar along the band (not sure if it's possible in budget, but it might help rule some potential ideas out if she *doesn't* want something).

And for the stone - preferred size? Preferred shape - fatter oval, more elongated oval? Or just a nice oval with good performance?

And are you open to a pre-loved stone or ring?
 
tina sparkle|1400684102|3677466 said:
I've been tasked with finding an oval diamond for an engagement ring on a modest budget. The bride wants a low profile, full bezel setting and loves the one offered by James Allen. Unfortunately, the budget is only around $1200 to $1300 for the stone, around $2000 total, can anybody recommend some stones or let us know what to look for in an oval and what to avoid. This engagement is a long time coming and hopefully she can get a nice ring she will love for a long time.
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Hi Tina!

Let's see what we can do to help you with this. That's good we know what type of setting is required and no problem with the budget, we can certainly see what's out there. Could you post a link to the setting please so we can see what size diamond will fit?

We can't really ' recommend' diamonds as that is beyond the scope of what we can do here as consumers, but we can certainly offer suggestions and will gladly do so. Ovals as you might be aware cannot be judged solely by the numbers, images are essential so I would say first priority is to find a vendor that offers images such as ASET and even better, one that has expertise in judging the optics and beauty of these shapes.

Here is a basic tutorial on the oval shape you can look through as a place to begin.

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/oval-cut-diamond


Then if you could give us an idea of the sort of oval she likes, ovals vary in shape such as longer and thinner, shorter and fatter and so on, some have more distinct faceting, others more of a crushed ice look and so on, then we can hunt up some contenders. Also bear in mind as with many elongated fancy shapes, ovals can show an effect called a bow tie. This is an darkened area that runs across the middle of the stone that literally resembles a bow tie. Some show this effect more than others, a good vendor can advise in each particular instance.
 
Thanks in advance for your help!
 
tina sparkle|1400687502|3677503 said:
Thanks in advance for your help!
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The link works and you are most welcome, I am sure we can help.

The setting will take various diamond sizes so no problems there.

I assume you prefer to stick to James Allen for the diamond as they have the setting that is required?

I had a quick look assuming that was the case and found 3 diamonds for the budget, one I don't know if it will be eye clean and thus suitable, but it never hurts to check.

This one has potential, again you would need to check with the vendor whether it's eye clean to the buyer's specifications, chances are in this size range it very well could be.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.56-carat-d-color-si2-clarity-sku-239639

Check carefully with the diamond below whether it is eye clean to as mentioned above, I can see a dark inclusion on the table but it might not be visible.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.59-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-235324

This diamond below shows quite a distinct bow tie effect, as with all of these you would need to check carefully with the vendor whether the bow tie is noticeable or not. Ovals can hold more warmth as is sometimes the case with fancy shapes but as the setting is rose gold, I added the J as it could work very well in that setting unless the wearer would prefer a higher colour grade.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.59-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-324487

A few to be going on with, if interested in any of these request an evaluation by one of James Allen's gemologists and an ASET image, I believe you can request up to 3 images without fee.
 
Thanks Lorelei! Those are all good choices, I will show them to the bride to be and we'll request the ASETs and the gemologists opinion. Will a .59 stone in that setting seem small when it's on her hand? I know the budget is limited but we don't want it to look unsubstantial either.
 
tina sparkle|1400688443|3677513 said:
Thanks Lorelei! Those are all good choices, I will show them to the bride to be and we'll request the ASETs and the gemologists opinion. Will a .59 stone in that setting seem small when it's on her hand? I know the budget is limited but we don't want it to look unsubstantial either.
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Very glad to help! One of the benefits of ovals are that they can look large for the weight, so they can be a good choice I believe to get the most ' bang for the buck'. The bezel will also help maximize the size of the stone, she should have a lovely ring that has presence on the finger even on a larger hand size, if indeed that is what she has. I think for anyone on a budget wanting to get a large visual effect, a bezel setting with an oval diamond can be an excellent choice.
 
VirginiaZee|1400692380|3677544 said:
Lorelei found some beautiful options!

I know warmer diamonds aren't everyone's cup of tea, but if she likes a light yellow tint this one also looks pretty IMHO (thought it might be a bit deep?) http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.75-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-sku-272231
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Thanks Virginia and you know, that's a very good suggestion with that stone if the wearer is ok with some tint.

Tina, it might be an option if the wearer isn't worried about having a diamond with some warmth and JA can advise how that diamond might suit the setting depending on how the tint actually shows in the K colour and how it might look in the proposed setting, it would certainly up the size factor. I remember years ago, we had a lovely young lady post here, she had a setting made in rose gold and chose a brownish pink diamond to go in it. This was back when rose gold was uncommon and this diamond in the setting made the most incredible ring! I must try to find that thread sometime, your suggestion reminded me of it Virginia!

Found it!

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-pink-champagne-e-ring.78974/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-pink-champagne-e-ring.78974/[/URL]
 
Lorelei|1400688117|3677509 said:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.56-carat-d-color-si2-clarity-sku-239639

Check carefully with the diamond below whether it is eye clean to as mentioned above, I can see a dark inclusion on the table but it might not be visible.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.59-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-235324
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I really like the H/SI2, and I bet it would be eye clean due to its size. :) I prefer this shape and it has the least bow-tie. :))
 
I can't thank you all enough for your help. I love all the options we have with the beautiful stones Lorelei picked and now another great choice from VirginiaZee. I'll see if the bride is open to the K colored stone because that would certainly give more bang for the buck and could make a very beautiful ring!
 
tina sparkle|1400698408|3677594 said:
I can't thank you all enough for your help. I love all the options we have with the beautiful stones Lorelei picked and now another great choice from VirginiaZee. I'll see if the bride is open to the K colored stone because that would certainly give more bang for the buck and could make a very beautiful ring!
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You are extremely welcome Tina and the wildcard Virginia posted definitely might be an option depending on preference and how the K colour grade presents itself. Keep us posted and please don't hesitate to ask as you have further questions!
 
msop04|1400693931|3677558 said:
Lorelei|1400688117|3677509 said:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.56-carat-d-color-si2-clarity-sku-239639

Check carefully with the diamond below whether it is eye clean to as mentioned above, I can see a dark inclusion on the table but it might not be visible.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.59-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-235324
Click to expand...

I really like the H/SI2, and I bet it would be eye clean due to its size. :) I prefer this shape and it has the least bow-tie. :))
Click to expand...

Thanks MSOP, I must admit, I am partial to that one too. :tongue:
 
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