Please help me choose an engagement ring

[Jd1992]

Hello Everyone,
I'm finally looking to buy a ring, but found it to be overwhelming. I have the idea of what I want it to look like, but not sure of the right range of 4cs to look for so it looks perfect and dont want to be ripped off.

My budget is around $5k. I want a yellow gold ring with an oval solitaire diamond around 1 carat. Finding the right 4Cs seems tough. Can someone point me in the right direction as what they think I should be looking for and please explain why. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[OoohShiny]

Welcome to the forum

Is the stone for you or someone else?

Have you / the other person seen diamonds locally, to look at colour / size / shape / clarity?

Do you know what you / the other person consider a priority? Larger size? Higher (whiter) colour? Definitely eye-clean?

 

[tyty333]

For ovals...in general, I try to stay in the D-H range preferably in the D-G range depending on budget. I usually go down to eye-clean SI1. I try
to get average to largest size possible in your weight range/budget. For a 1 carat, anything close to 8mm or over I would consider larger. Pay
attention to the LxW because ovals will vary widely at the same carat weight.

There are different cuts of ovals. You can look at the GIA report and see how many mains there are and where they are located. The different
cuts have different looks. Here are the different mains and examples of what they look like
8 main

1.01-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

8 main offset

1.00-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

6 main

1.20-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

4 main

1.05-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

10 main - august vintage oval (Ideal cut)

0.91ct K VS2 Elyque Oval

The above is a sample image. Diamond Details Measurements 6.78 - 4.97 x 4.06 Cut Grade 1 Polish Ideal Symmetry Ideal Fluorescence Negligible Culet Pointed Report Click here to view this diamonds AGS Report. Table 0.461 Depth 0.69

www.augustvintageinc.net

What you want to see is distinct well-outlined facets coming into view as the stone turns. You do not want to see fuzzy, gray, mushy facets.
So, maximize the facets that return light well and minimize the mushy facets that dont return light well (inevitably there will be some mushy
facets in almost all non-ideal ovals).

In the oval below the facets within the red area are returning light well.


The stone below shows the area that tends to be mushy (its on both ends).



Good places to look for ovals are blue nile and james allen. At James allen you'll need to request the GIA report (yes, its a pain).
I'll look and see if there is anything to recommend.

 

[Jd1992]

Welcome to the forum

Is the stone for you or someone else?

Have you / the other person seen diamonds locally, to look at colour / size / shape / clarity?

Do you know what you / the other person consider a priority? Larger size? Higher (whiter) colour? Definitely eye-clean?

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to a local gia certified gemologist in a week. I'd like an idea of what I'm looking for before I go. The ring is for my girlfriend and she never owned any diamonds herself so I dont think she knows she a specific preference yet. She did show me a pic of a ring she likes to let me know the style she likes.( attached). She has small fingers so I'm thinking we won't want too big...probably .095-1.1 carat I'm guessing. I've read there are specific ways the color should contrast with the yellow gold. I'm thinking the cut is probably the most important for the sparkle. I have no clue where I should be looking for the clarity.. how important that is relative to price.. etc.

 

[Jd1992]

For ovals...in general, I try to stay in the D-H range preferably in the D-G range depending on budget. I usually go down to eye-clean SI1. I try
to get average to largest size possible in your weight range/budget. For a 1 carat, anything close to 8mm or over I would consider larger. Pay
attention to the LxW because ovals will vary widely at the same carat weight.

There are different cuts of ovals. You can look at the GIA report and see how many mains there are and where they are located. The different
cuts have different looks. Here are the different mains and examples of what they look like
8 main

1.01-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

8 main offset

1.00-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

6 main

1.20-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

4 main

1.05-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

10 main - august vintage oval (Ideal cut)

0.91ct K VS2 Elyque Oval

The above is a sample image. Diamond Details Measurements 6.78 - 4.97 x 4.06 Cut Grade 1 Polish Ideal Symmetry Ideal Fluorescence Negligible Culet Pointed Report Click here to view this diamonds AGS Report. Table 0.461 Depth 0.69

www.augustvintageinc.net

What you want to see is distinct well-outlined facets coming into view as the stone turns. You do not want to see fuzzy, gray, mushy facets.
So, maximize the facets that return light well and minimize the mushy facets that dont return light well (inevitably there will be some mushy
facets in almost all non-ideal ovals).

In the oval below the facets within the red area are returning light well.


The stone below shows the area that tends to be mushy (its on both ends).



Good places to look for ovals are blue nile and james allen. At James allen you'll need to request the GIA report (yes, its a pain).
I'll look and see if there is anything to recommend.

Wow this is great information! I'll dig through it deeper when I get out of work. Thanks again for all your help!

 

[tyty333]

Here are a few that I like

1.02 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.02 carat H color vvs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

The blue nile stones tend to look better but they are flooded with more light than the JA stones.

1.00-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

0.90-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

1.00-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

1.01-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

Can you try again to upload the picture of the ring/setting your GF sent you?

 

[Jd1992]

Here are a few that I like

1.02 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.02 carat H color vvs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

The blue nile stones tend to look better but they are flooded with more light than the JA stones.

1.00-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

0.90-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

1.00-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

1.01-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

Can you try again to upload the picture of the ring/setting your GF sent you?

Thanks for the info. I'm getting closer with the info you gave e me... I have it narrowed down to this so far:
Color: F-G (maybe H)
Clarity: VS2-SI1
Carat: .95-1.2 (depending on price)
Cut: Oval. need to look for clean edges avoiding cloudiness, try avoiding the bowtie, and need to figure out LxW

 

[Jd1992]

Thanks for the info. I'm getting closer with the info you gave e me... I have it narrowed down to this so far:
Color: F-G (maybe H)
Clarity: VS2-SI1
Carat: .95-1.2 (depending on price)
Cut: Oval. need to look for clean edges avoiding cloudiness, try avoiding the bowtie, and need to figure out LxW

The picture isn't that helpful for a newbie trying to pick the specifications of the diamond... but I'm trying and your help is appreciated!

 

[tyty333]

It's a pretty simple solitaire that all vendors will have a version of.

14K Yellow Gold Claw Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring (Flush Fit)

Classic and refined, claw prongs and flush fit shank offers understated elegance and unsurpassed comfort while highlighting the center diamond or gemstone you select. *Center gemstone purchase required.

www.jamesallen.com

14K Yellow Gold 2mm Comfort Fit Solitaire Engagement Ring

Classic and refined, this piece offers understated elegance and unsurpassed comfort while highlighting the center diamond or gemstone you select. The perfect width for stacking, it offers versatility to allow her to create a wedding set that shows off her true personality. ?Purchase of center...

www.jamesallen.com

Petite Solitaire Engagement Ring in 14k Yellow Gold | Blue Nile

A simple band of elegant polished yellow gold provides a classic backdrop for your choice of sparkling center diamond.

www.bluenile.com

 

[OoohShiny]

Really excellent information in this thread from @tyty333, thanks for posting it!

The summary of the different versions of ovals deserves its own thread or a page under the Knowledge tab at the top of the forum! (@psadmin )

 

[Jd1992]

I agree! I keep referring to it in my research. Thanks again @tyty333

 

[Jd1992]

Here are a few that I like

1.02 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.02 carat H color vvs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

The blue nile stones tend to look better but they are flooded with more light than the JA stones.

1.00-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

0.90-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

1.00-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

1.01-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

Can you try again to upload the picture of the ring/setting your GF sent you?

So I'm going to the store on Friday.. if I dont find what I like or feel like I'm getting ripped off... I like the one you found:

1.02 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.02 carat H color vvs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

or this one that I found:

1.01 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.01 carat F color vvs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

I'm skeptical anytime a salesperson must be involved so I'm mostly likely getting one of these two.

 

[Jd1992]

So I'm going to the store on Friday.. if I dont find what I like or feel like I'm getting ripped off... I like the one you found:

1.02 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.02 carat H color vvs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

or this one that I found:

1.01 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.01 carat F color vvs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

I'm skeptical anytime a salesperson must be involved so I'm mostly likely getting one of these two.

Actually now I'm leaning more towards this one!

1.20 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.2 carat H color vvs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[OoohShiny]

Actually now I'm leaning more towards this one!

1.20 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.2 carat H color vvs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Personally speaking I'm not mad on it - the centre and end facets are working quite nicely but the rest of the areas under the table don't seem very defined to my eyes.

If you can see it in real life, though, that will be more realistic - make sure to look at it (or other stones) in a range of lighting environments, including 'flat lighting' without spotlights.

 

[Jd1992]

Hey thanks for the reply. I see what you mean. I've changed my mind so many times but found another one I like and it seems more defined than the last one. I've been fixed on this one for a few days and haven't found a reason to change my mind. If I dont see anything comparable at a reasonable price when I go to the store on Friday.. I'm probably going to buy this one online

1.20 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.2 carat H color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

I trust everyone here knows much more than me on diamonds so I'm open to hearing some opinions

Personally speaking I'm not mad on it - the centre and end facets are working quite nicely but the rest of the areas under the table don't seem very defined to my eyes.

If you can see it in real life, though, that will be more realistic - make sure to look at it (or other stones) in a range of lighting environments, including 'flat lighting' without spotlights.

 

[Jd1992]

Another photo of what I anticipate getting

 

[Jd1992]

Hey thanks for the reply. I see what you mean. I've changed my mind so many times but found another one I like and it seems more defined than the last one. I've been fixed on this one for a few days and haven't found a reason to change my mind. If I dont see anything comparable at a reasonable price when I go to the store on Friday.. I'm probably going to buy this one online

1.20 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.2 carat H color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

I trust everyone here knows much more than me on diamonds so I'm open to hearing some opinions

Now I think I might be seeing some of the "mushy" sections @tyty333 mentioned , but can't tell. It seems to only look that way at certain angles

 

[tyty333]

This one looks nice. Its over 8mm. It does have a little something on the table but I think it would be eye-clean. You would need to ask and see
what they say. This one has nice light return as the stone turns.

1.20 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.2 carat G color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[tyty333]

Here is a relative picture size how the above stone would look on a size 6 finger with a 2mm shank setting.