Purchasing an Oval Diamond Engagement Ring...Need Your Help!

[diamondsareforever2013]

So I am looking to get engaged this Summer and am currently in full pursuit of an engagement ring. My budget is $4,500 for the diamond and setting, also my girlfriend has very dainty fingers (size 4) so I'm looking for a diamond between .75 and 1 carat.

Here is what I'm looking at. Any advice, comments, or thoughts are appreciated.

Setting 1: $750 http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-6785-Purchased-11611
Setting 2: $1000 http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/18k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-6812-Purchased-11820

3 Diamonds I am considering.

Diamond 1: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-177285
Diamond 2: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-if-clarity-sku-203650
Diamond 3: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.78-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-222464

 

[Christina...]

Re: Purchasing an Oval Diamond Engagement Ring...Need Your H

Its difficult to determine an ovals performance based on the information provided. Ask James Allen to provide you with ASET images. This will give us the information needed to better advise you! Congrats on taking the next step!

 

[Roxy]

Re: Purchasing an Oval Diamond Engagement Ring...Need Your H

Its difficult to determine an ovals performance based on the information provided. Ask James Allen to provide you with ASET images. This will give us the information needed to better advise you! Congrats on taking the next step!

Christina's right about needing more info before making a final decision. Meanwhile, I took a look at those three and from a cursory glance here are my preliminary thoughts:

Oval #1: The "I" color grade concerns me a bit. As the stone was rotating, I detected a slight tint that reminded me of my first oval (which was also an I color). In general, fancy shaped stones tend to show more color than others, especially on the ends. So once my "I" oval was mounted in a setting w/ smaller, whiter stones, the tint in the oval really stood out. This may not happen to you, but I'm just trying to give you "food for thought".

Oval #2: The H color is decent, but I'm concerned about the thickness of the girdle. I was distracted by it but I don't know if that's a reason to worry or not. WRT the IF clarity, if I were looking for a diamond I'd prefer to have lower clarity and higher color stone.

Oval #3: The G color looks nice & white. My main concern with this one is the L/W ratio of 1.6. I usually try to stay between 1.3 and 1.5. You'll also need to work w/ the folks at JA to help you determine whether the SI1 is eye-clean. They may even be willing to take a few pics where the main inclusion is obvious, and then explain the combination of viewing distance, angle, lighting environment, etc that will result in a visible inclusion.

Just my 2 cents ... hope it's been helpful as you hunt for the perfect stone.

 

[JulieN]

Re: Purchasing an Oval Diamond Engagement Ring...Need Your H

This is little bit out of the box you have defined, but a rectangular cushion brilliant? http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.76-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-228439

 

[diamondsareforever2013]

Re: Purchasing an Oval Diamond Engagement Ring...Need Your H

Christina, thank you for your kind comments and the idea to get those extra images, I will talk to James Allen about that!

Roxy, thanks for those insights, I was also concerned about the I color my only thought was that this I color diamond appeared much whiter in the picture and video than the other I color diamonds I had seen on JA.

JulieN, that is a gorgeous diamond! It is definitely something I would consider. I think I'll try sending her some pictures of cushion cut diamond settings and see if she has an interest in those!