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Round vs oval - uneducated shopper

cinnamonstick

cinnamonstick

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jun 14, 2009
Messages
572
Hello, quick two cents? Near ready to upgrade to a 2ctish. Discussed round with a few nice posters. I understand what I can about reading GIA (cut is very important) and know the color range and clarity I would want (for being pretty much uneducated).

I also love the look of an oval. Read 90% ovals are cut poor and since GIA does not have cut quality on ovals, "you never know what you are getting". Lots of cut issues like bows. "Most are not good". Basically, unless I really know what I am doing AND can see the stone in person before purchase, oval is not the way to go (?). Is this true? What about if I use WF or another trustworthy online vendor and had a consultant help me?

I like round also and am aware there are tons more round to select from. But, if I have time, and can get professional help (for a reasonable fee/or trustworthy vendor assistance) selecting a nice oval, is it "safe" for me not knowing a ton about diamonds?

*I would desire one with bit less of a ratio. 1.4 or so (bit shorter and wider oval) vs a very elongated. Also read color pools on ovals at the edges, keep I color or higher (I wear white gold).

I did a diamond search on WF but again, with out the cut grade on a GIA to help me, I am blind. :(

Quick toughts?
 
I think that if you love ovals, you should get one. Posters here can help, and you can also go with a vendor who knows fancy cuts or can provide images/video and various scope views (ASET being the most valuable). I wouldn't avoid ovals just because it may be more difficult to find a keeper, y'know? If it's what you want, get it and enjoy. Also, ovals can elongate the finger and face up pretty large for their weight, both of which are added bonuses.

A vendor like Good Old Gold or James Allen would be my choices to find ovals, but Whiteflash could likely source a great oval for you, as well. They may not have photos on their website, but I am guessing if you called or e-mailed, they would work with your budget and preferred parameters. They can likely call in stones and do ASET images for you, as well.

Which setting are you thinking? If there's one you love, it might be easiest to go with the vendor that sells it to simplify the setting process.

Edited to add: part of the fun of jewelry, for me, is the thrill of the hunt and finding just the right thing at the right time. Part of the enjoyment of shopping is the planning, anticipation, and thinking about the eventual purchase. Look up "rosy prospection"--it's one of the things that makes life enjoyable. So hunting for the perfect oval could give you a lot of enjoyment, even if it takes a while to find "the one." :wavey:
 
I just conducted a search of all the diamonds in the Pricescope database & it looks as if none of the PS sponsors currently has -- in-house -- an oval within the basic parameters you gave. What's showing up is all "virtual" inventory -- with the possibility of this one, attributed to Good Old Gold's in-house inventory, but when you click on the GOG web page for the stone, the description there says it is not in house (GOG may have had it in house, but sent it out to another vendor for possible purchase):
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/2ct-h-si1-oval-diamond-1.html

Soooo, there's no advantage at this point imo with calling upon Whiteflash for an oval -- unless you want to use WF for the ring mount (and WF would be a top contender if you do decide upon a round or want to use signature melee in the mounting). But if you don't have strong preference for a WF setting/melee, GOG would seem your best bet for an online purchase of an oval because of the selection tools they are typically able and willing to provide.

Have you seen many ovals in real life? The reason I ask is 'cause there are differences in faceting patterns & some may appeal more to you when you see them in hand than others.

P.S. If you are here in the US, returning a stone to a US vendor (assuming it's reputable, can be counted on to refund your money promptly) is much less of a hassle than it is for those who live outside the USA. I've done it with colored gems more than once.
 
Thank you both. I do live in United States near Washington DC / Maryland. Thank you for providing me with a few online reputable vendors / suggestions on how to proceed if I decide on an oval shape. I've only seen a few smaller ovals in person (and one very yellow 2ct). Loved them! Like that they are less common. Still love a round tho!

I do feel that it is in my best interest to go to a local high-end jewelry shop (bc they will hopefully have larger ovals and round inhouse) to make my final decision, not to buy. I have seen a lot of large rounds so very familiar with how those appear.

The link that was attached of an oval by PP looked beautiful with out not knowing a lot. 16k is a little more than I prefer. I'm in the 13/14k cash range. I may sell my 1.1, and in that case would have more wiggle. Just so not want to "give it away".

My current setting can accommodate a two carat round which is an advantage although it doesn't have any side diamonds. If I chose an oval I would need an entirely new settings and would love to add half moon or trillions on each side which would be another expence. All things I need to consider and way before making my final decision. Don't want to make a decision based on settings since in the future settings can be changed.

One more question. I know I can go down somewhat in color /quality of rounds keeping an excellent cut and still have beautiful diamond in the 14k range. Is that the same with ovals? Is it possible to find a beautiful 2ct in that range?
 
Rubybeth, ALWAYS a HUGE part of the fun for me when shopping for pretty much anything high end is the hunt and the find for a great price! I have done this with watches purses, and other jewelry. What is making this more frustrating than fun is the basic fact that I do not know really anything about diamonds. I'm trying to read up but its very confusing for me to understand more than just the GI a. For example the light intake and sparkle when you have to exact matching gia is but with different cut prameters. :( this is why I'm here to try to educate myself and find out how to seek help when making this once in a lifetime purchase.
 
I wouldn't go down in color. In fact I'd probably stick with H if going oval, maybe even G. Since GIA doesn't grade cut for ovals you'll have to rely on pics and vids. Lots of them have bowties and are mushy near edge of the table. I also think vivid colors work better.
 
Thank you slogen. Writing all of this down
Did read ovals pool color at ends (which is what u r saying I believe) and hard to find a nice cut oval. Worries me not having a GIA cut grade as round does (buying blind unless screening obvious issue). Trying not to let that scare me away firm oval quite yet. I will visit some and take it from there. TY!
 
Tyty333. Hi, my current is round, I, vs2. I wear white gold and the I color never bothered me. Maybe because it is the only diamond I have owned (besides earrings/rings that were not solitary). I had custom halo earrings made last year and believe they are I color also.

The link u provided shows a very pretty oval :) very much in my price range also. Do worry about the color in an oval du to what I read and PP shared. I just don't know. I plan to go see some larger diamonds in the next couple weeks (not to BUY, will be at Mervis). I can view colors beside my current as well as ovals. This should provide me with my answers, then the hunt can begin :)

The local wholesale diamond guy I had do a search for me was trying to "talk me in to" J color in round. I didn't want to drop below my current I color. He swore I wouldn't notice a difference. IDK. I have to be happy. There will be no do overs. Do it right (for what I can afford).

I will come return once I canakr a shape decision. Thank you all for your help. Each link was helpful to view and hearing of best online /suggestions was important to read!
 
I have noticed for me that ovals tend to show a lot more body color than rounds, it might be that its because they are all poorly cut, but just an observation.
 
It might not be dumpy (short and fat) enough for you but;

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-5ct-h-vs2-oval-diamond.htm

Or http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-5ct-h-vs1-oval-diamond.html

GOG have a number of stones that they can call in so you should ask them what they have and what else they can find for you. Ovals are wonderful (great spread and finger coverage lots of sparkle too) if you find the right one.

Again not dumpy but throwing this one out there as well;

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/2-02ct-oval-diamond-halo-ring-gia-i-si1#.VbnIKigVq5Q

I have seen some very cool dumpy Antique ovals (they are rare but they are out there) that might be another option.
 
Thank you Arkibe1 for your help and input. Dumpy? Lol....zis that bad? Just didn't want a su per skinny long oval. More emiddle or dumpy. Lol :) I'm not even sure if that would hurt the cut. I read the ideal length width ratio and wanted to stay closer to the dumpy side. Some how that term doesn't sound good!

Unfortunately the first time and is missing must have been sold. The second link the diamond looks beautiful I love the color being an age. It's only a 1.5 so I would actually like to spend a little more to get a large a daimond since I have a few more thousand. The last time and definitely fits my budget and comes in a setting I'm just not sure if I'm wild about the setting. Looks HUGE....but didn't have halo in mind. Oval are really appealing to me and hopefully if I can see some in person soon, I can finalize my search requirements and lock on on oval vs round. Round I know I love, need to see one on my finger beside an oval. I think oval may win. :) more unique, but more difficult for me to figure out jow to find a nice, bow free, cut well. I think that is where I hire the online suggestions step in to help.

Thank you all for your thoughts. Too bad fancy cuts do not have mote detailed GIA ratings to help people with little diamond knowledge.

Thank you again
 
May I suggest that you call whichever of Mervis's 3 stores you are planning to visit before you make the trip? There usually aren't a lot of rings, with oval center stones, in any retail jeweler's showcase. Plus, Mervis's web site indicates they have only around 30 loose ovals in their in- house inventory. So an advance, heads-up call will give them the opportunity to get stock to the particular store for you to view.
 
dontaskme|1438232084|3908926 said:
I have noticed for me that ovals tend to show a lot more body color than rounds, it might be that its because they are all poorly cut, but just an observation.
Click to expand...


This is true (usually). Most ovals have an area of leakage just outside of the bow-tie but still under the table that will show
all of it's true colors. Thats why if you wont go any lower than an "I" on a round I think you need to move up to an "H" in an
oval. OR....you need to find the best cut oval that is available. Well cut rounds hide their color very well with all their
light return. Ovals, due to their shape/cut, cant return light as well and will tend to show more of their true color in areas.

Edit - an antique oval would be so cool...lots of personality and big flashes of bright light. Push it's not unusual to go lower
in color for older stones. It seems to fit their personality!
 
Did some homework and diamond viewing. Ready to purchase. Started a new thread asking a few more questions on how to execute with online purchase. TY for all your help! please see new post if you are interested in a few last questions for support :)
 
I remember your round search. Email Luann at IDJ - I swear I have seen them pull a rabbit out of a hat for a number of customers on here as far as finding well priced spready nicely cut rounds, they might be able to find you an oval as well or at least give you a couple of potential options to consider against what the other vendors have to offer. Mention you are a super fussy Pricescope member and they will handpick stone options for you.
 
Thank you for the tip Arkib1! Lol! I love your suggestion about Pricescope! Lol! :) :) Perfect! Will add them to my list and call with my fussy self :) :)
 
Sorry, email
 
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