shape
carat
color
clarity

Thoughts on this diamond?

First time buyer, would greatly appreciate some advice/thoughts on this diamond:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.02-carat-d-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-8339172

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We're wanting to have it made into an engagement ring. Our budget is 30k but we'd prefer to get a good deal if possible..

Thank you!

Welcome to the forum :))

WRT that stone, I'm not an expert... but I'm also not a fan of it. My feeling is that there is too much 'mush' between the clearly defined central facets and the facets at each end.

I think @tyty333 is good with ovals so might be able to confirm or reject my thoughts!


May I ask what your preferred specifications are?

High colour (D-F) and high clarity (VVS+)?

Many on here feel that one can drop to a G or an H with minimal impact on face-up colour in a good-performing stone (because the whiteness of the good light return hides the tint in the material itself), and that dropping to VS1 should still mean a definitely eye-clean stone in most cases.

Are you looking to get to over 2cts (because it's a psychological barrier to break and good to tell people) or just a similar/larger 'spread' (width/length) as that above?


Ooh, and is your budget in USD, CAD, SGD, AUD...? ;)
 
Out of a search for D-F, VS1+, 1.9ct+, <USD30k on JA:


Only this one is really jumping out at me TBH - nice chunky faceting across the stone, performs well at most angles, D IF for added rarity factor/kudos... only slight negative is that it might be showing some 'bow-tie' (dark band/stripe across the middle when head-on) that would need assessing in person:
 
Another suggestion:

 
Welcome to the forum :))

WRT that stone, I'm not an expert... but I'm also not a fan of it. My feeling is that there is too much 'mush' between the clearly defined central facets and the facets at each end.

I think @tyty333 is good with ovals so might be able to confirm or reject my thoughts!


May I ask what your preferred specifications are?

High colour (D-F) and high clarity (VVS+)?

Many on here feel that one can drop to a G or an H with minimal impact on face-up colour in a good-performing stone (because the whiteness of the good light return hides the tint in the material itself), and that dropping to VS1 should still mean a definitely eye-clean stone in most cases.

Are you looking to get to over 2cts (because it's a psychological barrier to break and good to tell people) or just a similar/larger 'spread' (width/length) as that above?


Ooh, and is your budget in USD, CAD, SGD, AUD...? ;-)

Thank you for your response!!!! It was really helpful. Neither of us have ever purchased a diamond before and despite doing a lot of googling, I feel out of my element.. I can totally see what you mean by "mush".

I don't mind dropping the specs as long as it is eye-clean! As for carat weight, it doesn't necessarily have to be 2 ct. I just wanted good finger coverage. My finger size is 4.25 if that's helpful!

The budget is in USD, thank you for reminding me! :oops2::D
 
Another suggestion:


Thank you! Right now the only sites we know about are James Allen and Blue Nile so this is a welcome addition!
 
I second you checking out Jon at Distinctive Gem, I purchased my oval thru him and am just awaiting (very Impatiently I might add.. LOL) the final ring. He is most helpful, also check out his Youtube channel to learn more.
 
Thank you! Right now the only sites we know about are James Allen and Blue Nile so this is a welcome addition!

The Distinctive Gems stones are cut specifically to give excellent light performance - as such, they look different to 'classic' ovals, such as the ones previously linked to, but the performance is much closer to that of a really good Modern Round Brilliant :)

There should be some videos on youtube - they used to be called August Vintage Elyque Ovals so you might get some results with that search as well!
 
The Distinctive Gems stones are cut specifically to give excellent light performance - as such, they look different to 'classic' ovals, such as the ones previously linked to, but the performance is much closer to that of a really good Modern Round Brilliant :)

There should be some videos on youtube - they used to be called August Vintage Elyque Ovals so you might get some results with that search as well!

Adding: no mush. No bow tie.
 
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