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What to do?

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raffanth

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 17, 2017
Messages
11
Greetings all,

I am a guy looking to rock up my girl. I have some concerns on what to do. Here is what I know: I need an oval cut, the budget for the diamond is 5-6K USD, my girlfriend has some large hands so the band will have to be a bit thicker/larger (she has hinted at wanting yellow gold for the band). Id like to thank anyone who takes the time to read and to help me out.

Here is what I don't know:
1) Am I better off going with a 1.01c oval with better specs or a 1.2c with less specs to try to get something larger because of her hand/finger size?

2) What are your thoughts on this diamond? (recommended by diamondpros)? https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i1-clarity-sku-3498146?a_aid=dmnd1357&chan=je

3) How do I chose a band that isn't going to take away from the size of the diamond?

4) How to not be terrified when buying something like this online? Would it be ok if I posted a few different options as I find them in this or another thread.

Hope everyone has luck in their individual searches. Thanks in advance for all of the diamond knowledge I may receive.
 
Oval cuts can be a challenge to find with beauty and brilliance. Per GIA oval cut diamonds are not given a cut classification. Therefore, the cuts vary and will need to be reviewed first hand by the vendor you choose to work with. You can try to narrow down your table and depth proportions and try to stick with EX Polish and EX symmetry. If you have to, VG Symmetry would be ok. Here is a chart provided by Pricescope you can use for reference: https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/oval-cut-diamond - Happy hunting!
 
It is great you already know your girl's desired diamond shape - and an oval does face up larger for its carat weight as compared to other shapes, so another plus.

In terms of best rock and specs, since an oval is what they call a fancy shape, I'd suggest going with the stone that best appeals to your eye (and budget), keeping in mind that, generally speaking, the best performing ovals are those that have a table smaller than its depth, and which appear to be eyeclean (meaning no inclusions are visible to your naked eye), and most importantly, which have a facet pattern which shows activity (on and off flash) from edge to edge when you rock it (either in person, or if looking online, when you reduce the size of a video and "rock" it back and forth).

The stone you selected is quite a decent option. Ovals, like pears, do exhibit a "bow tie" in the very center of the stone (please search that term in the PS box above), which can be more or less prominent depending on the particular stone and its facet pattern. The stone you posted does have a fairly prominent bow tie, which is particularly obvious when you reduce and then rock the James Allen video and notice the areas on either side of the bow tie which do not seem to light up or show an on/off flash pattern (otherwise known as "dead" areas).

I went through James Allen and found several other options which may appeal to you:

This first one is perhaps my favorite - disregard the SI2 clarity rating as nothing is visible and nothing is a safety/setting risk - and the face up size is large and nicely elongated - and well within budget:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-f-color-si2-clarity-sku-3454548
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-f-color-si2-clarity-sku-3454548
These two are just slightly above your budget:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.21-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3439134

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-3501629

Please let us know your girl's finger size - and, in any case, I'd suggest a shank width of perhaps 2.3mm to 2.7mm. Maybe go with a classic plain solitaire ring design (no diamonds on the band); the wedding band (or future anniversary bands) can always have diamonds if that's the look your girl wants...

I would suggest keeping to just this thread and adding/updating ... unless you end up completely changing your search parameters in which case a new thread may make sense.
 
You have some great suggestions. I really like the F/SI2 listed above personally.

In my experience, the "less is more" approach works best at making a diamond look as big as possible. No sidestones or pave. James Allen has a lot of solitaire options. For sturdiness on a large hand, I'd personally go with platinum.

Good luck!
 
How to not be terrified when buying something like this online?

That's what we are here to help you with. If you went to a store, you'd be on your own. Here, you have a lot of folks to help you make an informed decision. Ovals are tricky, so you've come to a good spot.

As someone with size 10.25 fingers, I will say that I would favor the "squat" oval from above. I also like the cut. For me personally, I like low setting and something that adds some width across the finger. Does she like a halo?

I like these, but let's see where you land on budget after finding the right diamond.
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...iamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-50420
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ld-pave-accented-tapered-solitiare-item-59070 (need to ask about the shank width at the bottom and what size stone is shown)
 
Greetings all,

Thanks so much :dance: You people are amazing. I have already benefited from my single post here.

Can I get your input on the diamond below please? I appreciate any help or advice you can bring to this discussion.

I have been working with a diamond wholesaler who has sent me the following diamond telling me is brilliant and the right one for me. The price is $4935 USD.
He also sent me this video link : https://api.sarine.com/viewer/v1/67YPKLNAFRP/HKMWBGRPDD


My concerns are as follows:
1) Polish is only very good. Katie above recommended EX
2) The VS2 rating - should I be worried, when looking at the picture it looks like will have some small imperfections but I dont know if they will effect the look of the diamond.
3) Does this oval quality as a the squat oval? I like the idea of width across the finger as recommended by rockysalamander

GIA Report Number ........................................ 2185410658
Shape and Cutting Style ................................ Oval Brilliant
Measurements ................................ 8.03 x 5.77 x 3.47 mm
Carat Weight ......................................................... 1.01 carat
Color Grade .......................................................................... D
Clarity Grade .................................................................... VS2
Polish .................................................................... Very Good
Symmetry .............................................................. Excellent
Fluorescence ................................................................ None

Ratio 1.391
Depth 60.2%
Table59.00%
Girdle M-STK


upload_2017-10-18_15-10-22.png
 
1:39 ratio is not "squat". This one is 8.03 x 5.77. Squat would be a less long and more wide oval. Like 7.5 x 6.5 or something.
 
I don't think you mentioned her ring size , but I'm gonna just use size 9 for this picture. I like the proportions and size, but like I mentioned, you may need side stones to get a bit more coverage.

upload_2017-10-19_22-20-51.png
 
rockysalamander said:
I don't think you mentioned her ring size , but I'm gonna just use size 9 for this picture. I like the proportions and size, but like I mentioned, you may need side stones to get a bit more coverage.

upload_2017-10-19_22-20-51.png
Click to expand...


is that ring size finger comparison from a website?

THanks
 
How much time do you have? Are you in a rush or can you wait a few months perhaps?

@Rhino of August Vintage Inc. is working on a new Signature Oval that should have light performance that is guaranteed to be better than probably 99% of the other ovals out there!:

There is a whole thread on it somewhere - IIRC you have to contact him off the AVI website with what you are looking for, and he will respond to you. :)
 
None of these are mine, but for IRL references.

Size 8.25, .9 ct center with .65 tw sides.
upload_2017-10-20_20-47-48.png

Size 8, 1.19 ct princess
upload_2017-10-20_20-49-37.png

Size 8.5, 0.7 ct pear in halo
upload_2017-10-20_20-54-35.png
 
Thank you again to everyone who took the time to give details. The like for the finger visualisation was awesome. So I think I found the stone I am going to buy.

Price: $5000
Color: G
Clairity: VS1
Polish: EX Sym: EX Flour:None
Cut: Ideal

Here is a link: http://67.210.112.43/product/diamond_image_video.php?cert=1275064240

Do you think it is the right price? a great stone? a good deal? or should I keep looking for something better?

I appreciate all your honest feedback. Have a great night!
 
I'll preface my comment with "I'm not an oval expert", however, I don't like that video or ASET.

Also, is she set on an oval? What size is her finger? What are your plans for a setting?
 
Hi Raffanth,
Is she going to pair the ERing with a wedding band? If so, I would be hesitant to have diamonds in the donut. They will eat away at the band. I also agree with Lalala on the video.;-)
 
Oval ASET are never great, but this one is disappointing. This one has a bit more grey and blue than I'd like to see. The bowtie area is broken up (not all one color) which is great, but the areas circled in black are not showing a lot of life.

upload_2017-11-12_18-59-24.png

Here are a couple more that have ASET images.

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/v/61590865Z
https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/0.95-Oval-N-GIA-H-VS2-diamond-stock-14306-cert-
https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond...A-F-SI1-diamond-stock-OV22345-cert-6215184935 (request ASET)

These have potential, although slightly over budget. But, its slim pickings out there...
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-3466153
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-2164782 (the center of this is moving beautifully}
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-3615840

I'd prefer this setting to the one you posted. IT will allow a flush wedding band and retains the pave.
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ite-pave-cathedral-engagement-ring-item-49519
 
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