Looking for an 1 or 1.3 ct Oval

Alexandra23 · Feb 22, 2017

Dear Members of the community,
First, thank you so much for all your help! I appreciate your time.

I have already posted once for help, but back then I wasnt able to buy the diamond right away and when I was ready, it was sold out

This time I am posting now because I am ready to jump on the stone right away if its nice)

I am looking for a pretty oval, I want 1 ct at least. Preferably, 1.3 ct. My budget total is $7000 for the stone. I prefer to buy it for more like $6000. Would you please recommend me anything on James Allen? I am extremely overwhelmed with understanding oval specs, I know people recommend a 1.5/1-1.3/1 ratio, not much "bow tie" but besides that I don't know what to look for!

Also, regarding the color and clarity... Would you give me any recommendations for a good IN YOUR OPINION OF COURSE color and clarity? Am I looking for something like D-H color and up to VS2 clarity?

Thank you so much!!! Please forgive me for my ignorance if something that I said is not true regarding the diamonds, I am trying to do my research but still I feel like I have to learn so much more!

tyty333 · Feb 22, 2017

Alexandra23|1487745052|4132039 said:
Dear Members of the community,
First, thank you so much for all your help! I appreciate your time.

I have already posted once for help, but back then I wasnt able to buy the diamond right away and when I was ready, it was sold out This time I am posting now because I am ready to jump on the stone right away if its nice)

I am looking for a pretty oval, I want 1 ct at least. Preferably, 1.3 ct. My budget total is $7000 for the stone. I prefer to buy it for more like $6000. Would you please recommend me anything on James Allen? I am extremely overwhelmed with understanding oval specs, I know people recommend a 1.5/1-1.3/1 ratio, not much "bow tie" but besides that I don't know what to look for!

Also, regarding the color and clarity... Would you give me any recommendations for a good IN YOUR OPINION OF COURSE color and clarity? Am I looking for something like D-H colorGood color range...only go to I if you have to and up to VS2 clarity
Can drop down to eye-clean SI1 to open up more options.?

Thank you so much!!! Please forgive me for my ignorance if something that I said is not true regarding the diamonds, I am trying to do my research but still I feel like I have to learn so much more!

Mostly you need to use your eyes to look for
- good light return...lots of facets going on/off,
- clear well defined facets as stone turns,
- look for minimal mush (grayish/brownish/yellowish undefined facets),
- look for center facets feathering out nicely
- look for nice oval shape (no shoulders)

Btw...check size over carat weight

I'll throw some out there that I think are nice...I dont think you can get up to 1.3 for $7k in a nice stone (well, not at JA anyway)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.26-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2500279 table a little large but still a gorgeous stone
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.21-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2378095
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.10-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2500278 not bad

Alexandra23 · Feb 22, 2017

thank you!!!
if we decrease the carat down to 1 will i get a significantly better stone?
and yes I think eye clean is an option too!!!

Alexandra23 · Feb 22, 2017

which one of the three would you recommend?

Alexandra23 · Feb 23, 2017

so my final decision came down to this stone

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.26-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2500279

I like it a lot, I like the way it looks, the price, the size, the clarity. My only thing is its table!
Help do you think the table will significantly make it look worse?
I like the stone really much, do you think if I like it I should just not worry about the table and go ahead and buy it.
What do you think about the stone? In your personal opinion is the table significantly affecting its appearance?

Here are some other stones I like
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2114637
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2444682
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-2318900

ac117 · Feb 23, 2017

This is a nice looking stone and has been on the market for a while - at one point they were willing to sell the stone alone for $5600! Would be a steal...nice color, no bow tie!
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/1-194ct-ags-g-vs1-oval-in-platinum-verragio-mounting-t216432.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/1-194ct-ags-g-vs1-oval-in-platinum-verragio-mounting-t216432.html[/URL]
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-19ct-oval-cut-diamond-verragio-solitaire#.WK8L0mIrKUm

Alexandra23 · Feb 23, 2017

Oh no! Now I don't want the diamond knowing that nobody wanted to ever buy it..

princessandthepear · Feb 23, 2017

The issue with the oval on Jewels by Grace is that it is a modern cut in a setting being sold on a site that specializes in OEC and vintage diamonds. I love to purchase preloved diamonds because they are budget friendly. It also saves you a substantial amount on a branded setting providing that you wear a ring size that is close to that setting. If you don't like the setting or it can't be resized to fit you then you still have a larger than the James Allen oval with a better color and clarity diamond with an AGS certificate. The cons are 1) the ring may show some wear, chips or scratches that can't be buffed out. Ask. 2) the diamond could potentially be damaged if removed from the setting and 3) some people are worried about karma or just want a new unset, mind clean diamond.
I like the James Allen oval that you chose. Don't be so concerned about the table size in a fancy cut. The ultimate test of a fancy cut is an ASET or in the case of some of the PS experts, a visual exam. If you like the oval, reserve it and request an ASET to post back here for comment. You have some lovely options from which to choose your diamond.

tyty333 · Feb 23, 2017

I think the 1.26 H is the best of the bunch...table is not that big of an issue. It is bright, white and you can clearly see the outline
of the facets (no mushy area). It is a very nice oval. You can request and aset but just to warn you aset for ovals are not pretty.
I think you can tell more about how the stone preforms by seeing how crisp the facets are as the stone rotates (more facets come
into focus). It is also the longest (mm) stone out of the ones you are looking at.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.26-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2500279

This one is showing some mushy areas straight on...they do come into focus as it turns but compared to the 1.26 this is a no.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2114637

This one could* be ok. You would need to talk to JA about it because the video is not good. It also has "Additional clouds, pinpoints
and surface graining not shown." so that would need to be checked with JA. Its marked as not available right now so someone might
have it on hold.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2444682

This video is really blurry and I dont know if its the video or the stone (probably video) so you would need to talk to JA about it.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.20-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-2318900

Really, the 1.26 has everything going for it over these other stones. If you are interested in it you need to put it on hold before
it gets snatched.

Alexandra23 · Feb 23, 2017

they said the aset not available. If aset not available, is there anything else I can ask JA

tyty333, would you please be kind enough to comment on the grace jewels diamond? thanks

tyty333 · Feb 23, 2017

Alexandra23|1487890984|4132753 said:
they said the aset not available. If aset not available, is there anything else I can ask JA

tyty333, would you please be kind enough to comment on the grace jewels diamond? thanks

Unfortunately Asets arent much help with ovals...watching how the facet pattern reacts as they rotate the stone tells you more.

Alexandra23 · Feb 23, 2017

bought the 1.26 ct with price scope discount

I will post the pics!!!
who knows about insurance? any suggestions!!

aac2013 · Feb 23, 2017

I am glad you went with the 1.26 H. It has a lovely well defined facet pattern. I can't wait to see your pictures!

tyty333 · Feb 24, 2017

I love the 1.26 also...looking forward to pictures!

whitewave · Feb 24, 2017

I use Gemsafe for insurance.

Alexandra23 · Mar 14, 2017

Thank you dear Pricescope experts/members and especially tyty333 for helping me to choose my diamond.
I am very impressed with the stone, it is so beautiful. The color, clarity, the way it reflects light is awesome. It doesn't have a bow tie effect, its just perfect to my eye!
Thank you for patiently assisting in my search!