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Help deciding on an AV round

N

nazs

Rough_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
13
So, boyfriend and I are getting engaged soon. I'm really particular about jewelry and details, so he let me choose the diamond. I've been sending him links of the different ones I like, but as I look through them, I really taken to old european cuts and August Vintage Rounds. Something about the flower in the middle makes it look so dainty and desirable to me.

After looking, here are some of the diamonds I found, and I wanted PS's opinions on what's a good path to go down and what's not in relation to price and quality.

The setting we have picked out is a gold 6 prong solitaire setting, so I figured I can go warmer on the color. Our max budget is around 8.5k, would like to stick below that.

#1 1.79ct M VS2 AVR
https://i.imgur.com/6QkXEAs.png

It seems quite darker than your usual M color from what I've seen. Maybe it's a brown or grey tone?

#2 1.74ct M SI 2 AVR (Maybe this is actually a Q???)
https://i.imgur.com/tgNVdV9.png

Much lighter compared to the first, from what I could tell the SI2 rating is probably due to the feathers and I really had to search to find them when viewing the video of the diamond turning.

#3 1.7ct L VVS2 OEC
https://i.imgur.com/QtWGhaz.png

The cheapest of the 3, I wish I had a better photo. It seems super pretty tho. There was a video of it, but it seems slightly compressed so it's hard to tell how it actually looks.


The biggest thing for us has been, budget seems like it could be lower for what we're looking at especially if we lower the size of the carat of the stones. Problem is that I like a large stone, and I'm not super familiar with what are considered average sizes within my area. And, I'm super concerned that maybe I have unrealistic expectations of what size I want because my biggest exposure to engagement rings and diamond sizes has been this forum, which is definitely on the larger side of things. We did go to the local jeweler so I could compare 1ct, 1.5ct and 2ct, and I could definitely tell a difference and preferred the appearance of the 2ct the most. That said, I know we don't have a budget for a 2ct, so I'm trying to move down to a size in between.

We did also discuss getting a smaller stone and upgrading later, but I'm also the kind of person who get really attached to certain objects. I can't possibly imagine later trading in the actual diamond he proposed with for a different gem :( And I know for a fact that he's the type of person who is more financially motivated than me and would definitely only upgrade if the original gem was traded in.

EDIT;

I did reach out to Rhino of AV Inc, and he had this video to share of the first two diamonds:

 
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#1 has darker undertone, so no
#2 is combination of low color + low clarity, so no
I am curious about #3. Could you link some video of it?
 
EvaEvans said:
I would get #3!
If you prefer Ideal old cut, I would suggest this one: https://www.augustvintageinc.net/co...ucts/1-75ct-m-vs1-august-vintage-european-cut
Click to expand...

Hi Eva!
I saw that one too, but it is definitely out of my budget unfortunately. Especially considering my budget also needs to include the price of the setting and 8k is already kind of stretching it for us. Haha. Which is why I considered moving down in stone size, but not sure. :s So many compromises.

I think BF and I will probably do stone #3 then :)
 
#3 is amazing diamond! Nice classical European cut shape, clean and sparkling! This L color looks very white too!
 
EvaEvans said:
#3 is amazing diamond! Nice classical European cut shape, clean and sparkling! This L color looks very white too!
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your help! :)
Diamonds can be overwhelming haha
 
Did you check out any stones with Grace or love affair diamonds or OWD?

I prefer the OEC to either if the AVRs.
 
LLJsmom said:
Did you check out any stones with Grace or love affair diamonds or OWD?

I prefer the OEC to either if the AVRs.
Click to expand...

Yes! For JbG and LAD were all out of my range. As far as OWD, a lot of them did not have photos, and I'm not sure how comfortable I would've been asking for photos of 5-6 different diamonds at a time. especially when I'm not committed to buying through OWD.
 
I adore old cuts! Just a note that if you really want the look of a 2 carat round -- ideal and antique old cuts generally face up smaller than modern rounds. So, a 1.5 c super-ideal round is around 7.35 mm, while the AV round at 1.5 is 7.15 mm.
 
rockysalamander said:
I adore old cuts! Just a note that if you really want the look of a 2 carat round -- ideal and antique old cuts generally face up smaller than modern rounds. So, a 1.5 c super-ideal round is around 7.35 mm, while the AV round at 1.5 is 7.15 mm.
Click to expand...

Yes! I remember doing a bit of homework and everyone mentioned that the table sizes were just a tad smaller. But, at the same time, I feel like I can get more bang for my buck through older cuts than modern RB. x)

The #3 was 7.29 mm by 7.37 mm
 
rockysalamander said:
Known vendor. Great size. GIA cert. Round not cushion.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-41ct-GIA...OND-VINTAGE-/401486714377?hash=item5d7a791609

I like them for stones and pre-loved setting, not for custom design work.
Click to expand...

Is this vendor Ilya by any chance? I remember reading his name somewhere on these boards somewhere.
And I saw that one! I was waiting for my boyfriend to finish his exams so we could possibly talk about that one as well, but I almost think it would be too big for my fingers. I wear a size 5.5 and I'm still in my mid twenties, so I don't quite have the confidence to wear a gem that size even though I secretly want one as large as you ladies :)
 
Am I correct in thinking that James Allen is now stocking some August Vintage stones?

Might be worth a look on there if they are?
 
nazs said:
Is this vendor Ilya by any chance? I remember reading his name somewhere on these boards somewhere.
And I saw that one! I was waiting for my boyfriend to finish his exams so we could possibly talk about that one as well, but I almost think it would be too big for my fingers. I wear a size 5.5 and I'm still in my mid twenties, so I don't quite have the confidence to wear a gem that size even though I secretly want one as large as you ladies :)
Click to expand...
Yes. Its Ilya. For larger purchases, I stick with GIA graded from him. That one iis 8.57 mm. IDK about size. I think just get what you want. If you want to make it less "big" looking, put it into a 3-stone setting with medium sized side stones. Having side stones tends to block seeing the "height".

upload_2018-2-6_11-16-22.png



There is this one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-50ct-GIA...TIQUE-ROUND-/152888024044?hash=item2398d61bec
 
OoohShiny said:
Am I correct in thinking that James Allen is now stocking some August Vintage stones?

Might be worth a look on there if they are?
Click to expand...

I don't think they are because I see nothing about separating for AVR.

rockysalamander said:
Yes. Its Ilya. For larger purchases, I stick with GIA graded from him. That one iis 8.57 mm. IDK about size. I think just get what you want. If you want to make it less "big" looking, put it into a 3-stone setting with medium sized side stones. Having side stones tends to block seeing the "height".

upload_2018-2-6_11-16-22.png



There is this one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-50ct-GIA...TIQUE-ROUND-/152888024044?hash=item2398d61bec
Click to expand...

That second one you just linked me is the same price as #3 for me. But that one has so many more cavities, and I think someone said cavities can catch dirt and oils more easily.

By the way, thanks for your help so far :kiss2:
 
nazs said:
I don't think they are because I see nothing about separating for AVR.
Click to expand...
I don't think they are listed separately - I think you have to change the search parameters to filter only stones with small tables!
 
OoohShiny said:
Am I correct in thinking that James Allen is now stocking some August Vintage stones?

Might be worth a look on there if they are?
Click to expand...
Yes, James Allen is stocking AV stones, but only cushions. You can filter by Ideal cut and AGS under the lab options (hit the down arrow to expand the search options). You'll still have to weed thru other types if cushions, but you'll recognize the AVCs right away!
 
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lukebennettmd said:
The AVR with the brown undertones is really interesting to me, but it would take a specific buyer. I think it would look very unique in an antique silver setting with heavy detailing. On a more modern solitaire style setting it may look a little out of place?

This one is slightly smaller with a higher color.
https://www.augustvintageinc.net/co...ucts/1-62ct-k-si2-august-vintage-european-cut

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Hi Luke!
Thanks for your response! I'm okay with warmer colors, and that inclusion looks pretty big from just the video. Just knowing that it's there would bother me a lot.

My boyfriend and I are actually going with #3 :)
 
Congratulations! It looks awesome in the videos and is a great price! Good find!
 
I like the L stone, but you do need to know it faces up pretty small. Like less than a 1.5 ct modern round which is normally about 7.4mm. That 1.75 M VS1 AVR has a diameter of 7.47-7.5mm in comparison. OECs have different depths, so it is important to compare diameter measurements.

(Just FYI, the table is the small flat surface on top and has nothing to do with the diameter of the stone. When we talk about face up size, we are talking about diameter from girdle to girdle.)
 
diamondseeker2006 said:
I like the L stone, but you do need to know it faces up pretty small. Like less than a 1.5 ct modern round which is normally about 7.4mm. That 1.75 M VS1 AVR has a diameter of 7.47-7.5mm in comparison. OECs have different depths, so it is important to compare diameter measurements.

(Just FYI, the table is the small flat surface on top and has nothing to do with the diameter of the stone. When we talk about face up size, we are talking about diameter from girdle to girdle.)
Click to expand...

I looked at the lengths/width/depth of the diamonds as well!

I do appreciate you mentioning it to me. I find with OEC/AVR, it's harder for me to tell what's in good/bad range because they tend to run smaller than MRB as well. Now I'm not sure anymore though hahaa. :cry2:
 
But, I feel like I should just go with #3 anyways because I'm tired of going back and forth, and I really like the way it looks. orz
 
Well, I realize there are limited stones from which to choose! Here's kind of how I look at it. A 1.7 ct ideal cut diamond (I looked at WF ACAs) are 7.7mm in diameter. So if I buy an OEC or AVR, I'd like my 1.7 to be about 7.5mm or higher. A 1.6 ideal cut is around 7.6mm, so I might expect my OEC style diamond to maybe be about 7.4mm or larger. That 1.62 K AVR (I know it wasn't the clarity you want) was about 7.35-7.38mm, so close to 7.4, and it faces up the same to slightly larger than the 1.71 L OEC at 7.29-7.37mm.

I am only bringing this to your attention because you said you wanted a larger stone. The 1.71 L does look pretty! But just realize it faces up like about a 1.45 ct modern round. If that's the size appearance you are aiming for, it should be fine!
 
I haven’t read all the comments but I actually really like the M with the brown undertone. It has a cool face on appearance and it will look amazing in rose gold!
 
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