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Please help me find an engagement ring diamond. Budget $20,000

PattsyStone

PattsyStone

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 7, 2017
Messages
30
Hello there! I'm hoping for some Pricescopers suggestions on the best bang for buck e-ring diamond I might get online with a budget of around US$20,000?

I'm hoping for an eye clean stone, I color or higher and above 1.98 ct. My order of preference is oval > emerald> round.

I've done so much research and attempted to filter diamonds online myself, but as soon as I've looked through a few pages, I get some sort of too-many-sparkly-things-induced-blindness, my brain turns to mush and I need to lie down.

Any of your recommendations would be so truly appreciated =)2
 
Oval, emerald and round have such different flavors.

would you post a little about what makes you drawn to each one so that we can get an idea of what you are looking for?


also, for oval and emerald, do you have any idea of whar length/width ratio you lime? Long and skinny or short and squat or in the middle?


and again also, lol, is an generous upgrade policy something that intrigues you, or is this one and done?
 
Thanks Whitewave!

I love the romantic vintage feel of ovals and that they're classic but also a bit unique. I like that they can look larger for their carat size than an equivalent round because of their larger face up spread. Same for emeralds really but with them, I love how clean and elegant they look.

For oval length/ width ratio I think I'm most drawn to the middle ratios at around the 1.4 mark (but would be so happy with anything from 1.3- 1.5) I do prefer the chubby to average types but what's most important is the sparkle so I'd have a thinner/longer one if it was an outstanding gem.

For emeralds, I feel very similar and I'm happy with any ratio from the 1.25- 1.6 range with a preference for in the middle. Not overly skinny.

Size and sparkle are my first priorities, then clarity, then colour. I'm happy to go up to an s12 if eyeclean and i in colour if necessary as I plan on the setting being a thin rose gold pavé band. I understand emerald cuts are not forgiving when it comes to any flaws so I'm thinking our money might spread further with an oval?

These rings are what I love and I'll most likely choose a similar setting but perhaps with white gold claws.



img950457.jpg899b670c9825d130a7d9e52a18270cfa.jpg85fdc06b-daf7-43d4-97a0-5141508493f8_1.e6323a81dba56063e20fc1b35015640a.jpeg

Forgot to add- a good upgrade policy is definitely a bonus but would settle for the double or nothing policy of bluenile and the like. I won't upgrade for aa long time if I ever do. I'm most familiar wth Bluenile, Whiteflash, James Allen but more than happy to buy from anywhere with the right diamond!
 
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Ovals may have concentrated color in parts due to the way they are cut, so I probably wouldn't go below H color in those.
 
Good to know diamondseeker. I'll change the parameters to nothing below H =)2
 
Rhino (Jon) would be my go to guy for oval.
 
Emeralds typically face up smaller for their carat size than rounds and ovals, and they also sparkle less (or at least differently/not as obviously) than brilliant cut stones. So if size and sparkle are your top two priorities, I’d maybe move emeralds to the end of your list.
 
Totally agree with @LoveMeDo . I love my emerald cut er, but emerald cuts are not the sparkliest.

My sister has an exquisite oval cut, but I recall bow ties being an issue. What about a stone like this one? If you like the faceting, there seem to be a few choices for you.

@Cerulean I think you posted about these on another thread. Do you have anything to add? I’m not an oval expert...

www.distinctivegem.com

ELYQUE-OVAL 2ct. G SI1 1606948

Diamond Details Measurements 9.09 x 6.35 x 5.16 Cut Grade EX Polish ID Symmetry ID Fluorescence MED Ratio 1.43 Table 43.1 Depth 66.8 Lab Report
www.distinctivegem.com www.distinctivegem.com
 
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LoveMeDo said:
Emeralds typically face up smaller for their carat size than rounds and ovals, and they also sparkle less (or at least differently/not as obviously) than brilliant cut stones. So if size and sparkle are your top two priorities, I’d maybe move emeralds to the end of your list.
Click to expand...

That's good to know, thank you- I'll focus on ovals from now on!

@lulu_ma that is so beautiful!

I'm not too familiar with distinctivegem.com, do they have an upgrade option? If not then I'd probably aim for the highest carat weight diamond we could get for a max of $22,000.

I just saw that pricescope has a diamond concierge service! Is it truly free? Do these services legitimately exist for free or for a small amount elsewhere on the internet?! :eek2:
 
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lulu_ma said:
Totally agree with @LoveMeDo . I love my emerald cut er, but emerald cuts are not the sparkliest.

My sister has an exquisite oval cut, but I recall bow ties being an issue. What about a stone like this one? If you like the faceting, there seem to be a few choices for you.

@Cerulean I think you posted about these on another thread. Do you have anything to add? I’m not an oval expert...

www.distinctivegem.com

ELYQUE-OVAL 2ct. G SI1 1606948

Diamond Details Measurements 9.09 x 6.35 x 5.16 Cut Grade EX Polish ID Symmetry ID Fluorescence MED Ratio 1.43 Table 43.1 Depth 66.8 Lab Report
www.distinctivegem.com www.distinctivegem.com
Click to expand...

I wish I had more to add - other than I have long admired Elyque ovals! I believe the cut was developed to mitigate bowtie - there is more info on the site: https://www.distinctivegem.com/collections/opulence

Distinctive gems is certainly reputable. I was tempted by AVCs until I fell in love with Old European stones. I believe many PSers have purchased gorgeous diamonds from them!!!

For sparkle and light performance with ovals - this would personally be my top pick, but I am by NO means an oval expert
 
Thank you Cerulean!

Hopefully there are some more oval enthusiasts floating about who might be able to suggest a few stones.

In the meantime I might try to get together a list of some more options to ask about :D
 
PattsyStone said:
Thank you Cerulean!

Hopefully there are some more oval enthusiasts floating about who might be able to suggest a few stones.

In the meantime I might try to get together a list of some more options to ask about :D
Click to expand...

I second reaching out to Jonathan at Distinctive Gems. I just had a great experience purchasing through them.
 
@PattsyStone Where did you see that Pricescope had a concierge service?
I have not seen this yet and would like to take a look at it. Can you provide
the link?
 
I'm going to throw out some from JA. I'll look at BN later (dont have time right now).

I do not have the GIA reports on these...I have to go by looks. If you see one that you
like, you will need to request the report. I pretty much stayed at H. When
evaluating....look for bright, distinct facets that light up as the stone turns.
"Mushy" areas are gray without any real facet definition. Minimize the mushy areas.
Pay attention to LxW because they can vary widely at the same carat weight.

www.jamesallen.com

1.90 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.9 carat D color vs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.01-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-10704160 has a few dots on the table
www.jamesallen.com

loose diamonds, oval cut, 2.01 carat d color vs1 clarity sku 7243477

7243477 - This Oval Cut 2.01 Carat D Color VS1 Clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com
www.jamesallen.com

2.02 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.02 carat E color vs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com
www.jamesallen.com

2.01 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 2.01 carat H color vvs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.10-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-11052066 This is a 4 main.

Several of them look like they have thick girdles.

So with ovals (and a lot of fancy cuts), you have to find one you like the faceting pattern on and then decide if the specs are acceptable.

FYI...these are my favorite ovals but they have nothing in your specs/size. They are also pretty expensive and cut deep to get this faceting pattern so they face up small for their
carat weight.

1.11-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com www.bluenile.com

Distinctive Gems also makes something like this. (didnt look to see if they have something in your specs)
www.distinctivegem.com

ELYQUE OVAL 1.51ct. J SI1 1347734

Diamond Details Measurements 8.28 x 5.93 x 4.76mm Cut Grade ID Polish ID Symmetry ID Fluorescence NEG Ratio 1.39 Table 45.8 Depth 66.7 Lab Report
www.distinctivegem.com www.distinctivegem.com
 
Thank you @PattsyStone ...I have never seen that before. I wonder who actually
does the search. I'll have to find out from the mods.

I'll try to look at BN today and see what they have.
 
Hi @PattsyStone just thought I would pipe up as I have an elyque oval. I originally tried to buy an oval from James Allen, I couldn’t find anything without a bow tie and mushy facets. The whole progress was pretty painful. I was at the point of giving up on ovals when Jon announced his new oval. Jon’s ovals will outperform pretty much any standard oval brilliant you will find. Mine has an AGS certificate which grades it’s light performance as excellent. The trade off is the spread, the face up is typically smaller than your standard oval.
Here is mine (excuse the dirt).
623EC822-2501-4986-A42C-452CF9CF1D1C.jpeg
 
I like the first D from Blue Nile that tyty333 posted! Like Meely said You can get more spread with a generic oval if it doesn’t have too thick of a girdle (extremely thick) and more cost effectively since you listed size as your priority. The Elyque is a particular flavor of oval with more of a NS bow tie to my eye so you need to figure out Which flavor you like and how important the spread of a traditional oval is to you. I would take a look at Victor Canera’s inventory Since you like pave settings and VC can do the setting since he is the pave master. So great to have options!
 
Thank you so much for your wonderful replies, quite a few promising stones there. I really appreciate it and Happy Easter! =)2
 
tyty333 said:
Thank you @PattsyStone ...I have never seen that before. I wonder who actually
does the search. I'll have to find out from the mods.

I'll try to look at BN today and see what they have.
Click to expand...

When I first registered on Pricescope a few weeks ago, I received a welcome email and then a short while later an email about the concierge service. Would like to hear more too.

OP, good luck with your search for an oval. You’re in good hands here. I have an oval but mine is over 20 years old now before it became a trend. I think you can’t go wrong with an oval if you love this shape.
 
Is it okay for me to post the email I got from Pricescope after requesting the concierge service so you all can see what it involves? Happy to do so if that's allowed.
 
PattsyStone said:
Is it okay for me to post the email I got from Pricescope after requesting the concierge service so you all can see what it involves? Happy to do so if that's allowed.
Click to expand...

Would like to see it, thanks. Just saw the ad at the top right corner of the webpage promoting the concierge service—apparently it’s by Rhino (sp?)?
 
So after filling in the form, I got an email like this:

Screen Shot 2021-04-07 at 8.00.25 pm.png

And then the link leads to their diamond database where they've made a search for you:

Screen Shot 2021-04-07 at 8.00.58 pm.png


I haven't told him what I'm liking so not sure what happens next and if you then get more personalised advice.
 
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