Scintillating Oval Opinion

[JP 134]

Hi Everyone,

I'm currently debating purchasing this beautiful oval, but as the price is very high, I want to make sure I cover my basis. I'm not as familiar with diamonds as many here, so would appreciate thoughts on this. Specifically, whether that grey area in the middle is a bow tie that may detract. I'm attaching the cert and linking two videos of the same diamond. Is the performance considered top of the line (apologies as brilliance, fire, and scintillation is a bit newer to me)? Also the price is up there (low 70k realm). So please let me know if that's considered a good/bad/fair value for this diamond in the marketplace (please note-not trying to drum up a debate regarding the value of lower color or clarity).

Thank you all in advance!

Videos:
On Hand
Tweezer
JP

3.09/D/FL

Ex Polish, Ex Symmetry, No Flouresence

1.43 ratio

Table: 58%

Depth: 61.8%

Medium-thick faceted girdle

Price: listed around 75k (fair for what it is or too high?)-please don't turn this into a value debate regarding lab diamonds, purchasing lower clarity, etc. hoping to just understand the market.

Tweezer: https://rare-carat-0c1ad7dc86c3.intercom-attachments-1.com/i/o/pv5h34y3/1247747383/b2fd1e557ec54074ab2795ad468d/3_09ct+D+FL+Tweezer.mp4?expires=1743521598&signature=c31800ac98c050dbb0e0877138419e250dbaa1b6481e54fbb297d63ab0963a74&req=dSIjEc56moJXWvMW2XS/iQwvuaVBY8Gb/dT0lQ9/mKADgmnJvIs=

 

[TXwidow]

yes that is a bow-tie and here are some comparison just to give you an idea of price ranges: https://www.pricescope.com/diamonds...ncolor=1&maxcolor=2&minclarity=2&maxclarity=2

 

[freddyboston]

Well its a Type1A..... Ideally if you're going natural D FL you'd also want it to be Type IIA

 

[newtojewels]

Tagging @tyty333 to weigh in on this oval, if you get the chance!

 

[headlight]

I just want you to understand something… you are paying a premium for Flawless. The thing about that is once you set it, it is no longer Flawless, it is Internally Flawless because the setting process will create blemishes seen under magnification.

 

[JP 134]

Well its a Type1A..... Ideally if you're going natural D FL you'd also want it to be Type IIA

I agree. I wish this was a 2a, but not sure how much of a premium to place on that vs the look of the diamond. I just haven't seen one sparkle like this for an oval, but I guess it could be due to the lighting, which is why I asked for additional videos.

 

[JP 134]

I just want you to understand something… you are paying a premium for Flawless. The thing about that is once you set it, it is no longer Flawless, it is Internally Flawless because the setting process will create blemishes seen under magnification.

I understand. Honestly, if I can find one with similar specs and performance at an IF, I would be happy to take the savings. There's just not a ton of options at this level. There are some, but many of some less desirable characteristics (for me) like a longer l/w ratio or fluorescence.

 

[lovedogs]

I am personally not a huge fan because of the bowtie

 

[JP 134]

I am personally not a huge fan because of the bowtie

Thanks. I'm hoping it's just a bad angle perhaps?

Normally with a bow tie like that I would move on, but the performance of this diamond seems to be really great unless it's just the lighting.

 

[lovedogs]

Thanks. I'm hoping it's just a bad angle perhaps?

Normally with a bow tie like that I would move on, but the performance of this diamond seems to be really great unless it's just the lighting.

To be honest, I think the performance is pretty average. I don't think there's anything super great or unique here. It's jewelery store set up lighting

 

[Rockdiamond]

please don't turn this into a value debate regarding lab diamonds, purchasing lower clarity, etc. hoping to just understand the market.

There’s no way to have an informed discussion about the market without taking LGDs and the specific color/ clarity of the stone.
In the case of lab diamonds, they’ve impacted the price of naturals. It’s possible/ likely that the impact will continue to affect natural diamond prices.
Then color / clarity…..a D/IF is visually identical to a given F/VS2….. which is half the price.
If cost is a consideration D/IF doesn’t seem to make sense.
The imagery is not necessarily conclusive but it is very difficult getting good pictures of oval diamonds

 

[JP 134]

To be honest, I think the performance is pretty average. I don't think there's anything super great or unique here. It's jewelery store set up lighting

Oh wow. Thanks for letting me know. When I request videos many seem to be a little flat, whereas this one showcased a lot of fire with the stone. Like you said perhaps it's lighting.

 

[JP 134]

There’s no way to have an informed discussion about the market without taking LGDs and the specific color/ clarity of the stone.
In the case of lab diamonds, they’ve impacted the price of naturals. It’s possible/ likely that the impact will continue to affect natural diamond prices.
Then color / clarity…..a D/IF is visually identical to a given F/VS2….. which is half the price.
If cost is a consideration D/IF doesn’t seem to make sense.
The imagery is not necessarily conclusive but it is very difficult getting good pictures of oval diamonds

Thanks David. I completely understand your point. In having looked at diamonds with my girlfriend, we do want to stick with D color. I know the IF is more for "mind clean" vs "eye clean", but I understand on how based on looks alone it may not impact things. Obviously in just considering natural, there's a clear emotional component to this purchase vs just getting a stone that looks a certain way (e.g. lab).

 

[lovedogs]

Oh wow. Thanks for letting me know. When I request videos many seem to be a little flat, whereas this one showcased a lot of fire with the stone. Like you said perhaps it's lighting.

Yeah, they just have a fancy light setup where everything looks firey. But I don't think this is a particularly unique or amazing stone, and the bowtie would drive me nuts (obviously this is tootally up to you)!

 

[newtojewels]

Thanks David. I completely understand your point. In having looked at diamonds with my girlfriend, we do want to stick with D color. I know the IF is more for "mind clean" vs "eye clean", but I understand on how based on looks alone it may not impact things. Obviously in just considering natural, there's a clear emotional component to this purchase vs just getting a stone that looks a certain way (e.g. lab).

Do you think you could open up to D/VVS? It just gives you more options to find something where you actually can see the difference (cut quality).

Here's a video comparing two oval diamonds of the same carat weight and color but different cutting. One of them faces up bigger and also looks crisper and that's reflected in the price:

Some vendors like Victor Canera, Diamonds by Lauren (who responded above), Distinctive Gem, etc., can help you choose the best-looking oval within your parameters, but giving them a little more wiggle room in the stats to search does help.

 

[lovedogs]

Also have you ever considered reaching out to Jann Paul? They have a line of ideal cut ovals that I think are insanely beautiful. Their work comes with a high price tag, but worth it IMO.

Also distinctive gems has a line of specialty cut ovals to avoid bowties.

 

[Rockdiamond]

There’s no “magic formula” for any fancy shape.
The “bow-tie” is part of the design of an “Oval Brilliant”. It can be eliminated- but not without sacrificing size or brilliance.
The pics posted- I agree they look….. sensationalized. Extra sparkly.
I’m not criticizing them for that - taking photos of diamonds involves compromises. But the result is that pics can only get you so far.
In one of the pics, the bow tie looks negative- and the other it looks good.

 

[JP 134]

There’s no “magic formula” for any fancy shape.
The “bow-tie” is part of the design of an “Oval Brilliant”. It can be eliminated- but not without sacrificing size or brilliance.
The pics posted- I agree they look….. sensationalized. Extra sparkly.
I’m not criticizing them for that - taking photos of diamonds involves compromises. But the result is that pics can only get you so far.
In one of the pics, the bow tie looks negative- and the other it looks good.

David-not sure if you saw the videos as you mentioned they are pics. Figured I'd mention that.

Thanks for your thoughts on the bow tie. Having been looking at rings for a while, we almost settled on a different D/FL, but the brilliance wasn't as powerful (I guess that's an appropriate adjective) as we had expected. I know it won't be like a round diamond, but was hoping to be "wow'd." Those videos had that "wow" factor, but I do see it's the lightening. I tried to replicate different lightings at home with the other diamond, but just didn't knock my jaw off.

 

[JP 134]

Also have you ever considered reaching out to Jann Paul? They have a line of ideal cut ovals that I think are insanely beautiful. Their work comes with a high price tag, but worth it IMO.

Also distinctive gems has a line of specialty cut ovals to avoid bowties.

I think I saw their video about an "oval Hearts and arrows." I see they're based out of Singapore. I really didn't consider going international. From your response it sounds like they have a stellar reputation?

 

[newtojewels]

The same diamond can look very different in different lighting but what you want is a diamond that blows you away almost all of the time, especially given what you're paying!

JannPaul does have a stellar reputation, but the different ovals without bowties do have some cons like @Rockdiamond mentioned. They tend to face up smaller, and JannPaul's has a chubbier shape which may or may not appeal to you. Brian Gavin also has a chubby hearts and arrows oval and Distinctive Gem has both their modern Elyque oval and an antique-style oval, but those might not be the best option for someone who likes a standard oval and just wants the sparkliest one they can find. It depends on what it is you like about ovals.

Just to show how different diamonds look in different lighting, here's my 3.1 carat J/VS1 antique cushion on a bright, overcast day:

https://imgur.com/03VpRFY

And the same diamond on a sunny day below a tree:

https://imgur.com/xATqgMa

both taken with the same cell phone camera and within a day of each other and within 50 feet of each other.

 

[Rockdiamond]

David-not sure if you saw the videos as you mentioned they are pics. Figured I'd mention that.

My error in terminology. I did notice they were vids.

but the brilliance wasn't as powerful (I guess that's an appropriate adjective)

Bingo. The pavilion facets in the middle of an oval are much larger than those at the tips. If these middle facets are not aligned/ angled properly they are static dark. “Bow tie”
But when they are done correctly those are the brightest facets you see.
It’s not a “black and white” aspect. Some stones are just much brighter. Others are middling.
Maybe that’s what you noticed.