Which is the better diamond choice?

[Mystique7]

Hello! I posted my first thread a couple of weeks ago looking for advice on an upgrade diamond. Unfortunately, that one didn't work out but I have two new choices. I am looking in the 2ct range and both seem like good choices but each has a caveat so I'd really appreciate some advice on which is the best choice and overall value (they are similar in cost).

STONE 1:
2.52ct, I, VVS1, ratio 1.40. Looks to have good sparkle and proportions. I can't see issues with a bowtie. My main concern is the colour. It will likely face up white enough for me (I don't need it to be ice white but don't want a yellow stone) but I am wondering how much color may come through.

YouTube Link:
2.52 CT I VVS1



STONE 2:
2ct, G, VVS1, ratio 1.59. Looks to have good sparkle but I am concerned about whether the diamond is a bit too thin. I put the specs in the diamond database and this stone actually faces up almost the same size as stone 1 (only 3% smaller) because it is so elongated. I have generally looked in the 1.4 to 1.5 range and have not been able to find any photos or videos of an oval of this ratio / this slim on the hand so it's hard for me to gauge if it will look so thin that the extra face up size will be pointless. I don't want to toss it as an option because otherwise it seems great. I'm also wondering if it may be a little shallow but the depth is just within the excellent range so hopefully that's not an issue.

YouTube Link:
2.00 G VVS1





I would really appreciate your advice on which you would pick. Thank you!

 

[tyty333]

I* prefer the look of the first one with the chunky facets through the center if I had to choose between these two. Are these
your only options?

Edit...and of course your I will show some more tint over your G.

What I like to see with Ovals is more nice facets popping up in the center as the stone turns.

For example...watch the faceting pattern through the center of these stones as they rotate...ignore inclusions/color etc. The purpose
of a diamond is to return light to the viewer so you want to find stones that have nice facets that reflect the light back to you and
minimize the gray mushy areas in the stone. (ovals will almost always have some mush but try to minimize it)

1.00 Carat oval diamond

1.00 Carat oval diamond

www.jamesallen.com

1.00 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1 carat F color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.00 Carat oval diamond

1.00 Carat oval diamond

www.jamesallen.com

 

[Mystique7]

@tyty333 Thank you for your advice and examples on how to look at facets as the diamond is moving. It's super helpful!

Appreciate the feedback on the 2.52ct looking like the better option for that reason. I guess the only other thing I have to think about is if the I colour showing body colour (assuming it will face up white).

There is one other option that just came forward. It's a 2.03ct, G, VVS1, ratio 1.39. It seems to have good specs and, taking the advice about facets, the reflection looks good to me (but my eye is far less keen!). Opinions on this one vs the 2.52ct would be appreciated!

YouTube Link:

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

@tyty333 Thank you for your advice and examples on how to look at facets as the diamond is moving. It's super helpful!

Appreciate the feedback on the 2.52ct looking like the better option for that reason. I guess the only other thing I have to think about is if the I colour showing body colour (assuming it will face up white).

There is one other option that just came forward. It's a 2.03ct, G, VVS1, ratio 1.39. It seems to have good specs and, taking the advice about facets, the reflection looks good to me (but my eye is far less keen!). Opinions on this one vs the 2.52ct would be appreciated!

YouTube Link:

The shape of stone 3 is a bit too boxy (heavy shoulders) - extra weight that detracts from the diamond's beauty. Stone 3 looks almost like a cushion shape but not. I'm color sensitive and prefer G over I but the shape of the diamond is more obvious and difficult to overlook. Stone 1's shape is far more appealing.

 

[Mystique7]

Thanks for your feedback @Diamond_Enthusiast - the shape didn't look exactly "right" to me as far as ovals go so your perspective is helpful in affirming that.

Based on your and @tyty333 feedback it looks like stone 1 (2.52ct) is the best of the bunch! I don't have other options at the moment in my budget so I'll have to make up my mind about the I colour and decide one way or another.

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

Thanks for your feedback @Diamond_Enthusiast - the shape didn't look exactly "right" to me as far as ovals go so your perspective is helpful in affirming that.

Based on your and @tyty333 feedback it looks like stone 1 (2.52ct) is the best of the bunch! I don't have other options at the moment in my budget so I'll have to make up my mind about the I colour and decide one way or another.

If you don't mind me asking, what is your budget and are you open to using other vendors? This helps others in the forum with suggestions for you.

I was trying to decide between some round brilliant diamonds recently too and after some helpful suggestions from other members, I actually ending up looking at other vendors and found more suitable options than my original choices.

I also used the diamond search function on Pricescope and found it useful in finding suitable options.

To manage the budget, would you consider a touch under 2ct? Ovals face up large, you can probably get a similar look going slightly under while avoiding the price jump at the 2ct mark. With the brilliance of the oval, you can also consider a lower clarity grade like down to VS/eye-clean SI so you don't have pay for VVS clarity.

 

[Mystique7]

@Diamond_Enthusiast my original engagement ring is from Blue Nile and I'm upgrading it using their program, so unfortunately another vendor isn't an option.

Our budget is between $26,000 and $33,000 Canadian dollars.

My current diamond is 1.16ct and is high quality in terms of colour and clarity (E, IF - in a rose gold setting) so the benefit of the upgrade for me is going to be more about size. In order for the upgrade to make sense, based on what I have now, the 2ct range is where we have landed but I'm open to 1.80, 1.90, etc., as long as the face up looks like 2ct.

I looked at some VS and SI diamonds on BN with higher colour grades in the 2ct/just under 2ct range but haven't found one with trade-offs I can live with (e.g. cut too deep or shallow, inclusions in places that impact performance and so on).

It's definitely a big jump to go from E colour to I colour and I have no sense of my colour sensitivity (my e-ring is my only diamond) so it's something I am thinking about. I am hoping that anything in the GHI range faces up white enough (I don't need ice white) because I haven't been able to find a ring in the size range I am looking for with comparable specs to what I have that's on budget.

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

@Diamond_Enthusiast my original engagement ring is from Blue Nile and I'm upgrading it using their program, so unfortunately another vendor isn't an option.

Our budget is between $26,000 and $33,000 Canadian dollars.

My current diamond is 1.16ct and is high quality in terms of colour and clarity (E, IF - in a rose gold setting) so the benefit of the upgrade for me is going to be more about size. In order for the upgrade to make sense, based on what I have now, the 2ct range is where we have landed but I'm open to 1.80, 1.90, etc., as long as the face up looks like 2ct.

I looked at some VS and SI diamonds on BN with higher colour grades in the 2ct/just under 2ct range but haven't found one with trade-offs I can live with (e.g. cut too deep or shallow, inclusions in places that impact performance and so on).

It's definitely a big jump to go from E colour to I colour and I have no sense of my colour sensitivity (my e-ring is my only diamond) so it's something I am thinking about. I am hoping that anything in the GHI range faces up white enough (I don't need ice white) because I haven't been able to find a ring in the size range I am looking for with comparable specs to what I have that's on budget.

On colour sensitivity, it might be worthwhile checking some retail stores to compare how different colours look to you to get a gauge how you feel about colour differences in real life. In the meantime, you might find this video from Good Old Gold on diamond colour useful:

I noticed that all your options noted had no fluorescence. Would you accept a diamond with fluorescence? Personally I like blue fluorescence and have no issues with it so long as there is no oily/hazy appearance (can happen but rare and usually ok for diamond with medium or lower fluorescence). However, not everyone likes fluorescence and because it isn't always well understood but consumers, diamond with fluorescence sometimes get penalized for it and sell for a lower price (particularly D-F colours) - the reason I bought up fluorescence. Some people believe though that blue fluorescence can make a diamond appear whiter/brighter. Here is a a recent thread discussing fluorescence:

Diamond fluorescence

Just wanted to talk about diamond fluorescence. In particular strong blue. I know I came here looking for info on it as I was uncertain so thought I’d create a thread on it too. I recently bought a 3 carat E SI1 (100% eye clean) round brilliant with strong blue fluorescence, and the fluorescence...

www.pricescope.com

Going with an E to an I is quite a colour jump and so whether it is acceptable to you will depend on your colour tolerance. If you are ok with fluorescence, here are two G and H VS diamonds from BN with medium and faint fluorescence and no massive bow-tie within your budget might interest you (ratio is 1.34 though):

2.02-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile CA

www.bluenile.com

2.00-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile CA

www.bluenile.com

I've done the search based on the proportions listed here:

Oval Diamond Buying Guide Minimizing the Bowtie Effect

This in-depth oval diamond buying guide examines the facet structure's pros and cons and uses specific proportions to minimize the dreaded dark bowtie effect.

niceice.com

 

[Mystique7]

On colour sensitivity, it might be worthwhile checking some retail stores to compare how different colours look to you to get a gauge how you feel about colour differences in real life. In the meantime, you might find this video from Good Old Gold on diamond colour useful:

I noticed that all your options noted had no fluorescence. Would you accept a diamond with fluorescence? Personally I like blue fluorescence and have no issues with it so long as there is no oily/hazy appearance (can happen but rare and usually ok for diamond with medium or lower fluorescence). However, not everyone likes fluorescence and because it isn't always well understood but consumers, diamond with fluorescence sometimes get penalized for it and sell for a lower price (particularly D-F colours) - the reason I bought up fluorescence. Some people believe though that blue fluorescence can make a diamond appear whiter/brighter. Here is a a recent thread discussing fluorescence:

Diamond fluorescence

Just wanted to talk about diamond fluorescence. In particular strong blue. I know I came here looking for info on it as I was uncertain so thought I’d create a thread on it too. I recently bought a 3 carat E SI1 (100% eye clean) round brilliant with strong blue fluorescence, and the fluorescence...

www.pricescope.com

Going with an E to an I is quite a colour jump and so whether it is acceptable to you will depend on your colour tolerance. If you are ok with fluorescence, here are two G and H VS diamonds from BN with medium and faint fluorescence and no massive bow-tie within your budget might interest you (ratio is 1.34 though):

2.02-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile CA

www.bluenile.com

2.00-Carat Oval Cut Diamond | Blue Nile CA

www.bluenile.com

I've done the search based on the proportions listed here:

Oval Diamond Buying Guide Minimizing the Bowtie Effect

This in-depth oval diamond buying guide examines the facet structure's pros and cons and uses specific proportions to minimize the dreaded dark bowtie effect.

niceice.com

Thank you so much for taking the time to share these resources and look for alternatives! That's very kind of you.

The colour video is great! After watching it in detail I think I could tolerate an I colour so that provides some relief, especially if the I looks closer to H than J (my understanding is that there is a range even within each letter category). I have visited stores in my area but the selection is lacking, especially in oval shape. I know ovals and other fancy cuts will show colour differently than rounds, and that larger stones show more colour but it's been tough to see something that gives me a fair estimation. The high end stores only have colour options on the floor that are above I and the shopping mall stores have lower colour grades but not oval and definitely not in the 2ct range so it's been a bit of a mixed bag.

I'm definitely open to fluorescence and keep up to medium fluorescence in my search criteria.

The stones you found look great. My challenge is that I love more elongated ovals - I find them so elegant. I have been searching in the ~1.40 to 1.50 range so that is further limiting my options. I tried to be open to chubbier ovals but after seeing one (one of the few) in a store I had to accept that they are not my preference.

Since I am slowly gaining clarity (no pun intended ) on my colour sensitivity I may go with stone #1. If it's not a good choice for cut quality or some other reason I can take the brutal honesty, though! I will do one more search as well to be sure.

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

You're welcome! Sounds like you are closer to deciding on the stone

I see what you mean that is hard to find the comparable ovals in the stores especially in the 2ct range. You mentioned your current ring is in rose gold. If you decide to set in rose gold again, I think an I colour oval will be beautiful!

Your right that it is harder to find a nice elongated ovals on BN, I noticed that the decent looking ones remaining are generally just the chubbier ovals.

Unless anybody else has other suggestions, I think the I color is the best one that's fits your criteria in BN's inventory.

 

[Mystique7]

You're welcome! Sounds like you are closer to deciding on the stone

I see what you mean that is hard to find the comparable ovals in the stores especially in the 2ct range. You mentioned your current ring is in rose gold. If you decide to set in rose gold again, I think an I colour oval will be beautiful!

Your right that it is harder to find a nice elongated ovals on BN, I noticed that the decent looking ones remaining are generally just the chubbier ovals.

Unless anybody else has other suggestions, I think the I color is the best one that's fits your criteria in BN's inventory.

The setting will be rose gold - I had been so focused on the stone that I wasn't thinking as much about that and how it will impact the appearance. With that last consideration, I am pretty close to deciding! I think I will take the plunge with this one (and spend the next few weeks obsessing until it arrives ). I'll come back and share how things turned out once I have it.

Thanks again for taking the time. Your advice as well as Tyty333's was helpful!

 

[DejaWiz]

Found this one in Jon's inventory at Distinctive Gem. I'm far from an oval connoisseur, but it looks to have minimal bowtie effect. Others will have to look at it and offer an assessment.

diamond-search

www.distinctivegem.com

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

Found this one in Jon's inventory at Distinctive Gem. I'm far from an oval connoisseur, but it looks to have minimal bowtie effect. Others will have to look at it and offer an assessment.

diamond-search

www.distinctivegem.com

The OP's options are limited to BN because she is using their upgrade program.