Archive for Oval
Q&A: The Tricky Business of Buying the Best Oval Cut Diamond
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Q: Ira, Thanks so much for your informative site. I have read your Blue Nile page, but the nicest ring/diamond combo I have found is on Blue Nile, so I would really appreciate any further advice you have. The diamond is on hold for me, so you can’t access it, but I downloaded the page so I can email it to you. Here are the stats:
Stock number: LD01599857
Price: $10,553
Bank wire price:
$10,395
Price per carat:
$6,989
Carat weight:
1.51
Cut: Very Good
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Depth %:
63.9%
Table %:
57%
Polish:
Very Good
Symmetry:
Good
Girdle:
Slightly Thick to Thick
Culet:
None
Fluorescence:
None
Measurements: 8.66 x 6.45 x 4.12 mm
Length/width ratio:
1.34
SETTING INFORMATION
Stock number: 17875
Metal:
950 Platinum
Width:
2mm
Prong metal:
Platinum
SIDE STONE INFORMATION
Number of round diamonds: 18
Minimum carat total weight (ct. tw.):
0.24
Average color: H
Average clarity: VS2
Setting type:
Pavé setting
Again, thanks so much for your site. I am looking forward to receiving your advice. Read More→
Q&A: Ira, Did I Make the Right Purchase on James Allen?
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Your site is great and very informative. Thanks for your efforts. I have however, discovered it after I have made a purchase at James Allen. I hope you don’t mind (just for my peace of mind) to let me know if the diamond I purchased below would be eye clean with a lot of brilliance/sparkle and no bow tie?
Item # 1285685
Thank you so much for any assistance. Read More→
Q&A: Looking for Round, Cushion, or Oval-Shaped Diamond for $2K Budget
Posted by: | CommentsQ:I am looking for a round, cushion, or oval shape diamond under $2000. As far as clarity is concerned, anything ”eye-clean” is fine. Of course, I would like the biggest diamond, I don’t like the faint yellow tint. I read on your website that a medium fluorescent can help a lower color diamond look better, but I’m still hesitant because I want a diamond that sparkles. I was looking at these but if you have any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1172193.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-SI1-Premium-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1190166.asp
Q&A: Should I Buy a Beautiful Loose Diamond in Bahrain, Ira?
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out.
I’m currently in Bahrain with the Navy and am planning on proposing to my girlfriend a few months after I get home (need to have the ring made). She likes a modern-looking ring and is particularly enamored with a platinum half-bezel solitaire setting (I don’t have the link to the site; will get it to you later).
I’ve heard stories of guys who have had diamonds they bought here appraised for significantly more than they paid for them. However, I only have a few more days here and don’t want to pull the trigger too fast just to have a diamond – I just want a beautiful stone that I’ll be glad I bought and that she will love.
I’d like to keep my budget around $6-8k for the stone and ring; more if I have to. My girlfriend hasn’t set any requirements for size or anything, which is nice, but I’m starting my search around 0.90ct and going up to 1.5ct or so. Based on the setting, a round brilliant makes the most sense to me, though a princess cut would be fine (though I’m nervous about there not being an organization that will classify princess cuts).
I’m torn right now because I did find an absolutely beautiful stone last night – a 0.9ct round brilliant, SI1 D GIA certified stone that was absolutely radiant compared to the other stones I saw. The dealer quoted me $3,600 or so for the stone alone, and I feel like I’m paying a lot for the perfect color (which will be relatively unnoticeable once the stone is set) that I could get back in a little more size for the same money.
Any guidance you could provide would be wonderful – thanks in advance.
I have been seeing some interest in oval cut diamonds. Oval cuts are a viable alternative to round brilliant cuts. They have similar features and you get a large diamond (dimension wise) for you money. This diamond is a beautiful example of an excellent valued oval cut. The diamond has very large measurements and is significantly cheaper then a similar round brilliant cut diamond.
Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):
Shape: Oval
Click on image for enlarged photo.
Carats: 1.51
Diamond Clarity: VS1
Measurements: 8.52*6.39*4.26
Depth: 66.7%
Table: 54%
Diamond Polish: Very Good
Diamond Symmetry: Very Good
Diamond Fluorescence: Faint
Diamond Price: $9,630
Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen
Q&A: Best Oval Diamond for Under $3K
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Hello, I have been looking extensively for an oval diamond around .7-.8 ct and then I came across your site. I am looking for the best bang for under $3k. I value the quality of the diamond much more so than the size.
F or better
VS2 or better (unless an SI1 has no visible things)
Most sites I have been looking at premium/very good to ideal cuts
From what I have read, symmetry of good or better is fine as this isn’t even noticeable to the human eye?
I have been looking for a polish of very good to excellent (is there a noticeable difference to the human eye between good through excellent?)
And now after reading your site, sounds like I want to stick with a fluorescence of faint to none.
Thanks!
Q&A: Round or Oval, Best Deal for a 3 Carat Diamond
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I have really enjoyed reading your site over the past few months. My boyfriend and I recently celebrated the 2-year anniversary of our relationship, and I expect that he will propose sometime in the next 6 months. I told him absolutely under no circumstances to buy a diamond in a store, or to do it at all without consulting me/letting me help pick it (since I have a very clear idea of what I want).
We live in New York. He’s Dutch, and we will move the Amsterdam in late 2011. He has a friend in the jewelry business in Amsterdam that I think he might want to go through to buy the diamond–however, I would almost rather go through someone who is not a friend so that we can really be hard bargainers without feeling bad about it.
My first question is, where does it make the most sense to buy the diamond? New York through someone you know? Amsterdam through someone he knows? Either?
My second question is this: I want a round solitaire 3 carat ring (the bigger it looks, the better). I feel silly saying this but what can I say, looking at all the stones here has ruined me. Is it possible to do this between $15-20k? If possible I would love an I color with medium (or strong blue) fluorescence. I say I and not J because if we get micropave sidestones on the band I don’t want them to look obviously whiter than the stone itself.
That said, what do you recommend? I would also be happy to consider using your brokering service if it will bring down the price–I know from your site that both James Allen and Blue Nile have a markup of 18%, and I would rather not pay that. My boyfriend may take quite a bit of convincing to buy from someone he has never met–and online!–but I’m sure the frugal Dutchman in him will see the sense of it if I show him how honest you seem to be from every interaction on this website. For now if you could just answer my initial questions, I would really appreciate it.
Thank you so much, in advance, for your time & advice!
…….
I want the diamond to be eye-clean–fine with VS2/SI1, even SI2–BUT the SI2 would have to be examined by someone who swears on bibles that you can’t see any flaws!
