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Hi! I’m searching for an oval diamond for this setting:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-17457?a_aid=dmnd1357
My budget for the diamond is $3200. I know from her best friend that she would prefer a diamond in the 0.8 carat range, she thinks anything above 1 is a little big for her taste.
I’m wondering if you could help guide me to a few good choices? It seems like there are a lot of options in my budget range to get good clarity and color (but I don’t necessarily want to overpay!). I’m not sure on how to evaluate the various dimensions for the oval shape on what is more visually appealing, and also whether the bow tie is too intense or not based on the image. I would greatly appreciate any help you can provide!!
I looked around and I like these diamonds for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2249484?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-if-clarity-sku-2709002?a_aid=dmnd1357
They are well cut, eye-clean and any of them will be very brilliant.
What do you think?
I’m sorry I never got around to replying, I had a family matter come up and was unable to spend any time working on this. I’ve now re-started my search and am still looking to purchase through JA. I really like the first two diamonds, I think the 2nd of those would have been my choice as of today but it looks like it’s no longer available. The other two look great and I’m not quite sure how to decide which I prefer.
The one big difference I notice is the outline of the table: one of the diamonds has flat edges on the short ends and the other has two edges come to a point at the short ends. Is one of these table shapes typically more desirable? Also, the VVS2 seems to have a slightly more pronounced bow-tie effect to my untrained eye, but I’m not quite sure if I’m seeing things…
……
I know I’m double emailing you, but I have one more question about the setting. In your judgement, is the height of this setting too much to allow for a band to fit snugly underneath? (i.e. will the diamond appear to be lifted far out from the ring?) Or is this setting on par with basically any other oval setting in terms of how far the diamond sits off of the band?
As for the tables, it’s entirely a matter of your personal preferences. We just recommend keeping the table% under 75 to maximize brilliance.
I think that the bow-tie on that VVS diamond is ok, but if you find it too strong, let’s focus on something with a less significant bow-tie effect.
Here’s a lovely alternative:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-3212974?a_aid=dmnd1357
Regarding your follow-up email, I don’t think the diamond will be lifted much. Although, there are some even “lower” settings:
Blue Nile Oval Halo Diamond Engagement Ring
Thanks for the feedback. I decided to go with SKU 2249484. Overall that was my favorite from the beginning.
FYI, I used this email address for the purchase. Just want to make sure you get credit for the sale.
Thanks for all of your help!
You got yourself a beautiful diamond!
Thank you for thinking about us with the email address.
I hope you love the ring when you receive it. If you could let me know how it looks when it arrives, I’d appreciate it.
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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