Post # 1
Member
7 posts
Newbee
Hi everyone,
My boyfriend and I are in the process of selecting a ring. We have a limited budget, I’d like to spend less than $1k on a solitaire. I’ve narrowed it down to two diamonds on James Allen and I need help! I prefer a radiant cut to oval, however I like both cuts. The radiant has better clarity, but a warmer tone (K). The oval has poorer clarity, but I don’t see any SUPER notable inclusions. I think color is more important to me than clarity and the oval has great color (D). Having said that, the radiant is .57 carats and the oval is .48. The oval has larger dimensions though, would it look bigger compared to the radiant? This is all new to me, any help would be appreciated! Which is a better deal, in your opinion?! Thanks!!!
Radiant:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.57-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-sku-138031
Oval:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.48-carat-d-color-i1-clarity-sku-195662
Post # 3
Member
1256 posts
Bumble bee
The radiant is too warm toned for my taste, so I’d go for the oval.
Post # 4
Member
1744 posts
Bumble bee
@caityeden: I love ovals, and prefer the color of the oval, but I do see some inclusions on one end. Not sure how noticable they would be IRL.
Post # 5
Member
2292 posts
Buzzing bee
The oval is lovely; it sparkles really nicely. I also think I can see a few inclusions on one end, but it’s hard to tell what will be noticeable (and what will look bigger) without seeing it in a setting or on a finger. The radient is really warm, so if you want a whiter color I’d go with the oval.
Post # 6
Member
11259 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@caityeden: i am colour sensitive so i prefer the D-F colour range. i love ovals too. i do, however, see some inclusions on the oval diamond you selected. i personally would go with the .43 oval E VS2 that is on the same website. it’s almost the same measurements but with much better clarity and it’s still within your budget. i think overall, you will be much happier.
Post # 7
Member
18 posts
Newbee
@caityeden: We just bought our diamond on James Allen about a month ago. They are fabulous, and we had a wonderful experience.
Since you’ve narrowed your choices down between the two diamonds, you can have the gemologists pull both diamonds for you and give you a 45 minute consultation over the phone. They will tell you all the pluses and minuses to each stone.
Additionally, the stones on their website are magnified 40x, so you have to step 10 feet away from the screen to get the real idea of what the stone will actually look like in person.
Personally, based on the ones you have here, I’d go with the oval stone. The color on the other stone won’t do it justice.
Post # 8
Member
561 posts
Busy bee
I have an oval that is D in color and it is gorgeous. I am biased but I would pick the oval.
Post # 9
Member
175 posts
Blushing bee
I LOVE ovals! But a well cut oval is so hard to find. That being said, I’m not sure about this particular stone. The bowtie looks a bit dark. If you’re set on it though, I would ask JA to bring it in and evaluate it, maybe send you an ASET image.
Post # 10
Member
98 posts
Worker bee
@caityeden: I’d go post on pricescope.com in their rockytalky section. They would give you advice on what stone would be the best.
Post # 11
Member
158 posts
Blushing bee
@MrsD2Be: agreed with the bowtie. I love ovals too! But our jeweller could not find us a well cut one without the bowtie being so prevalent so we ended up choosing a cushion cut.
I am still biased however and would prefer the oval…
Post # 12
Member
175 posts
Blushing bee
@RedCushionedRoses: We did the same thing! I kept looking for an oval, but we chose a chunky cushion instead.
Post # 13
Member
18 posts
Newbee
I’ve had a lot of people asking me for a side view of my ring. Below I’ve posted the ring before it was set, after the setting, and side view.
