We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.

Q&A: Oval Diamond Advice, Please

By Mike Fried,

At the outset I’d like to thank you for having such a great site! I was able to learn so much from it. I’m looking for an oval cut diamond around $3,000 – $4,000. It would be really great if you could help me out. I want the best bang for my buck, so please recommend the best possible deal for me. I have time till October, so I can also wait if you think some good stones might come later.

I came across these two stones please let me know your opinion.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1501346.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1503120.asp

Thanks!

Thanks for the kind words. I’m not in love with either of those two stones. One is too long and the other is too short. I think I might have a great option for you, though. Have you seen my EGL video? If not, take a look. That stone is available. I’m not sure what the final cost will be, but it will be at least as cheap as these you linked to. Here’s the link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWud1lYE5VU&feature=player_embedded

That stone should be up on James Allen some time soon. So when it gets uploaded, I’ll send you the link so you can buy it there.

Let me know what you think!

Thanks for your recommendation … I will wait for the stone you mentioned. In the mean time if you do come across any stone which fits my needs please let me know.

Thanks!

Sounds good. In the meantime, keep your eye out for a 1.02 F I1 on James Allen. I’m hoping it gets uploaded to the site this week.

Thanks for the heads up !

…….

I’m also interested in two pear shaped diamonds which would go on the side of the ring. My budget is around $600 – $800 for each stone. Thelink has the ring I’m interested in. It would be really great if you could help me out.

http://www.ringenvy.com/rings/jenstones-engagement-ring&img=0

thanks!

Yes something similar to that.

…….

I’m searching James Allen regularly for the stone you mentioned. Looks like it is not yet available. In the mean time I came across this stone. What are your thoughts on this one?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-I1-Good-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1379001.asp

Also any luck on the two pear shaped side stones which I mentioned earlier ?

This one’s no good bcz it’s got a lot of black in the inclusion. Why purchase the two pear shapes separately when you can just get the ring complete using that link I sent?

I’ll try to find out about the pear shape.

A local jeweler will be making the ring. That’s why I need the 3 stones.

Thanks.

See if he can source them loose, because it’s a waste to spend money on two certified small pear shapes.

Okay I will do that.

…….

James Allen has got an oval 1.02 caret, F I1 stone. Is this the stone you mentioned ?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-I1-Good-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1518785.asp

Thanks

That’s the one! but hold on because the price is not correct. I’m speaking to them now about fixing it. I’m also trying to get them to upload a pic.

…….

The pic is up now. Just waiting on the price.

Thanks for the update Ira ! I will await further instructions from you.

…….

Any update on the price of the stone ?

Unfortunately not. I’m going to send them an inquiry now. They wont return to work until Monday anyway, though.

Any idea as to when the seller will respond to your price inquiry ? If you think that the seller won’t revise their price is there any other stone you can recommend ? Please let me know.

Thanks!

…….

James Allen has updated the price. It is $3530. Do you think it is the right price ? If you feel it is kinda expensive should we wait a bit

longer ? Your you tube clip mentions that the GIA value for this stone is around $1989.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-I1-Good-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1518785.asp

Thanks!

Yes, that’s a great price for this stone. That 1989 price is the pure wholesale price for an average I1. This is a retail price for the best I1 you’ll ever see in your life – better than the vast majority of SI2s.

I went ahead & got the stone. While placing the order I mentioned to the sales rep that you helped me in purchasing the stone. You have been a great help ! Thank you very much ! btw I was just curious, why is this stone being sold only now if it was with the seller for a long time ? Is this common in the diamond industry ?

Thanks

The stone was with my good friends at Leibish & Co. They specialize in fancy color stones. They bought this years ago for some kind of deal that never happened. Since white goods are not their specialty, it just kind of got forgotten about in their safe. I came to look for a stone to use for my EGL research and found this one and thought it was perfect. I wanted to get it on JA so I could have a public record of it to send readers. Since I knew that once I had it up on JA, it would sell pretty quickly because it’s such a nice stone, they were happy to oblige. Could you do me a huge favor? Could you please click on the link in the “order confirmation” email from the same computer from which you’ve been clicking my links? This will ensure that the sale gets properly tracked to me. Thanks!

I just did that.

Great. It worked! Thanks so much. Please let me know what you think when it arrives!

Thanks for all your help Ira ! I will let you know once it arrives.

…….

I got the stone & it looks great ! I took it to the jeweler to be mounted on a ring. After examining the stone the jeweler mentioned

that the feather on the surface of the stone might caused it to crack ….is this something I need to be concerned about ? Please advice.

For your reference I bought the I F1 oval 1.02 caret stone which you featured in one of your you tube presentations.

Thanks

A skilled jeweler shouldn’t have a problem with it. If you’re concerned, you should get the stone insured before you have it set so you’re not at risk.

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. They currently run a 10% discount on selected lab-grown diamonds!
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
Arrow down
Arrow up
Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Right now, Blue Nile offers up to 50% savings on selected jewelry during a limited-time season sale.
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
Arrow down
Arrow up

Still afraid of getting ripped off?

Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.

Ask your diamond purchase question here

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

Here is your coupon code: GFDSF3GF

Diamond Pro

Diamond Pro

  • Unfortunately, the AI chat we worked so hard training is not helping our readers the way we would like. You deserve the best advice you can get.

    Would you like to contact a human diamond pro? Just fill out this email form and we will answer you ASAP (usually within one day).

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.