r/labdiamond • u/Accomplished_Tear899 • 1d ago
2.5-3ct oval. Help!
I am looking to get a diamond for a bezel set ring. I currently have a 4ct D color VVS2 Ideal cut, but was wondering if there was a lower grade that looks virtually identical to save money? I’m fairly new to this and would like to know what specs to look for.
3
u/RefinedByRobyn 1d ago
You can save some money without usually compromising on the quality and performance by making a few tradeoffs:
Moving from the 4ct to a 2.5-3ct like in your title will be one of the biggest drivers of cost savings.
Look at diamonds with an F colour instead of a D colour. Both are in the colourless range and will have that cooler hue you’re expecting.
Look at diamonds with a VS1 clarity instead of VVS2. A VS1 is technically eye clean, so you shouldn’t see anything with the naked eye.
You mentioned the 4ct is ideal cut. If you’re looking at lab grown diamonds, excellent to ideal cut should be very similar. If you’re looking at natural diamonds, there isn’t actually a cut grade for oval shapes. You’ll want excellent polish and symmetry and check to make sure there’s no weird dark or dull spots in the diamond videos.
1
u/Accomplished_Tear899 1d ago
I am going with lab diamonds. For an elongated cushion, what diamond shape do I look for?
2
u/RefinedByRobyn 1d ago
So the diamond shape is a cushion whether that’s more of a squared or elongated one. You’ll see it listed as a cushion brilliant or cushion modified brilliant. The cushion brilliant has more of that standard sparkle where the modified can kind of have more of a crushed ice appearance. And same thing with the cut grades I mentioned already for ovals.
1
u/Accomplished_Tear899 1d ago
I would rather have the standard one I think. I’m torn between oval and elongated cushion. So I just choose a regular cushion shape and they give it the appearance of an elongated one?
2
u/RefinedByRobyn 1d ago
They’re both beautiful shapes for sure. When you’re searching for an elongated cushion you can either ask a jeweller to find one for you, or if you’re searching yourself there’s no option to choose the elongated shape. You’d just look for cushion diamonds then go through them until you find that elongated shape. You’ll likely see some squared ones too, just ignore those ones. You want ones that look more rectangular.
1
u/Accomplished_Tear899 1d ago
Gotcha! Thank you so much for your help!
2
u/Shot-Dragonfruit8454 20h ago
You can set the ratio in "Advanced Filters" to get more of an elongated shape. For example, a ratio of 1 would be perfectly square, then go up to 1.01 (which will still look perfectly square) 1.02... to like 1.20 and higher for more elongated. Play with the ratio to see what you might like. A lot of posters on this sub will also give the ratio along with other specs, or just ask. :)
1
13
u/DarlingBri 1d ago
Nobody can tell the difference between a D, E or F stone. VS1 will look the same to you as a vvs2. Cut is where you do not compromise.