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Diamond of The Week: 1.91 Carat

The Lowdown: 1.91 carat oval brilliant cut diamond with D color and SI1 clarity grade. This oval cut diamond features Excellent polish and Very good symmetry grades and is considered an Excellent cut oval diamond. The measurements on this particular diamond are 9.89 mm in length by 7.20 mm in width. While these are all the characteristics easily discernible from the GIA report alone, we will go into depth on the characteristics of this diamond to show some more detail. Watch the  video here of this oval cut diamond to get an idea of the bright white and fiery look this special oval cut has. A diamond with this quality and size combination is an amazing budget option for someone wanting a 2 carat diamond in the colorless range for a large, bright white look. 

In this post we will delve into detail on the various aspects of this special value diamond

The Color

At D color it simply cannot get any better than this! D is at the top of the Colorless range resulting in a perfectly white diamond. Oval diamonds specifically tend to show color saturation a lot easier than other diamond shapes. Check out this video showing the color changes from D, H, and I color oval diamonds.  Because ovals tend to show color very easily we recommend in most cases steering clear of the J color range for this shape. Otherwise, the tint of yellow closer to the J color range can become too apparent. While we won't say D color is an absolutely necessity, there is no denying the bright white appearance and the sheer rarity of a D color is extremely appealing and gives a very crisp clear appearance to this special diamond.

Loose ovalThe Clarity

The Slightly Included clarity range is a tricky range because many of the diamonds will not be eye clean. However we sieve through to select the best SI clarity diamond options for our clients to maximize the beautiful face up look. Notice there are not an overwhelming amount of clouds or feathers which could result in a hazy look in the diamond. An SI1 clarity diamond with well hidden imperfections is considered flawless to the naked eye meaning you can only view inclusions on close inspection/magnification.

The Shape

The shape of an oval diamond is one of the most important characteristics and unfortunately not a listed characteristic on the GIA report of the diamond. We love the rounded symmetrical look to this oval featuring perfectly curved edges that oval diamonds are famous for. Oval's can be cut in a variety of ways. A poorly cut oval might have a bulging mid-section like a marquise cut diamond resulting in a football shape diamond. Other ovals might have a more squarish appearance detracting from the soft graceful look the oval is so well known for. Since this is an unlisted characteristic this is where a video comes in and allows you to see the nuances and outline of each diamond.

diamond qualityThe Cut

At Excellent polish this means that the diamond has been finished in a perfect way to maximize the luster and shine on the exterior and making it free of any abrasions or scratches. Very good symmetry is a desirable grade as well meaning all the faceting within the diamond are lining up properly with each other for a consistent shape and look. Another thing to observe in the video is that this oval emits an amazing amount of sparkle and fire. This isn't something that can be accurately graded on the GIA certificate so getting this type of visual such as an HD video shows you the bright flashes of light it emits at every turn.

The Spread

The spread refers to how the cut proportions of the diamond reflect the face up appearance of the diamond. A 2 carat oval diamond, if you are lucky, can measure close to 10mm in length if the proportions are right. Majority of oval diamonds at 2 carat weight will measure a lot less than that, perhaps even at 9mm in length. This means that it does not face up as large as let's say 9.9 or 10mm length 2 carat oval diamond. The face up measurements of a diamond are extremely important and we  strongly recommend not always focusing strictly on the carat weight but taking into these measurements.  The spread also refers to the depth percentage on the diamond. This oval has 59% depth meaning it is not too shallow or deep resulting in the larger and spreadier face up measurements. This diamond being at 9.9x7.2mm measurements means it actually has the face up look of a spready 2 carat diamond. While a 1.9 carat diamond is actually quite rare, these do exist and coming across one is always nice if the price is right and the quality checks out.  To get a good idea of a spready diamond vs a non spready oval diamond click this link comparing a 2.0 carat oval to a 2.5 carat oval with similar measurements. 

Price

In terms of pricing, this diamond comes in about $3500 less than what a 2 carat D/SI1 diamond with the same face up measurements and cut quality would average. With the carat weight being 1.9 carats, the price points comes in well under the $20,000 range giving an amazing value and flawless face up look.

Choosing an oval diamond is no easy task considering each one has a very different look. We are happy to assist and help you find the oval of your dreams. A diamond at this size/quality/price range is of exceptional value and we know it is going to go fast. Please email us at info@laurenbjewelry.com for more information on selecting a diamond.

About the Lauren B Team