2nd thoughts about EC from JA..return/swap? advice needed

[emeraldnewbie]

I recently purchased the following:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS2-Very Good-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1398089.asp

It was my 10 year upgrade (from no diamond!) and will very likely be my forever diamond. I had done some research but admittedly not enough. I didn't even ask about ASET or sarin reports that I see discussed here on PS.

I have enjoyed learning more (finding PS after the fact) and appreciate any input on the stone which I chose. I have a little over a week left in the return period if I do return it for something else. JA created a customized setting for me (and matching wedding band) which I love and would be keeping--so it really would be trading out the EC for a different one from JA.

It is pretty to me--but I really have nothing to compare it to. I live in the middle of nowhere and online shopping is a must for most things. I have read about some EC's being glassy? I'm not sure if I would recognize what that is--and perhaps my stone is glassy!

I apologize for my ignorance and appreciate any thoughts or input from this forum!

 

[shimmer]

Re: 2nd thoughts about EC from JA..return/swap? advice neede

It looks nice from the picture, however if you have your doubts I would either purchase an aset scope and light with overnight shipping or send it back and request an aset of it and your second choice then go from there.

I bought my EC based on my eye but I compared it to about 20 other EC stones. I got the aset scope after the purchase and was so relieved that it turned out to be a good aset and confirmed what I saw! I live in Canada so the aset had to ship from Australia and I was like waiting the three weeks for it!

 

[Christina...]

Re: 2nd thoughts about EC from JA..return/swap? advice neede

It's so hard to tell EC's from the pictures alone, but it looks to have a nice pattern but it does look like it has some dark areas. When you tilt your stone back and forth slowly do the dark areas light up, or do they stay dark? Does the diamond look bright from side to side? Are you getting amazing big bold flashes of colored light in lots of different lighting environments?

The 'glassy' look that you mentioned would mean that your diamond wasn't sparkling the way diamonds do, that it appeared flat and lifeless and possibly it would appear to have a lot of glare in strong lighting environments. You said that you have been really happy with your diamond, what made you decide to consider returning the stone? Because you read about ASETs and a list of numbers on PS? I can tell you that it's nearly impossible to buy a step cut based on the numbers alone. The numbers to my asscher are just under ideal and I think that my diamond is a fireball. The ASET would have been helpful, but the most important thing is that you love your diamond and you think that it's beautiful, if that is what you are second guessing, then maybe you should consider exchanging your diamond. Something to consider though is that if your setting was custom made for your diamond, it's likely that you will have to stick to a very specific range of measurement in order for the new diamond to fit inside the setting. This could be tricky considering the wide range of l/w ratios.

I'd contact JA and explain to them your feelings and ask if you could return the diamond for ASET images of your stone and one or two more that you would like to consider and then base your decision on the results.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: 2nd thoughts about EC from JA..return/swap? advice neede

It looks like it has a P3 issue. There might be darkness under that table. Any ASET available?

 

[emeraldnewbie]

Re: 2nd thoughts about EC from JA..return/swap? advice neede

Thanks for your replies.
It is true that my second thoughts only came about after visiting PS and learning more about diamonds. Otherwise, I have been happy with my ring and thought it was nice. I have nothing to really compare it to and I feel foolish. I don't know what I'm looking at when I look at my EC. It looks like a pattern of varying shaded steps and isn't super sparkly perhaps (at least I don't think...but I wasn't expecting anything sparkly like a RB would give off anyway). It flashes better under some lighting more than others. But maybe it's more of a big glare. I suppose my situation really speaks to what I have now learned about the importance of evaluating ECs with your own eyes. If I had seen what a really great EC looks like then I would have some basis for comparison.

As things stand I feel torn about what to do, if anything. I haven't really seen anything else on JA that would/could be a reasonable replacement at my price point. DH saw me looking at my ring last night and said "You can't possibly think anything is wrong with that ring? It sparkles like crazy!" Admittedly, DH knows NOTHING about diamonds and I haven't brought up my second thoughts with him. Sometimes ignorance is bliss? If I don't do anything I am settling with the thought and hope that I do have a nice stone, just perhaps not as awesome as what a knowledgable PSer would pick out.

My setting is a 4 prong cathedral. Would that cause a significant problem in swapping out stones that would certainly not be the exact same size?

 

[motownmama]

Re: 2nd thoughts about EC from JA..return/swap? advice neede

Speak directly to JA. See if they have anything, even in a smaller size, that you can compare it to. If you have doubts and you're within the return period it would be a crime not to take advantage of that. BTW - it look pretty in the photo and I look forward to seeing the finished set with this stone or another.

 

[emeraldnewbie]

Re: 2nd thoughts about EC from JA..return/swap? advice neede

Just an update:

I decided I will proceed with sending the diamond back and getting an ASET done. I also picked out a couple possibilities that are on hold for me now--similar in price/size, but hopefully better cut if this current one isn't going to actually be my *forever* stone. My original stone Measurements: 7.53*5.45*3.50. I am hoping these stones might be similar enough.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS1-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1424420.asp

Shape: Emerald
Carat weight: 1.30
Cut: Excellent
Color: F
Clarity: VVS1
Certificate: GIA

Depth: 66.8%
Table: 60.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Slightly thick to thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 7.54*5.29*3.53
Ratio: 1.43


OR

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS1-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1424413.asp

Shape: Emerald
Carat weight: 1.25
Cut: Excellent
Color: F
Clarity: VVS1
Certificate: GIA

Depth: 66.3%
Table: 62.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Slightly thick to thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 7.41*5.22*3.46
Ratio: 1.42


I will be back asking for input on the info and images I receive to help guide me further in this process. Thank you so much!