Advice on Fancy Light Yellow

[simplysplendid]

Hi,

I am looking at an oval fancy light yellow with a GIA colored diamond identification and origin report as follows:

Measurements: 10.00mm X 6.84mm X 4.80mm
weight: 2.75ct
Colour Grade - Origin: Natural
Grade: Fancy Light Yellow
Distribution: Even
Comments: None

I have looked at this diamond in the store as well as in natural daylight although it was slightly overcast that day. I compared this diamond with other fancy light yellows and fancy yellows (all set in yellow gold) and found that this stone looks more like the other fancy yellows. What I like about this stone is that it is a lemony/buttery yellow (i don''t like the intense and vivid yellows with seems a little dark and orangy to me). This stone also looks clean under the loupe so I am not concerned about clarity issues here.

However, I noticed that there is no bow-tie (i know there must be bow-ties in ovals

). In other fancy yellow radiants or ovals or even cushions, I noticed that the bow tie area is distinctly lighter than the rest of the stone. But in this diamond, the supposed bow tie area looks the same colour as the rest of the diamond. In fact, I think the entire diamond looks the same colour (face up at least) whereas the other fancy yellows have some areas that are lighter yellow and some areas with darker/stronger yellow. Is this a good or bad thing?

Also, my jeweler is quoting me approx USD14,500 for the diamond only (I don''t like the current setting). Is this a fair price to pay or can it be cheaper? With the measurements, does this diamond look too big or too small for its size? Any comments or advice will be most appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Catmom]

Hi Simplysplendid! First off, I am not an expert on yellow diamonds! I wasn''t even looking for one before I found mine so didn''t do much research. Please take what I say with a grain of salt and hopefully an expert will chime in. I totally agree with you on the FLY color. Even though I know that the more color intense the "better" the stone, I just do not like the darker more intense colors. What really drew me to my stone was not only the color but the cut of the stone and the fact that it had no bowtie or color banding. Like you, a lot of the yellow stones I have seen have color banding issues or pronounced bow ties where the color is washed out. My color distribution is even as well so I think you are very lucky to have found a stone that is even with no bowtie. Even color distribution and no bowtie is a VERY good thing. Wish I could help you with the measurements but I was more interested in how lively my stone was. Does the oval have a ton of life, sparkle and movement? My stone seems to have a depth and sparkle to it that I have never seen before.

Good luck on finding your stone, although it sounds to me like this oval could be a good one! Hopefully an expert can help.

 

[diagem]

Date: 11/11/2007 1:13:26 PM
Author:simplysplendid
Hi,

I am looking at an oval fancy light yellow with a GIA colored diamond identification and origin report as follows:

Measurements: 10.00mm X 6.84mm X 4.80mm
weight: 2.75ct
Colour Grade - Origin: Natural
Grade: Fancy Light Yellow
Distribution: Even
Comments: None

I have looked at this diamond in the store as well as in natural daylight although it was slightly overcast that day. I compared this diamond with other fancy light yellows and fancy yellows (all set in yellow gold) and found that this stone looks more like the other fancy yellows. What I like about this stone is that it is a lemony/buttery yellow (i don''t like the intense and vivid yellows with seems a little dark and orangy to me). This stone also looks clean under the loupe so I am not concerned about clarity issues here.

However, I noticed that there is no bow-tie (i know there must be bow-ties in ovals

). In other fancy yellow radiants or ovals or even cushions, I noticed that the bow tie area is distinctly lighter than the rest of the stone. But in this diamond, the supposed bow tie area looks the same colour as the rest of the diamond. In fact, I think the entire diamond looks the same colour (face up at least) whereas the other fancy yellows have some areas that are lighter yellow and some areas with darker/stronger yellow. Is this a good or bad thing?

Is it a oval brilliant or oval modified brilliant?
That''s why its graded as an "even" distribution...

Since you pointed you dont like intenses and vivids..., it sounds like you found your stone..., the most important issue is do you love it?
The answer to that is in you...

Also, my jeweler is quoting me approx USD14,500 for the diamond only (I don''t like the current setting). Is this a fair price to pay or can it be cheaper? With the measurements, does this diamond look too big or too small for its size? Any comments or advice will be most appreciated. Thank you.

Measurements (you mean spread?) sound +/- fine for an elongated shape...
As far as price..., it would be unfair for anyone to comment sight unseen..., especially fancy colored Diamonds...

 

[simplysplendid]

Hi Catmom! Yes, this stone just draws my eyes into it.. it makes me looks deep into the centre of the stone..

Hi Diagem, the cert says that this is an Oval Modified Brilliant. What is the difference between Oval modified brilliant and oval brilliant? I also noticed that the other fancy light yellows and fancy yellows which I have seen that has slight unevenness in the colour has got an "Even" under "Distribution" on the GIA cert too.. ?

 

[diagem]

Date: 11/11/2007 8:05:47 PM
Author: simplysplendid
Hi Catmom! Yes, this stone just draws my eyes into it.. it makes me looks deep into the centre of the stone..

Hi Diagem, the cert says that this is an Oval Modified Brilliant. What is the difference between Oval modified brilliant and oval brilliant? I also noticed that the other fancy light yellows and fancy yellows which I have seen that has slight unevenness in the colour has got an ''Even'' under ''Distribution'' on the GIA cert too.. ?

Hi, usually ''modified'' means added number of facets over the standard 57-58 facet brilliants..., and those M. Ovals usually dont possess a "Bow"...

The uneveness you notice on a lot of others I would tend to believe (without seeing) is because of contrast (usually the brillianteering on the pavilions of these stones are painted to produce color eveness)

 

[Beacon]

Your stone sounds nice. I love ovals and I love yellows so I think it is great. Price is good too. Quite good. You didn''t mention the clarity grading so perhaps that is a factor in the price?

The measurments seem slightly small for an oval of 2.75 ct. Those measurements are usually more with a 2.25 ct oval. Maybe yours has an thick - extremely thick girdle??

It seems really nice. Do you have a photo for all of us to admire? Hope all works out for your purchase.

 

[diagem]

Date: 11/12/2007 1:49:25 AM
Author: Beacon
Your stone sounds nice. I love ovals and I love yellows so I think it is great. Price is good too. Quite good. You didn''t mention the clarity grading so perhaps that is a factor in the price?

The measurments seem slightly small for an oval of 2.75 ct. Those measurements are usually more with a 2.25 ct oval. Maybe yours has an thick - extremely thick girdle??

It seems really nice. Do you have a photo for all of us to admire? Hope all works out for your purchase.

Beacon..., dont forget it is a ''modified'' and ''colored''..., usually thicker to catch the body-color of the Diamond...
Can''t really compare to spreads/measurements of standard oval''s

 

[simplysplendid]

Date: 11/12/2007 12:11:59 AM
Author: DiaGem

Date: 11/11/2007 8:05:47 PM
Author: simplysplendid
Hi Catmom! Yes, this stone just draws my eyes into it.. it makes me looks deep into the centre of the stone..

Hi Diagem, the cert says that this is an Oval Modified Brilliant. What is the difference between Oval modified brilliant and oval brilliant? I also noticed that the other fancy light yellows and fancy yellows which I have seen that has slight unevenness in the colour has got an ''Even'' under ''Distribution'' on the GIA cert too.. ?

Hi, usually ''modified'' means added number of facets over the standard 57-58 facet brilliants..., and those M. Ovals usually dont possess a ''Bow''...

The uneveness you notice on a lot of others I would tend to believe (without seeing) is because of contrast (usually the brillianteering on the pavilions of these stones are painted to produce color eveness)

Hi Diagem,

Sorry I am still confused, so the uneveness that I see on other stones is known as contrast which is caused by brillianteering on the pavilions? May I know what is brillianteering?

 

[diagem]

Date: 11/12/2007 3:25:11 AM
Author: simplysplendid

Date: 11/12/2007 12:11:59 AM
Author: DiaGem

Date: 11/11/2007 8:05:47 PM
Author: simplysplendid
Hi Catmom! Yes, this stone just draws my eyes into it.. it makes me looks deep into the centre of the stone..

Hi Diagem, the cert says that this is an Oval Modified Brilliant. What is the difference between Oval modified brilliant and oval brilliant? I also noticed that the other fancy light yellows and fancy yellows which I have seen that has slight unevenness in the colour has got an ''Even'' under ''Distribution'' on the GIA cert too.. ?

Hi, usually ''modified'' means added number of facets over the standard 57-58 facet brilliants..., and those M. Ovals usually dont possess a ''Bow''...

The uneveness you notice on a lot of others I would tend to believe (without seeing) is because of contrast (usually the brillianteering on the pavilions of these stones are painted to produce color eveness)

Hi Diagem,

Sorry I am still confused, so the uneveness that I see on other stones is known as contrast which is caused by brillianteering on the pavilions? May I know what is brillianteering? Correction!!! I didnt say "is known".

Without seeing what you are describing it will be impossible to be certain...

But taking the fact that GIA graded the distribution even..., and taking into account the GIA is correct..., a stronger contrast between the brillianteering facets (of the pavilion) could produce an uneven appearance in different lighting and positions.

Brillianteering is the last stage of the cutting procedure..., thats where each main facets gets subdivided into plural facets to achieve fire/life/brilliance etc..., etc...

In some cuts to enhance the face-up color appearance of the Diamond..., the brillianteering on the pavilion is painted to minimize contrast between the facets.
One of the (many) meanings of "painting" is to minimize the angle difference between facets.

I hope I am making myself clear..., if not..., there is plenty of reading material here on PS for you to better understand...

Good reading and good luck,

 

[simplysplendid]

Thank you very much Diagem! Ah, there''s so much to learn everyday!