Are these good EC''s?????? Which would you choose?

[happygolucky851]

Carat: 1.03
Color: J
Clarity: VVS2
Cut: Ideal
Depth: 65.8
Table: 59.0
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Price: $2,820

OR....

Carat: 1.02
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
Cut: Ideal
Depth: 68.2
Table: 60.0
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Price: $2,980

Thanks ahead for your input. This is sort of the price range I am in for the diamond. I think everything looks ok, I was only concerned about the depth and table because I dont quite yet understand everything about that. And also the SI1 on the second diamond. I know that with EC''s it really needs to be seen, but solely based on these numbers, what do yall think? thanks again for any suggestions.
~Leslie

 

[happygolucky851]

I COMPLETELY forgot about a few other things.... here is the rest!


Carat: 1.03
Color: J
Clarity: VVS2
Cut: Ideal
Depth: 65.8
Table: 59.0
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Slightly thick to thick
Culet: Very Small
Flourescense: Faint
Measurements: 6.14*5.17*3.40
Price: $2,820

OR.....

Carat: 1.02
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
Cut: Ideal
Depth: 68.2
Table: 60.0
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Slightly Thick to Thick
Culet: None
Flourescense: None
Measurements: 5.56*5.64*3.79
Price: $2,980

OK i think i''m done!! if someone could explain the measurements to me as well... i would really really appreciate it!! thanks!!!!!!!!!
~leslie

 

[emeraldlover1]

Ok, hopefully I can answer some of your questions. First off, personally, I think you should keep looking. Here is a link to the first diamond you listed: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1132024.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Here is a link to the second diamond you listed: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1132306.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131


JA has it listed for less then where you are getting your info from. The diamonds are in a virtual inventory so you may want to check around the different vendors and see who has the best price.


The first stone, I''m not really liking the way it looks, its just personal opinion. Its almost too fat for my tastes and I''m not liking the steps toward the middle of the stone. The second stone is a square emerald. The measurements are the stone''s ratio. Length, width, and depth. The second stone is almost an asscher. There are some pretty obvious inclusions here and I''m not so sure I would go for an I si1.

Oh, there are pictures on the JA site of the stones. Its probably worth your while to get better pics if you are seriously considering either one of these, but I would keep looking.

 

[emeraldlover1]

Where are you located? Engagement rings direct has these:

1.02 J VS1 NO 67.1 69 NO VG VG GIA 1.31 $2,668

1.00 J VS2 NO 71.0 63 NO VG VG GIA 1.29 $2,714

1.01 J VS2 NO 70.2 68 NO VG VG GIA 1.3 $2,833

1.00 J VS1 NO 71.2 62 FB EX EX GIA 1.32 $2,854

1.00 J VS1 NO 68.3 69 NO VG GD GIA 1.36 $2,854

1.01 I VS2 NO 62.7 71 NO VG VG GIA 1.37 $3,163


The thing is, with these stones, you''ll have to see them. They should all be pretty fat emeralds but not square. However, its hard to tell because none of them are where I personally would want the depth and table. However, that is a matter of personal opinion and what your eye is drawn to.

 

[happygolucky851]

WOW!! Thank you! James Allen is just the only vendor that I have found to have my price range with the size stone I would like. I definitely do not want a square emerald, although they are beautiful, it just isnt what i want. I will definitely be trying ERD! Thank you so much.

 

[happygolucky851]

OH... I am located in Houston/College Station. Houston will probably be the place the diamond and setting will be bought, if not through an online vendor. any other suggestions?

 

[chrono]

There are a couple things I'd like to note:
1. Some people find I and J too warm. I'd probably shy away from a J in an EC because they DO show colour.
2. I haven't seen an eye clean SI1, sticking with VS2 is very safe.
3. Ratio: it is a personal preference. I like mine with a ratio of anywhere from 1.3 to 1.4 Some like theirs squarish, long or in between. What do YOU like?

Now on to cut:
This plays the MOST importance as to how the EC performs or sparkles:

Table: 65% and under is best. The smaller, the like-lier you are to getting a higher crown height and an EC with more dispersion (coloured light aka fire shooting out). Also a larger table tend toward the glassy and flat look. Not what most people want in ECs.

Depth: 68% and under. Less is better because if the stone is too deep, then it will look small. Don't buy by the carat weight, buy by the physical measurement.

Crown height of at least 10%. The higher the better for "life" and sparkle.

Aim for at least VG polish and symmetry

Go for as even a girdle as possible. Avoid the extremes of very thin and very thick girdles. If too thin, it might chip and if too thick, it's hiding weight.

And ECs must be seen (or at least have pictures and ASET) before even considering to buy the stone.

If you are in Houston, TX, contact Whiteflash. They are also located in Houston and although they most probably have to call in the stone from a virtual database, you can view the EC in person by appointment and they can run a SARIN, ASET, Idealscope and other testing to prove that the stone will be a dazzler (in addition to getting good pricing and even a Pricescope discount).

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/17/2008 12:39:02 AM
Author: happygolucky851
OH... I am located in Houston/College Station. Houston will probably be the place the diamond and setting will be bought, if not through an online vendor. any other suggestions?

If you are in Houston, then see what Whiteflash can offer you. Also you can only use numbers as a guide, otherwise you could miss out on a stunning diamond if you follow the numbers too strictly. A certain set of numbers does not guarantee you a pretty stone necessarily. An expert vendor who has in house stones is your best bet to find you a gorgeous diamond, as he can see each stone and talk you through the merits and suitability of each.

 

[emeraldlover1]

I don''t think it reallly matters where you get the stone from it just depends on how you feel about buying something without seeing it in person first. Also, most J emeralds do have some warmth, however, I mentioned in my own thread that mine specifically does not show the warmth from the top down. I looked at it compared to an F and G emerald and neither FF and I or Mark T. could see the warmth from the top. The thing is I got to see mine in person and I''m not sure that I would have taken the chance on a J without seeing it first. I saw an I cushion yesterday that had a ton of warmth in it and that isn''t a step cut. I put the I cushion up to my J emerald and my J looked a lot whiter to me. I personally think that it has something to do with the cut of the stone. I''m not a gemoligist so I really don''t know if any of that is true its just what I have experienced recently on my quest to find our perfect emerald. I only mention it because I know that there are some great J''s out there where the warmth isn''t as pronouced, you just may have to look a little harder for them. Also, what Chrono said is true, you may want to go to some stores and look at some J VS1 stones first before comitting. Lorelei suggested that to me and it was a great suggestion to confirm my choice.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/17/2008 11:14:46 AM
Author: emeraldlover1
I don''t think it reallly matters where you get the stone from it just depends on how you feel about buying something without seeing it in person first. Also, most J emeralds do have some warmth, however, I mentioned in my own thread that mine specifically does not show the warmth from the top down. I looked at it compared to an F and G emerald and neither FF and I or Mark T. could see the warmth from the top. The thing is I got to see mine in person and I''m not sure that I would have taken the chance on a J without seeing it first. I saw an I cushion yesterday that had a ton of warmth in it and that isn''t a step cut. I put the I cushion up to my J emerald and my J looked a lot whiter to me. I personally think that it has something to do with the cut of the stone. I''m not a gemoligist so I really don''t know if any of that is true its just what I have experienced recently on my quest to find our perfect emerald. I only mention it because I know that there are some great J''s out there where the warmth isn''t as pronouced, you just may have to look a little harder for them. Also, what Chrono said is true, you may want to go to some stores and look at some J VS1 stones first before comitting. Lorelei suggested that to me and it was a great suggestion to confirm my choice.

Glad to have helped you!

 

[happygolucky851]

Thank you ladies for all your help! Yall are all so amazing! I will definitely be checking out Whiteflash in Houston!