Asking for help choosing an Emerald Cut center stone please

[esourie]

Hello,

Thank You for providing this forum. I am trying to decide on an Emerald Cut diamond for an engagement ring. It will go in a three stone setting with pave on each side. I am hoping to get some help choosing a stone please.
What is important to me:

Carat: 1.5 and <

Clarity: VVS2 and <

Color: H and <

Length to width ratio: 1.38 to 1.50

I have researched and learned a lot (I think) about the 4C's , etc... What is tripping me up now is shadowing/extinction and mirroring. I have read and heard that shadowing is bad. Then, I have read and heard that you need/want some shadowing/extinction for emerald brilliance (as much as an emerald will have). If anyone has the time, I'd be grateful for your insight regarding these 4 stones please.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-6066623

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.52-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5837373

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5770780

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.52-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-6057494

I have a few more I am considering, but didn't want to send too many. Thanks in advance for taking the time to help. I very much appreciate you.

Eric

 

[esourie]

Anyone got any insight as to why no one is replying? What did I do wrong?

Thanks,
Eric

 

[tyty333]

You did it all wrong! Just kidding...give me a minute to look and I'll get back to you.

Your picks...
Not too bad - I cant put my finger on it but it seems like it is missing some flashing
in between the outer part of the stone and the very middle of the stone.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-6066623

Has a lot of facets "OFF" at the same time
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.52-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5837373

Center doesnt seem to be doing much. Not completely dead but not a whole lot of action either.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5770780

This one does look pretty lively but there is a point where two steps are "Off" at the same time which gives a rather large looking dark step.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.52-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-6057494

Let me see what JA has to offer. Can you do other websites as well?
Edit
This is the only other one that I thought was worth a look but its not 100% if you ask me. I also went
lower in clarity to open up more options.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-5561206

 

[Karl_K]

You posted at a time when many PSers are already in bed and now many are at work.

Start here:
https://www.pricescope.com/articles/virtual-facets-and-patterns-discussion-about-step-cuts
https://www.pricescope.com/articles/performance-and-p3-facets-discussion-about-step-cut-diamonds

Basically EC cuts are about patterns in some lighting and large scintillation events in the center(both fire-color and white) with smaller events near the ends in others and when moving.
The good ones will have nice patterns when static and dance like crazy when rotated across the small side, rotated end to end the flashes are much slower.

 

[esourie]

Thanks tyty and Karl. Appreciate you both.

 

[esourie]

Tyty, thanks so much! Very helpful. Yea, I can do other websites. Would LOVE to see your "recommendations".

 

[bmfang]

Given you’ve said that you are looking for stones sub-1.5cts, I’ve found these two over at Brian Gavin Diamonds. Ratios are at 1.35 rather than your minimum 1.38 but thought I’d throw these into consideration given that these are AGS 000’s cut and light performance wise:

1.258 G VS2
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/....258-g-vs2-emerald-diamond-ags-c-104102553005

1.225 H SI1 (this one does have a rather large black crystal under the table so I have a feeling you will likely rule this one out)
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/.../1.225-h-si1-emerald-diamond-ags-104097519002

 

[esourie]

bmfang, Thank You so much. I really like that first one you linked.

Thanks again!

 

[esourie]

Hello again everyone and thanks for all your help thus far. It has been so very helpful. This stuff will make you crazy (I guess if yo let it)... Anyway, what do you think of these two stones?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-5888799

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-5695445

Thanks Again

 

[bmfang]

I prefer the 1.5 H VS1. The faceting doesn’t show up with a lot of facets showing as off when looking face up relative to the G VVS1 stone.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I second the H, looks to be really pretty.

 

[OoohShiny]

The G looks good to my eyes - the narrow ends are working well apart from some windowing at the bottom of the triangles at tilt angles (which is common), the facet patterning looks appealing (IMO!), and the head-on obstruction/contrast pattern is nicely spread out. I know Karl is not keen on the P3 facets in the very centre being dark when head-on, but the very centre is not dark from obstruction, from what I can see, just the facets around it.

The H is interesting - the narrow ends seem to be working better but there seems to be less bright light return from the facets generally, so perhaps it is working the virtual facets harder? All the facets seem to be working well, though, so I think it would be cool the check it out in real life. It also seems to have quite a high crown? so might give more fire?

I wish I could have the opportunity to compare stones such as these in real life - I'm intrigued to know if the difference in bright white light return means they perform differently and have a different 'flavour' in real life! Sadly good ECs are rare enough on the internet, nevermind in a local shop...

 

[esourie]

Thank You everyone: OoohShiny, MakingTheGrade, bmf, and everyone before. I very much appreciate your input.

 

[esourie]

Hello everyone. I hope you are well.

What do you think of this stone https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.34-carat-f-color-fl-clarity-sku-6121026 ?

And, what do you think of its accompanying ASET image?




Thanks,

Eric

 

[esourie]

Alright, so I am down to these two stones ( I think). The one in the message above and then the one referenced here. May I have your opinions on these two stones please. This one seems to have more reds throughout. But, also seems to have significant light leakage, particularly in the center. Anyway, be grateful for your thoughts.


This is a 1.51 G, VVS1 stone
DIAMOND INFORMATION
POLISH: Excellent
SYMMETRY: Excellent
FLUORESCENCE: Faint
L/W/D (MM): 7.67*5.46*3.68
L/W RATIO: 1.40
MORE DIAMOND INFORMATION
DEPTH %: 67.30
GIRDLE: Thick
TABLE %: 63.00
CULET: None
CERTIFICATE: GIA
CROWN ∠: 47.70
CROWN %: 14.40
PAVILION ∠: 56.90
PAVILION %: 49.30

 

[tyty333]

Alright, so I am down to these two stones ( I think). The one in the message above and then the one referenced here. May I have your opinions on these two stones please. This one seems to have more reds throughout. But, also seems to have significant light leakage, particularly in the center. Anyway, be grateful for your thoughts.


This is a 1.51 G, VVS1 stone
DIAMOND INFORMATION
POLISH: Excellent
SYMMETRY: Excellent
FLUORESCENCE: Faint
L/W/D (MM): 7.67*5.46*3.68
L/W RATIO: 1.40
MORE DIAMOND INFORMATION
DEPTH %: 67.30
GIRDLE: Thick
TABLE %: 63.00
CULET: None
CERTIFICATE: GIA
CROWN ∠: 47.70
CROWN %: 14.40
PAVILION ∠: 56.90
PAVILION %: 49.30

The size (LxW) info that you have provided here does not match the 1.51 G/VVS1 linked above so I dont know if this is the aset for the following stone or
if this is a mistake. Can you provide us with the link for the stone that this ASET matches.

Here is the 1.51 G/VVS1 linked above
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-5888799

 

[esourie]

The size (LxW) info that you have provided here does not match the 1.51 G/VVS1 linked above so I dont know if this is the aset for the following stone or
if this is a mistake. Can you provide us with the link for the stone that this ASET matches.

Here is the 1.51 G/VVS1 linked above
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-5888799

Interesting... Let me try to clarify.

I am down to two stones. The "first" one, is a 1.51 G, VVS1. The link is here https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-6066623
And, here is the ASET:


This is the second, the 1.34, F, FL. The link is here https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.34-carat-f-color-fl-clarity-sku-6121026

And, here is its ASET:


When I said, the message above in my last message I was referring to my most recent message. Anyways, my apologies for the confusion.

 

[bmfang]

This one is a doozy. On one hand, you are getting some very strong light return in the 1.51 G VVS1 left and right of centre coupled with a dead centre and 12 o’clock area.

The 1.34 F FL is showing a lot more “even” light return across the entire stone, though it is mainly green.

Going off the vids on both JA stones, my preference is the 1.34.

 

[marcy]

I like the F and I see it is sold. Maybe you purchased it already.

 

[OoohShiny]

I swear I had replied to this but perhaps I started it on my phone and then it died!


Anyway, I agree the 1.34 is the better performer. I hope it's sold to you!