BIG Difference between J/K in OEC

[chupiechow]

Hello,

Would I notice a considerable difference in color from a J to K in an older stone. I just wanted to get an opinion on whether it's worth the price difference or would I need to go to an I before I noticed a signficant difference. Meaning less yellow at certain angles.
As always thanks!

 

[Rockdiamond]

Hi Chupiechow!
Who's determining the grades here?
The reason I ask is because if it's anything other than GIA grading, don't count on a J being a J.
In general....have you looked at different colors in diamonds, and are you normally color sensitive?

ETA- please add AGSL to the extremely short list of reliable labs

 

[lktx]

Rockdiamond, what about AGS?

(Chupiechow, sorry for the threadjack!)

 

[stci]

No difference to my eyes between a J and a K in OEC.

 

[chupiechow]

Unfortunatley EGL is doing the grading. I am color sensitive, but with older stones each one always looks different. For instance I saw an L cushion that faced up like a J and it was graded by EGL. I didn't know if cushions would show more color than an OEC or not.
Also, what color would I need to go up to in order not to see yellow from the side? Or will I always see it with older stones?
Thanks

 

[Rockdiamond]

Hmmm- that does make things a little more difficult for you.
I have found that even colorless OMB stones feel warmer than brilliant faceted stones.
I've heard it said that emerald cuts show more color than rounds- which I don't feel is an accurate generalization- but it relates to OMBs in that they've both got larger faceting.
Some will be seeing this as more color, others less.

If you look at different branded OMB's there are different styles that emphasize, or reduce the body color of an OMB- so it's true that there's a lot of variation within the cut.

My personal feeling is that color as seen through the pavilion is relatively unimportant- as once the diamond is set, you won;t have an unimpeded view of the pavilion.

I'm not helping much, am I?
The way one perceives color is so personal- and the setting will also impact the results.

 

[Gypsy]

Good return policy plus good appraiser. That's the best advice I can offer. Have it sent directly to a good independent appraiser to do a work up on the stone and determine for you what the stone would be, color wise, by GIA standards.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I am not very experienced in warmer colors .. but I will just say that the few OECs I have seen in real life faces up extremly white. My newly acquired OEC is so white although it is graded as a J/K (not GIA).

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think you will need the help of an appraiser to assess future diamonds so you can determine their color by GIA standards, as Gypsy said. Or you can just see them yourself until you find something you like! Fun, eh?

In my experience as someone who is color sensitive, if you want a stone than does not show tint you need GIA/AGS color H or better, especially in larger ct. weights. Even an old cut is going to show its body color in some lighting I think, so if you don't want to see anything you will really need to go up the scale. And shell out some moolah!

That said, I personally noticed a big difference between AGS K and AGS I, so that could be enough for you (assuming you have an appraiser to help you calibrate the annoyingly inconsistent EGL grades).

 

[Karl_K]

This is really a complicated question.
As posted above GIA or AGS grading is the most reliable.
Even then J and K are both very wide ranges.
A high J and a low K can be very far apart where a low J and a high K can have no visible color difference.
It really can be tricky and they can look different in different lighting.
Which is why a return policy is critical when buying a diamond either in person or at a b&m.