Buying an EC - Should I focus on surface area and not carat weight?

[Digable]

Ok I clearly don't know what I'm doing... but here goes

If I multiply the diamonds length by its width will that tell me how big its going to look when set in a ring?
I.E. will an 8 by 6 EC look the same size as another 8 by 6 EC regardless of their individual carat weight?

I was going to buy a 2 carat but it seems theres quite a few 1.7ish carat ECs with length * width greater than or equal to many 2 carat ECs, for quite a bit less money.

Thanks!

Edit:

Ok, one more question. Is what I'm callign surface area (length times width) just referred to as spread? The tutorial on the site isnt completely clear, to me anyway

 

[Demelza]

Date: 6/22/2008 1:52:52 AM
Author:Digable
Ok I clearly don''t know what I''m doing... but here goes


If I multiply the diamonds length by its width will that tell me how big its going to look when set in a ring?

I.E. will an 8 by 6 EC look the same size as another 8 by 6 EC regardless of their individual carat weight?


I was going to buy a 2 carat but it seems theres quite a few 1.7ish carat ECs with length * width greater than or equal to many 2 carat ECs, for quite a bit less money.


Thanks!


Edit:


Ok, one more question. Is what I''m callign surface area (length times width) just referred to as spread? The tutorial on the site isnt completely clear, to me anyway

Multiplying the diamond''s length by its width will give you the length to width ratio (this is more about shape preference than anything else). Two diamonds can have the same l/w ratio and one could be 2 cts and the other could be 10 cts.

Yes, two diamonds that both measure 8 mm x 6 mm will look to be the same size even though one could weigh 1.5 cts and the other could weigh 1.7 cts. In this example, the 1.7 ct would obviously have a much higher depth percentage than the 1.5 ct, thus causing it to face up the same size. This is why people will often advise you to stay away from overly deep stones (common in step-cuts) because you''re paying for carat weight that you won''t see on your hand. So, yes, focus more on measurements than on carat weight. You wouldn''t want to pay for a 2 ct that really only looks like a 1.8 ct! Hope that helps!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/22/2008 1:52:52 AM
Author:Digable
Ok I clearly don't know what I'm doing... but here goes

If I multiply the diamonds length by its width will that tell me how big its going to look when set in a ring?
I.E. will an 8 by 6 EC look the same size as another 8 by 6 EC regardless of their individual carat weight?

I was going to buy a 2 carat but it seems theres quite a few 1.7ish carat ECs with length * width greater than or equal to many 2 carat ECs, for quite a bit less money.

Thanks!

Edit:

Ok, one more question. Is what I'm callign surface area (length times width) just referred to as spread? The tutorial on the site isnt completely clear, to me anyway

Look at all your factors when choosing, bear in mind that with fancy shapes, depth doesn't always relate to spread as it does with rounds. So don't get hung up on numbers so much, but look at an EC which appeals to you visually and has a good spread, the diameter measurements will give you an idea of face up size/ spread. If you find a nice 1.7 ct which has a good spread and is the type of EC you like, then certainly consider it.

 

[strmrdr]

yes and no.
A well cut 1.8ct with the same spread/area as some 2ct ECs is a plus you are on the right path there.
But there is a trap there and that is the words well cut, there are some shallow EC''s with great spread that totally stink from a looks and performance perspective due to to shallow angles on the pavilion or low crown height.

When choosing between well cut EC''s spread is a factor but not until well cut ones have been found.

 

[CalBearsFan]

Date: 6/22/2008 2:05:49 AM
Author: Demelza

Multiplying the diamond''s length by its width will give you the length to width ratio (this is more about shape preference than anything else). Two diamonds can have the same l/w ratio and one could be 2 cts and the other could be 10 cts.

Multiplying the length and the width will NOT give you the length to width ratio. You have to divide the length by the width to get the length/width ratio. Multiplying the length and width will give you the spread/area.

 

[Demelza]

Date: 6/22/2008 9:39:04 PM
Author: CalBearsFan

Date: 6/22/2008 2:05:49 AM

Author: Demelza


Multiplying the diamond''s length by its width will give you the length to width ratio (this is more about shape preference than anything else). Two diamonds can have the same l/w ratio and one could be 2 cts and the other could be 10 cts.

Multiplying the length and the width will NOT give you the length to width ratio. You have to divide the length by the width to get the length/width ratio. Multiplying the length and width will give you the spread/area.

Oops, thanks for catching that. I totally misread the OP''s post because I was thinking he meant "divide" rather than multiply even though I wrote multiply myself. I''ll blame it on mommy brain.