Color importance in emerald cut stones

[Lady Lulu]

I am in the market for a beautiful emerald cut diamond with trapezoid shaped sidestones. Of course, affordability is key in making my decision. I know the whiter the stone and the better the clarity...the more costly it becomes. I''d like my center stone to be something in the neighborhood of 2+ carats. Everything I have read says the minimum color / clarity for the emerald cut should be no lower than G VS2 - because of how the light refracts and reflects throught the step cut facets. Anybody have any experience purchasing emerald cuts in the lower, more affordable, color ranges - I/J? If so, are you happy with your decision. Is the variance in color really that noticeable?

 

[emgirl]

I looked at a J stone and found it way, way too yellow. I ended up buying a G colored stone (emarld cut). I saw some H stones that weren''t too bad, but compared to the G, the G was definitely worth the extra money in my opinion. Good luck.

 

[Lady Lulu]

Thanks for the input. It helps make the decision easier and more informed.

 

[windowshopper]

i ve seen many estate/vintage harry winston ECs in H''s and G''s.................i think its the most economical with no discernible differenece

 

[FireGoddess]

Step cut stones don''t hide color as well as rb stones do, so best to see one in person in the color you''re thinking of before you pull the trigger.

 

[asscherisme]

I have to agree with above. My asscher/ technically a square emerald is a G color VS1. I looked at H and I and found them too yellow for my taste. And in a VS2, I could see an inclusion! My husband ultimately picked the stone, but we had decided together to go with at least a G and at least a VS1.

These cuts don''t hide color or inclusions well.

On the other hand, my studs are S1, ideal cut and you can''t see ANY inclusions.

 

[dani13]

I agree with the others. My EC is a G/VS1, and I definitely found every other diamond lower than a G to be too colorful for my taste. I am very color sensitive though....

 

[strmrdr]

2ctEC .. g-h vs1 or vs2 sounds right.

 

[Kaleigh]

I agree with an EC, I wouldn''t go beyond a G, maybe an H. Clarity is key as EC''s don''t hide imperfections like a RB would so VS2 would be my limit. I''d prefer a G VS1 myself. The bigger the stone the more the color will show as will the inclusions. HTH, good luck!!

 

[UCLABelle]

Hello!

I understand 100% where many Pricescope people say you should go no lower than "G/H", but I have a 2ct Asscher (in the same "family" as emerald cuts) which is "I" color. I wanted a larger diamond (but asscher) and my husband-to-be picked the diamond. To be honest, I can''t really tell it is a GIA "I". It looks like an "H"---I think you must look at them in person and then decide! I wouldn''t go lower than J. I have seen some GREAT emerald cut "J" stones.

Good Luck!