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Could you help me choose an emerald cut?

Matthews1127 said:
Thank you, @rockysalamander for the sweet ping! :kiss2:
As I mentioned, before, I’m not an expert, but I adore step cut diamonds!

I am a huge fan of the 2.21 (30k+ Budget) JA EC 2.21DVVS1 that @ILikeShiny suggested, and is stuck on. I’m curious to know what the ASET on that diamond looks like!
L x W: 1.40:1 (much more rectangular).

My second choice is the 2.09 that you posted (#3). JA 2.09EVVS2. L x W: 1.34:1. She’s a bit on the plump side, but still beautiful. ;)2
Click to expand...

The reason I didn't want to choose the 2.21 one is that this same stone is also available on Enchanted Diamonds for lesser price and the ASET is directly posted on EC as well, which doesn't look good to me. Image and link attached. https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamo...oom=true&shape=Emerald#diamond=E221-462343264
E221-462343264_AST.jpg
 
I was really struggling between the 2.09 and 2.04. Someone from JA's gemological department said the 2.04 one "features an unreal amount of red in the center". What worries me is that two lower corners on the 2.04 have so much white. But the setting I'm gonna go with has four big prongs which, from the JA video demonstration, cover at least 1/2 of the area from the corner of the diamond to that of the table (if that makes sense). So half of the white area is going to be covered anyway.

I ordered the 2.04 one. I've asked them to do another ASET and address several concerns when they have the stone (it's not in house) and send the image and findings to me prior to mounting. Then I have a second chance to review and if it all goes well, I will live with the 2.04 one forever! I do sincerely hope it all goes well.

Thank you all.
 
emeraldforolivia said:
But the ASET for the 2.21 is like this...
E221-462343264_AST.jpg
Click to expand...
Truthfully, my bet is that this is a poorly done ASET. It looks highly overexposed compared to what we saw “live”.

If your 2.04 doesn’t work out I’d suggest having JA call the stone for you and redoing the ASET.

Good luck! You’re almost done!
 
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ILikeShiny said:
Truthfully, my bet is that this is a poorly done ASET. It looks highly overexposed compared to what we saw “live”.

If your 2.04 doesn’t work out I’d suggest having JA call the stone for you and redoing the ASET.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

JA said they would not do another ASET for the same stone. I argued with them for about an hour and they simply said they gemologists would just hold them in tweezers and view. Could it be possible that the strong light return indication (red) is actually just obstruction, due to the ASET not being done well?
 
emeraldforolivia said:
JA said they would not do another ASET for the same stone. I argued with them for about an hour and they simply said they gemologists would just hold them in tweezers and view. Could it be possible that the strong light return indication (red) is actually just obstruction, due to the ASET not being done well?
Click to expand...
That’s bizarre. I wonder why they said that. Maybe @Matthews1127 or @rockysalamander might know?

Do you need to go through JA? There are other vendors that would probably call the stone and do the ASET (and possibly match or come close to the price).

But really, if you’re set on the 2.04 I’d stop looking. Second-guessing can drive you crazy o_O
 
That’s bizarre. I wonder why they said that. Maybe @Matthews1127 or @rockysalamander might know?
I'm not sure. But, @emeraldforolivia could buy her own and take a bunch once she has her selected stone in hand. I also wonder if someone like David Atlas or another good appraiser might have better equipment in house.

But really, if you’re set on the 2.04 I’d stop looking. Second-guessing can drive you crazy
Excellent advice!!!
 
rockysalamander said:
That’s bizarre. I wonder why they said that. Maybe @Matthews1127 or @rockysalamander might know?
I'm not sure. But, @emeraldforolivia could buy her own and take a bunch once she has her selected stone in hand. I also wonder if someone like David Atlas or another good appraiser might have better equipment in house.

But really, if you’re set on the 2.04 I’d stop looking. Second-guessing can drive you crazy
Excellent advice!!!
Click to expand...

Aren’t people limited to 3 ASET’s per email? Perhaps requesting for one last ASET via a different email address would be successful? Worth a shot just to eliminate, or keep as an option.
I agree: this process can drive one batty, but if this were ME*, I’d leave no stone unturned (pun intended)...lol!!
Essentially, you must follow your heart!!
:mrgreen2:
 
Not a step cuts expert, but I definitely prefer the 2.09 over the 2.04. The 2.09 really looks like a very lively stone, I also like the aset. The 2.04 either stays on or off and just the overall look is not as appealing, at least to me.

Good luck with the search!
 
emeraldforolivia said:
I'm inclined to choose the 2.09 one. But on the GIA it says "internal graining not shown" which I'm not sure what it really means. Is "internal graining" a big deal?
Click to expand...

Within the VVS range, nothing is a big deal.

I would also vote for the .9 - because the pattern of reflections matches between the long and short sides. I do like the others, and tend to admire too many different versions of each shape ! If I were to find good points in the other, each has its own, of course. The .9 's claim to fame is this nicely even pattern, IHMO.

You mentioned that you would wish a rectangular EC, and this is quite short; is the shape (L/W) entirely OK ?


2c

Wish' you were after a square today ! www (possibly my last mention of GC, before I get banned for rabid partisanship ... )
 
Matthews1127 said:
Aren’t people limited to 3 ASET’s per email? Perhaps requesting for one last ASET via a different email address would be successful? Worth a shot just to eliminate, or keep as an option.
I agree: this process can drive one batty, but if this were ME*, I’d leave no stone unturned (pun intended)...lol!!
Essentially, you must follow your heart!!
:mrgreen2:
Click to expand...

Yes, it is limited to three. But for the last one, it does not have to be taken - they happen to have it already. It just takes an email from them to me.
 
UPDATE: I think all of you are right - that the 2.09 is better! I don't know what got into me that I ordered the 2.04 one. But I've sent a request for cancellation. I would really really really go for the 2.09 one if it weren't for its disturbing comment (internal graining is not shown). I just can't seem to let it go. I've researched and researched on internal graining, but still got no clue.

Does internal graining pose any durability issue (like feathers) or affect the diamond's integrity in any way? Will/Can JA gemologists identify the location, the size, and the type of this internal graining, or they just do a quick inspection makes sure nothing big is wrong? Am I a fool to pass on this stone just because of this comment...?

I've now totally ditched the 2.04 one. So now I have a 2.03 one to choose between itself and 2.09 one. This one has a windowing effect in the right part of the center, as suggested in ASET. I know many of you would say 2.09 is better and indeed it is better. But I have to consider the budget. The center doesn't seem all black on ASET, but on video I do see the windowing. Is $6000 worth the difference between the 2.03 ($19000) and 2.09 ($25000)?

Their ASETs and video are below:
The 2.09 one
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/2.09-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3506451
3506451.jpg

The 2.03 one
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/2.03-carat-f-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-3671789
3671789.jpg

Please help help help... Is $6000 worth the difference between the 2.03 ($19000) and 2.09 ($25000)?
 
valeria101 said:
Within the VVS range, nothing is a big deal.

I would also vote for the .9 - because the pattern of reflections matches between the long and short sides. I do like the others, and tend to admire too many different versions of each shape ! If I were to find good points in the other, each has its own, of course. The .9 's claim to fame is this nicely even pattern, IHMO.

You mentioned that you would wish a rectangular EC, and this is quite short; is the shape (L/W) entirely OK ?


2c

Wish' you were after a square today ! www (possibly my last mention of GC, before I get banned for rabid partisanship ... )
Click to expand...

I would prefer a 1.4 and up : 1 ratio, but my final selections are all well below 1.4...
 
denverappraiser said:
No.
Click to expand...
And a quick inspection will show if there are any other clarity/light return issues with it.
It is usually a none issue but someone inspecting it in person should be able to quickly detect if it is an issue.
 
Internal graining is not a problem, it refers to a characteristic in the crystal structure of the diamond. The 2.09 is a VVS2 stone which pretty much means zero worries in terms of clarity.
To me the price difference is worth it because I much prefer the performance of the 2.09 stone. Ask JA for their “advantage pricing”.
 
Yes, the $6000 is with the price difference. You will notice the better cut in this diamond far longer than it takes to replace that money :mrgreen2:
 
I agree with others. In my experience, once you see a flaw, you can't unseen it, unless you went into a purchase looking for "deal" over perfection. For my sister, getting an eyeclean SI2 priced accordingly, has intrinsic value. The fact that under close scrutiny or from an angle you can see an inclusion is not critical to her as she value the price/money saving/"deal". For me, just knowing there is a visible inclusion or window -- even if not visible all the time -- will drive me nuts and diminish my love of the object. So, for my personal items, I tend to pay more for my preferred color and clarity (and superior cutting in both modern diamonds and CS). In your case, if you already see a flaw (aka window), you need to reflect on your own personality. Are you someone who will notice (and *ahm* obsess) about every flaw in your hair coloring, hair cut, nail polish? Are you someone who has excellent close vision? OR are you someone not terribly fussed if your hair is slightly uneven or the color is slightly off? Do you not care if your mani has a divot or imperfect french manicure line? Are you a "good enough" person or "must be perfect". I'd also weigh that JA's upgrade policy is not incremental (like WF, HPD, and others). You would need to love this diamond in the first 30 days or face paying double for another if the window bothers you (or sell on the secondary market at 20-40% loss). So, I can't say if the $6000 is worth it to you for the 2.09. It would be to me.
 
Karl_K said:
And a quick inspection will show if there are any other clarity/light return issues with it.
It is usually a none issue but someone inspecting it in person should be able to quickly detect if it is an issue.
Click to expand...
Hi Karl, thanks for the reply. What worries me more is probably not clarity/light performance with the existence of internal graining. How much it resembles a feather is my outstanding concern. I know feathers mean cracks. Does internal graining mean that the diamond’s structure is off so it somehow resembles cracks in anyway? Does the fact that this one is a VVS2 limit the size/amount of graining?Or it could be all over inside the diamond and it could be just a tiny amount/size and all it takes is that comment? ...Thanks.
 
emeraldforolivia said:
Hi Karl, thanks for the reply. What worries me more is probably not clarity/light performance with the existence of internal graining. How much it resembles a feather is my outstanding concern. I know feathers mean cracks. Does internal graining mean that the diamond’s structure is off so it somehow resembles cracks in anyway? Does the fact that this one is a VVS2 limit the size/amount of graining?Or it could be all over inside the diamond and it could be just a tiny amount/size and all it takes is that comment? ...Thanks.
Click to expand...

Lets see if I can over simplify it a little.
Its cold out so you put on 2 tight fitting shirts and a tight jacket..
The first shirt has an area where it is thicker that shows though the second shirt as it follows it tightly.
That is graining. If its visible outside the jacket it is surface graining.

Lets say there is hole in the second shirt and the jacket covers it leaving a void behind it.
That is a feather.

The official word from GIA.
http://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/diamond-inclusions-defined/

Btw the diamond I bought for my wife has a grade setting feather.
 
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Karl_K said:
Lets see if I can over simplify it a little.
Its cold out so you put on 2 tight fitting shirts and a tight jacket..
The first shirt has an area where it is thicker that shows though the second shirt as it follows it tightly.
That is graining. If its visible outside the jacket it is surface graining.

Lets say there is hole in the second shirt and the jacket covers it leaving a void behind it.
That is a feather.

The official word from GIA.
http://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/diamond-inclusions-defined/

Btw the diamond I bought for my wife has a grade setting feather.
Click to expand...

Okay. With that explanation, I think I’m over that gaining thing now.

Just two more questions though, if that’s okay...
1. By how much do you think the 2.09 one surpasses the 2.03 one in terms of their ASET/light performance?
2. And by how much one surpasses another when taking all facts into account?
(i.e. the best score for emerald cuts are 100. How much the 2.09 deserves and how much the other one deserves?)

I attached both images here again.
2.09
3506451.jpg

2.03
3671789.jpg
 
I am sorry emeraldforolivia forum rules prevent me from commenting on a competitors diamonds/images in that way.
Since I joined DBL I have a stricter interpretation of the rules to follow, which is why you may have seen more far reaching comments from me in the recent past than I can post now.
The awesome prosumers can help you with that question.
 
If you give the 2.09 a score of 100, I would give the 2.03 like a low 90 (say 93). Still a good stone but there are some facets in the center that dont look like
they are as lively as they could be.

Edit...I think that 2.09 is pretty impressive.
 
I agree with @tyty333. Every time you ask this question. We give the same answer. Let me suggest that you have found a stunning stone. Order it and see it in person. You can return it if it is not ok in person. :wavey: Good luck.
 
Karl_K said:
I am sorry emeraldforolivia forum rules prevent me from commenting on a competitors diamonds/images in that way.
Since I joined DBL I have a stricter interpretation of the rules to follow, which is why you may have seen more far reaching comments from me in the recent past than I can post now.
The awesome prosumers can help you with that question.
Click to expand...

OK, but thank you :)
 
Hi folks,

Just when I was ready to purchase the 2.09, I found that their price has increased by $500 and they refused to honor the previous price. Should I still get this one?
 
emeraldforolivia said:
Hi folks,

Just when I was ready to purchase the 2.09, I found that their price has increased by $500 and they refused to honor the previous price. Should I still get this one?
Click to expand...
Once again, ask for their “advantage pricing”. Also, to anyone new reading, this is why we recommend reserving diamonds as that “locks” the price.
 
The prices of diamonds go up and down due to market forces - a $500 increase is annoying but only a 2% increase on the original price.

The diamond I bought for my good lady also went up just before I bought it. Was I annoyed? A little, but I can't even remember how much the difference was now, whereas every day I get to see it throwing out fire from edge to edge in all sorts of lights, I think I bought wisely and enjoy seeing its performance :)

Or think of it another way - how long has it taken to narrow your selection down to this stone? Would you rather do it all again or spend $500 to not have to do it again? lol
 
OoohShiny said:
The prices of diamonds go up and down due to market forces - a $500 increase is annoying but only a 2% increase on the original price.

The diamond I bought for my good lady also went up just before I bought it. Was I annoyed? A little, but I can't even remember how much the difference was now, whereas every day I get to see it throwing out fire from edge to edge in all sorts of lights, I think I bought wisely and enjoy seeing its performance :)

Or think of it another way - how long has it taken to narrow your selection down to this stone? Would you rather do it all again or spend $500 to not have to do it again? lol
Click to expand...
Very wise points!

OP - I'd grab this stone to view in person before your hold expires.
 
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