EC Diamonds ... HELP!

[CJN]

Ok, first post. Please be gentle. I honestly can't believe I'm doing this but here goes ...

I need some help deciding on an EC diamond. I'm having an ER custom made thanks to my picky g/f. Couldn't find anything anywhere near what she actually wanted in store or online, not at a fair enough price anyway. She wanted a baguette channel set setting, with the baguettes going down 1/2 both sides -- $$$$:roll. And she loves, loves... loves step cut diamonds. After going back and forth between asscher and emerald, I settled for emerald. I knew that she wasn't particulary a fan of elongated diamonds so i wanted something in the 1.32 - 1.45 length to width range. I originally decided to set aside a budget for $3.5k (this was well before I knew ANYTHING about diamonds) and headed to a local jeweler that was recommended to me by a friend.

After some research. I learned that carats aren't everything. I figured at least a 1ct diamond would be something that would look decent on her sz 6 finger but found that to be difficult with my budget sooo I knocked it up another $1.5k ... so I didn't want to go over $5k but had a LITTLE wiggle room to do so if I had to.

Anyway, long story short ... I found a .93ct EC diamond online for $2,500 with the current stats:

Color: F
Clarity: S1
Depth: 62.2%
Table: 64%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.76 x 4.77 x 2.97

I felt like I got a pretty good deal on the diamond being that I'd seen it on other sites for $2.9K - $3.1K. I'd seen pics of the diamond and could not figure out why it was listed as an SI1 so I had it shipped in to get a up-close and personal look. To my surprise, it was very eye-clean. The only blemish I saw was at the bottom girdle/pavillion of the diamond which wouldn't be an issue b/c 1. I could NOT see it with the naked eye (yes .. I purchased a jewelry magnifier to get a close look ), 2. it'd most likely be covered anyway

But then... I found another EC diamond .95ct for $3,200. I had it shipped to me because I figured I was going to find a blemish or inclusion in the .93ct F SI1 diamond that was sent over. Here are the stats:

Color: G
Clarity: VVS2
Depth: 68.3%
Table: 68%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 7.02 x 4.73 x 3.23

Soooo my question is, would the 3% face-up area of the .95ct G VVS2 diamond be worth the extra $700? I haven't seen it in person yet but I plan on it tomorrow. As mentioned, I want something that'll look decently sized on her finger. And when I say "decently"... I really mean "larger" or something that at least looks like a carat, haha. Just figured I'd get this out there before I put my eyes on the second diamond.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Matthews1127]

In the world of EC’s, Cut, symmetry & clarity are all priorities. With an eye clean, EX symmetrical EC, at a crisp F color, why not? Outside of the fact that it will likely be a bit more elongated than square (and she isn’t a fan of elongated diamonds), these stats incline me to go with stone 1. Stone #2 will likely show body color a bit more (not by much), the symmetry will not be as good, which may effect its performance, and the l x w ratio is nearly 1.50:1, which is completely rectangular, and nowhere near the squatty, square EC style you would probably prefer. Its clarity wins between the two, but you have a perfectly eye clean SI1....so it’s not relevant.
EXTREMELY difficult to tell without seeing the stone perform, either in video or, at minimum, ASET. Step cuts are tricky little buggers; tough to judge by the numbers.
Do you have any visual aids you can post to help us to help you?

A visual comparison of each on a size 6 finger:
https://www.diamdb.com/compare/0.93ct-emerald-6.77x4.76x2.97-vs-0.95ct-emerald-7.02x4.73x3.23/

 

[CJN]

In the world of EC’s, Cut, symmetry & clarity are all priorities. With an eye clean, EX symmetrical EC, at a crisp F color, why not? Outside of the fact that it will likely be a bit more elongated than square (and she isn’t a fan of elongated diamonds), these stats incline me to go with stone 1. Stone #2 will likely show body color a bit more (not by much), the symmetry will not be as good, which may effect its performance, and the l x w ratio is nearly 1.50:1, which is completely rectangular, and nowhere near the squatty, square EC style you would probably prefer. Its clarity wins between the two, but you have a perfectly eye clean SI1....so it’s not relevant.
EXTREMELY difficult to tell without seeing the stone perform, either in video or, at minimum, ASET. Step cuts are tricky little buggers; tough to judge by the numbers.
Do you have any visual aids you can post to help us to help you?

A visual comparison of each on a size 6 finger:
https://www.diamdb.com/compare/0.93ct-emerald-6.77x4.76x2.97-vs-0.95ct-emerald-7.02x4.73x3.23/

Thanks much for the response and the visual comparison link. I've been using it for quite some time. It's so close, I feel like im knitpicking. But I do share the same sentiments about the G color being almost 1.50 when it comes to length to width. I've provided a video of the G color .95ct here https://segoma.com/v.aspx?type=inner&id=PYII2WDGBB

The .93ct F however was a little more challenging .... I tried to capture it using the magnifier + my iphone but that proved to be difficult. Also tried to get a video https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jeaOcudg2OajIOvWVCrhQroyGGj4ZkCH/view?usp=sharing . You guys should be able to access that, maybe need to switch quality to 1080p to get a better view. Anywho, hope these help. Picture quality sucks.

 

[Matthews1127]

Thanks much for the response and the visual comparison link. I've been using it for quite some time. It's so close, I feel like im knitpicking. But I do share the same sentiments about the G color being almost 1.50 when it comes to length to width. I've provided a video of the G color .95ct here https://segoma.com/v.aspx?type=inner&id=PYII2WDGBB

The .93ct F however was a little more challenging .... I tried to capture it using the magnifier + my iphone but that proved to be difficult. Also tried to get a video https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jeaOcudg2OajIOvWVCrhQroyGGj4ZkCH/view?usp=sharing . You guys should be able to access that, maybe need to switch quality to 1080p to get a better view. Anywho, hope these help. Picture quality sucks.

Both are beautiful. However, difficult to see performance of 0.93ct stone...not much tilt in your video. Great attempt, though!

I am concerned about 0.95ct in these areas, during tilt:

The center seems very dark, and the steps seem to dim, simultaneously, at these angles, which causes me to pause.
I believe that returns to the “symmetry” I mentioned, earlier. P3 doesn’t seem to be placed in adequate position to give the diamond enough life to stay bright, at all angles, and the steps are dimming simultaneously, which tells me the symmetry is off in this stone. Light just isn’t bouncing around this diamond like it is meant to.
I’d be interested to see if 0.93ct demonstrates a better light show, and helps to evaluate the difference in symmetry between these two diamonds. With EC’s, the more fire, the better!

 

[Matthews1127]

If I had to choose between these two, based upon only the info given/provided to this point, I’d be on team 0.93FSI1.

 

[CJN]

If I had to choose between these two, based upon only the info given/provided to this point, I’d be on team 0.93FSI1.

Sheeesh. Sounds like I came to the right place. Thanks much. Your valuations are much appreciated.

 

[Matthews1127]

Sheeesh. Sounds like I came to the right place. Thanks much. Your valuations are much appreciated.

You did! I assure you, more will comment & offer you their advice/expert opinion. Just remember: YOU have the diamond(s), and YOU can examine them in person. YOU must choose what speaks to YOU.

I’m a huge step-cut lover. If you are looking for guidance, or reassurance re: SI clarity quality, here are my threads:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/meet-uisce.231677/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/“buann-gra’-gach-rud”-“love-conquers-all”.236106/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sweet-november.235693/

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...-yoram-finkelstein-at-gemconcepts-ltd.235991/

You never know when or where you’ll find a “Unicorn”.

 

[CJN]

Well .. I thought I'd have the G VVS2 .95ct by now but I find myself chasing FedEx to get it. Didn't know that it was common practice to not provide the buyer the tracking number. Ah well..

 

[Matthews1127]

Well .. I thought I'd have the G VVS2 .95ct by now but I find myself chasing FedEx to get it. Didn't know that it was common practice to not provide the buyer the tracking number. Ah well..

Wow. That seems odd to me, too. Hope it comes, soon!

 

[CJN]

Found it! I took more photos just because ... even though I suck at it. Really difficult to get angles and pivots and whatnot. Though slightly smaller, really think I'm feeling the look of the F SI1. G VVS2 like you mentioned shows shadows and gets dark from more angles.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FE8CfZVG7QRnGtmTeckSzRv8sC__FO5j/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vLDywABBjQ5m2G3IpHtY_z8zShpvrTIk/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19hOEhIYxsz8M9xtFMRZdOrrdfr81wwX7/view?usp=sharing

 

[Matthews1127]

I’m definitely Team 0.93FSI1

 

[RetroTreeGal]

I’m definitely Team 0.93FSI1

Good golly, no contest!

 

[CJN]

Welp .. went with the F color .93 ct. Going to get final mock ups and then the wait begins. This whole process has been quite a journey. I’ve learned so much. I almost don’t want it to end ..

Thanks much for the input

 

[Matthews1127]

Welp .. went with the F color .93 ct. Going to get final mock ups and then the wait begins. This whole process has been quite a journey. I’ve learned so much. I almost don’t want it to end ..

Thanks much for the input

YES!!! Great choice!!!!
I can’t wait to see the entire finished ring!!!