EC question

[bleeblue]

Hi everyone! This is my first post on pricescope (although, I have been admiring everyone''s beautiful rings in "show me the ring" for some time now

).

My wonderful partner and I have discussed getting engaged for a while and we''re now ready to purchase the engagement ring. I''ve read a lot of the threads here (bordering on obsessive compulsive at times

) and I''ve decided that I would like an EC diamond as the centre stone. Our budget means we can afford an EC diamond around 0.8ct, F colour, VS1 – VS2 clarity (I don''t want to go any lower on these specs). I have also decided that I would like a 1.25 – 1.3 length to width ratio as I prefer a more square shape but I don''t want an assher cut.

I''m posting here for some help in relation to table and depth percentages. I have seen the a few differing ranges which have been described as "idea". I remember reading in a post that if an EC is too deep it will make the diamond look small for its weight and larger tables makes ECs look "glassy". I think I also read that a higher crown will make ECs sparkle more.

So my question is what table and depth percentages would give me the biggest and sparkliest looking EC diamond? Also, what would be an ideal size for the crown?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/5/2009 2:03:30 AM
Author:bleeblue



Hi everyone! This is my first post on pricescope (although, I have been admiring everyone's beautiful rings in 'show me the ring' for some time now

).

My wonderful partner and I have discussed getting engaged for a while and we're now ready to purchase the engagement ring. I've read a lot of the threads here (bordering on obsessive compulsive at times

) and I've decided that I would like an EC diamond as the centre stone. Our budget means we can afford an EC diamond around 0.8ct, F colour, VS1 – VS2 clarity (I don't want to go any lower on these specs). I have also decided that I would like a 1.25 – 1.3 length to width ratio as I prefer a more square shape but I don't want an assher cut.

I'm posting here for some help in relation to table and depth percentages. I have seen the a few differing ranges which have been described as 'idea'. I remember reading in a post that if an EC is too deep it will make the diamond look small for its weight and larger tables makes ECs look 'glassy'. I think I also read that a higher crown will make ECs sparkle more.

So my question is what table and depth percentages would give me the biggest and sparkliest looking EC diamond? Also, what would be an ideal size for the crown?

There are various proportion configurations which can produce an attractive EC, yes normally the table being less than the depth is preferred but there are exceptions to this if you have images to prove everything works well together. You can use the following numbers as a guide but don't get hung up on these too much if you find a diamond you like. Also depth doesn't always relate to spread in fancy shapes as it does with rounds as there are other areas weight can hide, therefore depth doesn't tell the whole story.

Here are some guidelines, but if you find a diamond you love and the images prove it is well cut which doesn't match up to these numbers, then thats fine.

depth below 70%
table 65% or less
crown height 10% or greater. Higher crown height can aid the production of fire, normally a Sarin scan is needed to give this measurement.

The rest is images and checking the patterning, different types of patterning and things to look for in the EC to get any meaningful info, so best to work with a vendor who can supply detailed photos, ASET images and run a Sarin or Helium scan to get the crown height and other numbers.

If you are considering buying online, try these vendors.

www.goodoldgold.com

www.niceice.com

www.exceldiamonds.com

www.jamesallen.com

www.whiteflash.com

The above vendors should be able to provide the images and info needed.

 

[bleeblue]

Thanks Lorelei!

My jeweller is currently sourcing a range of EC diamonds for me to look at.

I''ll post prospective diamonds here for all the experieced pricescopers to comment

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/6/2009 4:04:54 AM
Author: bleeblue
Thanks Lorelei!

My jeweller is currently sourcing a range of EC diamonds for me to look at.

I'll post prospective diamonds here for all the experieced pricescopers to comment

That sounds fine, once you do I will give my friend strm a shout and we can look for you! Just to make sure, it looks as if you are ok with length to width ratios and what to look for, also wanted to mention some vendors such as www.goodoldgold.com can do videos for you which can be very helpful when selecting an EC.

Just in case you haven't found it, here is a very useful shape selector you can use to play around with various L/W ratios.

 

[bleeblue]

Ok so here the picture of one:

0.76 ct E/VS2
polish Excellent
symmetry VG
no Fluorescence
5.92 x 4.72 x 3.15, ratio of 1.25 : 1

I''ve asked for the depth and table percentages as well as the crown height. I will post once I have them.

 

[kenny]

Strange pic.

Looks like the photographer strategically place some pink and yellow and perhaps some blue objects nearby for the diamond to reflect.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Sometimes numbers are just numbers. My EC has a large table. I believe it is 72%. That would have most PSers running the other direction but I can assure you there is NOTHING glassy about my stone. It sparkles nonstop so let your eyes be the judge. Can wait to see what you choose!

 

[bleeblue]

Ok, I''ve got some more specs for the diamond in the pic above

Depth : 66.7%
Table : 65%
Culet: N

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/6/2009 8:22:16 PM
Author: bleeblue
Ok so here the picture of one:

0.76 ct E/VS2
polish Excellent
symmetry VG
no Fluorescence
5.92 x 4.72 x 3.15, ratio of 1.25 : 1

I've asked for the depth and table percentages as well as the crown height. I will post once I have them.

I can't see the photo that clearly to study the patterning properly but it looks like a pretty EC from what I can see. If you could get the crown height too that would help.

 

[bleeblue]

Ok here is another option I''ve been given:

Specs are:

78ct F VS2

Ratio is 1.24 : 1.
Depth 71.2%
Table 65 %
Girdle medium - slightly thick ( just what you would want, not over thin or thick ).
No Fluorescence.

There is a cloud, but I''ve been assured that its is eye clean.

What are everyone''s opinions?

 

[Lorelei]

I can't tell much from the photo unfortunately as it is too bright and I can't see the faceting in its entirety - although I can see some good things about it, can you get the crown height from a Sarin report and maybe an ASET or Idealscope image from the vendor please?

 

[bleeblue]

unfortunnately, i can''t get any more pictures

it seems to face up really small and i''m worried about the depth. Do you think the first one is better?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/13/2009 6:18:46 AM
Author: bleeblue
unfortunnately, i can''t get any more pictures

it seems to face up really small and i''m worried about the depth. Do you think the first one is better?

What is the diameter in MM for this diamond?

 

[bleeblue]

Date: 10/13/2009 8:07:36 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 10/13/2009 6:18:46 AM
Author: bleeblue
unfortunnately, i can''t get any more pictures

it seems to face up really small and i''m worried about the depth. Do you think the first one is better?

What is the diameter in MM for this diamond?

5.60 x 4.51 x 3.21 mm

it''s significantly smaller than the 0.76pt ec

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/13/2009 5:31:29 PM
Author: bleeblue

Date: 10/13/2009 8:07:36 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 10/13/2009 6:18:46 AM
Author: bleeblue
unfortunnately, i can't get any more pictures

it seems to face up really small and i'm worried about the depth. Do you think the first one is better?

What is the diameter in MM for this diamond?

5.60 x 4.51 x 3.21 mm

it's significantly smaller than the 0.76pt ec

It is facing up a bit smaller than the other one yes, the trouble is it is difficult to judge these by the images as they aren't very clear, not your fault at all it is just very detailed photos are needed. Do you have any more in mind? You mentioned you would prefer a more square EC and these are more of the rectangular shape.

 

[bleeblue]

Just providing an update to everyone

I decided to go with the first stone I posted. I knew I was taking a risk, but I went with it for 2 reasons:

1. my jeweller said that he was confident that it would be a nice stone. He said that if he ordered it in from the cutters and I did not like it, he would be happy to keep it.

2. the stone seems to face up quite big for something that is only 0.76ct.

I saw it in real life the other day and it is very lively and beautiful - I took my jeweller a while to find the feather under a x10 loupe.

It''s being set as we speak, I will post pics when its done.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/11/2009 10:18:38 PM
Author: bleeblue
Just providing an update to everyone

I decided to go with the first stone I posted. I knew I was taking a risk, but I went with it for 2 reasons:

1. my jeweller said that he was confident that it would be a nice stone. He said that if he ordered it in from the cutters and I did not like it, he would be happy to keep it.

2. the stone seems to face up quite big for something that is only 0.76ct.

I saw it in real life the other day and it is very lively and beautiful - I took my jeweller a while to find the feather under a x10 loupe.

It''s being set as we speak, I will post pics when its done.

Congratulations!!!!

 

[bleeblue]

I just thought I''d come back to post the finished ring.

This is the photo I''ve just been sent from the jeweler.

I can''t wait to pick it up

 

[Lorelei]

It looks great, you must be so excited!!!