EC research in progress... confused

[bluedawg]

It will be a while yet before I buy one for a RHR, but I have been learning as much as I can about buying a beautiful EC diamond. I am hoping to go see some in person in a couple weeks. So far, I have read many posts here. Also, I have tried to get familiar with the AGA Cut Class chart for emerald cuts.

As I look through many vendors'' inventory, I''m surprised at how few seem to fit into the 1A Ideal or even 1B Premium cut parameters! Why so many with depths & tables >70%? Even some of the vendors'' recommended EC diamonds are those with tables approaching 70% or more?

How will an ideally cut EC perform compared to a lesser cut? And how will the brilliance, fire, etc compare to an ideal cut RB?

I''ve always loved the look of them but don''t know anyone who has one personally-- so I''ve never had a chance to sit and stare at one.

Thanks!

 

[valeria101]

Date: 5/28/2005 4:49:44 PM
Author:bluedawg


As I look through many vendors' inventory, I'm surprised at how few seem to fit into the 1A Ideal or even 1B Premium cut parameters!

What are you hoping to obtain using AGA scores ? The intro to the AGA grades (link) still puzzles me to this day.

Taking their recommendation ad literam, the system is no hair splitting tool:

"Fancy shapes from the grade of 2B and better frequently have a very fine look to them and may combine all the right attributes successfully. [...] At that point, you can work on the range of parameters that will nearly be sure to find you a lovely diamond. I would urge you to look for fancy shapes that combine the parameters from 2B to 1A successfully."

And follows: "There are painfully few 1A or 1B fancy shapes in the market because before March 2002, no one dared to define them. Now, if a demand is created, diamond cutters will make these stones for you to wear. It is very much consumer driven although smart diamond sellers will also get on the bandwagon to promote the concept. "

I am just guessing that the first quote instructs buyer how to use the system (although I'd love top know those right attributes in detail) and the other is a message to cuters and users in the trade - a rather separate thing.





How will an ideally cut EC perform compared to a lesser cut?

... there's no ideal standard. Depth & table say little and adding crown height does not quite complete the picture. IMO, forget the numbers.





And how will the brilliance, fire, etc compare to an ideal cut RB?

If you want to use a cut grading tool to compare these, the GemAdviser is the only that ranks all cuts on the same scale for a range of optical effects. ( the GA files from GoodOldGold for ECs and rounds show how this works).

PS: sorry for the colorful mix... Bluedawg's sentences are now purple and the attempted answers black and blue !

Hope some of the 0.2 worth helps

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Bluedawg...You''ve been looking for a while!! Seeing them in person will begin to help you determine what you really want in an EC (which is the most important factor. This is what I can tell you from my own search:

The AGA chart is a good guideline, but don''t let it ultimately dictate your decision. See some ECs at 70% tables and some at the closer 60% tables and see what works for you. I found that larger tables gave the EC a more "glassy appearance" and larger depths made the stone look smaller...but again, this was just me.

ECs in general will have much less brillance/fire than an RB as the EC (as you know) is a step-cut and the RB is filled with the triangular-cut facets, which generate the brilliance. ECs can have much brilliance, but in a different way than RBs...it''s like comparing apples with oranges.

I suggest you call a store ahead of time, make an appointment asking for ECs with various dimensions and cuts and then when you go in, you''ll be able to get a better idea of what you''re looking for....

Let us know how it goes!!!

 

[bluedawg]

Date: 5/29/2005 3:07:34 PM
Author: AChiOAlumna
Bluedawg...You''ve been looking for a while!! Seeing them in person will begin to help you determine what you really want in an EC (which is the most important factor. This is what I can tell you from my own search:

The AGA chart is a good guideline, but don''t let it ultimately dictate your decision. See some ECs at 70% tables and some at the closer 60% tables and see what works for you. I found that larger tables gave the EC a more ''glassy appearance'' and larger depths made the stone look smaller...but again, this was just me.

ECs in general will have much less brillance/fire than an RB as the EC (as you know) is a step-cut and the RB is filled with the triangular-cut facets, which generate the brilliance. ECs can have much brilliance, but in a different way than RBs...it''s like comparing apples with oranges.

I suggest you call a store ahead of time, make an appointment asking for ECs with various dimensions and cuts and then when you go in, you''ll be able to get a better idea of what you''re looking for....

Let us know how it goes!!!

LOL I just PMd you with the same questions. Ignore it. Thanks for your reply.