Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Emerald cut certified by EGL-USA

T

Tate_Hartman

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
12
I've been shopping for rings for my girlfriend and have done a little research. Everything I'm finding says to only purchase a GIA certified stone. However, I've recently seen an 0.77 H VVS2 Emerald that would fit my budget perfectly. To me, it's got good size and is very eye-clean. The only "issue" is that it's certified by EGL-USA. While online blogs and sites say to stay away from EGL-USA, am I wrong to pick this stone? For my budget ($3k to $3.5k) is buying a certified diamond necessary, especially considering we won't be planning on re-selling it? I've checked with family and friends, and most can't remember if their diamonds were certified at all, and say that they wouldn't really care either way. I just don't want to make a mistake.
 
the problem with EGL-USA graded stones is that they are less strict than GIA. Usually about 2 grades, but up to 5 shades. So think of it this way, is it still a good stone if its J VS2? Stones arent usually priced at a "deal" they are priced accordingly. So a stone thats egl H VVS is usually priced the same way that stone might be if it were GIA graded with a lower grade

Plus, i think you can find a bigger one for your budget. You said the stone budget is 3-3.5 k?
 
Sorry. I should clarify. $3k to $3.5k is my budget for stone and solitaire mounting with 14k whit gold.
 
I think you should be able to find a stone and simple mounting for 3500 total.

EGL is false economy, it doesn't save you anything because the inaccuracy of their grading is built into the "discount."
 
I agree mostly with everyone and since you haven't bought the stone I would choose GIA. However, EGL USA (is a for profit instutition) I have seen some beautiful EGL USA stones that have been ranked very close if not identical to GIA . That being said since you haven't bought yet go GIA to be sure.
 
Thanks for the advice! I'm a little hesitant about buying online just because I'm not actually able to view the stone's dimensions and how it might look in a setting. Does anyone have advice on a depth and table range to stay in? I'm looking for the stone to look as big as possible, and I don't want to buy something where most of the carat weight won't be visible (if that's a legitimate concern). Also, would you recommend purchasing a stone graded lower than an H? I appreciate all the help!
 
many people here would say buying online is the best way to go. online retailers usually have better prices.

as for color, hes personally i would absolutely go lower for emerald cuts. you have to stay high in clarity so to get more size i would go down in color, plus, they look beautiful even in lower colors! heres a recent K someone bought and it is just stunning!

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/dbl-emerald-cut-beauty.186946/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/dbl-emerald-cut-beauty.186946/[/URL]

as for depth and table info, take a look at this,
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/emerald-cut-diamond

to be honest i think that J i posted is gorgeous! i want it myself!
 
Thanks for the link! Very helpful. I'm just concerned about purchasing a stone that is too yellow. Is a J going to be noticeably yellow to the naked eye? How much of a concern should that be, considering it will be in a solitaire mount? I know some of the questions I have might be a little dumb; I just don't have a lot of experience looking at and/or purchasing diamonds.
 
Personally no I don't think a j is going to be a problem in a step cut. And no these aren't stupid questions. Some people are bothered by tint and more color sensitive. Personally after seeing all these lower colored emerald cuts I prefer them. Maybe its something you just have to see for yourself. But if you do, ONLY look at gia Js, that's the only way to tell if the color would bother you
Here is another k one someone bought
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ec-in-sholdt-semi-bezel-pearlmans-pics.180994/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ec-in-sholdt-semi-bezel-pearlmans-pics.180994/[/URL]


And heres a post of people with I/j colored stones with halos of lighter stones around them. The difference is hardly noticeable. Plus, there's a j emerald in the mix
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/please-post-halos-with-i-j-center-stones.186841/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/please-post-halos-with-i-j-center-stones.186841/[/URL]

Also many of these online vendors have good return policies, if you absolutely have to see the thing in person, you can get it home without feeling stick with it, and judge it on your own terms, not in fancy jewelry store lighting.
 
JulieN|1363547857|3407244 said:
I think you should be able to find a stone and simple mounting for 3500 total.
EGL is false economy, it doesn't save you anything because the inaccuracy of their grading is built into the "discount."
Click to expand...

I second this advice. For buying ECs online, you'll want to be able to see a picture of the actual stone, preferably with an ASET to back it up. I would never buy one sight unseen because even those with "perfect" numbers on paper does not equate to a well cut (sparkly) stone. I have an I coloured EC and it is white from the top with a slight tint from the side. The general advise is a table under 65% to avoid any glassy glare. Depth should be around 60% to 65% to maximize face up size. Other than that, you must see the stone, either via picture, video or in person.
 
My suggestion is to go to James Allen and pull up stones that are H I and J color and see how you feel looking at them face up and as they twirl around. That helped me. My emerald cut is H color and it is extremely white face up.
 
Still looking around for stones, but it seems like the more I look the more questions I have. In terms of LxW ratio, I'm thinking of trying to stick around 1.3 - 1.5. She has slender fingers and I'm thinking this LxW might give the impression of a larger stone. Sound correct? I've taken a look at some H, I, and J stones at James Allen. Can anyone who's bought from them vouch for them in terms of the stone looking the same (color-wise) as what it was like online? Also, the gf and I took a look at some settings and she really loved the bezel solitaire setting she found on James Allen. Thoughts on this setting? It definitely would set the ring apart from others (IMO), but will it hide the size of the stone or any of the sparkle that the EC would have? Last question for this post, I promise, I've heard ppl mention a discount as a pricescope member? How would I take advantage of that? I really appreciate all the advice!
 
Mention to their customer service representative you are a PS member.

The color in the JA videos are useful.... up to a point. It is good for distinguishing which ones are yellow vs brown, some browns have orangy or pinky tones (usually you can't see this until about H color.) However I think you can only compare one yellow J to another yellow J and see which one has more yellow, I don't think it is useful to compare brown J to yellow J. Because: I have noticed that the browns always look darker than the yellows, even though they should have the same amount of color for the same grade. I assume it has something to do with the wavelengths of the light they are using.
 
I know someone else linked to my ring for you to look at. I am not recommending you only consider lower colors I-J-K, but can tell you I have a K EC and it rarely shows color. If you going with a WG setting you can consider these colors to stay in budget and get a larger size. I am very pleased with my diamond. Here's a still pic from JA to give you an idea of what it looked like on their site. They have since changed their site to the diamonds laying on their sides and the videos. I realize that unless your computer is set the same is mine the color may look different for you. I wear it with a G-H diamond band and it looks great together. No yellow.

my_ec_2.jpg

my_ec_outside_sliding_3.jpg
 
My RHR emerald cut was rated EGL G VS1 but the store I bought it from rated it as J VS2. It is .91 carat and mounted in yellow gold. I rarely see any yellow in it but sometimes I see a little tint in different lighting. I would say it faces up white. My ering is G RB and if I put them sound by side I see a difference. I think you would be happy with IJK diamond.
 
If she likes that bezel, that's even better. Color shows most from the side, and the be would hide that.
 
Thank you all for the help! Definitely gives me some more confidence moving forward. I'm going to browse James Allen and narrow down a couple stones. I'll post what I find and get your opinions on them. Thanks everyone!
 
Thanks for the link! Stone looks good. I have searched here and there, but haven't gotten a chance to really sit down and find some that I like. Just curious, do you know how much the PS discount usually is?

Also, your ring looks great! Forgot to mention that when you posted last.
 
Tate_Hartman|1363824319|3409947 said:
Thanks for the link! Stone looks good. I have searched here and there, but haven't gotten a chance to really sit down and find some that I like. Just curious, do you know how much the PS discount usually is?

Also, your ring looks great! Forgot to mention that when you posted last.
Click to expand...

it varies, but ive heard its about 5.5% when you pay by wire transfer and as for a PS discount. I would bet you could get that plus this setting for jsut about 3500
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-emerald-center-item-3257

they should be able to do that setting east/west too. they used to have one. If you like it I bet they'd do it for you.
 
woofmama|1363662016|3408317 said:
I know someone else linked to my ring for you to look at. I am not recommending you only consider lower colors I-J-K, but can tell you I have a K EC and it rarely shows color. If you going with a WG setting you can consider these colors to stay in budget and get a larger size. I am very pleased with my diamond. Here's a still pic from JA to give you an idea of what it looked like on their site. They have since changed their site to the diamonds laying on their sides and the videos. I realize that unless your computer is set the same is mine the color may look different for you. I wear it with a G-H diamond band and it looks great together. No yellow.
Click to expand...


Swoon.... :love: I love your rings woofmama

The J woofmama as picked out is lovely!
 
Mayk|1363827202|3409993 said:
woofmama|1363662016|3408317 said:
I know someone else linked to my ring for you to look at. I am not recommending you only consider lower colors I-J-K, but can tell you I have a K EC and it rarely shows color. If you going with a WG setting you can consider these colors to stay in budget and get a larger size. I am very pleased with my diamond. Here's a still pic from JA to give you an idea of what it looked like on their site. They have since changed their site to the diamonds laying on their sides and the videos. I realize that unless your computer is set the same is mine the color may look different for you. I wear it with a G-H diamond band and it looks great together. No yellow.
Click to expand...


Swoon.... :love:

The J woofmama as picked out is lovely!
Click to expand...

agreed! id get that one on hold right away, ask them probably to pick a few more for you.
 
What are your thoughts on these?

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-156533

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.77-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-165705
-A little concerned about the shallow depth on it

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.76-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-165564
-Table on this one is a bit large at 77%

The 1.01 J is beautiful, but is going to be pushing or exceeding my budget.
 
Tate-all three that you linked to have major cut issues. Don't pursue any of them. No offense, I know you're new at looking at diamonds but those are dogs.
Do you want to keep the diamond under $2.8 or so? The J I found for you is really, really nice! I hope you aren't still concerned about the color, if you saw my K in person I guarantee you would be very impressed. It looks bright because it is well cut. Even all the best jewelers around my area guessed it to be a GIA H. They were surprised when I showed them the Gia cert.

If the price is a concern that's understandable, I'll try to find a couple that are lower.

Here's a D IF .60ct. I'm linking it to show you Cut. Look at the stone & watch the video. That is what you need to look for. If you/she like this one, it is well with-in your budget. You are paying more for the High D color and Internally Flawless clarity but you would have bragging rights that she has a "perfect diamond'. http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.60-carat-d-color-if-clarity-sku-204996

This one is very nice http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.70-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-195993

I went thru 28 pages on JA and these were the two I recommend you put on hold. When looking at any fancy cut diamond on a budget cut should be your first concern, if you find you that is beautiful regardless of color then check clarity.
 
..
 
Woofmama- I'm not offended at all. You've hit the nail on the head when you said that I'm new looking at diamonds. When I compare the first one I linked to the D IF that you linked, outside of color and clairy, (and with my untrained eye) I have a difficult time telling why the D would be a better diamond than the H VVS1. What is it that I'm missing? What should I be looking for, in terms of cut, when I check out the diamonds on JA?

Color isn't as much of a concern for me as price. That 1.01 J runs $2960 plus $725, and when you include tax, its going to be exceeding $3800. Wiring the funds, unfortunately, isn't an option for me, so that would reduce the discount I could receive and just makes this stone out of my budget.
 
Unfortunately ja doesn't have a load of great ec stones for your budget st the 1ct range right. We might have to start looking at other venders.
Good old gold does not have many on their website but if you email them and ask they would search there inventory and see if they can find anything in your budget they're really good at finding fancycuts and they find you something very good you just have to tell them what your budget is what you looking for in terms of size color and clarity. I would tell them I clean probably j or higher as close to a ct as possible, the ratio you want, with a WG bezel 3500 out the door, and that youre a ps member ....
Of ask to see if this can be done for a ec, they sell it and its usually cheaper than the website says. Very Tiffany's.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8077W4JJJ

Eta I take it back ask for k or higher, that way if he finds you a j or k he can make you a video to tell the difference between the colors, see how you feel or if you see a difference.
 
Tate unless you live in the state of purchase you won't be charged sales tax.
In regard to your question about the H you picked-see how it blacks out as it turns. Open your link to that diamond and the link to the E I suggested and watch both videos. See the difference? The E is much more lively. It has two slight areas of obstruction. The H goes completely dark in the center.


I saw Julie posted but edited. I hope she suggests some diamonds for you. Maybe Chrono or Gypsy will too. All of them are really good at chosing step cut stones.

Also Good Old Gold is known for their fancy cuts. Calling Jon is a great idea. He may have some in stock that fit what you're looking for.
I will be at work all day today and won't be able to log in here. I wish you the best in your quest & hope you find a few options by the weekend.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top