Thoughts on this emerald cut diamond?

[princessandthepear]

Since I have been on PS my tastes have evolved. Step cuts have become appealing to me. Their subtlety and broad flashes have captivated me. The hunt for an emerald cut has been difficult. Thank you to the poster who said to look for steps that turn on and off, a center that isn't dead and active ends. I have taken this advice to heart while still keeping my love of contrast. Please tell me what you think of this diamond both good or bad. I am still learning and would appreciate any advice that is given. The diamond is https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.04-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3701661. If I have messed up the link, it is SKU#3701661 on the James Allen website.
James Allen will send an ASET later in the week which will be posted . The top of my budget is $3,500 and it is not important to be over the one carat mark. Thank you for your help and advice.

 

[OoohShiny]

Your link seems to have added an extra http: and broken itself lol

This should be it!
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.04-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3701661

I like it - strong and interesting obstruction/contrast patterns, all bar the tiny triangles at the bottom of the short sides are working well with no obvious windowing, and it's nice and bright

The crown is very low, though, so it might be low on fire??

I would have to revert to @Karl_K and see if he would be able to comment on low crowns in ECs in general and if they have any negative effects! (My noob knowledge base runs out at this point lol)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That's a very flat crown. I would pass on that. I also prefer a slightly smaller table, like under 65, so more of the crown will show. I'd also avoid thick girdles because if weight hides there, it could make the diameter smaller. So always look at diameter measurements.

 

[Karl_K]

Your link seems to have added an extra http: and broken itself lol

This should be it!
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.04-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3701661

I like it - strong and interesting obstruction/contrast patterns, all bar the tiny triangles at the bottom of the short sides are working well with no obvious windowing, and it's nice and bright

The crown is very low, though, so it might be low on fire??

I would have to revert to @Karl_K and see if he would be able to comment on low crowns in ECs in general and if they have any negative effects! (My noob knowledge base runs out at this point lol)

A lowish crown can still be very bright but you lose a lot of the 3d effect from the side view and some life when moving it side to side.
That said a diamond with a lowish crown and matching angles will blow away a diamond with a high crown that the angles dont match very well.
Fire in some lighting can be less, it could be more that it doesn't show fire as often as not having great fire in the right lighting.
The diamond in question is a 66% table and the CH is probably around ~12% which is not super low but on the low side.
The windmills are not conventionally cut to save a little weight.
There is a limit to what I can say, but getting an ASET might be worth it.

 

[KKJohnson]

I also worry about the table on your pick and it does appear to have a lot of dark at once.

What do you think of this one?
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...t/1.03-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5820321

 

[OoohShiny]

A lowish crown can still be very bright but you lose a lot of the 3d effect from the side view and some life when moving it side to side.
That said a diamond with a lowish crown and matching angles will blow away a diamond with a high crown that the angles dont match very well.
Fire in some lighting can be less, it could be more that it doesn't show fire as often as not having great fire in the right lighting.
The diamond in question is a 66% table and the CH is probably around ~12% which is not super low but on the low side.
The windmills are not conventionally cut to save a little weight.
There is a limit to what I can say, but getting an ASET might be worth it.

Thank you very much, kind sir!

 

[stonewell]

Love emeralds! I had such fun shopping with my daughter for hers. We also found smaller tables and taller crowns worked better for overall performance. One of the benefits of JAs videos was the ability to slowly rock the stone back and forth to see if most/all of the facets lit up. We spent hours doing this! lol

You didn’t mention if you had a preference on ratio, so here are two I found within your budget range:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.91-carat-h-color-if-clarity-sku-6025898 - 1.43 ratio. The IF clarity is total overkill but is still my favorite because it reminds me of my daughter’s stone. It’s shy of 1 carat, but with the low depth, it still has a decent spread.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-6047241 - 1.37 ratio. If you’re ok with fluorescence, this is another one with lower depth, decent crown and smaller table. You’ll also want JA to make certain the fluoro doesn’t have any negative effects.

Don’t forget to ask for advantage pricing on any of these stones - that can also help to stretch the budget!

 

[RichardS_VA]

For an emerald, the color grade would be rather noticeable vs a round cut. Staying within budget, this one is below 1ct, but has a very good color and dimensions. BG Black 08.24 G vs2 for $3,208 (wire).

Link has the Ideal-scope, ASET, and GIA report.
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/....824-g-vs2-emerald-diamond-bkags-104101164004

 

[princessandthepear]

Thank you @OoohShiny, @Karl_K, @diamondseeker2006 for your guidance. Thank you to @KKJohnson, @stonewell and @RichardS_VA for suggesting alternate emerald cuts.
I did receive the ASET for the posted emerald cut today. This is it for your perusal.
I have relayed the concerns of the low crown to the vendor and am awaiting a reply. In the meantime I will look at the suggested diamonds. Again thank you for your suggestions and advice. This is a learning experience and I am grateful for the knowledge and help of the PS community.

 

[Karl_K]

That ASET is very close to perfection.
Aweome step patterns accross the center, red next to blue flashes true.(quickly)
The windmills would be green in ASET black and its normal for them to be pointed different than the mains(they are by design at different angles.)
The ends look bright enough to keep up with the center.
The green near the center does not bug me it is near red based on the rest of the stone.
The thin white strip in the center is very small and not a problem.

 

[princessandthepear]

@Karl_K does this ASET suggest that the diamond may still have some fire despite the low crown height? What are the limits that an ASET can tell us?

 

[Karl_K]

@Karl_K does this ASET suggest that the diamond may still have some fire despite the low crown height? What are the limits that an ASET can tell us?

I have seen EC's with lower crowns but not total flattops that have blown me away with scintillation and fire.
Would a higher crown show fire more often, yes likely but highly matched angles and placement can make it better than one with a higher crown and worse angles.
Seeing it in your own environment for a period of time is the real test and there is a return policy that is fairly easy to use if your in the US.
If it is crossing a border then it is much more complex.

ASET is an indication not a total answer.

 

[princessandthepear]

Thank you for your advice @Karl_K. I think it would be worthwhile to see the diamond in daily living conditions before making a final decision on it. Thank you for the statement on ASETs. It is just a static image and not necessarily what the diamond will appear when in motion.

 

[Karl_K]

It is just a static image and not necessarily what the diamond will appear when in motion.

Correct.
Even static, the world in not a colored scope with perfect circles.

 

[OoohShiny]

I was going to say I like the ASET but Karl's words are a lot wiser than mine!

Correct.
Even static, the world in not a colored scope with perfect circles.

Now I have an image in my head of some goofy glasses with an ASETscope for each eye lol

 

[OoohShiny]

Thank you for your advice @Karl_K. I think it would be worthwhile to see the diamond in daily living conditions before making a final decision on it. Thank you for the statement on ASETs. It is just a static image and not necessarily what the diamond will appear when in motion.

I think you need to get it ordered and check it out around your home and in various different lighting conditions!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The ASET does look good. But so much of the time you see a diamond at an angle, that I'd have to have more crown than that one has. I obviously don't have the ASET to this stone, but I am just showing you because I think it has a better looking crown.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-4507771

 

[princessandthepear]

That is a lovely emerald cut @diamondseeker2006! It is a shame it is over budget. If you could suggest an emerald cut around $3500, I would appreciate it.

 

[princessandthepear]

What are your opinions on these diamonds please? https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.91-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5498601 ? It has a higher crown. Or this diamond https://www.jamesallen/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.96-carat-i-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-5594850 ?

 

[princessandthepear]

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.96-carat-i-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-5594850
forgot the .com in the second link.

 

[Dizzie]

I admit, I still love your original option best. It has most contract for me around the center.

 

[OoohShiny]

The I 0.96 is a little 'grey' head-on in the centre - not much in terms of bright light return or darker contrast/obstruction patterns.

The F 0.91 I (personally) prefer more - good mix of white light return and dark contrast across the stone, the middle has some dark contrast/obstruction patterning head-on, the ends are working pretty well, and only a touch of windowing at the bottom triangles on the short ends when rotated (which is quite common, from what I can see).

Your original stone still looks good, though, despite the lower crown (IMHO, of course).

 

[OoohShiny]

Few that caught my eye:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.05-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-5601630

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.04-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-5537245

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.03-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-5754575

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.02-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-5944505
maybe lacking under-table contrast/brightness head-on?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.02-carat-j-color-if-clarity-sku-5451656

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.02-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-5887340
can't decide if I like this one or not!

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-5259511
like the cut, the inclusion would be a deal-breaker for (clarity-whore) me.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-5811648

 

[princessandthepear]

Thank you for the list of emerald cuts @OoohShiny. You choose the most amazing step cuts! I really admire your eye for selecting fine diamonds. Thank you to you and @Dizzie for making me feel better about my original choice. It's amazing how invested we become in our choices and vulnerable to their perceived flaws.
The vendor is sending the original choice out to be examined in person by a gemologist. They offer this service for a limit of three stones per customer. If this info is helpful to anyone choosing between diamonds or don't feel comfortable examining themselves. I have only seen one emerald cut before in real life so this service is invaluable to me.