Emerald Cut Engagement Ring

[mikepfly2]

I''m shopping for an engagement ring and my girlfriend (of 6 years) really wants an emerald cut diamond. I''ve read through some of the posts and have learned a lot (thanks everyone) but was hoping I could get opinions from some of you.

1. I''m looking to buy the ring online as I can save substantially. Is the 30 days full refund policy ok? It seems most posts say to see the diamond personally, but I don''t think I''ll have that option.

2. Here are 3 diamonds I''m looking at. Would welcome any comments/criticisms. I''m looking for the most bang for the buck. How important is the girdle?

Thanks much in advance.

-Michael

 

[Gypsy]

The 1.64 is the only one with a decent (still a little big for me) table. gotta go cook dinner... will add more later.

 

[dani13]

Michael-

Welcome to PS! Have you seen these diamonds in person? That is the best way to judge- you need to see them! Just looking at the numbers though, I like the first diamond. The other 2 diamonds have really large depths/tables, which usually means that they will look smaller than their carat wt.'s, because most of the wt of the diamond is in the bottom, not on the top surface. Also, (and this is just in my opinion), I would not pay the premium for a "D" color. Stick with G/VS2 or above with an ec and you should be fine, unless, of course, you really want a "D". But expect to pay a high premium for a completely colorless diamond. My EC is a G/Vs1 with absolutely no hint of color and extremely clear (which is EXTREMELY important in step cuts), you can see right into the diamond and it is just beautiful....I do think #1 is promising though, but you cant tell completely until you see it in person...

When it comes to the girdle, you want to try to avoid "very thin" girldles, which inevitably could mess with the integrity of the diamond...e.g., wouldn't want to "bang" that puppy on anything!

who knows what could happen???

Good luck!

ETA: pay attention to the l:w ratios too- does your gf want a more squarish looking ec or a more rectangular, elongated, lean ec? For instance, #1 will be more of a square shape, and #2 will be very rectangular, and # 3 will be more of a lean shape, but not as long as # 2....just wanted to add because this is important with ec's, there are so many variations...

You can use this site to plug in your lengths to widths to see what the overall shape of the diamond will look like... http://www.gemappraisers.com/shapePickerNew.asp

 

[mikepfly2]

WOW! Thanks so much for the quick responses! I remember hearing the ratio is important and so I''ll have to see what she likes. This whole diamond thing is kinda fun! So much to learn.
Thanks again!

 

[dani13]

Date: 7/12/2006 7:09:37 PM
Author: mikepfly2
WOW! Thanks so much for the quick responses! I remember hearing the ratio is important and so I'll have to see what she likes. This whole diamond thing is kinda fun! So much to learn.
Thanks again!

Yeah, Mike, if you can, let her look at a couple of EC shapes and sizes just to know what she likes. I know when my fiance and I were looking, there was so much to consider because there is so much variation in the shapes...Good luck though and definitley let us know if you need more help!

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Date: 7/12/2006 5:33:40 PM
Author: Gypsy
The 1.64 is the only one with a decent (still a little big for me) table. gotta go cook dinner... will add more later.

I agree with Gypsy....my only concern with this diamond, though, is the ratio for me....too boxy...but that is completely preference and nothing else....

Have you seen these stones?

 

[FacetFire]

Out of those, the first one is the only one I''d consider. Will they send you photos? I personally LOVE the look of a boxier, more squarish, emerald cut stone. Some of them look like a wonderful cross between an asscher and an emerald. But, that''s definitely a personal preference thing.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 7/12/2006 8:22:18 PM
Author: FacetFire
Out of those, the first one is the only one I'd consider. Will they send you photos? I personally LOVE the look of a boxier, more squarish, emerald cut stone. Some of them look like a wonderful cross between an asscher and an emerald. But, that's definitely a personal preference thing.

Me too! Especially set like this:

If it were me looking at EC's I'd work with one vendor. Get the exact specs I wanted

Which for me would be

58-63 table
68 max depth. (Ideally I'd like 59-60 table and 63-64 depth because I want spread)
F-G-H VS1 or VS2 (eyeclean SI1 MAYBE)
I forget the pavillion and crown angles I like... don't remember where I have them listed either.

I'd prefer larger corners... like the diamond I just posted.

And I'd prefer a L/W ratio of around 1.25-1.35.

EX/EX symmetry and Polish-- but would consider VG/VG or some combination thereof as well.

And with an online vendor if I wasn't close enough to go and visit... I would definitely either pay and have them sent to me, or to an appraiser nearby so I could view it before buying. EC's are tricky.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

It is really hard to go off just numbers with ECs. You DO need to find out what l/w your g/f likes. FI almost bought a larger (2.01) EC and showed it to me and I HATED the shape. It was too long and skinny for me. I like my fancies short and fat (pears and MQs as well). You also need to see photos at least! I am so excited with her choice in shapes. I get SO many comments on my e-ring and everyone is so intrigued by my EC.

 

[dani13]

Date: 7/12/2006 11:52:51 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
It is really hard to go off just numbers with ECs. You DO need to find out what l/w your g/f likes. FI almost bought a larger (2.01) EC and showed it to me and I HATED the shape. It was too long and skinny for me. I like my fancies short and fat (pears and MQs as well). You also need to see photos at least! I am so excited with her choice in shapes. I get SO many comments on my e-ring and everyone is so intrigued by my EC.

I agree Tacori- I HATE long, skinny ec''s. My ec is more on the square side...I forget the l:w, but it is not your "classic emerald" shape. i.e. long and thin. I know that the longish shape is what is known to be more classic for an emerald cut, but I just didnt prefer it at all!

 

[jaz464]

Just wanted to add that you can let this chart be your guide:

http://www.gemappraisers.com/oldcutgraderules.asp

Having said that, ECs do not work like rounds. You can''t just find great numbers in terms of cut and call it a day (well they are almost that easy). Great numbers in no way guarantee a beautiful diamond. Definitely need pictures. Also, why is seeing it in person not an option? Will the vendor not send the diamond to an appraiser in your area for you to see? Maybe you might want to work with someone else if that is the case because fancy cuts are tricky with out seeing them, to say the least. Make sure to look out for a bow tie and also the dark cross that some ECs show.

 

[asscherisme]

I don''t know much about emeralds except I prefer fatter ones to long skinny ones.

AND I think its better to go F or G color and go for the best cut you can instead of D and good cut.

 

[mikepfly2]

So I''m deciding on making the purchase. I looked at this diamond for a good while and thought it looked pretty nice. Think the price is ok too. Any comments/thoughts?

Thanks!

Emerald Cut
GIA cert
7.8 x 5.5 x 3.2
1.52c
H
VS1
VG/VG
69.5% depth
60% table
Girdle: med Stk
No Culet
No Flo
1.42 ratio
$8100