Emerald Cut - need help deciding

[mr plow]

Hi everyone,
Im new here but have been lurking for a LONGGGG time. First off, Im looking for helping choosing an emerald cut for an engagement ring, looking for something around 1ct give or take. Ive checked with some brick and mortar''s around my area here in Ontario and they are VERY expensive, which is starting to turn me to online sites like Bluenile and Mondera. So Ive found a few stones on each that look good to me but it always helps to have some pro''s like yourselves give advice on both the stone and whether its safe to get a diamond online.

So here are some stones that Im looking at...

Stone #1 - bluenile
0.91ct
Cut: Very Good
Color: E
Clarity: VVS1
Depth: 61.6%
Table: 61%
Polish/Sym: VG/VG
Girdle: Medium to thick
6.67 x 4.74 x 2.92 mm
GIA cert.
$4,772 Can.

Stone #2 - mondera (and a few other sites..)
0.96ct
Cut: Very Good
Color: E
Clarity: VVS1
Depth: 67.7%
Table: 64%
Polish/Sym: EX/VG
Girdle: Medium to Thick
6.77 x 4.77 x 3.23mm
GIA cert.
$4,592


As you can see, I want to stay around the $5k mark - so if anyone else has some additions or comments, please feel free to add. I need to do this asap so any and all feedback is welcomed!!

Thanks!

 

[Gypsy]

I would go with a vendor that will show you pics and a sarin and maybe an ASET. Pearlmans, James Allen, WF, GOG, and ERD will all be able to help you.

With EC''s you HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO see them. The numbers are such a SMALL part of the story.

 

[peridot83]

1. Are you sure you want an emerald cut that is that thin & long?
2. If you have to buy a diamond from blue nile, since you are in Canada, I would stick with their signature diamonds like this:

http://www.bluenile.ca/diamonds_details.asp?__fun_frm=i&track=btntext_viewselect&elem=img&pid=LD01080963&filter_id=0

Because, you cannot tell how good a fancy shape will perform without an ASET image, or at least an idealscope.

I think you''re going a little overkill on the color & clarity, obviously this is all personal preference but I think you''ll find that you''re sacrificing light performance (how the diamond will sparkle) for things that no one will be able to see.

http://www.whiteflash.com/emerald/Emerald-cut-diamond-35199.htm

The link above shows you an example of a pretty awesome emerald cut, with idealscope and ASET images for you to compare to whatever you buy.

Bluenile doesn''t provide these images 99% of the time, and I have no idea about Modera. So if you are going with blue nile, stick to their signature cuts.

 

[chrono]

It''s good that you did some prior homework and narrowed down your choices to these 2. However, without actual pictures of the stone, nobody can say one EC is better than the other. You''ll need the following:

1. Magnified picture of the real stone to see the steps and inclusion(s)
2. ASET to check light performance
3. Sarin for crown height and double check the cert informtion
4. Idealscope for light leakage but isn''t necessary if you have #1 and #2

 

[mr plow]

Wow - thanks for the quick responses everyone. My homework involved me basically trying to find a EC that had fantastic clarity/color and cut and with table around 60-65% and a depth about the same, hoping for a ratio of about 1.30-1.40. Ive been told by a gemologist that the general numbers to look for when it comes to dimensions should be 5X7 (or 1.40) - but since so few stores around here actually have EC on hand, its tough to tell what ratio looks good and what doesnt.

In all honesty - these specs just came from what Ive read elsewhere so Im very new to EC''s in general.

Armed with this new information though, Ill do some more searching and see what I can come up with.

Thanks again everyone - Ill post back here soon!

Cheers!

 

[chrono]

OldMiner has a wonderful site that lets you play with ratios to see which ratios you like best:
http://www.gemappraisers.com/shapePickerNew.asp

 

[mr plow]

Nice - playing with the ratios it turns out that the 1.30 to 1.40 range is really nice and kind of what Im looking for. Are there any sites on the net (other than gog) that have these ASET pics/reports? GOG is great but they only have one EC in my range.

WF seems to have some nice EC''s to pick from but from what I can tell, they do not have pics of the diamond itself nor a ASET. Im assuming you just have to call a rep at each place and they will email them to you?

 

[peridot83]

Yes just call whiteflash and GOG, any diamonds they have in stock they''ll be willing to do an idealscope image for (many diamond retailers, including Blue Nile (almost all their diamonds which is why no pictures) they don''t actually have physically but are just listings of what they have access to). Typically they have very fast responses, but considering it''s the week before Christmas, I''d call as soon as possible!

 

[chrono]

GOG can get you more stones that what is on their website. Give Jon a call and he will source them for you according to your specs. He will then run the gamut of tests too.

WF does not carry those ECs, hence no pictures and no ASET. However, they can call in the stones from the broker and run tests for you as well.

I hear that GOG will ship up to 2 stones for testing at no charge. WF will charge you something around $20 or $25 per stone if the stone meets expectations (decent cut, colour and clarity) but you don''t like it and want to keep looking.

 

[Gypsy]

Pearlmans can do the same, as can ERD. They can and will call in stones for you that fit your specs. Best of luck.

 

[mr plow]

Thanks everyone - I spoke with Jon at GOG and he''s helping me track down a great stone. Hopefully things go smoothly! Thanks again for everyone''s advice.

Im possibly going to start a new thread for ideas on emerald settings. My g/f likes the classic solitaire setting, Im just a bit lost with what is going to look best.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[tberube]

I''m no expert but I''m obsessed with ECs and love my .90ct.

I like the ratio of EC''s to be between 1.30 and 1.40 (a little fat).

If you''re looking for white, you can safely go down to a F-G rating, save some money, and not look yellow (in fact my EC is an I and it looks spectacular and white).

Step cuts don''t hide flaws as well as other cuts, BUT, you don''t have to aim for vvs1 - you can go down to vs1 or 2 without any major issues. Mine is a vs1 and it looks perfect, can''t see a single flaw.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Here is a nice one with a good length to width ratio:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3703/