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Emerald cut opinions please

L

leasj1

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
65
Hello all,

I used to have a little bit of knowledge on emerald cuts since doing some researching a few years ago but these days Im not as clued up as I was/thought I was. Anyway I am trying to gain some knowledge quick as I only have till the start of January until I want to pop the question. So I don't have much time to pick a diamond and get it delivered.

What I do know is, my budget is around $3500 for the diamond and setting. Its not a lot compared with some you see on this forum but we have had so many outgoings the last year or so, so its all I can afford. I ideally want to spend under 1K on the setting and the rest on the diamond (approx. $2500). I want is a high crowned EC(10%+), table under 65, with great patterns. Ratio to be similar to the cartier link provided:

http://www.cartier.com/en-us/collec...itaire-1895/h4209000-1895-solitaire-ring.html


Whilst on the JA website I've listed some diamonds in no particular order that stick out and would like some better educated opinions than myself if possible? Along with any comments on these, I'd love to see any diamonds that you would consider on your list if you were to have the same budget as me.

1) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.83-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3657255

2) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.83-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3657890

3) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.80-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3508561

Any comments would be appreciated
Thanks John
 
0.83GVVS2 is my fav. of the three, in spite of it’s chubbiness. l x w = 1.27:1

The others have obvious inclusions against or directly under the table, and EC’s require flawless clarity against & under the table. Even clear inclusions can cause noticeable obstruction in EC’s, depending on their location, and nature.

l am fond of this one...
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...t/0.80-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3426145
l x w ratio = 1.38:1
 
Those are all very nice choices (good work!). Of those, I love #2 the best for the ratio (over 1.4), and the spread. Divine. Second choice for me would be #3, then third #1. For your budget I did a quick search to see if I came up with other options. Limiting it to excellent symmetry under $2500, I expanded the search to H color. At that size, I think you can get away with it, particularly if you choose a setting like the Cartier 1895 setting with pave on the sides. The pave will trick the eye from noticing any body color in an EC. If you go with a plain solitaire that has no pave, stick to G and up. I came up with the same 3 that you did, but also found this one with H color and a squattier EC (more square/modern cut):
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-3621531

Other than that one, everything else on JA had a lower carat weight hovering around .7 ct. I say go for the nice spread of #1 and put it on hold ASAP. Ask for the ASET if possible.

If you are open to other vendors, I suggest GOG. They are really experienced with picking ECs and can provide video. Pricing for the diamond and setting would likely be comparable to JA, but the process may take longer.
 
LawmaLlama said:
Those are all very nice choices (good work!). Of those, I love #2 the best for the ratio (over 1.4), and the spread. Divine. Second choice for me would be #3, then third #1. For your budget I did a quick search to see if I came up with other options. Limiting it to excellent symmetry under $2500, I expanded the search to H color. At that size, I think you can get away with it, particularly if you choose a setting like the Cartier 1895 setting with pave on the sides. The pave will trick the eye from noticing any body color in an EC. If you go with a plain solitaire that has no pave, stick to G and up. I came up with the same 3 that you did, but also found this one with H color and a squattier EC (more square/modern cut):
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-3621531

Other than that one, everything else on JA had a lower carat weight hovering around .7 ct. I say go for the nice spread of #1 and put it on hold ASAP. Ask for the ASET if possible.

If you are open to other vendors, I suggest GOG. They are really experienced with picking ECs and can provide video. Pricing for the diamond and setting would likely be comparable to JA, but the process may take longer.
Click to expand...

Another great option!
 
" I say go for the nice spread of #1 and put it on hold ASAP. Ask for the ASET if possible."

Sorry I made a typo, I meant your #2 pick .83 G VS2 with the 1.45 ratio. Of your picks though, they all have promise.
 
Thanks for the great feedback. It was number 1 I had in mind as being the better of the 3. The only thing that puts me off is the ratio though.

Im not great at visualising what the ratio would look like when seeing the diamonds alone from their site. The settling I like is a JA setting and can be seen here: Select emerald and its the 0.81ct. Would that be on the longer side or a normal ratio?

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...d-22mm-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1566
 
LawmaLlama said:
" I say go for the nice spread of #1 and put it on hold ASAP. Ask for the ASET if possible."

Sorry I made a typo, I meant your #2 pick .83 G VS2 with the 1.45 ratio. Of your picks though, they all have promise.
Click to expand...

Haha its ok I knew what you were meaning.
 
leasj1 said:
Thanks for the great feedback. It was number 1 I had in mind as being the better of the 3. The only thing that puts me off is the ratio though.

Im not great at visualising what the ratio would look like when seeing the diamonds alone from their site. The settling I like is a JA setting and can be seen here: Select emerald and its the 0.81ct. Would that be on the longer side or a normal ratio?

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...d-22mm-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1566
Click to expand...

Unless it’s a square EC, you won’t be able to tell as much, in a solitaire, unless you had them all lined up, next to each other. All EC’s are beautiful. Your preference is what matters.
Personally, l prefer l x w ratios between 1.4-1.6, but some feel differently.
l like your #1, the one l posted, and @LawmaLlama’s suggestion.
 
leasj1 said:
Ive asked for the ASET for number 1. see what comes back.

Nope not fixed on JA, I just liked a setting from there and was looking through their ECs

How about any of these two.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.82-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3635483

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.86-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3441824 (probably getting to the top end of my budget depending on setting)
Click to expand...

l like these 2, as well. The problem determining which are excellent performers, and which aren’t is the fact that they are positioned on p2 (E-W) for viewing. This is an issue discussed, previously, by @Karl_K. Quite frankly, l’d wait to see if he can jump in here, to help you narrow down your choices...
 
Note: you can request up to 3 ASETs per email address with JA. If l were you, l’d request your other top choices for comparison...
 
Matthews1127 said:
Note: you can request up to 3 ASETs per email address with JA. If l were you, l’d request your other top choices for comparison...
Click to expand...

Would that be my first 3 stones listed?
 
leasj1 said:
Would that be my first 3 stones listed?
Click to expand...

It would be the one you already requested, plus any others posted in this thread that you are interested in....
 
ASET for the first diamond will take a few days they have told me.

I appreciate all your opinions and comments on the thread
 
Ive just had the ASET back for number 1 after being told it would take a few days...

3657255ASET.jpg

Whats the thoughts?
 
Just to give you an idea, here is a picture of your stones 1(left) and 2 (right)...how the would look on a size 5 finger with a 2mm band.
1 and 2 emerald.PNG

Here is stone 3 on the left and 2 again on the right
3 and 2 emerald.PNG
 
Is that stone 1 out of your pics from the top (or stone 2)?
 
Thanks for the guide. That will be very helpful.

It’s stone one. The 7255 one
 
Would be interested on hearing peoples thoughts on the ASET? Grateful for any comments
 
This is helpful for you to gauge your stones.

24FA8382-4508-47A8-B547-DBCA50C8109B.png
It has proven very helpful, previously, with other PSers, like yourself.

@Karl_K Is also extremely knowledgeable, when it comes to these ASETs.
 
Chart above, middle row 3rd from the left is near identical to the ASET above.
While that chart is not perfect I think I agree with it on this one.
In the video you can see the areas that are green in ASET are less bright because there is reduced light from those angles represented by the green zone in ASET.
A few bright stripes in the center(red ASET) would brighten it up under ASET and the video.
In the real world light is rarely that structured but it does exists.
 
Hi Matthews, I did see that gauge from yourself on a previous thread. Would that ASET I listed be in the middle category?
 
Thanks for giving your input Karl, would you say to keep searching and look for better, in your opinion?
 
This is an H but it looks to be a pretty stone. A .8 but it is quite a bit larger than the one you were looking at
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3335240

Here is a pretty I colored emerald
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3156495
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.91-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3092267 Karl
might need to comment on this one...not sure if it has enough contrast
 
Last edited:
leasj1 said:
Thanks for giving your input Karl, would you say to keep searching and look for better, in your opinion?
Click to expand...
Sorry, being a trade member I can't answer that.
I can help with technical questions and help evaluate images.
 
Thanks tyty for looking at some diamonds for me. They are very nice looking. What would be your favourite?

To be honest Im finding it overwhelming with the amount of diamonds on offer and what is a real good one or not. Ive came across a few then ended up losing them in the continued search. Arghh
 
Karl_K said:
Sorry, being a trade member I can't answer that.
I can help with technical questions and help evaluate images.
Click to expand...

Thanks Karl, thats no problem I totally understand.

Is there any desired specs in an Emerald cut that are must haves? Especially in an approx 0.8ct stone.

I guess this also goes out to the wider thread as well, what specs do you go for for it to be a very good stone?
 
Ive been in contact with GOG as that's who I've dealt with previously.

They have called in some and picked out two they thought were good.

https://www.goodoldgold.com/0-66ct-e-if-emerald-cut-diamond (0.66ct E IF)

https://www.goodoldgold.com/0-71ct-d-vvs2-emerald-cut-diamond (0.71ct D VVS)

He said although the 0.66ct looked better on the asset image the both of them looked the same in brilliance. He couldn't tell the difference, one never outshine the other. He said the size of each are almost the same as well so no real difference between them.

Ring.jpg

what is putting me off is the price seems alittle bit more expensive in comparison with comparable diamonds on other sites? I understand the 0.66 is an IF and I would imagine that would increase the price a lot?

Would appreciate anyone's thoughts on these along with the others listed

John
 
leasj1 said:
Ive been in contact with GOG as that's who I've dealt with previously.

They have called in some and picked out two they thought were good.

https://www.goodoldgold.com/0-66ct-e-if-emerald-cut-diamond (0.66ct E IF)

https://www.goodoldgold.com/0-71ct-d-vvs2-emerald-cut-diamond (0.71ct D VVS)

He said although the 0.66ct looked better on the asset image the both of them looked the same in brilliance. He couldn't tell the difference, one never outshine the other. He said the size of each are almost the same as well so no real difference between them.

Ring.jpg

what is putting me off is the price seems alittle bit more expensive in comparison with comparable diamonds on other sites? I understand the 0.66 is an IF and I would imagine that would increase the price a lot?

Would appreciate anyone's thoughts on these along with the others listed

John
Click to expand...

These are both beautiful!! GOG knows step-Cuts! By chance, do you have the dimensions of each?
 
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