EmeraldCutQuest ...Please help

[emeraldlover1]

ECQ, I really appreciate you answering my questions the other day. I have more for you but I''m a little concerned about posting about a stone we haven''t bought yet. I know that you will know the answers so is there anyway that we can communicate other than the site? Can you email the moderator and have them email me your email? How does everyone else do it?

Also, I know that you were looking at a few stones so how did you make your final decision on which one to purchase? We are looking at a couple stones and will quite possibly get one tomorrow. All are in the 2.65 - 3.3 range. Hopefully there is another way to talk so that I don''t have to be so vague. There is one that I am leaning towards which is why I think that you''ll have the answers to my questions. How was your experience with the different dealers that you worked with?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

 

[EmeraldCutQuest]

Hello, Emeraldlover (and other lovers of ECs

):

Private phone/emails are not allowed by this forum, and that makes sense ... others may have similar questions/concerns/opinons as you have, so they too can benefit. I certainly did, and I am VERY appreciative of all the PS contributors.

A couple of suggestions:

-- If you REALLY have narrowed it down to say, one or two stones, ask the vendor to bring them in (if they don't have them in stock already) and put them on hold for you. Then you can post the details here, and I and other (real!) experts can comment. If the stones are at the same vendor, many will give you the pluses and minuses of them, and compare them to each other. (Is the one you are leaning towards a PS online vendor, or is it a B&M jeweler?)

-- If you are undecided, post some of your ideas/requirements/budget, and we can chime in.

-- As always, specs, photos, IdealScope image and a Sarin report all help, but there may be a nominal charge for some of these. (I chose the first 3 and got them for free, and decided that, no matter what the Sarin said I would get the diamond I had picked out anyway, so I didn't bother with the Sarin).

-- Keep in mind, with fancy cuts like ECs, you have to see them. Many online vendors have gemologists and/or cutters on staff, who will look at the diamond 'for you', render an opinion, and if satisfactory, then you buy it and see it for yourself. You always have the return-time if you decide that, after all, you do not want/like it.

-- As to how I chose the stone: I looked at MANY with my dear wife. We went from EC to Cushion to Asscher back to EC. Each person's (or couple's) priorities are different, and I don't know yours. For my wife, color was the least critical, so I chose the lowest 'near colorless' = J. Spread was very important (I had the calculator on over-drive!). Clarity: SI-1 was ok for her, not for me, I wanted VS-2, ended up with VS-1.

Two specs. that you should be aware of:
TABLE. If too small, the stone facets will look large and 'weird'; if too large, you'll have an 'ice-skating rink' ... an air-craft carrier landing pad! Ideal is 60% to 65.5%; but very good also is 58% to 68%.
DEPTH. Often, lower (shallower) depth will show more of the weight on the surface and thus make the stone look larger (a good thing) at the expense of less fire and brilliance (a bad thing); and vice-versa. Ideal: 60% to 65%; still very good: 58% to 69%.

-- Shape might also be important, since some like 'longish' ECs, some more 'squarish'; it is totally a matter of personal preference. This link might help:
http://www.gemappraisers.com/shapePickerNew.asp

-- With regards to specs, this also was useful to me:
http://www.thediamondbuyingguide.com/emerald_cut_diamond.html

With regards to: "How was your experience with the different dealers that you worked with?" , I contacted almost every vendor recommended here, and would have gladly done business with any of them. Some offer a few more services (and charge a bit more for this), but in my view, they all offer good/great value; it depends what you need, how much info you want, etc.

Hope this helps a bit.

--ECQ (no longer).

 

[emeraldlover1]

ECQ: THANK YOU!! I totally understand where you are coming from and the forum in general. I think we are going to have one of the stones either held or sent to us today. I've been on the forum for a few years and my criteria is very close if not the same to what you posted you were looking for. That is why I'm taking your suggestions very seriously.

I'll let you know when I have more info. Also, it is a PS vendor and only PS vendors that we are looking at working with.

EL1

 

[EmeraldCutQuest]

You are very welcome.

Good luck and keep us posted.