Emerld Cut - Help Deciding between 2

[angrypirates]

Hi all,

I am looking for an Emerald Cut Diamond in the 1 carat range, I want it to be totally eye clean, and face up nice and white.

I have 2 options on hold right now to be inspected by a gemologist at james allen. I was hoping to get some input on which stone is better overall.

here are links to the 2 I have on hold:

1. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1378703.asp

2. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1411813.asp

enlarged images can be found here

1. http://www.jamesallen.com/diampics/bb743-236pic.jpg

2. http://www.jamesallen.com/diampics/ido913-5pic.jpg

I am finding it hard to tell if the few marks that are visible on the diamonds are part of the image (not inclusions) or are the inclusions. The enlarged photos are magnified 20x, per the consultant from James Allen.

Both stones are around $4,000 - which is my budget for the rock. Any other stone suggestions are welcome.

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[blinglover78]

My understanding is that you should not go as low as SI1 for emerald cut stones. The inclusions are much more visible. Can you go up and clarity to VS2 and down in color to stay in budget?

 

[blinglover78]

This one with PS discount it about $200 over budget.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1424328.asp
or you could go just under a carat and do something like this:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1428569.asp

 

[MissStepcut]

My understanding is that you should not go as low as SI1 for emerald cut stones. The inclusions are much more visible. Can you go up and clarity to VS2 and down in color to stay in budget?

While that can be true sometimes, both of these look great, IMO. I doubt you will have an eye-clean issue. Some VS2s aren't eye-clean and some I1s are.

 

[kelpie]

The first stone will look glassy with it's shallow depth and large table. I would definitely kick that one out of the running, unless you like that in an emerald. I think you should be looking at VS2s to be safe and drop to an H if you need to. Try to get one with a small table 63% or below. Although I bought my emerald cut without one, most people recommend getting an ASET image to judge the optical performance of the stones you are seriously considering. I believe James Allen will provide them on up to three stones for free.

 

[angrypirates]

Thanks guys!

Any other input? i will ask for the asset images when the gemologist gets back to me about how they look in person.

 

[Hoges79]

I went through the exact same thing only about a month ago. Similar budget and same size stone.

Hands down best idea- call Perry Chen @ Leon Megè ( art of platinum)

A) he can 100% find that same diamond cheaper and
B) can give you access to diamonds that aren't just in Wholesalers websites.

Go to YouTube, look at artofplatinum and look at the 1.01 carat H VS1 that I bought.

I have no affiliation with them ( I live I'm Australia) and found him to give excellent customer service and found something a lot better then simple photos on a website can give you. Your own personal diamond shopper.

 

[farmer gal]

This is a little under a carat but it looks like a nice stone
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut-loose-diamond-35199.htm

You would have to call for the pricescope discount for some reason its not coming up

You could also call BGD I see he has a lot of emerald select stones for example

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.000-g-vs2-emerald-diamond-gia-34996603

Also ask for the pricescope discount

 

[angrypirates]

Hi again,

I have eliminated diamond #2 from my first post, as the gemologist said it was not eye clean. This is what the James Allen rep said about the 1st stone:

" After evaluating these diamonds, our gemologist determined that diamond 1378703 is your best option. This diamond has a significantly whiter appearance, is eye clean to the unaided eye, and is visibly larger than your other selection."

Here is the ASET images they provided for the stone. What are your thoughts everyone?

 

[angrypirates]

here is a second image of the same stone provided by James Allen

 

[Gypsy]

It looks pretty good. And eyeclean SI in EC's is rare, so if this one is eyeclean and in budget since it is an E... go for it.

It does face up a little small... Measurements: 6.75*5.11*3.11 Usually we like to see 7 x 5, but that's because of the ratio coupled with the depth and girdle (very thick).

I would ask them why the girdle is thin to very thick. That's normally more variation than I'd like without an explanation. Is it mostly very thick (most likely given the spread) and just thin in one or two spots (and where are they, if this is the case).

The only caveat about a very thick girdle is-- it impacts the spread, which we already know with this stone.

 

[angrypirates]

Thanks Gypsy,

any other input guys?

 

[Hoges79]

Only the same advise as last time!

 

[Hoges79]

"advice"

Btw using the pricescope tool at the top other retailers have access to
That diamond for a lower price.

 

[Gypsy]

Price isn't everything. Sometimes rewarding good customer service with your business has value as well.