First timer seeking pear buying advice!

[jjinny]

... And I don't mean the fruit!

Hi, all- I'm brand new here at the suggestion of a friend who found this website informative.

I'm looking to buy my girlfriend an engagement ring, and I've been shopping online for stones (I'm far removed from a metro area that would provide immediate variety in person). It will be a "simple" ring: a diamond pear-shape solitaire, likely in a cathedral style setting.

My research online has suggested the following for a "good" pear:
- L/W Ratio: 1.5-1.6
- Table: 53-62%
- Depth: 56-66%
- Girdle: Very thin to slightly thick
- Culet: None
- Color: F or better
- Florescence: None
- Clarity: VS2 or better
- Polish: Excellent

I've been eyeing stones between 1.00-1.05 carats, and I've come up with the following that fit my criteria (I'd prefer to stay around $6500); all are Fs, with otherwise nearly identical features beside clarity:
VS1, $6067: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06165843
VVS2, $6240: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.00-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-647515
VVS1, $6645: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD05167971

Is any stone above notably "better" than the others? Or, am I unnecessarily placing too much emphasis on clarity, thus overpaying for something unimportant? I can tell the difference between clarity when in a store with a loupe or microscope, but I haven't seen enough diamonds in my time to know the real life importance of clarity (heck, or ANY of the features above!)... The most important thing to my future fiance will be "sparkle", I imagine.

With all that being said, there's one more stone I noticed that seems like a heck of a "deal" (though it's a bit of an outlier to the criteria above): http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06288825 <-- This stone is 1.21 Carats, E color, VS2... if you folks tell me that I'm placing too much emphasis on clarity with the stones above, and this stone gets your collective blessing, I may opt to spring for this biggun!

Thanks to all in advance for both your time and assistance!
Jared

 

[telephone89]

You really cant/shouldnt buy a pear from BN (or any place that doesnt provide photos). I would suggest you stick with JA, or contact GOG to pull some for you. You need to be able to see the stone before you purchase, and not just look at the specs. To your other question, most folks on here will suggest going down to SI1/2 as long as eye clean. The theory is - why pay for something you cant see? Some others will say to stick with VS1 or higher to be safe. VVS is probably overkill, but can be a mind clean thing. You could also probably drop to an G and not be able to tell a difference - that will help open up some other stones for you too.

I hope other more pear knowledgeable folks come to help in your quest!

 

[jjinny]

Thanks for the response and advice on specs. The one thing that stands out, however, is the advice NOT to buy a pear from BN, but from JA (as they have pics): Even with pics, I really don't know what I'm looking at! Can't I rely on the GIA certification? Is a pear a "dangerous" cut to purchase online due to variations?

Thanks again!

 

[ariel144]

I like the pear you chose from JA. I just like to see less of a bow tie. I think this one has less of a bow tie and nice faceting and $1,000 less expensive. Even though it does have a larger table the crown is still nice for a pear.

Pears are SO TRICKY. But they do show color so I think sticking with F or higher is a good idea. You should pick out 3 from JA and get ASET images and then compare. Also get the gemologist to say which one he likes the best.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.01-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-124744


I also like the faceting on this one...don't freak because it is an I1...it looks pretty eye clean to me and thus a bargain. Pears hide inclusions well. I saw some VS2's that had a black buggar under the table. I'm not seeing any black on this I1, although there is a thin white feather.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.01-carat-d-color-i1-clarity-sku-325184

When looking at fancy cuts like pears and marquis I look more at the faceting ...the less "gray mush" under the table the better.
Also I look for those that don't show a prominent bow tie. I will try to find some videos on GOG comparing some pear cuts.

 

[ariel144]

I love pear cuts especially the antique ones with the chunkier facets, and one day would like to own one of these rare beauties. I also prefer the the "fat" ones. Here is an older cut pear if you can swing the budget....$7,150:

They are so rare and in the higher colors even more rare...and this one faces up nice and large. Just another personality you can find in pear cuts.

The videos and pics of this stone will give you an idea of the finger coverage with a 6.3mm width.

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-31ct-antique-pear-shape-diamond-gia-g-si1#.VfrccbxViko

I also liked the faceting of this "fat" pear on JA. It would be interesting to compare the ASET of this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.06-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-518954

You will enjoy this thread:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-old-cut-pear.209103/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-old-cut-pear.209103/[/URL]

Also a newly cut chunky pear which is totally unheard of:
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-colorless-diamond-170ct-j-si2-old-cut-pear-really-cool-cut-r5955

Here's an interesting discussion of an I1 clarity pear on DBL:
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-colorless-diamond-171ct-f-i1-pear-shape-diamond-r6365

 

[ariel144]

Here are pear comparisons on youtube from GOG...this will keep you busy:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=good+old+gold+pear+comparison

This one is especially educaational:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKNoXMs0wl4

Note: when you see that gray mush in the pictures that is leakage and it can absorb color as in the F color stone in the
video above.

You should also check out the pears that GOG has in stock so you can see what the ASETs
look like as they choose their stock pears for their performance:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-12ct-g-vs2-pear-diamond.html

 

[jjinny]

Thanks for all the info, Ariel!! I reached out to GoG with my specifications and they are calling a few stones in from their distributor they believe will fit my specifications, and promised a video comparison. Let's see what they come up with!

Best regards,
Jared

 

[jjinny]

Alright, as I had time on my hands as I'm waiting for a response from GoG, I found another online retailer with pictures, Enchanted Diamonds. Any opinion of them?

Here are some stones that interest me:

1.21, G, VS1, 1.48 ratio:
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Pear/GIA-Certified-1-21-Carat-G-Color-VS1-Clarity-Diamond-JMQ5W4

1.22, F, VS2, 1.51 ratio:
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Pear/GIA-Certified-1-22-Carat-F-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-BBYU3H

1.23, G, VS1, 1.48 ratio:
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Pear/GIA-Certified-1-23-Carat-G-Color-VS1-Clarity-Diamond-G9LYEB

I know these stones are larger than my initial 1 carat spec, but I'm wondering if it's worth upping my price point a hair and relaxing the color and clarity SLIGHTLY... opinions on this thought and the stones above? FWIW, the 1.21 and 1.23 grade practically identical... I PERSONALLY can't see much of a difference in them besides price (the larger stone is actually slightly less expensive; I'm guessing it's because they consider it a better "cut" on their "cut score").

Thanks all!
Jared

 

[MollyMalone]

Wink Jones of High Performance Diamonds -- one of the Trade members valued for their participation on the forum & helpful, informative posts -- has a "preloved" 1.01 ct. pear, with recent GIA report; it's F in color & Internally Flawless in clarity, strong blue fluorescence, listed for $4995.

IIRC (I'm at work & can't access the page I'd previously bookmarked for PS reference), it has a minimal bow tie; pics and video, plus GIA report number here:
http://highperformancediamonds.com/...-2/1-01ct-fif-natural-pear-brilliant-diamond/

ETA: If you decide on this pear, it could be "one-stop shopping", i.e., Wink could also supply the setting for you.

 

[tyty333]

Out of all the ones posted, here are my favorites...the videos at JA are very helpful. You can request 3 aset images (they can only
get them on stones local to them so not sure if they will be able to get all 3).

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.00-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-647515
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.01-carat-d-color-i1-clarity-sku-325184 if you can handle the feather/
crystal at the top of the stone
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-31ct-antique-pear-shape-diamond-gia-g-si1#.VfwboN9Vikp
like to see a video showing some fire...it does look to sparkle a lot but didnt see any/much fire
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.06-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-518954 nice faceting pattern...a little
fat for my taste but may work for you

Would not go with...
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-colorless-diamond-170ct-j-si2-old-cut-pear-really-cool-cut-r5955 42% detph/too shallow
http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/solitaires-rings-jewelry-2/1-01ct-fif-natural-pear-brilliant-diamond/ would need aset
image. I dont like the faceting pattern of this stone though
I dont really like the faceting pattern on any of the Enchanted stones no arrows, just sort of fat bow-tie areas

Need more info...
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-colorless-diamond-171ct-f-i1-pear-shape-diamond-r6365 if you are interested, ask for an "up close video" and at a "distance video" to see how eye-clean it looks.

What *I* like to see in a faceting pattern is where the rounded end of the pear looks sort of like a round brilliant (with arrows).
You want the faceting from the arrows to go down into the pointed end of the stone if possible. Like look at the faceting pattern
of this stone. You can see where the arrows go down towards the pointed end of the stone. These areas usually reflect light
pretty well.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.01-carat-d-color-i1-clarity-sku-325184

 

[ariel144]

Out of all the ones posted, here are my favorites...the videos at JA are very helpful. You can request 3 aset images (they can only
get them on stones local to them so not sure if they will be able to get all 3).

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.00-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-647515
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.01-carat-d-color-i1-clarity-sku-325184 if you can handle the feather/
crystal at the top of the stone
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-31ct-antique-pear-shape-diamond-gia-g-si1#.VfwboN9Vikp
like to see a video showing some fire...it does look to sparkle a lot but didnt see any/much fire
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.06-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-518954 nice faceting pattern...a little
fat for my taste but may work for you

Would not go with...
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-colorless-diamond-170ct-j-si2-old-cut-pear-really-cool-cut-r5955 42% detph/too shallow
http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/solitaires-rings-jewelry-2/1-01ct-fif-natural-pear-brilliant-diamond/ would need aset
image. I dont like the faceting pattern of this stone though
I dont really like the faceting pattern on any of the Enchanted stones no arrows, just sort of fat bow-tie areas

Need more info...
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-colorless-diamond-171ct-f-i1-pear-shape-diamond-r6365 if you are interested, ask for an "up close video" and at a "distance video" to see how eye-clean it looks.

What *I* like to see in a faceting pattern is where the rounded end of the pear looks sort of like a round brilliant (with arrows).
You want the faceting from the arrows to go down into the pointed end of the stone if possible. Like look at the faceting pattern
of this stone. You can see where the arrows go down towards the pointed end of the stone. These areas usually reflect light
pretty well.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.01-carat-d-color-i1-clarity-sku-325184

Thank you TYTY333 for "DEFINING" the facet pattern to look for in a great pear diamond. I attempted to define it in my post but I really like your statement here:

"What *I* like to see in a faceting pattern is where the rounded end of the pear looks sort of like a round brilliant (with arrows).
You want the faceting from the arrows to go down into the pointed end of the stone if possible. Like look at the faceting pattern
of this stone. You can see where the arrows go down towards the pointed end of the stone. These areas usually reflect light
pretty well."
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.01-carat-d-color-i1-clarity-sku-325184[/quote]

The chubby 1.06 G VVS above has a "super" large facet pattern like a round brilliant going all the way down to the point which is rarely seen in a pear cut. That is why I posted it. Would love to see the ASET on that one. I love the challenge of looking for stones on JA. I try not to put in a lot of specs, but just look for the facet pattern and the least "gray mush"/leakage; and with pears, ovals, marquis the absence of a bow tie. Sometimes you can find nice I1 stones, although most ppl don't realise that IRL they can be very beautiful diamonds if the cut is really nice and there is no visible black carbon....great bargains too. IRL these stones are VERY small and what ppl see when they look at your ring is the light return of the stone...the normal person would probably never pick up a slightly visible inclusion unless they stared for a length of time close up at your stone.

I do like this D VS better than the F VVS though because it has less of a bow tie.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/1.01-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-124744

Thanks again for taking the time to critique these stones for the OP. I agree with your opinions and showing how cut really is king; not color and clarity.