Great stone versus smaller amazing stone

[Zedeff]

Hello, I posted previously about a very large EC that my jeweler had offered me at the start of my search. I''ve since greatly narrowed down what I''m looking for and today he showed me two new stones that might fit my bill.

Either stone will be an Emerald Cut mounted in a Tacori 2579 in 18k white gold.

Stone one: 1.04 ct, I color, VVS2, Canadian diamond
price WITH the setting of $9,500 Canadian dollars

Stone two: 0.91 ct, E color, IF, GIA certified
price WITH the setting of $11,500 CAD

Both stones had nearly identical cuts in terms of table percentage, depth percentage, etc; (both excellent cuts, both 1.5 ratios).

I have always been a quality over quantity person. I know that the second stone, though smaller, is an great deal (the Tacori setting alone is $5000 USD, or about $6000 CAD, and blue nile currently has a 1 ct, D, IF EC that they are selling for $14,500 CAD as a loose stone). I also know that the actual size difference between the stones is marginal (about a quarter millimeter in each dimension) and once set, might be difficult to appreciate.

I just think that there is a big psychological jump in going up to a 1 ct stone.

Furthermore, the Tacori setting is shown in the "catalog" photos (and on their website) with an 8.5 x 6.5 mm stone in it, whereas the stones I''m looking at are around 6.5-7 x 4.5-5 mm. It''s easy to say "it''s only two millimeters" but really, it''s 1/4 the size in each dimension and I worry that those stones in that setting might not look so hot. Then again, this ring https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/tacori-emerald-3-stone-with-pave.77979/ looks amazing at "only" a 1 carat stone in a very similar setting.

Somebody please smack me, tell me I''m overthinking things, and then tell me what you would do: 1) buy stone 1, 2) buy stone 2, or 3) keep looking for something else (what?).

 

[audball]

Date: 8/5/2009 7:06:35 PM
Author:Zedeff
Hello, I posted previously about a very large EC that my jeweler had offered me at the start of my search. I''ve since greatly narrowed down what I''m looking for and today he showed me two new stones that might fit my bill.


Either stone will be an Emerald Cut mounted in a Tacori 2579 in 18k white gold.


Stone one: 1.04 ct, I color, VVS2, Canadian diamond

price WITH the setting of $9,500 Canadian dollars


Stone two: 0.91 ct, E color, IF, GIA certified

price WITH the setting of $11,500 CAD


Both stones had nearly identical cuts in terms of table percentage, depth percentage, etc; (both excellent cuts, both 1.5 ratios).


I have always been a quality over quantity person. I know that the second stone, though smaller, is an great deal (the Tacori setting alone is $5000 USD, or about $6000 CAD, and blue nile currently has a 1 ct, D, IF EC that they are selling for $14,500 CAD as a loose stone). I also know that the actual size difference between the stones is marginal (about a quarter millimeter in each dimension) and once set, might be difficult to appreciate.


I just think that there is a big psychological jump in going up to a 1 ct stone.


Furthermore, the Tacori setting is shown in the ''catalog'' photos (and on their website) with an 8.5 x 6.5 mm stone in it, whereas the stones I''m looking at are around 6.5-7 x 4.5-5 mm. It''s easy to say ''it''s only two millimeters'' but really, it''s 1/4 the size in each dimension and I worry that those stones in that setting might not look so hot. Then again, this ring https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/tacori-emerald-3-stone-with-pave.77979/ looks amazing at ''only'' a 1 carat stone in a very similar setting.


Somebody please smack me, tell me I''m overthinking things, and then tell me what you would do: 1) buy stone 1, 2) buy stone 2, or 3) keep looking for something else (what?).

You aren''t going to be able to see inclusions in a VVS2, so for me, I''d rather have the slightly larger stone than spend the money for an IF stone when my eyes can''t tell the difference from the VVS2 anyway (assuming as you say all other things are the same). Just my .02, hopefully the experts will chime in for some more scientific advice.

 

[Ellen]

How did the I look colorwise? Did you notice the warmth?

 

[Zedeff]

I did not notice the warmth of the stone on its own, but I could see the slight tinge of colour when they were side by side. I also know that my FF is a colour sensitive person based on comments she''s made while we''ve ring browsed. Further, because it''s a white gold setting and the Tacori side stones are usually F to G colour (I think) I''d worry about it being noticeable.

 

[Luckyeshe]

Normally, I'd say go for the larger stone since you won't be able to see the inclusions on a VVS2 anyways. The issue is, your FF is color sensitive and I think you're right that next to the F/G stones, she would be able to see the warmth of the I. I am color sensitive as well and for me, I can tell when the color of the stone is G and warmer (especially once you put a bunch of different ones together). Do you know what's more important to her? Carat or color? Then make your decision base on that answer. Is there anyway your vendor can get a stone with more carat while keeping the color no less than G or the final choice is between these two ECs?

 

[Ellen]

If she's color sensitive, I wouldn't recommend the I. I hate to see you pay for the IF part on the E, ideally an E-G VS1-VS2 would be just as nice and cost less. But cut is important too, so if your jeweler can't find you something like that, in just as nice of a cut, I'd say go with the E.

 

[Zedeff]

These are by far not the only two stones available. I''m doing a lot of travelling in the fall so I don''t anticipate proposing until late fall or near Christmas. That gives my jewelers loads of time to find a great stone.

I think I should maybe go back to them with a specific set of criteria: find me a 1+ ct, F+, VVS2+ stone in an excellent cut, with a budget for the stone/setting of $11.5k.

 

[marcy]

I agree if she is color sensitive I would stay away from I stones. I''d go for colorless VS1 or VS2 and get the largest best cut EC you can afford.

 

[jstarfireb]

Knowing that she is color-sensitive, I''d pick the E if these were the only 2 options.

Any particular reason you''re looking for such high clarity? VS and eye-clean SI stones will look identical to a VVS or IF. For an emerald cut I would probably stay above SI, but there''s not necessarily an objective reason to exclude VS1-2. If high clarity is a personal/cultural preference for you, all the more reason to get the IF (some people really value having a "perfect" or "flawless" diamond). But know that there''s a price premium for clarity.

I''d also open your possibilities to GIA and AGS-graded G color stones. H is also a possibility, but if she''s very color-sensitive, you may want to stick with G and above. But I don''t think she''ll be able to perceive much difference between F and G, especially when they''re not right next to each other.

 

[FB.]

As the others have said; you may be forced to go for the E colour because of her colour perception.
But you're so close to the 1ct mark that it'd be a pity not to get the full 1ct, so I'd see whether there's a well-cut stone with an in-between colour and clarity that just manages to break the 1ct level.
I'd go down to F, perhaps G colour and down to VS2 clarity if necessary, to get the 1ct mark.

 

[Zedeff]

Thanks everyone! I''ll be phoning my jeweler today to make a specific set of requests for my stone search. (1ct/F/VS1)

 

[VRBeauty]

If you don''t mind a brief thread-jack, I have a question for the experts --

is clarity more important in emerald or asscher cuts than it would be in a round brilliant? It seems to me that those large flat planes might make it easier to see inclusions, and that there might be less overall dispersion with those cuts to "mask" any flaws.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/6/2009 9:33:53 AM
Author: Zedeff
Thanks everyone! I''ll be phoning my jeweler today to make a specific set of requests for my stone search. (1ct/F/VS1)

That will really limit the search, as it''s extremely strict. If you don''t mind waiting a long time, possibly longer than you wanted, fine. But when searching for a diamond, it''s good to keep your options a bit more open. Say, D-F, VS1-VS2. There can be step cuts eye clean at VS2.


VR, not a true expert, but basically yes, step cuts will show inclusions easier than a round. I''ve seen a couple eyeclean SI1 Asschers from GOG, but they are rather scarce.