Help finding emerald cut

[digger71]

First let me say that this forum has provided a tremendous education for me already, and for that I am very thankful! I am getting ready to get engaged to my long time girlfriend and have decided on an emerald cut somewhere from 1.0 - 1.2 crt with a total budget of $5-7k. The setting is a whole another conversation...

I have a basic understanding of what to look for thanks to the chart here https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-grading-chart-emerald-radiant/

However I also know that emerald cuts need to be viewed (by someone knowledgeable) in order to be properly evaluated. So here I am. I've contacted several jewelers but most don't carry many emeralds in stock and can only give me basics (color, clarity, cut, polish, dimensions, table, and depth) without actually ordering the diamond. Only then does it seem I can get crown height and better images and scopes.

So where do I need to be looking to avoid paying shipping on diamonds that come in and aren't what I want? Sorry if it is an obvious question but good details on emerald cuts has been elusive for me.

 

[Amys Bling]

Stick to online vendors that have stones in house like GOG, James Allen, Whiteflash, Briam Gavin diamonds ...

 

[yssie]

First let me say that this forum has provided a tremendous education for me already, and for that I am very thankful! I am getting ready to get engaged to my long time girlfriend and have decided on an emerald cut somewhere from 1.0 - 1.2 crt with a total budget of $5-7k. The setting is a whole another conversation...

I have a basic understanding of what to look for thanks to the chart here https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-grading-chart-emerald-radiant/

However I also know that emerald cuts need to be viewed (by someone knowledgeable) in order to be properly evaluated. So here I am. I've contacted several jewelers but most don't carry many emeralds in stock and can only give me basics (color, clarity, cut, polish, dimensions, table, and depth) without actually ordering the diamond. Only then does it seem I can get crown height and better images and scopes.

So where do I need to be looking to avoid paying shipping on diamonds that come in and aren't what I want? Sorry if it is an obvious question but good details on emerald cuts has been elusive for me.

I would contact www.goodoldgold.com and www.diamondsbylauren.com , both are in NY. Both have a ton of info and videos on ECs available online and both have found lovely stones for PSers check out diamondsbylauren and diamondinfoman on youtube.

In terms of shipping - unless they happen to have the perfect stone in-house already (which they might) I don't see any options besides buying locally or having promising options called in I'm afraid! I don't know how much it costs to call in several stones - I suspect different vendors will have different pricepoints and policies depending on where they are and what you're looking for, so the best way to get an answer to that one would be to just call in!

 

[Amys Bling]

First let me say that this forum has provided a tremendous education for me already, and for that I am very thankful! I am getting ready to get engaged to my long time girlfriend and have decided on an emerald cut somewhere from 1.0 - 1.2 crt with a total budget of $5-7k. The setting is a whole another conversation...

I have a basic understanding of what to look for thanks to the chart here https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-grading-chart-emerald-radiant/

However I also know that emerald cuts need to be viewed (by someone knowledgeable) in order to be properly evaluated. So here I am. I've contacted several jewelers but most don't carry many emeralds in stock and can only give me basics (color, clarity, cut, polish, dimensions, table, and depth) without actually ordering the diamond. Only then does it seem I can get crown height and better images and scopes.

So where do I need to be looking to avoid paying shipping on diamonds that come in and aren't what I want? Sorry if it is an obvious question but good details on emerald cuts has been elusive for me.

I would contact www.goodoldgold.com and www.diamondsbylauren.com , both are in NY. Both have a ton of info and videos on ECs available online and both have found lovely stones for PSers check out diamondsbylauren and diamondinfoman on youtube.

In terms of shipping - unless they happen to have the perfect stone in-house already (which they might) I don't see any options besides buying locally or having promising options called in I'm afraid! I don't know how much it costs to call in several stones - I suspect different vendors will have different pricepoints and policies depending on where they are and what you're looking for, so the best way to get an answer to that one would be to just call in!

great suggestions!

 

[Gypsy]

I would start at James Allen. They have the largest selection of in house emeralds with actual pictures of the diamonds on the site. I would also contact Mark at Engagement Rings Direct. He has a great eye and a new photo set up for his stones. He also works very well with budgets, something that GOG doesn't do as much.

I will take a look at JA for you myself and see if I can find anything worth a closer look.

 

[Gypsy]

Okay I found a few worth considering. I'll post my thoughts on them as well as the links. I stuck to E-G color in my search since it works for your budget and is the safest range for color on step cuts. H is fine for most people too, and I would have looked in the H's if I had not found some potential in the E-G color range (I looked at D too, but there was nothing worth looking at). I looked at VS2 and VS1 for clarity as they are best bets for eyeclean in step cuts (very different from brilliant cuts) while balancing budget.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1335660.asp Top of your price range at 6,500. 6.76 by 5.4 (you want to look at the measurements on emerald cuts-- any diamond really-- instead of carat weight when you are comparing size as it will be more apples to apples). Lots of potential for good light return. Even steps, great octagonal outline.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1457353.asp 6.85x 5 (so slightly larger, but not enough that the eye will spot it, than the other and weighs less). I think this one is going to show a some darkness in the steps and it has a more rectangular outline than the one above (personal preference) but it does have potential.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1279046.asp 6.76 x 5.24 (almost same size as the first one a little slimmer). Nice octagonal outline, I'm not sure about how the steps will fire. But a potential contender.

What I would do:

I'd call James Allen and ask them to have their gemologist pull all three and compare them side by side. First thing is to make sure they are eyeclean (they are likely to be). Second thing is to ask which ones are the brightest and best performing.

With James Allen you only get 3 stones to ask for ASETS for. So I wouldn't use them all in one shot. If there is a CLEAR winner in performance between the three, just ask for the one ASET of those. But if there is are two nice ones, get ASETs of both.

 

[digger71]

Great information! Thanks so much for your help!

I was going to stick to VS1-VS2 (eye clean)and was thinking of possibly going to H or even I to get the most stone for the budget. I'll have to see them to know if I can live with that of course.

And I really appreciate the recommendations Gypsy! Those stones look promising and your tips on having them compare stone and limited ASET's are quite helpful. As you all know, this process can seem daunting for a newb so everyone's feedback helps a lot

 

[digger71]

Ok you guys have been great so far! What do you think about this emerald cut? I am really liking it so far, but just want to be sure there is nothing glaringly wrong

 

[Gypsy]

Honestly, I think you can do better. The Aset is underwhelming.