Help me decide between these two Emerald Cuts

[chongbone]

Hello everyone. I have been a long time lurker and the information I have learned from this site has been invaluable in my search for an affordable yet beautiful diamond for my soon to be fiancee. I have narrowed my search down to two diamonds. Here are the stats on both Emerald Cuts:

1.01 Ct GIA Cert Emerald Cut
Measurements: 7.35 x 4.61 x 3.1 L/W Ratio: 1.61
Color: E
Clarity: VS1
Depth: 67.2%
Table: 65%
Crown Height: 11.4%
Pav Angle: 61.8
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Fair
Girdle: Sl Thick to Thick
Culet:None
Fl: None

or

1.01 Ct GIA Cert Emerald Cut
Measurements: 7.05 x 4.87 x 3.22 L/W Ratio: 1.45
Color: F
Clarity: VS2
Depth: 66.1%
Table: 63%
Crown Height: ? (Get the Sarin report on Mon)
Pav Angle: ?
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Girdle: Thin to Thick
Culet:None
Fl: None

The difference in the price is only $200 from the first stone to this one. Obviously I would have to see these stones in person to tell which is the better stone. I was just wondering what everyone''s opinions were about the stats of these stones. To me it is a tossup. Depending on what the Sarin report shows for the second stone, I am kind of leaning towards it, since the cut quality seems better without having to sacrifice much in Color and Clarity. Thank you all in advance for your help

.

 

[karenleah15]

I do not know everything there is to know about diamonds so I don''t know what to tell you other than look at them and let your eyes decide.

 

[aphisiglovessae]

I'm liking the polish, symmetry, and girdle of the second one, but I'm no expert. I don't know what is a good table and depth for an emerald cut. I only know good specs for a round brilliant, which is what I have. I don't think you'll see much difference, if at all, between the color and clarities. But I agree, you should trust your own eyes.

 

[chongbone]

Thanks for the input guys.

Are there any emerald cut experts in here that can provide some feedback on this post?

 

[diamondfan]

I have an ec, and all I can say is since it is step cut not faceted, cut is vital. One little wrong angle and the effect of light through the stone is compromised...it cannot be hidden and distracted from like a faceted stone. It has to do with fraction and other scientific mathematical stuff that I won''t pretend to understand, but...any step cut stone needs to have an exceptional light play. That being said, since every stone is unique, and everyone''s taste can differ, seeing is believing. What one person might love or not mind in a stone may present an issue to someone else. So, if you can see them side by side, go with the one that speaks to you!

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Ultimately, your eyes have to decide on an EC stone, however, based on the numbers that you have provided, I would be apt to lean towards stone #2.

First of all, your depth/table percentages are closer to the 60%-ile. You''re depth of 67.2% on #1 may make your stone look glassy. Also the symmetry on #1 is only fair and could adversely impact the look of the stone.

Like you said, you need to SEE the stones...numbers for ECs are ONLY a guideline....but I''m sticking with #2 based on information provided...HTH!

 

[diamondsbylauren]

HI chongbone
There's simply no way to choose a stone based on a GIA report- there's a lot of variables which are not expressable on a GIA report.

In this case, it's pretty easy to put one above the other.
I would stay awat from the stone with "fair" symmetry.

I find that stones with "Good" can be just as appealing to stones which are graded EX on polish and symmetry.
"Fair" can be consdiered a slight defect on symmetry


Still, you should look at both if for no other reason that increasing your own personal knowledge of the cut.
If you'd like to let us know the prices, you might get some valuable input

 

[chongbone]

If you''d like to let us know the prices, you might get some valuable input

Stone #1 is on special for $3855 and Stone #2 is going for $4100. My price range for the stone and a classic tiffany setting is $4500 total. My gf absolutely loves emerald cuts. I am looking for an eyeclean 1 ct F or better color with good "bling" which is why the cut quality is so important to me.

 

[chrono]

I would lean towards #2 for a variety of reasons:
The cut on both seems pretty close on paper but the polish and symmetry on #2 is better. A Fair rating could mean that the culet could be off-center or there might be an extra facet or something else that is visibly off.

Again, a person cannot make a final judgement on ECs until you see both in person. Is that possible? I would not worry too much about a possible glassy effect on #1 because the crown height is sweet at 11.4%.

 

[MissAva]

If you really feel that cut is important then I think you may want to find some more stones. Symmetry that is Good or fair seems to be more noticible (to me) in step cuts. And when the lines are off you notices and it might bother her over time...she is a girl and will likely spend hours gazing at her ring. JMO.

 

[valeria101]

I don't know what "fair" symmetry means for the first - if the thing is not crooked, it sounds like the better deal to me (higher grades, tiny pricedifference). From those numbers neither appears a better cut to me just because I cannot visualize their look based on those numbers.

If you were using the AGA charts to evaluate the cut of these two, it may be worth reminding thatthose charts are not meant to predict brilliance: the available numbers for these two stones are very close anyway, even if it may be the case (cannot remember the cut-offs on the AGA charts right now) that there is a split grade between them (one just makes it, one does not). In the Fancy Shapes page of the tutorial (under "Knowledge" above, it is mentioned that the first three AGA cut grades make a good top pick of the crop, and I would not go for a finer classification without some acount of brilliance and shape details, which the charts do not provide. AGA added a measure of light return to their classification some time ago, but that cannot be obtained remotely (by the numbers, that is).

The one thing that shows from the numbers is the overall shape - more or less stout / elongated, and the profile of the E-VS1 fits better my taste, but this is just a matter of taste, of course. The other one is not very far, btw.


Just my 0.2...