I think I am ready to buy my first engagement ring, let me know if I really am. (MY DIAMOND SPECS)

[esumsea]

Thanks strmrdr and Chrono, I really appreciate the input. What I infer from your posts is that the vendor was correct and it is not just important to get a diamond with a table and depth in the ideal or premium range of 59-68% for the table and 60-65 for the depth, but they also have to be closer to each other (i.e. 63, 63)? What is the acceptable difference in percentage points, 2, 5, or 8 %? I have been looking at EC''s with depths @ 63% and tables of @ 68%. Of course, they are both described as beauties but I don''t want to have them held or called in until I am sure they have a good chance of being desirable. When I call them in, I will have a video made but I will only have three max brought in, so I have to be judicious with my selection. Let me know what you think about this and if there are any other things to look out for in selecting diamonds to be brought in for analysis.
Regards,
Mario

 

[strmrdr]

68T63D is not a combo I would consider.
63T68D would be however.

 

[esumsea]

Date: 9/19/2007 1:55:36 AM
Author: strmrdr
68T63D is not a combo I would consider.
63T68D would be however.

Thanks again strmrdr,

Can you explain the reasoning behind why you would consider a depth % that falls in the range of a 2B cut over a 1A depth and why you would trade that off rather than accept a table that is not in the ideal range (60-65)? Are you just saying you prefer tables that are smaller or is there something more to it. Please elaborate. Hest, I know you already wieghed in on this matter, but are there any ratios I should stay away from. My GF seems to like a range from 1.2 to 1.3 but I have seen more square emeralds (1.04 - 1.17) at some good prices. Seems like I am getting closer, though.

Regards,
Mario

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/19/2007 2:30:08 AM
Author: esumsea

Date: 9/19/2007 1:55:36 AM
Author: strmrdr
68T63D is not a combo I would consider.
63T68D would be however.

Thanks again strmrdr,

Can you explain the reasoning behind why you would consider a depth % that falls in the range of a 2B cut over a 1A depth and why you would trade that off rather than accept a table that is not in the ideal range (60-65)? Are you just saying you prefer tables that are smaller or is there something more to it. Please elaborate. Hest, I know you already wieghed in on this matter, but are there any ratios I should stay away from. My GF seems to like a range from 1.2 to 1.3 but I have seen more square emeralds (1.04 - 1.17) at some good prices. Seems like I am getting closer, though.

Regards,
Mario

market conditions most of the best EC/SE stones that I have seen in person and have seen the info for on PS have been on the deep side of the 60-69.9 range.
I don't like most big tabled EC/SE.
Some people love the more classic some what glassy look of most large tabled stones.
Small tables and high crowns == fire which gives these cuts life, with matching pavilions of course.

 

[esumsea]

OK adjusting parameters and guess what? The stones are more expensive.

I guess it is for a reason. Why does my price point keep rising the more I talk to you guys?

I must be getting closer. So now if I review my specs they are as follows:

Shape: Emerald
Carat: Minimum 1.0 (Preferred 1.1 or above)
Color: D – F (Preferred D or E ) NO Florescence
Symmetry: Excellent to very good (Ex preferred)
Polish: Excellent to very good (Excellent preferred)
Cut: Minimum Class 1a
-Table: 60 to 65%
-Crown Height: 11 – 15 %
-Total Depth: 60 to 67% (60 to 65 % Preferred)
-Length to Width Ratio: 1.10 – 1:35 (1.20-1.3 preferred)
-Girdle: Slightly thin to Medium to slightly thick (Obviously as close to medium as possible.)
-No Cutlet
Clarity: Minimum VS2 (Preferred VS1). NO CLARITY ENHANCEMENT


Any comments appreciated.
Mario

 

[strmrdr]

There is no such thing as slightly thin girdle...
thin,med,sl thick are all good.
More than likely its going to be sl thick.
If everything else is right consider thick too.

And yes smaller tabled stones are more expensive.
More demand, more weight loss when cutting them.

Florescence is personal choice and up too and including med has very little effect as long as its blue.
faint blue isn't going too have any at all.

get pictures.

 

[strmrdr]

have your vendor get you info on GIA report # 15134321
Should be ~ $4450

 

[strmrdr]

GIA report # 15264786
~$5370

 

[strmrdr]

GIA # 14926516
~5500
heavier than the other 2

 

[chrono]

Date: 9/19/2007 4:03:25 AM
Author: esumsea
OK adjusting parameters and guess what? The stones are more expensive.

I guess it is for a reason. Why does my price point keep rising the more I talk to you guys?

I must be getting closer. So now if I review my specs they are as follows:

Shape: Emerald
Carat: Minimum 1.0 (Preferred 1.1 or above)
Color: D – F (Preferred D or E ) NO Florescence
Symmetry: Excellent to very good (Ex preferred)
Polish: Excellent to very good (Excellent preferred)
Cut: Minimum Class 1a
-Table: 60 to 65%
-Crown Height: 11 – 15 %
-Total Depth: 60 to 67% (60 to 65 % Preferred)
-Length to Width Ratio: 1.10 – 1:35 (1.20-1.3 preferred)
-Girdle: Slightly thin to Medium to slightly thick (Obviously as close to medium as possible.)
-No Cutlet
Clarity: Minimum VS2 (Preferred VS1). NO CLARITY ENHANCEMENT


Any comments appreciated.
Mario

Looking good. My preference is to have an even girdle, say just Medium (not a range of thin to thick, etc), but this can be VERY difficult to find. As you can see, well cut ECs are hard to find and costs more than just any regular old EC.

I prefer a smaller table because I don't like a large table glare, plus a smaller table usually equates to more fire (with the correct crown angle and height). My own EC falls slightly out of the 1A cut range because the depth is 66% (2B) but it doesn't bother me at all because all the other stats are in the 1A range, plus it performs great. It has lots of life and fire.

 

[esumsea]

Thanks again strmrdr! I was very kind of you to do a search and suggest some diamonds. I am having my vendor look now and am waiting for a response.

Thanks Chrono for your input!

Kind Regards,
Mario

 

[esumsea]

Hello Strmrdr,

My vendor cannot find these diamonds just with GIA Grading Reports, they need some stats to find the diamond. It is amazing to me how many of the diamonds that I find in pricescope are sold/not available/in hong kong or India when I call in. I mean over 65% of them are gone. It gets frustrating and sometimes I wonder if my vendor is doing their due dilligence. I have almost thought of sending the same list to different vendors and see if I get different answers but I will not for now. I just want to concentrate on one vendor and don''t want to waste a bunch of peoples time. I have tried other vendors for one stone in their list but something or other convinces me I should go elsewhere. I really like where I ended up but sometimes I wonder. Luckily my GF has expanded the acceptable ratio to 1.4 as long as the width is at least 5 mm. Unfortunately she has risen the bottom floor, I think judiciously to 1.2. Thats all I have to report for now. The search goes on......

Regards,
Mario

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/20/2007 10:32:25 AM
Author: esumsea
Hello Strmrdr,

My vendor cannot find these diamonds just with GIA Grading Reports, they need some stats to find the diamond. It is amazing to me how many of the diamonds that I find in pricescope are sold/not available/in hong kong or India when I call in. I mean over 65% of them are gone. It gets frustrating and sometimes I wonder if my vendor is doing their due dilligence. I have almost thought of sending the same list to different vendors and see if I get different answers but I will not for now. I just want to concentrate on one vendor and don''t want to waste a bunch of peoples time. I have tried other vendors for one stone in their list but something or other convinces me I should go elsewhere. I really like where I ended up but sometimes I wonder. Luckily my GF has expanded the acceptable ratio to 1.4 as long as the width is at least 5 mm. Unfortunately she has risen the bottom floor, I think judiciously to 1.2. Thats all I have to report for now. The search goes on......

Regards,
Mario

sheesh some vendor....

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/19/2007 4:34:58 AM
Author: strmrdr
have your vendor get you info on GIA report # 15134321
Should be ~ $4450

1.01 E/VS2 6.67 x 5.1 x 3.39 mm vg/vg 64%t 66.5% STK - THK

pricing on this one makes me wonder if the price isnt a mistake.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/19/2007 4:45:51 AM
Author: strmrdr
GIA report # 15264786
~$5370

1.01 E/vs2 61t65d ex/vg 6.64 x 5.23 x 3.4 mm slt

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/19/2007 4:53:26 AM
Author: strmrdr
GIA # 14926516
~5500
heavier than the other 2

1.15 D/VS1 6.44 x 5.31 x 3.57 mm vg/vg MED - STK 60T/67.2D

 

[esumsea]

Date: 9/20/2007 11:17:50 AM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 9/20/2007 10:32:25 AM
Author: esumsea
Hello Strmrdr,

My vendor cannot find these diamonds just with GIA Grading Reports, they need some stats to find the diamond. It is amazing to me how many of the diamonds that I find in pricescope are sold/not available/in hong kong or India when I call in. I mean over 65% of them are gone. It gets frustrating and sometimes I wonder if my vendor is doing their due dilligence. I have almost thought of sending the same list to different vendors and see if I get different answers but I will not for now. I just want to concentrate on one vendor and don''t want to waste a bunch of peoples time. I have tried other vendors for one stone in their list but something or other convinces me I should go elsewhere. I really like where I ended up but sometimes I wonder. Luckily my GF has expanded the acceptable ratio to 1.4 as long as the width is at least 5 mm. Unfortunately she has risen the bottom floor, I think judiciously to 1.2. Thats all I have to report for now. The search goes on......

Regards,
Mario

sheesh some vendor....

You are telling me! On top of it all she was a Manager! I have asked and been transferred to a sales rep and, guess what, she is much more responsive. See what I mean about lower level people? If you are well educated (or at least as educated as I am thanks to you.), you will get a lot more attention from a little guy who appreciates the money they make from you.

I was looking at the same diamonds myself! I will let you know how it goes and if they are found.

Best Regards,
Mario

 

[esumsea]

Worst yet, they listed one of the diamonds you suggest themselves.

 

[esumsea]

Just got this email from the "Customer Education" department of my vendor and I was wondering what you guys think of this:

"I just wanted to pass along that the nature of this shape (EC) is to receive VG in finish more frequently than rounds because of the more complex faceting: It''s a by-product of the polishing process. Premium candidates lose nothing with a rating of VG (some would even say G but I know you are looking for the best possible craftsmanship). In fact, GIA actually allows stones with VG sym/polish into their EX cut grade for round brilliants because of the same thing - and it''s easier to get top marks on rounds than fancies.

In any event, VG finish in a shape like EC is really a non-factor and makes no visible difference. I wanted to be sure to communicate that. If you have any questions I''m available until about 5:30PM CST and again tomorrow."

I was also told this by the sales consultant:

"The stone we have on hold for you is very nice. The vendor says its lines are grayish rather than distictly black parallel lines."

I thought that sharp lines is what we are looking for? Am I wrong about this. Let me know what you think.
Thanks!
Regards,
Mario

 

[strmrdr]

vg/vg is fine and more common, good can be ok but when shopping online and calling in stones my advice is dont.
The problem is you cant tell why it got good until your out money calling it in.
It might be 1 facet that it dont matter much but you cant tell untill someone looks at it.

I have no idea what they are saying with the grey vs black comment because that would change on any EC depending on lighting and head shadow and much worse backlighting.

 

[chrono]

It is extremely difficult to very EX on polish and symmetry on ECs. I would stick with VG on both for online purchases. I might lower this requirement to Good for B&M shopping but only if really pressed for options.

As for the grey comment, I am rather confused as well as I have never heard of such a thing. Depending on the lighting, the step pattern can be very sharp (stark black) or a muted (where the lines do not show up as clearly).

 

[esumsea]

Thanks again Chrono!

Anybody know when pricescope updates its diamond selections?

Regards,
Mario

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/22/2007 6:23:19 AM
Author: esumsea
Thanks again Chrono!

Anybody know when pricescope updates its diamond selections?

Regards,
Mario

Every few days one list or the other changes but my data is old may be longer or sooner.

What happened with those 3?

 

[esumsea]

Hey Storm,

Currently I have this on hold:

1.06 F VS1 66.1% 60% GIA m-stk no vg vg no 6.84-5.13-3.39/1.33/35.09 $4774 $5060*
I put in the ratio and square mm after the dimensions.

There are others I am hoping will be available Monday, hopefully my vendor will do her do dilligence.

The 1.01 E/vs2 61t65d ex/vg 6.64 x 5.23 x 3.4 mm slt supposedly has a piece of carbon right in the table. They closed early on Thursday so I have to wait until Monday (God diamond dealers take lots of days off!

)

On the 1.01 E/VS2 6.67 x 5.1 x 3.39 mm vg/vg 64%t 66.5% STK - THK, the vendor STILL has not given me an answer on (even though they had the request by Thursday. Again, I am starting to wonder about my vendors commitment to me. Should they not be able to work faster than this?

I believe the D 1.15 is available. I asked my vendor to hold it for me. I still have not heard back if she was able to do so and am waiting on some other certs she was suppossed to send. I am going to see how it goes Monday. If this vendor cannot find the stones I am looking for before 1 pm, I am switchin!
Best Regards,
Mario

 

[esumsea]

OK, my vendor is looking into stones now. Hopefully I will be posting stats of three diamonds I want soon. Next the images should arrive. I lieu of that, how does one post images on this site. I know I can attach files, but is there a way to copy and paste images right into the text box? I know it is possible, I have seen it, but when I have tried it has not worked. I just want to figure it out before hand.

Regards,
Mario

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/24/2007 11:34:13 AM
Author: esumsea
OK, my vendor is looking into stones now. Hopefully I will be posting stats of three diamonds I want soon. Next the images should arrive. I lieu of that, how does one post images on this site. I know I can attach files, but is there a way to copy and paste images right into the text box? I know it is possible, I have seen it, but when I have tried it has not worked. I just want to figure it out before hand.

Regards,
Mario

if they are hosted on the net allready you dont have too upload and attach them otherwise ya do.

 

[esumsea]

Thanks again Storm!
My vendor came through! Hurray for Traci!

Here are the diamonds I am having brought in:

1.)1.02 E VS1 62.3% 64% GIA m-stk no ex ex 7.02-5.04x3.14/1.39/35.38 $4748 $4843*S (this one won''t be in until Wednesday

2.)1.15 D VS1 67.2% 60% GIA m - stk no vg vg 6.44-5.31x3.57/1.21/34.20 $4623 $5316*S

3.)1.06 F VS1 66.1% 60% GIA m-stk no vg vg no 6.84-5.13-3.39/1.33/35.09 $4774 $5060*

All these stones face up very large. I really like number one. I will post all info as I get it. I will probably start a new thread with the picks so I get more responses.
Let me know what you think.

Again, your help has been invaluable.

Regards,
Mario

 

[esumsea]

Anyone?

 

[chrono]

Your guess is as good as anyone''s without any pictures.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 9/25/2007 1:49:08 PM
Author: Chrono
Your guess is as good as anyone''s without any pictures.

Ditto.