Marquise questions

[ringbling]

What should I focus on when looking for this style?

I found one that is a J and S12 Clarity. The symmetry is fair..would fair be too risky in this cut?

 

[Richard Sherwood]

I wouldn''t eliminate a marquise from the running because of a "fair" symmetry. These stones often attain only a "fair" or "good" symmetry at best. If you find one with "very good" symmetry you''ve really found something, but don''t expect to find an "excellent" symmetry.

The most important factors are the length-to-width ratio, the crown height and pavilion depth of the stone, minimal bowtie, and maximum light return for it''s category.

 

[Munchkin]

Where is this stone from? This coupled with your previous question makes me nervous that you are shopping at a chain jeweler. Chain jewelers can be great for some things, but there is seldom an emphasis on properly educating the consumer. (they say things like the ''cut'' of a diamond is round, oval, etc) Often the staff isn''t well educated, diamond-wise. I have no issue buying a pendant from a chain jeweler, but I would not make as important a purchase as an engagement ring at one.

If you post your wish list...budget, shape, size, etc, I can virually guarantee that the wise people of pricescope can find you a better diamond for a great deal!

 

[ringbling]

Munchkin, I have been looking at the mall stores to kinda get an idea of what I want since I had no clue but currently I''m looking online at several dealers. I have found a couple that I was wondering about.
Both are 1.03 carats and J in color. Both GIA certified.
DIAMOND #1 DIAMOND #2
Depth 68.1 68.1
Table 54 54
Girdle VTN-VTK VTN-VTK
Measurement 8.99-5.20x3.50. 8.99x5.2x3.55
Polish: Good Good
Symmetry: Fair Fair
Fluorescense: Faint Faint Blue

Clarity grade is B

Wanting to put in a yellow gold tiffany solitaire setting.

Richard, not sure how to find out the things you mentioned. Can I call these places and ask? Or can you get the information from what I listed above? Would I have to see the stone in person to look for these things?

 

[ringbling]

I also was looking at Abazias and found several:
http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=1658064154
http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=38441593
http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=1654398553
http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=38458792

These are all EGL certified...isn''t that not as good as GIA certified?

 

[ringbling]

I went to a jewelry store today to compare colors and clarity and now I''m not so sure about a J or a S12. Of course the guy showed me the hearts on fire selection compared to his bottom of the line selection. Bottom of the line were going for $1800 and the hearts on fire $11,000.

Looked at loose stones but he only had a .33 stone which looked clearer than the .88 stone which was a better clarity rating. He said it was because of the size.

Pricescope search shows some great prices on some I/S12 but not so sure what they would look like. I think I need to go somewhere that has a bigger supply of loose stones to look at before really deciding.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Hi RingBling. Things like crown height and pavilion depth (determined by Sarin or OGI measurements) and light return performance (demonstrated by IdealScope and ASET images) are determined usually by checking in closely with the selling vendor. Kind of above and beyond the usual information supplied.

And no, EGL certification does not command the weight that GIA or AGS certification does. EGL is a "second tier" lab, while GIA and AGS are "first tier" labs. The difference in pricing between stones certified by the different labs is at least 10 percent, sometimes more. EGL tends to be a little "softer" in their grading, particularly in regards to color (usually 1 grade softer with EGL-USA labs, sometimes more with EGL-Europe labs and definitely more with EGL-Israeli labs.)