Need help with the color of diamonds

[Lmlewis3]

Hello everyone. I am very new to the diamond world. But I know what I like and what I don't like. But when it comes to the color of diamonds, I'm getting a bit confused. I understand the scale and what's considered perfect... But as I learned through some research, it is all opinion... Some like a warmer diamond... But of course when I went to go try on engagement rings the sales man told me that I wouldn't like anything lower than an E color. So I want this tacorri setting ( http://www.andrewsjewelers.com/catalog/vintage-ring-settings/tacori-2504-emp-7x5w-diamond-engagement-ring-/35-00795 ) with an emerald cut diamond. I guess
I just want to hear some opinions of people who have more of an open mind about diamonds, and how the don't have to be "perfect".
And since the setting I want looks a lil antique and not your typical shinny bright ring, maybe a diamond with a lil mode
Warmth to it would be a good idea???

 

[MissGotRocks]

What size stone are you considering? Emerald cuts do tend to show more color but limiting yourself to an E color is costly and probably not necessary.

 

[kenny]

This is always an interesting topic.
Yes people's preferences vary when it comes to diamond color.

But supply and demand and color's effect on price does not vary or open to opinion.
It goes only one way.
In white diamonds, D through Z, less color is more expensive.
In fancy colored diamonds, like pinks and blues, it's just the opposite.

Often the reason people say the prefer or don't mind lower color, like say a J, is they can get a larger diamond for the same budget compared to buying an E or F.

Only if price did not vary with color could we discover which color a person truly prefers.
I suspect the established fact that less color is more expensive results in people getting trained to desire what is more expensive and reportedly rare.
They reason, "It costs more so it must be more desirable."

You need to go out and see diamonds in person to discover your color comfort range.
You may love D, E and Fs and not mind paying the high price, nothing wrong with that.
You may love the size you can get by going down in color and not mind, or not even notice, the difference in color.
Or you may actually prefer a warmer looking diamond, and lucky you since it will cost less.

You do not have to conform to the majority opinion which peaks around G, according to a chart I saw on frequency of Pricescope searches.
Get educated, go out and see lots of diamonds, and make up your own mind.

Just be sure to only look at diamonds that were graded by GIA or AGS.
EGL and other labs have looser standards.
A GIA J may be given a color grade of H or even higher by EGL.

 

[denverappraiser]

I'm not so sure a salesman is a good source for deciding what you or your beloved like and don't like.

Training your eyes as you have done is EXACTLY the way to do it. There's one caveat. Make sure the stone being showed as a color example is correctly graded. Particularly in 'lower' colors and with stones thatare being used as examples they often use misgraded goods and it tends to screw up your comparison. Also, if you're looking for a fancy shape like an emerald cut, try to look at emerald cuts to decide on your color preferences. Rounds really do face up differently. Lastly, pay attention to the lighting environment, expecially if you're looking at stones in more than one location.

FWIW, I'm getting married next month and I chose a K for my own ring. My bride has an H.

 

[woofmama]

I just ordered a K color emerald cut from James Allen. I haven't seen a lower color step cut in person but found this stone while looking thru EC's on their site and couldn't resist
I don't know how I'll feel about the warmer color but loved the cut, shape and dimensions.
The ASET looked great so based on that and the advice from the super helpful experienced folks on here I am having it sent. I expect it Wednesday & will post pics with a review.

Here's a link to my thread if you want to see the results: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/aset-photo-of-emerald-im-considering-step-cut-lovers-help.177801/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/aset-photo-of-emerald-im-considering-step-cut-lovers-help.177801/[/URL]

I recommend looking thru the James Allen site to find the size and shape you prefer. They have pic's of the diamonds so you can narrow down what pleases you. I found only a handful of EC's at local jewelrs and I'm located in a large suburban area of Chicago. Even the local Tacori dealer only had 1 EC in stock that wasn't GIA certed, it was a G in color according to him but the cut was only good at best.
I have no reason to doubt his claim on the color, it looked very white to me even outside in full sunlight, but the steps didn't knock my socks off.

I know there are some really spectacular emerald cut and asscher rings on here that are H,I,J and K in color.
Look up Brown Eyed Country Girl (a J) or Tacori E Ring(an I). Also search Fran Fine (a J).

Have you gone thru this thread? [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/emerald-cuts-asschers-a-collection.113993/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/emerald-cuts-asschers-a-collection.113993/[/URL]
Great eye candy.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'm not so sure a salesman is a good source for deciding what you or your beloved like and don't like.

Training your eyes as you have done is EXACTLY the way to do it. There's one caveat. Make sure the stone being showed as a color example is correctly graded. Particularly in 'lower' colors and with stones thatare being used as examples they often use misgraded goods and it tends to screw up your comparison. Also, if you're looking for a fancy shape like an emerald cut, try to look at emerald cuts to decide on your color preferences. Rounds really do face up differently. Lastly, pay attention to the lighting environment, expecially if you're looking at stones in more than one location.

FWIW, I'm getting married next month and I chose a K for my own ring. My bride has an H.

Awww, congrats to you, Neil!!!!! I am so happy for you!

I would probably go for G-H color or maybe I color for an engagement ring. I love Tacori settings but I wouldn't want lower than I color for the diamond. I would never buy a tinted diamond unless the person specifically requested it.

I would also want a well cut diamond, and I will recommend Jonathan at Good Old Gold for picking very well cut stones.

 

[Dougsgirl]

I, too, like a vintage "antiquey" looking ring, and therefore I bought an August Vintage Cushion diamond. It is a new stone that is cut to look like an old stone, but with ideal light performance. I LOVE it!!

And I bought mine in a J color for 2 reasons...
1... I could afford a bigger stone (1.87 ct, SI1 clarity) and
2... I LIKE a slightly warm tint to a diamond, especially a vintage one. For ME the warmth makes the diamond look "real". Since every fake diamond (CZ) is a D color, sometimes the super icy white stones look "fake" to me. But that is just my opinion. I love it when a diamond has a hint of bronze or steel inside it. Just a HINT. It gives it depth... to me.

My J diamond looks bright white in the sunlight, and slightly "vanilla" in some indoor lighting, but not all. I recently posted some pictures of it here:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-please.177589/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-please.177589/[/URL]
It is about the 22nd post down.

Good luck!! And don't worry about the salesperson. Let your own eyes and heart be the judge!!