new to site....confusion on emerald cut grades

[Cravin My Emerald cut]

I''ve been lurking for a few weeks now. My boyfriend has inquired as to what kind of ring I''d want, so I''ve begun educating myself (so I can educate him). For a while, I wanted an asscher....pondered cushions......and now have decided an emerald is what I want. We recently visited Cartier and tried on a few different sizes. For some reason the "basic" stores near me don''t carry emerald cuts over 1 carat (guess they aren''t that popular here). We won''t be getting a stone from there, but from a brick and mortar (it''s out of state, otherwise I''d visit....long story), so I''ve been trying to compile a range of criteria for him to purchase within.

I''ve got the carat weight, color, and clarity....but having some trouble with cut.

I''ve been using this chart http://www.gemappraisers.com/oldcutgraderules.asp

Obviously, I would like a 1A or 1B, but I also prefer a 1.4 L:W ratio. Also, by searching online I''ve noticed many diamonds have one dimension that''s 1A/B and another that''s 2B/3A, which from what I understand would make it receive the lower of the two ratings.

So....my question is....which diimensions do you think are the "best" to "compromise" on?

Thanks everyone!

 

[DiamanteBlu]

One of the biggest issues that I have with EC''s is that many of them look like giant baguettes - they look "flat" with little personality. I also would never pick an EC [or any other fancy cut] without seeing it first. It is too difficult to tell how the stone will perform with just the numbers.

What I would look for is a stone with "personality" and depth. You want to look into it and see it going on "forever", if you will. I also like more defined windmills. Here is Alj''s finger with my EC on it. Hopefully that will show you what I mean. It is [from memory!] 6.39 K/L VS1 9.9x11.8x6.5 table is 60%. Hope this helps!

 

[Cravin My Emerald cut]

Wow a 6.39 ct! What size is her finger? I have size 6 fingers and thought a 3 carat was a tad too big. Thought a 2.5 would be perfect...haven''t been able to try one on yet though.

I definitely agree on the "don''t buy without seeing" policy. I''ve tried to drill this into him.....I''m sure he will look at it first...I''m sure everything will work out fine.

What I like about emeralds is the understated-ness of them. They''re not overpoweringly sparkly. I also love how they look so deep (as you mentioned) if well cut.

 

[Po10472]

I would agree with Blu, you have to see the EC. I disagree with your comment that they are understated, a well cut stone will sparkle like crazy and the beauty of an EC is the steps and the unique-ness of each stone. My stones blind me and I never tire of looking at them.

Whatever you decide to do you do realise that we''ll all be waiting patiently for pics.

 

[DiamanteBlu]

My finger is a 4 [knuckle is a 5.75!]. The ring has an arthritic shank which opens to a 6. I think that is the size of Alj''s finger.

You may want to arm your future FI with pics of EC''s that you like so he knows what to look for.

Here is a crappy pic of it on me:

 

[strmrdr]

I''m going to have too agree and disagree yes seeing EC cuts is required but you can use a skilled vendor too buy them remotely and use their eyes.
Get pictures, stick with smaller tables and high crowns and work with an expert vendor who understands EC cuts.
Look for patterns and sparkle.
Video''s of the stones are nice to have.

note: larger tabled ones can be very pretty and some people love them but the odds are better with smaller tables that it will have good performance.
Yes I know you love your large tabled EC but no 2 are alike and smaller tables improve the odds when buying online.
In person go with your eyes :}

 

[tberube]

EC''s are funny, in that sometimes even what the gem people would call a less-than-excellent cut can look absolutely stunning. Diamante is right - you really do have to see them in person!

Like mine - on paper it has somewhat of a medium-ish rating - super large table, small-ish windmills, 1:1.32 ratio (fiance didn''t have PS to learn from), but it is just stunning, never dark or flat, as could be predicted on paper. I have actually had people, with 3+ carat emeralds at trade shows in NYC, turn green and tell me that it was the most beautiful EC they''d ever seen (my head was the size of the Javitz Center after that). In fact, FI tells me with a little confusion that the customer service person at adiamor.com was sad to see the diamond go. Heh.

Anyway, fancies are different from rounds, and more unpredictable - more organic, in my opinion. Which is why I love them so much. Good luck with your purchase!

 

[DiamanteBlu]

Date: 12/31/2007 5:18:18 PM
Author: strmrdr

Yes I know you love your large tabled EC . . .

Confused. To whom are you referring?

 

[DiamanteBlu]

Date: 12/31/2007 5:27:41 PM
Author: tberube
EC's are funny, in that sometimes even what the gem people would call a less-than-excellent cut can look absolutely stunning. Diamante is right - you really do have to see them in person!

Like mine - on paper it has somewhat of a medium-ish rating - super large table, small-ish windmills, 1:1.32 ratio (fiance didn't have PS to learn from), but it is just stunning, never dark or flat, as could be predicted on paper. I have actually had people, with 3+ carat emeralds at trade shows in NYC, turn green and tell me that it was the most beautiful EC they'd ever seen (my head was the size of the Javitz Center after that). In fact, FI tells me with a little confusion that the customer service person at adiamor.com was sad to see the diamond go. Heh.

Anyway, fancies are different from rounds, and more unpredictable - more organic, in my opinion. Which is why I love them so much. Good luck with your purchase!

I had the pleasure of viewing [and playing with! LOL!] your EC on Saturday and I have to say that is absolutely stunning! Who cares about the "numbers" when what you see is spectacular?!

 

[diamondfan]

Some emerald cuts can be more elongated and thin, and some can almost be more square. I like the proportions of mine (do not know them by heart but I loved the shape when I saw it, and had seen many in various sizes prior to that). E/C''s are more understated than say a radiant, but a good one is so beautiful to look at. My first emerald cut was a three carat center stone with one carat emerald cuts on each side. They were all E VVS. With emerald cuts, good color and clarity are also important since you see more into the stone. Good luck, cannot wait to see pictures...yeah to another emerald cut!!!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 12/31/2007 6:00:43 PM
Author: DiamanteBlu

Date: 12/31/2007 5:18:18 PM
Author: strmrdr

Yes I know you love your large tabled EC . . .

Confused. To whom are you referring?

the people who post on every EC thread that their EC breaks the suggested criteria and rocks....

 

[DiamanteBlu]

OK, good. So I don''t need to debate with you. I thought for a second you were referring to my 60% table.